Barry Simon Leaving Gilead Community Services

From Lucy McMillan, Gilead Community Services.
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Gilead Community Services has announced that Executive Director Barry Simon will be stepping down from his position to become President/CEO of Oak Hill in Hartford. Barry has given 20 years of exceptional service to Gilead, 18 of those years as Chief Executive Officer. He built the agency from a small community mental health organization serving 100 clients, to one with 17 programs offering a full spectrum of services to over 600 clients throughout Middlesex County. Barry has been a strong advocate for community mental health services and was recognized in 2011 by the National Council for Behavioral Health as National Advocate of the Year. Barry developed a culture of excellence, innovation, compassion and integrity that brought recognition for Gilead from the Department of Mental Health Services as a State-wide Center of Excellence.

Fran Ludwig, President of Gilead’s Board of Directors, said that Barry’s departure is a huge loss for the organization, but that the Board is deeply grateful for his outstanding contributions to Gilead’s clients, the agency, and the community.

The Board has named Gilead COO Dan Osborne as the new CEO, effective December 1st, 2013. Dan has been at Gilead for 12 years, serving as a Case Manager, Program Manager, Program Director, Senior Director, and for the past two years as Gilead’s Chief Operating Officer. Dan is a proven leader who has shown a deep commitment to Gilead’s mission and set high standards for staff performance and client care. He has been innovative in developing and securing funding for enhanced support services for Gilead’s clients as well as for three new Gilead programs. Most importantly, Dan embodies the culture that characterizes Gilead and will ensure a smooth transition and continuity of outstanding leadership.