Hotovy appointed new CMH director

Lisa Hotovy

LUDINGTON — The Governing Board of West Michigan Community Mental Health, provider of mental health and substance abuse services in Lake, Mason, and Oceana counties, has appointed Lisa Hotovy, PhD, as its new executive director.

“The Board took seriously its job to find the best new Executive Director,” said Board chair president Jim Prince.  “We believe we have found an excellent one in Lisa, someone whose leadership qualities we have come to know well, especially in the last few years.”

Dr. Hotovy has provided executive-level leadership at WMCMH for the past 11 years of her 14-year tenure with the organization. As Deputy Director of Service Enhancement, her responsibilities have stretched from strategic planning and program development at the organizational level to collaboration and advocacy at the state and national level. Meanwhile at WMCMH she has overseen business functions including performance improvement, customer services, network management, and others.

Dr. Hotovy will assume the full responsibilities of her new role in late summer or early fall of this year. In the meantime, she and current Executive Director Rich VandenHeuvel, who leaves WMCMH for his new role as CEO of Lakeshore Regional Entity, are working together for a smooth transition.

“I have had the privilege to work with Lisa for her entire tenure to date at WMCMH,” said VandenHeuvel. “She is fully committed to the mission of the organization and the people we serve. The Board has chosen a brilliant professional and a superb leader, and I look forward to continuing to work together as we each transition into new roles. I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead WMCMH into the future.”

“It’s a real honor to be chosen by the Board and to lead a talented group of people serving the community,” said Dr. Hotovy. “With Rich’s leadership, WMCMH has gained a reputation for compassionate, person-centered care and innovative business practices. I’m eager to continue this tradition with our community partners and the people we serve.”