News from
CONCERN
A Season of Transition
Price Pritchett, a noted business consultant, once said “change always comes bearing gifts.” Change is on the horizon at CONCERN and it will be bearing gifts both for what we have and are losing and for what we are receiving and gaining.
Rest assured the change will be seamless and with the confidence that CONCERN will be the same mission driven organization dedicated to meeting the needs of children, youth, and families.
At the April 2011 CONCERN Board of Directors meeting, long-time Executive Director Glenn Hillegass announced his retirement. Choosing the appropriate replacement for the role of Executive Director was a task not taken lightly by the Board of Directors. We needed to find an individual who not only possessed the experience and the expertise, but also the dedication to our core values in serving the most vulnerable in our society and to lead CONCERN in the ever-changing child welfare field and that person was CONCERN’s Director of Behavioral Health Paul Rieger.
Saying Goodbye and Thank You
Glenn Hillegass’ retirement announcement was met by staff and foster parents with both joy and sadness. It was joyous as everyone wanted to see Glenn happy, retire on his own terms, and be able to spend quality years with his family and to simply enjoy life. It was sad because those who are part of the “CONCERN family” consider Glenn the face of CONCERN and it would be difficult to imagine not having him leading us into the future.
Glenn has been the steady hand guiding the agency through good times and not so good times, the father figure offering encouragement and words of advice, the consensus builder who brings the ultimate “we not I” attitude, and finally, the leader who leads by example and constantly encouraging others to not only speak their minds, but also to have open minds.
Glenn has given unselfishly of himself for more than four decades in the child welfare field. His passion for children is virtually unmatched and his retirement has been well earned. Glenn became one of CONCERN’s founders in 1978 after working in a children’s residential facility in the beginning of his career.
Glenn should be proud of leaving a legacy of sound financial management, program and geographic expansion, and, above all, the respect of his peers, colleagues, foster parents, and the thousands of children who came through CONCERN under his watch.
The Dawning of New Leadership
Paul Rieger officially began his tenure of CONCERN’s Executive Director on November 10, 2011. While replacing Glenn Hillegass may be a daunting task to most individuals, Paul Rieger comes to the position well qualified with his own track record of success and ability to build a business even in the most tumultuous economic times.
Paul came to CONCERN in April 1998 and since June 2001 he has served as CONCERN’s Director of Behavioral Health. It is in this position that Paul has shown his tremendous leadership capabilities and ability to position CONCERN Counseling Services to take advantage of market opportunities in previously underserved areas such as Bradford, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union Counties.
Paul is looking forward to the opportunity to serve as CONCERN’s new Executive Director and extremely confident that “the agency’s history of resiliency and purposeful planning has provided a solid structure and mission which will be able to be continued and enhanced.” Paul wishes to thank Glenn Hillegass “for his commitment and leadership for the past 21 years as Executive Director.”
In addition to Paul’s previously mentioned attributes and qualifications, he possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania as well as many years as a direct care child worker and holding management and administrative positions at other mental health and child welfare agencies prior to coming to CONCERN.
Therefore, it is with great sadness to say good-bye to Glenn and with great pride and anticipation that we welcome Paul. |
