Comings and Goings

The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (MA)

Ellen Attaliades (left) has been appointed as its President and CEO effective May 21. Ellen joins ADDP from The Edinburg Center, a nonprofit community-based service provided in Bedford, MA. She started working there in the early 1980s and was promoted to her most recent role as CEO in 1991. She began her career in human services at The Fernald Center as a DSP.

Ellen is a strong advocate and has many years of experience representing the interests of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries to state agency partners, the Massachusetts legislature, other trade associations and advocacy groups. She has served with distinction on both the Executive Committees and the Boards of ADDP and the Association of Behavioral Healthcare (ABH). Most recently, Ellen served on the Provider Consumer and Advisory Council (PCAC) and The Collaborative, the entity which coordinates advocacy regarding rate setting and other cross-association regulations and laws.

Mandy Nichols (right) had been serving as Interim CEO since August.

Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc.

Janet Stover (left), President & CEO since March 2000, has retired as of April 1. Janet has been a tireless advocate for many years. Her entire career—from volunteer to President & CEO—has been spent advancing the cause of community-based services for people with I/DD and serious mental illnesses. During her time at IARF, she not only grew the membership but enhanced its prestige in the halls of government, its effectiveness in advocating policy, and its exposure to the general public. She was very active in the ANCOR State Executives Forum and previously served as the SAE Liaison on the ANCOR Board of Directors. She was also named a Legacy Leader by the ANCOR Foundation in 2016. 

Josh Evans (right) was unanimously approved by the IARF board as the new President & CEO. Josh joined IARF in 2004 as a Legislative Liaison and returned to the organization as Legislative Director in 2009 after working as Government Relations Director for a national rehabilitation association. He subsequently served as IARF Vice President of Government Relations and Operations. “Josh is an incredible leader who has been center to the successes of IARF over the years, especially as he marshalled advocacy efforts around recent increases for Director Support Professional wage increases and transitional increases for mental health rates” said Janet Stover in IARF’s press release.

Josh has been very active in ANCOR in the government relations arena and also with the State Association Executives. In 2017, Josh was a recipient of ANCOR’s Suellen Galbraith Advocacy Award.

North Carolina Providers Council

Bob Hedrick (left), who has been at the helm as Executive Director for 14 years, recently announced his retirement. Bob has been a very involved ANCOR member, particularly in the government relations arena. To quote Bob, “I am passionate about the important work we have done to support people with I/DD, mental health and substance use disorder service needs in our communities across North Carolina and I am proud of the policies we have helped shape to keep the focus on making their lives better.”

The Council has engaged Lanier Cansler and the team at Cansler Collaborative Resources to continue the management after Bob’s retirement. In the meantime, Bob is leading the transition. He is looking forward to spending more time with family and devoting more time to music, traveling and photography.  

Verland (PA)

Carol Michell (left), founding President & CEO of Verland, is transitioning to Deputy CEO as of July 1. Carol, a long-time, very active and supportive member of ANCOR, has previously served on both the ANCOR Board of Directors and the ANCOR Foundation Board of Directors. She is also a Legacy Leader. William “Bill” Harriger (right), will become President and CEO of Verland. He has been the organization’s COO for approximately four years. Bill is also active with ANCOR, particularly in the government relations arena. Both Bill and Carol have been very active in their state association (PAR) and have been recognized as PAR’s “Advocate of the Year.”