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Exciting news from SARRC

SARRC Names New President & CEO as Part of Leadership Succession Plan 

We are pleased to share important news with you involving SARRC's leadership. For the last few years, Jeri Kendle, SARRC President, has been working with the SARRC Board of Directors to create a leadership development and succession plan. This week, SARRC is announcing that Daniel Openden, Ph.D, BCBA-D, will serve as President & CEO as of July 1, 2013.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to put a leadership succession plan in place. We also credit Jeri's leadership and the 85-person staff at SARRC for building a strong team and delivering programs, services and research at the highest level. Jeri has agreed to remain in her position until June 30, 2013 to ensure a seamless transition. As part of her next chapter with SARRC, Jeri will be focusing on the expansion of SARRC's social enterprises and innovative programming. 

Jeri has served as SARRC President since 2009 and has been part of SARRC since its inception, formerly serving on SARRC's Board of Directors and as its Vocational & Life Skills Academy Director. Under Jeri's leadership, SARRC has improved its financial diversity while decreasing state and federal revenues to less than 2% of its annual budget; developed the Vocational & Life Skills Academy, which provides services to over 500 adolescents and adults with autism annually; and initiated SARRC's social enterprise programs, creating sustainable SARRC-owned businesses that increase community awareness and employment opportunities for adults with autism. Jeri's commitment to SARRC and her compassion for the autism community has earned her the admiration of SARRC's staff, Board of Directors, community partners, donors, and the individuals with autism and families we serve.

Danny has served as Vice President and Clinical Services Director since 2007. Since beginning at SARRC, he has developed an innovative, cutting-edge inclusive preschool program recognized as a "best practices" model by the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS); initiated SARRC's Remote Telemedicine Program to provide outreach to families outside of Maricopa County; and serves on the Scientific Council of the Organization for Autism Research and the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee.

SARRC is grateful for Jeri's leadership and significant contributions, which have strengthened the organization and its impact on the autism community. We are confident that SARRC's future is in very good hands and hope you will join us in welcoming Danny as SARRC's President& CEO-Designee!

Sincerely,

Howard Sobelman, SARRC Board Chair & Denise D. Resnik, SARRC Co-founder

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