JFCS of the Suncoast Hires New Interim CEO

JFCS of the Suncoast has hired Arthur Lerman as its interim CEO. He replaces Heidi Brown who resigned from her position after serving JFCS for the past three years. “Heidi has done a great job as our CEO,” said Dean Miller, chair of the JFCS board of directors. “We thank her for her contributions to the growth and development of JFCS and wish her the very best.”

“JFCS is excited to have Arthur serve as our interim CEO,” explains Miller. “With over twenty years of experience in non-profit management, Arthur will make significant contributions to our organization in the areas of organizational development and growth, strategic planning, financial management and community relations. While we will be conducting a national search for a permanent CEO, we will have the benefit of Arthur’s leadership for the next several months,” Mil ler added.

Lerman brings a wealth of experience in his role as interim CEO, including serving on the JFCS board of directors and chair of the board’s development committee. He has developed and managed assisted living facilities, nursing homes, a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation facility, and a home health agency. He has been the executive director of non-profit organizations providing transportation services to seniors, medical services to individuals without health insurance, and residential, day habilitation and supportive employment services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. In addition, Lerman has been a consultant to states in the areas of behavior health and long term care, including involvement in the redesign of the behavioral health systems for Oregon and West Virginia and integrating behavioral health services into San Francisco’s public health clinics.

Lerman moved to the Sarasota area in 2007. Since then, he has been the executive director of ITNSuncoast and We Care Manatee. He has also served on the Sarasota County Seniors Advisory Council, the Stakeholders in Aging Task Force, and the board of directors of the Southwest Florida Area Agency on Aging. He currently serves on the Transportation Disadvantaged Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and chairs Transition Venice.

“I am thrilled to join JFCS in this role and lead a talented, hardworking team that provides critical mental health and human services to positively impact those in need,” said Lerman. “I look forward to building on JFCS’ successes to ensure collaboration and excellence in all we do in service to our clients and community,” he added.

JFCS of the Suncoast provides counseling, case management, and financial assistance to youth and families, individuals, veterans, seniors and those experiencing or near homelessness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto and Lee Counties. For over 35 years, JFCS has provided non-denominational mental health and social services and provided support to over 5,700 individuals this past year. More information about services provided by JFCS is available at www.jfcs-cares.org.