MHARS Board of Directors Selects New FY 2022 Executive Leadership
At its regular monthly meeting on June 24, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County’s board of directors selected new leadership for the 2022 Fiscal Year. They will assume their roles beginning on July 1, 2021.
“Congratulations to the board of directors’ officers on their leadership roles. We thank them for their continued support of the MHARS Board,” said Executive Director Michael Doud. “I look forward to working with them as we continue our important work throughout Lorain County.”
The new executive leadership team includes:
- Daniel Urbin, Chairperson: Daniel T. Urbin, an Avon Lake resident, served as a Board Member of the former Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board and Lorain County Mental Health Board (LCMHB) before their merger as the MHARS Board. Urbin has 38 years of experience working with individuals on their journeys to recovery. His previous experience also includes work with the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Drug Court, Prison Ministry and as a Board Member of Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF). He is a Certified Peer Supporter, attended the National Conference for Addiction in Washington DC and is past President of Leadership Lorain County.
- Regan Phillips, Vice Chairperson: Regan Phillips, of North Ridgeville, is the City of Elyria’s Executive Administrator for the Council Clerk’s Office. Prior to her position with the City, she had extensive experience with nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA, where she served as Program Director. She currently serves as the President of the African American Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County. Phillips currently serves as the Lorain Section National Council of Negro Women President and previously served as 2nd Vice President for the NAACP. In addition, she has served on numerous boards including Leadership Lorain County, Elyria Kiwanis and the Urban League Guild. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Angel.
- Dr. Denise Eacott, Secretary: Dr. Denise Eacott, a Lorain resident, is the owner of Mindful Wellness Psychological Services, LLC in Amherst. She is a licensed psychologist with 20 years of experience in psychology and counseling throughout Northeast Ohio. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University (CSU), from which she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and her Doctorate in Urban Education with a specialization in counseling. Dr. Eacott’s previous volunteer work includes service on the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, CSU’s Counseling Center and CSU Student Life’s advisory committee.
- David Ashenhurst, Chief Governance Officer: David Ashenhurst, of Oberlin, will continue his role as the MHARS Board of Directors Chief Governance Officer. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit Oberlin By Design, Inc. He has extensive experience in the realm of nonprofit administration with the Pew Charitable Trusts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Rotary International. Ashenhurst is also a past member of the Oberlin City Council and former executive director of the Nord Family Foundation. Highlights of his volunteer experience include work with the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lorain County Board of Elections, Friends of Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, Inc. and Ohio Citizen Action.
In addition, the MHARS Board staff and its board of directors thank outgoing members Brandon Bobbitt and Dr. Tracey Frierson for their service to the board. Their terms will expire June 30, 2021. At the June 24 meeting, Mike Babet was sworn in, replacing the position to be vacated by Dr. Frierson. The Membership Committee of the Board of Directors is working to fill the position left by Bobbitt.
Learn MoreMHARS Board Bids Farewell to Longtime Board Member and Welcomes New Staff
On June 1, 2021, Pamela Waite stepped down from her board position on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board. Since its merger in July 2019, she had served as the Board’s vice chairperson. Pamela served on the former Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County since 2016 and prior to ADAS merging with the Lorain County Board of Mental Health in 2019.
“Pamela continued to ensure that the Boards focused on client-centered, outcome-driven service delivery,” said, Executive Director Emeritus, Elaine Georgas.
Pamela has an extensive background in advocacy, nursing and mental health. The MHARS Board staff and board thank her for her service and lending her expertise. She will be missed. The board has begun its internal process for filling her position as vice chairperson.
This week, the MHARS Board welcomed its new Executive Director Michael Doud. Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas will assist in Doud’s transition.
“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,” said Board Chair Dr. Hope Moon. “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.”
Click here to read more about him.
The MHARS Board was also joined by a new Communications and Community Relations Director, Nancy Kelsey, in May. Nancy brings a diverse background of experience to this position.
Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s office starting out as its Social Media & Digital Communications Manager. Her previous experience includes communications work with Cleveland State University’s Division of University Engagement and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In addition, she has nearly 10 years of experience as a reporter working in newsrooms around the country for news services, print, radio and digital media. She also spent two years working as an AmeriCorps volunteer teacher on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She resides in Cleveland with her husband and two dogs.
Learn More
Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program
Brought to you by your Board and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, this program for participating counties reimburses employers for:
- Development and legal review of employer policies and procedures about substance use issues.
- Training for employees to understand substance use and their employer’s related policies.
- Training to equip supervisors and managers to better manage employees in recovery.
- Drug testing for prospective and current employees in recovery.
The program also provides access to a free employee wellness incentive program, BWC’s Better You, Better Ohio.
To sign up, or for more information, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov. Or contact:
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Christopher Albanese
Director, Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program
614-644-0449
Christopher.A.2@bwc.state.oh.us
