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What excites you most about behavioral health leadership right now?
Young people. I have always enjoyed working with youth and helping them grow and develop. And every time I can engage with youth and young adults I am heartened by their compassion and commitment. I am also excited that we are focusing more on the importance of acquiring leadership skills and supporting leaders. Our concepts of leadership are changing, and we know that it is just as important to coach, teach, and support as it is to motivate and inspire.
What is the most important thing you have learned that has been critical to your success thus far?
Number one is to focus on strengths and making sure all people understand that they are leaders – no matter where they sit. Everyone can demonstrate leadership, and it is important to help each person learn, grow, and develop. I also believe it is important to have humility. A good leader recognizes their limitations, acknowledges mistakes, and learns from feedback. I have also learned to surround myself with quality people who have a diversity of opinion and are willing to provide honest feedback. I often say that my best leadership decisions have been related to the people I hired because their work and feedback have made me a better person. I am a believer in the concept of ‘servant leader,’ because when you care about and support others, we all perform better.
Is there a professional motto or quote you live or work by?
I have two. The first is a three-word phrase that I use as a job description for anyone on my team, from a first-year student intern to a seasoned executive, which is to “change the world.” This reflects my hope and expectation that we are all here to make a positive impact, and that even small, incremental change can have a significant outcome. The second is ‘Onward and Forward.’ This reflects my hope and expectation that we learn from the past so that we can continue to take positive steps ahead.
What piece of advice would you go back and tell your younger self who has just entered the workforce?
First, don’t be defensive and regularly seek out feedback. We grow and develop through continuous quality improvement, and it is through critical feedback that we can focus on being better tomorrow than we are today. I would also tell my younger self to be more comfortable creating teams that may create discomfort. Innovative leaders embrace a diversity of thoughts and perceptions because in doing so better solutions are generated.
List five adjectives that describe your personality.
Compassionate, Considerate, Enthusiastic, Creative, Loyal
What motivates you to get up and work each morning?
My family. I am so fortunate to have a loving, supportive wife for nearly 42 years and we have two amazing adult children and six awesome grandchildren. The idea of working to improve their lives, and the lives of children, youth, and families makes each day a gift.
What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people?
In High School I was a good enough tennis player that I got to play at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Longboat Key Florida. That experience changed the trajectory of my life as I quickly realized that I was not going to turn professional… hence, I decided to buckle down in school and become a psychologist. I don’t regret that decision for a second, although who knows what would have happened if I had been any good!
What sports team do you cheer on the loudest?
Having grown up in Florida and attended the University of South Florida (USF) for my undergraduate work (prior to USF even having a football team), I am a big fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Let’s Go Bucs!”
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, to grab coffee with, who would it be and why?
Such an interesting question. There are so many, and I imagine I would choose different people depending on when I was responding. As I think about this today, I am going to choose my maternal great grandfather. I did “meet” him as an infant; however, I would like to ask him about our family background and how he had the courage to immigrate to the United States from Eastern Europe with empty pockets and a dream.
Why is CBHL important to you?
Developing leaders has always been an interest of mine, especially for young people and family members. As the Chief of the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch at SAMHSA I was able to support leadership training, including the highly successful Leadership Academy that was developed at Georgetown University. I also take great pride in watching former staff and colleagues excel in their own leadership journeys. So, getting involved with CBHL was a ‘no-brainer.’ I can focus on the importance of leadership, and I have an opportunity to help CBHL grow and thrive. I am looking forward to expanding our membership, expanding our training and technical assistance activities, and expanding our ability to provide content expertise. Please join this outstanding organization for yourself and to ‘pay it forward’ as we assist with developing behavioral health leaders of the future!
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