Shore Community Services Welcomes Necole Mills and Michael Dow Aboard

Skokie, IL: Shore Community Services, which is a not-for-profit agency servicing children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Dow and Necole Mills to our team. They both started in January and Michael is our Chief Financial Officer and Necole is the Chief Program Officer. Below is their brief biographies and general job responsibilities.

Michael A. Dow, CPA, CGMA, MBA, is a Certified Public Accountant who earned his MBA from DePaul University. He is a Financial Executive with an established record of significantly improving business operations and financial performance. He brings over 30 years of experience in Financial Statement Presentation, General Ledger Analysis, Variance Analysis, Cash Management, Risk Management, Budgeting, Forecasting, Negotiations, Strategic Planning and Development, Cost Savings Solutions, Due Diligence, Human Resources, External Audits, Revamping of Internal Controls, Corporate Benefits, Accounting Process Redesigning, Leadership and Mentoring, Banking Relations and the Development and Deployment of Policies and Procedures.

As the Chief Financial Officer, Michael will primarily function as the administrator of accounting and business practices. He will maintain the integrity of financial operations through compliance with internal and external standards and rules; oversees various functions of administration including maintenance and improvement of administrative area; prepares and updates reports for the Department of Human Services, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Rehabilitation Services and various state agencies and regulatory bodies. Michael will also work collaboratively with the directors and the CEO to identify any issues with expenses and revenues.

Necole Mills, MA, QIDP, brings over 22 years of non-for-profit experience in developing, implementing and managing programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to joining Shore’s team, Necole held the position of Vice President of Disability Services at Anixter Center. She supported the disability services pillar, which represented a third of the overall $14,500,000 budget that included: services such as Residential, Community Day and Employment Services to over 300 people annually. Necole served as the Vice President of Community Programs at Community Support Services, Inc. (CSS) and served on several employment, inclusion, and transition planning committees. Previous to her work at CSS, Necole worked in the field of workforce development.

Necole holds both a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2013, Necole was selected to participate in Community Memorial Foundation’s (CMF) first Ladder to Leadership cohort lead by the Center for Creative Leadership. A 16-month curriculum aimed to enhance the capabilities and skills of early to mid-level professionals working in health-related community-based nonprofit organizations. Necole serves on the board of The Answer Inc., an autism awareness and education organization that provides black and brown communities with resources, education opportunities, recreation activities and supports thought-out the Chicagoland area.

As Chief Program Officer, Necole will oversee the administrative functions related to regulatory compliance, quality assurance, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility for all Shore Programs. Her main responsibilities include: ensuring the home and programming locations are safe, clean, and are comfortable for each individual; ensuring that the schedule in the home/center promotes each person participating in activities, which emphasize increasing skills, socialization, choice making and are appropriate and normalized for the adult population; ensuring that the schedule of activities outside the home promote an increased participation in their local community; and ensuring that all programs and services are financially sustainable.

Alexis India Alm, Shore’s Chief Executive Officer, stated “I’m delighted that Necole and Michael have joined the Shore family! They are highly credentialed; revered by their peers; and are passionate about our mission to serve individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Please join me in a warm welcome to Necole and Michael! Welcome aboard!”

Since 1951, Shore's mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities through educational, residential, vocational and related programs provided with community integrated supports and services.