CFO Track
Presentations
Getting To The Right Scale: The OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Growth Through Mergers, Acquisitions & Affiliations
How big is big enough for your organization to sustain talent, market reach, and financial resources? In deciding the right path for staying competitive in the constantly shifting health and human services marketplace, many executives from specialty provider organizations are pursuing merger, acquisition, and affiliation (MA&A) strategies. In the last few years, the field has experienced a record number of MA&A among specialty provider organizations serving consumers with complex conditions. Join us for this information-packed seminar examining growth strategies and successful implementation plans from previous combinations and collaborations occurring in the health and human services field. Learn how to position your organization for sustainability and growth as we move forward into the “post-pandemic” world.
This seminar will focus on:
- Designing an effective strategy for growth and scale
- Assessing the options for growth – from investors to mergers
- Identifying prospective organizational partners
- Overcoming the challenges to create successful collaborations
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
How To Build (& Succeed With) Value-Based Payer Partnerships: An OPEN MINDS Executive Seminar On Best Practices In Marketing, Negotiating & Contracting With Health Plans
Featured Special Guests: Don Fowls, President, Don Fowls & Associates, LLC & Paul Duck, Chief Strategy Officer, OPEN MINDS
Across the country, managed care organizations are successfully delivering treatment services to large populations and doing it in a way that saves states significant sums of money. These demonstrated savings show that value-based reimbursement and managed care arrangements aren’t going anywhere. For executives, this means they must find a way to position themselves to work closely with managed care companies. And provider organizations need to move from an understanding of the key competencies required in the VBR model to tactical initiatives for implementing the talent, technology, and systems that deliver quality and value.
How? By developing relationships with the payers in your market, considering what metrics they are tied to and how you can help them to meet their performance requirements, discussing how you can align programs and services with the goals of the payers and health plans in your market, and providing data that proves your service lines can achieve both high quality outcomes and lower costs. In this crucial seminar, we will discuss:
- How to start strategic conversations with health plans
- How to confirm the foundational components of infrastructure needed for VBR are in place and demonstrate your organization’s value in a way that will capture health plan’s interest
- How to secure and optimize service agreements with health plans and implement approaches to realign service models to ensure success in a value-driven market
Christy Dye, MPH
Christy Dye is a data-focused healthcare executive who brings over 30 years of experience supporting provider organizations, state agencies, and communities in achieving their business, operational, and quality goals in health and human services to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate. Christy’s career has included working as a state Medicaid leader, a national expert in substance abuse treatment systems, health information exchange and interoperability, and as chief executive for Arizona’s leading integrated primary/behavioral healthcare provider.
Prior to OPEN MINDS, Ms. Dye served as Chief Business Development Officer for Health Current, (division of Contexture), Arizona’s statewide health information exchange (HIE). While there, Ms. Dye developed provider education and training programs in using clinical and administrative data to improve patient outcomes and manage value-based reimbursement contracts. She led the Health Current HIE research data initiative in partnership with Arizona State University and also served as co-principal investigator for a National Institute of Mental Health project at ASU focused on information sharing for behavioral health populations.
Ms. Dye is the former Chief Executive Officer for Partners in Recovery (now Copa Health), an Arizona agency serving more than 10,000 adults with serious mental illness. At Partners she created a network of fully integrated behavioral and primary care clinics for SMI adults, and launched the company’s population health, value-based and complex care programs, including Arizona’s only Medical Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.
Prior to PIR, she served as Division Chief for Clinical and Recovery Services and Arizona’s state substance abuse director at the Arizona Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health. As a state official, she served on a team charged with the re-design of Medicaid behavioral health benefits in Arizona and oversaw the expansion of the state’s contracted managed care system to a more recovery focused model, including expansion of peer-delivered mental health, addiction, and consumer-operated services.
Ms. Dye graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master’s in Public Health Administration. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an active member of the Community Advisory Board for Health Informatics at ASU’s College of Health Solutions.
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing Specialty Acute Care
Acute care services play an important role in the continuum of health care services – treating and stabilizing individuals experiencing brief but severe episodes of illness. But the financial challenges of these services have become challenging, as evidenced by the daily announcement of acute care provider bankruptcies and consolidations. The challenges are many – worker shortages, rising costs for pharmaceuticals and supplies, payer driven reduced payer stays, and stagnant reimbursement rates. Future financial sustainability requires an understanding of market drivers and strategies to reengineer the business model. This session will focus on:
- Understanding the changing role of acute care services
- Tactics for addressing workforce and price increase pressures
- Integrating acute care services with value-based reimbursement
Matt Kuhlman, CPA
Matt joined Cenikor Foundation in 2002 as Business Manager and has been promoted several times after years of dedication and involvement. Matt is currently the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Cenikor and has more than 15 years of financial and not-for-profit management experience. Matt graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelors in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting and he received his CPA licensure in August of 2016.
