Retiring Oakton Nonprofit CEO Greeted With Drive-By Parade

OAKTON, VA — For 23 years, Wendy Gradison has worked at PRS, an Oakton-based nonprofit providing mental health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Before she retires as CEO on June 30, a traditional goodbye party isn't possible amid the ongoing pandemic. But staff wouldn't let her retire without a surprise.

Staff held a drive-by parade at Gradison's house Wednesday. Signs, chalk messages, and people in cars greeted Gradison with well wishes. The event was certainly a surprise for the longtime nonprofit leader.

"This was the coolest retirement party anybody has ever had," she said.

Gradison first joined PRS in 1998, succeeding retiring founder Vera Mellen. The former director of PRS' Reston Center, Gradison oversaw the expansion of clients from 200 in 2000 to 502 in 2013. Programs offered today by PRS include a Recovery Academy Day Program, Community Support Services, Community Housing, services for those with autism spectrum disorders, and the PRS CrisisLink crisis and suicide prevention hotline. PRS has continued to offer 24/7 CrisisLink hotline, textline and chat services during the pandemic.

According to a mission statement on PRS' website, "PRS continues to reach out to the underserved in critical need of support to help them learn to reconnect with their communities, become self-sufficient, productive members of society and to overcome the seemingly impenetrable barriers created by their illnesses.

Joe Getch, president of PRS, will take over as CEO on July 1.