Community Health Center announced that Chief Executive Officer Ted Ziegler will be retiring effective June 30, 2013, after nearly 35 years of service to the agency.
Mr. Ziegler, 71, was hired in 1978 and became CEO in 1980 for an agency that was struggling to survive with a small budget, less than 20 employees and one small rented office. Fast forward to 2012, and under his leadership CHC’s budget has grown to over $12 million annually, employs more than 150, operates out of six locations in Summit County, and serves thousands of patients every year with some of the most comprehensive and innovative behavioral healthcare in the state.
Mr. Ziegler commented, “This agency is my life’s work, and I believe it is well positioned for the future of healthcare. The work I’ve done at CHC and our affiliated organizations has grown through the years because we truly respond to the needs of the people we serve. If we cannot find a solution for them in the community we create one. Some may consider us risk-takers, but being innovative and working outside of the box has made Community Health Center one of the most diverse and strong community service providers in Ohio. I expect our next leader to embrace the ingenuity we’ve built this business on, and to use the decades of experience under our roof in continuing the mission of CHC.”
In addition to Ziegler’s work at Community Health Center, he founded the Community Health Center Foundation in 1985, and the Ohio Multi-County Development Corporation (OMCDC) in 2002, a community development corporation that establishes housing and other small business ventures in underserved areas around the state. OMCDC has brought over $27.5 million in federal funding into Northeast Ohio since its inception and owns, manages and/or is a partner in 631 units of housing throughout the state for people in need.
“Community Health Center is Ted’s vision. Because of his drive, resourcefulness and overall enthusiasm for this agency, CHC is what it is today,” commented CHC Board President, Bob Papa. The Board of Directors has established a search committee to identify the next leader. Mr. Ziegler will continue as CEO through the coming year and will be assisting with the executive search. “Ted is an integral part of Community Health Center’s history. With his expertise, and the support of his strong team, we are confident that CHC will continue Ted’s legacy of trailblazing in this field,” added Papa.
Child Guidance & Family Solutions has broken ground on its new headquarters at the northwest corner of East Market and North Forge streets. When the 25,000-square-foot facility is complete in March, CG&FS will relocate from its aging location on Locust Street on the Akron Children’s Hospital campus to the site of the former Fred Martin Chevrolet dealership. The new building – roughly 10,000 square feet larger than the current headquarters – will allow for better coordination of care for patients, particularly those with severe mental health problems.