Greg Santilli, CPA, CIA
Greg P. Santilli, CPA, CIA, was appointed Chief Financial Officer in February 2021 and is responsible for all finances of Hillsides and its affiliate Bienvenidos. Prior to this role, Greg was the Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and before that, he was the Chief Financial Officer for New Horizons: Serving Individuals with Special Needs.
Greg brings to Hillsides extensive for-profit and nonprofit experience across multiple industries. This experience includes financial reporting and analysis, financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, internal auditing, treasury management, and staff member participation in nonprofit finance, development, strategic planning, facilities, and risk management committees.
After losing his only sibling brother to suicide in 2005, Greg became a staunch mental health advocate. He is an Advisory Board Member for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services’ Survivor After Suicide (SAS) Program, is a trained co-facilitator for the SAS program, and attends monthly SAS drop-in meetings to provide newer survivors of suicide loss with a sense of hope and purpose. Greg’s mental health and suicide prevention commitment includes congressional advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. while he was a board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Greg has a strong commitment to community service, which includes being a former member of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocesan Finance Council and former Finance Council Chair at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Santa Clarita for eight years where he led a capital campaign that resulted in the construction of the second-largest Catholic church in the Los Angeles Archdiocese; and former Treasurer and Board Member of the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry for four years.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Option in Accounting from California State University, Northridge, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California. He also holds a Certified Internal Auditor designation. In 2017 he was recognized with the CFO of the Year designation by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum For Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing FQHC/Primary Care
Whole-person care is the future of specialty health care – and provides better services for less cost. However, there are many models for integrating primary care into behavioral health and I/DD support services. Each model has a different impact on an organization, from governance to staffing to revenue model. The questions to be considered by each CFO are, “What model fits best for our organization?”, and “How does that model ensure future market relevance and sustainability?” This session will feature speakers who implemented primary care in their organizations, including those who have successfully gained FQHC status.
- Learn what primary care integration models specialty providers have implemented
- Understand the financial benefits and challenges of integrating primary care into a specialty organization, including FQHC status
- Consider the role of merger and acquisition in primary care integration
Jose Garcia, MBA, CHCQM
Jose F. Garcia, MBA, CHCQM, brings over 30 years of experience in Health and Human services. A unique background as a former medical doctor (D. Med.), with an MBA, he has held a variety of supervisory and management positions at Citrus Health Network Inc., culminating in his current role of Chief Financial Officer.
In his role as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Garcia has played a pivotal role alongside the CEO and COO in guiding the organization through the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. His knowledge of programs and services leads to thorough analysis of the financial position of each line of service which brings about recommendations and strategies which are instrumental in successfully navigating the challenges and opportunities for the company.
Prior to being the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Garcia served as Contract and Grants Administrator for Citrus Health Network Inc. In this role Mr. Garcia was responsible for overseeing the entire process of grants management, budget preparation and financial reporting on a large scale. This experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in financial planning and compliance.
Due to Mr. Garcias work experience providing direct services, he has been invited to present at national conferences, including The Innovation Forum in Atlanta, where he presented on Citrus Health Network’s initiatives on “Working to End Homelessness and Hunger” as well as Flexible Resources Data Driving Solutions conference in Atlanta.
Mr. Garcia is a Certified Health Care Quality Manager by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP). This certification underscores his commitment to ensuring the highest standard of quality and efficiency in healthcare delivery. Mr. Garcia has also completed the Leadership Institute with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to lead the organization in delivering high quality healthcare services and financial management.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing Home-Based Services
Consumer preference is clearly to receive services in the home, and the pandemic along with technological innovation has accelerated the ability to deliver those services. How does an organization create new services, or reengineer current services to be delivered in the home? What service delivery model, revenue model and technology will ensure success? This session will assist the CFO in analyzing home-based services opportunities, create a business model, and help drive the service development process.
