After ten years of service on the Chase Home Board of Directors, Chris McCarthy recently made the difficult decision to resign her post as president and “turn the reins over” to Rob Levey.
“I am as committed as ever to the Chase Home, but I felt it was time,” said McCarthy. “I could not be happier to see Rob assume this role. He has proven himself a leader in numerous ways since joining the Board.”
Former Director of Development and Communications at Seacoast Mental Health Center and current CEO of Exponential Squared, a strategic marketing and development firm, Levey joined the Chase Home Board in early 2014. Regarding his new role, he expressed optimism at the foundation McCarthy helped build during her tenure.
“Chris has been a calm and steadying voice through challenging times and served as a wonderful leader and mentor,” he noted. “I learned a lot from her and look forward to helping build on the success she helped Chase Home achieve in recent years.”
Founded in 1877, Chase Home provides home-based services as well as housing for youth who have been involved in the legal system or neglected and/or abused.
“These are complicated cases that require comprehensive interventions,” noted Meme Wheeler, executive director at Chase Home. “With the right services and support, we can help entire families achieve their goals in life.”
In looking back on her time at Chase Home, McCarthy said she has seen many changes, including the demands placed on the Board itself.
“As a Board, it became increasingly important for us to fundraise and help provide oversight
of the budget and day-to-day operations,” she said. “We do not just listen to reports on Chase Home—we are actively involved and accountable.”
Levey agrees and said one of his first objectives is to work closely with Wheeler, the Board and community stakeholders to help develop “a new strategic direction for Chase Home.”
“We have many tangible assets here—expert staff, caring and committed board members, and a savvy executive director who understands where our services need to go from a clinical perspective,” he said. “My job will be to do whatever it takes to best support all of them and our mission with fiscal sustainability in mind.”
Citing a strong working relationship with Levey, Wheeler said the need to ramp up Chase Home’s capacity has never been greater.
“We are still woefully underfunded given the demand for our services in Portsmouth and across the state,” she said. “Although I am sad to see Chris go, I am very excited at this new chapter for Chase Home.”
Serving 36% of youth requiring intermediate placement in New Hampshire, Chase Home is one of five intermediate level group homes in the state. Chase Home collaborates with all major community stakeholders, including district courts, police departments, community mental health agencies, schools, welfare organizations and others.
To learn more about Chase Home, visit www.chasehome.org.