Press Release: MHARS Board announces new Executive Director
LORAIN, OHIO – The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County serves as the local authority for community mental health and substance use services. The Board is dedicated to improving the well-being of all members of the community by planning for, establishing and maintaining an effective, efficient, and quality system of mental health, addiction and recovery services for Lorain County.
After a four-month intensive search, the MHARS Board is pleased to announce the selection of Michael K. Doud as its new executive director. Mr. Doud follows the MHARS Board’s Interim Executive Director, Elaine Georgas, who assumed the interim position when the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health and Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board merged in 2019. The MHARS Board selected Mr. Doud after an extensive regional search led by a team of current Board Members and executive search firm Waverly Partners of Cleveland.
Under Ms. Georgas’ dedicated leadership, the organization built on its strengths, developed new relationships, and strengthened existing relationships with partners and supporters. The MHARS Board would like to thank Ms. Georgas for her dedication and outstanding service during the rapid merger of the two boards and the issues facing the organization during the COVID pandemic.
The MHARS Board anticipates that Mr. Doud will leverage these achievements to help the organization expand its services to reach even more Lorain County residents in need.
“We are very excited to have Michael taking on the role of Executive Director of the MHARS Board,” says Dr. Hope Moon, the Board Chair. “Michael brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with his extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio, his three decades of service within the mental health/substance abuse area, and his strong management skills. We expect Michael to not only continue the MHARS Board’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the MHARS Board’s programs to more people in need.”
Mr. Doud joins the MHARS Board after 32-years of work in the behavioral health arena. Most recently, Mr. Doud was the Chief Operating Officer of the Emerald Development and Economic Network, a non-profit community housing development agency in Cleveland. Earlier in his career, he spent almost 20 years at the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County and also worked at the Nord Center and St. Joseph/Community Health Partners in Lorain. Mr. Doud has a BA degree from Cleveland State University and an MS degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.
Mr. Doud said “I’m honored to be identified to lead such a dynamic, community-driven organization as the MHARS Board of Lorain County.” “I am optimistic about MHARS Board continued success and look forward to working closely with stakeholders and partners as we build upon our initiatives to support the recovery process of individuals in our communities.” “I look forward to joining the MHARS Board in continuing to advance collaborative, cross-sector efforts to improve behavioral health services and access to quality care.”
Mr. Doud will assume the Executive Director position on June 1, 2021.
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