Unity House's Board of Directors named Owasco resident Elizabeth A. Werner its fifth executive director. She will succeed Joyce Williams, effective April 3, 2009.
The decision was unanimous, board president and executive director search committee chairperson Karen Merritt said in a press release. Werner has more than 12 years experience at Unity House touching on every aspect of the agency's mission, services and programs.
Her experience, achievements as a manager and executive, compassion for consumers and families and commitment to Unity House's purpose and future made her “an obvious and ideal choice,” Merritt said.
At Unity House, Werner did job coaching in the agency's employment services, managed cases in MRDD Residential Services, and, as a specialist and department director, oversaw quality assurance of all services and programs while serving as deputy executive director for more than nine years.
“The executive director position is a bigger position always focused on the service we provide the consumer,” Werner said. “The executive director sets the tone for the agency to create an environment where people really want to come to work.
“The biggest barrier is being creative within the confines of the regulations imposed by funding sources. You have to think outside the box.”
She expressed concern about the current fiscal climate.
“I'm not sure what this means for us. We're all concerned about the budget cuts,” she said. “I'm going in being very positive. Maybe with the cuts or restraints there will be opportunities as well.”
Werner will officially assume overall leadership of the 300-employee, $12-million a year organization when Williams' resignation, ending her 20-year tenure at Unity House, takes effect. She noted that when she started in 1995, most of the services were being provided in the Auburn area, but now services extend to nine residences in Tompkins County.
Between Feb. 1 and April 3, 2009, Williams and senior management staff will orient Werner to her new position.
A Long Island native, with a BS in Health Administration from Keuka College and MS in Health Services Management Policy from Robert Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, Werner looks forward to adding to the agency's accomplishments achieved under Williams' stewardship.
Unity House provides transitional and permanent housing, rehabilitative, and employment services in six central New York counties to more than 700 individuals a day with developmental disabilities, mental health illnesses, and those recovering from chemical dependencies.
“I love what we do at this agency,” Werner said. “I've had a wonderful experience within which to grow and develop. My professional values are so in line and consistent with the agency's.”
Williams resigned to relocate to North Carolina to be closer to her family. While she was excited about the move, “deciding to leave Unity House and the best employees and consumers and families in the world was the hardest choice I have ever made.”
Williams joined Unity House in 1989 was appointed executive director in November 1997. Since then, Unity House's workforce expanded from 200 to 300 employees with a near 250 percent increase in its annual budget.
“To say that Joyce will be sorely missed is the understatement of the century, as far as I'm concerned,” board president Karen Merritt said in the release. “She's been the ultimate human services agency executive director, both with her individual abilities and with her unique capacity to assemble and get the most from talented, dedicated managers and direct care staff.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Her experience, achievements as a manager and executive, compassion for consumers and families and commitment to Unity House's purpose and future made her “an obvious and ideal choice,” Merritt said.
At Unity House, Werner did job coaching in the agency's employment services, managed cases in MRDD Residential Services, and, as a specialist and department director, oversaw quality assurance of all services and programs while serving as deputy executive director for more than nine years.
“The executive director position is a bigger position always focused on the service we provide the consumer,” Werner said. “The executive director sets the tone for the agency to create an environment where people really want to come to work.
“The biggest barrier is being creative within the confines of the regulations imposed by funding sources. You have to think outside the box.”
She expressed concern about the current fiscal climate.
“I'm not sure what this means for us. We're all concerned about the budget cuts,” she said. “I'm going in being very positive. Maybe with the cuts or restraints there will be opportunities as well.”
Werner will officially assume overall leadership of the 300-employee, $12-million a year organization when Williams' resignation, ending her 20-year tenure at Unity House, takes effect. She noted that when she started in 1995, most of the services were being provided in the Auburn area, but now services extend to nine residences in Tompkins County.
Between Feb. 1 and April 3, 2009, Williams and senior management staff will orient Werner to her new position.
A Long Island native, with a BS in Health Administration from Keuka College and MS in Health Services Management Policy from Robert Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, Werner looks forward to adding to the agency's accomplishments achieved under Williams' stewardship.
Unity House provides transitional and permanent housing, rehabilitative, and employment services in six central New York counties to more than 700 individuals a day with developmental disabilities, mental health illnesses, and those recovering from chemical dependencies.
“I love what we do at this agency,” Werner said. “I've had a wonderful experience within which to grow and develop. My professional values are so in line and consistent with the agency's.”
Williams resigned to relocate to North Carolina to be closer to her family. While she was excited about the move, “deciding to leave Unity House and the best employees and consumers and families in the world was the hardest choice I have ever made.”
Williams joined Unity House in 1989 was appointed executive director in November 1997. Since then, Unity House's workforce expanded from 200 to 300 employees with a near 250 percent increase in its annual budget.
“To say that Joyce will be sorely missed is the understatement of the century, as far as I'm concerned,” board president Karen Merritt said in the release. “She's been the ultimate human services agency executive director, both with her individual abilities and with her unique capacity to assemble and get the most from talented, dedicated managers and direct care staff.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
