Jerry Skogmo to Retire from Renz Addiction Counseling Center

ELGIN, IL – After 24 years as the Executive Director of Renz Addiction Counseling Center, Jerry Skogmo will step down on February 6, 2020. Deb Howe, currently the Director of Marketing and Fund Development at Renz Center, will move into a new role as Operations Director for the agency.

“Jerry has been instrumental in some of the biggest changes in our organization’s 58 years of service, including expanding program services and acquiring the properties at One and Two American Way,” said Brian Monson, President of the Renz Center Board of Directors. “While Jerry’s presence here will be sorely missed, his legacy will last long after his departure. I’m confident that the leadership and staff will continue to work hard to maintain the same level of excellence that Jerry brought to this organization every day.”

During his time at Renz Center, Skogmo expanded programing to include gambling use disorder treatment, DUI services, and intensive outpatient services in the clinical program as well as the Employee Assistance Services program. Skogmo was instrumental in obtaining federal SAMHSA grants to expand services to reduce HIV infection, increase access to substance use disorder treatment for women and enhance community coalitions to reduce underage drinking and drug use/misuse. Skogmo also played an integral role in Renz’s merger with Ecker Center for Mental Health in 2018.

Previously, Skogmo had been a clinician and program director at Ecker Center from 1978 -1990 and a clinical director at Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center from 1990 - 1996. He served on the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health (formerly IADDA) for 15 years and is a current member of the Kiwanis Club of Elgin. He will continue his work with the Elgin for Mental Health Referendum, an initiative to support the creation of a 708 Mental Health Board for Elgin Township, as well as remain in the private practice he shares with his wife Mindy as a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and certified addictions counselor.

Renz Center provides a continuum of care dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of addictive behaviors related to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Services range from prevention programs for youth in the schools to outpatient treatment programs for adolescents and adults. Priority is given to pregnant women and women with dependent children. Offices are located in Elgin, St. Charles, and Streamwood. Renz Center is a non-profit organization funded in part by the federal government, Elgin Township, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Hanover Township, Geneva, and St. Charles 708 Mental Health Boards and other local community organizations. To find out more about Renz Center’s programs, call 847-742-3545 or visit www.renzcenter.org.