- Learn how organizations are implementing different home-based service delivery models
- Review how to create a financial model that links a service delivery approach to expense and revenue drivers, and assess ROI
- Discuss approaches for engaging payers in value-based payment for home-based services
Lisa Christian
Lisa Chrisitan brings more than 25 years of professional and nonprofit leadership experience to her role. She is currentIy the Senior Director of the BehavioraI HeaIth Division at CathoIic Charities of Santa Ciara County. Lisa’s most recent position was Chief Development Officer for the Community Housing Partnership in San Francisco. Her career highlights include 20 years working in operations and management for YMCA organizations in four U.S. cities, including as President and CEO of the YMCA in Middletown, New Jersey. Since 2011, Lisa has consulted with a wide range of nonprofit organizations—including serving in interim C-suite roles— providing them with expertise and leadership in strategic planning, and workforce and organizational development.
Jodie Esper
Jodie joined Mainstay as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2017. As CFO, Jodie is tasked with implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support Mainstay’s mission, operations (including facilities, fleet, and information technology), financial objectives, and strategic initiatives. In 2023, Jodie became the CEO of enTRUST Services LLC, a subsidiary of Mainstay that provides comprehensive financial services that enrich the lives of people with disabilities.
Jodie has more than 25 years of accounting experience, with 17 years in a leadership capacity with nonprofit human services organizations. Jodie is passionate about the work as the mom of a son with an intellectual disability. She is an advocate and strong supporter in the disability community.
Jodie received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in accounting and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum For Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing Non-Profit Community-Based Care
The non-profit organizational structure has been the prominent approach to delivering specialty health care services. However a number of factors have created financial challenges for non-profit CFOs – stagnant rates, new competition from for-profit provider organizations, workforce challenges and the increased need for technology and infrastructure funding. The session will highlight the opportunities that can be leveraged with a non-profit structure, and how to address increasing competition and funding challenges. Attendees will learn:
- The components of creating a diversified revenue structure
- Strategies for gaining economies of scale and incorporating multiple operating structures
- New approaches to accessing capital
Simona Cataldo
Born and raised in Italy, Dr. Simona Cataldo is an experienced executive with a multicultural background and the ability to drive change and lead execution in fast-paced environments. She has over 20 years of clinical and administrative experience in the non-profit industry, both in mental health and traditional healthcare.
Dr. Cataldo describes herself as a mom, a wife, a leader, and a traveler. She is committed to her own lifelong development as a leader and believes that good leaders are first good humans. Her goal is to be a positive influence in the world by being an authentic and compassionate leader and teaching others what she has learned in her own journey of serving and developing people and organizations.
Dr. Cataldo currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Victor, a partnership of two non-profit organizations offering specialty mental health services in community-based settings, residential treatment, and foster care and adoption services throughout California. Victor has a consolidated budget of over $100 M.
Edward Hackett
Ed Hackett is an accomplished nonprofit executive known for his collaborative approach and track record of success. With a strong background in finance and operations, he has consistently made valuable contributions to organizations by leveraging his for-profit experience. Ed is driven by a deep sense of mission to help clients and staff achieve their full potential.
Ed holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. His academic achievements include memberships in the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma and Golden Key National Honor Societies. Ed has passed the CPA exam and is an associate member of the CT Society of Certified Public Accountants.
As Chief Financial Officer for Victor, Ed brings his expertise in finance, information technology, and facilities to help Victor serve our clients. His experience enables him to drive strategic value and improve program operating margins while ensuring long-term sustainability.
In his previous role as the Chief Financial Officer of The Village for Families & Children, Inc., Ed played a pivotal role in the organization’s financial turnaround and growth. He successfully reduced budget dependence on endowment funds, implemented technology upgrades, and led significant refinancing efforts. Ed’s ability to build strong relationships with the board of directors and effectively manage the agency’s endowment and pension portfolios contributed to the overall success of the organization.
Ed Hackett’s extensive experience also includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Wheeler Clinic, Inc. During his tenure, he managed the financial resources of this nonprofit agency during a period of substantial growth. Ed’s efforts in implementing effective financial systems, optimizing cash flows, and reducing administrative expenses were instrumental in supporting the clinic’s expansion and improving overall efficiency.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
The Changing Issues Faced By CFOs Managing For-Profit Community-Based Care
For-profit specialty care organizations face unique financial challenges – how to create a sustainable growth plan built on an expandable infrastructure, how to address margin compression and ensure an acceptable rate of return for investors, and how to partner with other health care organizations, referral sources and payers for sustainable revenue. While a for-profit organization has access to more capital for growth, there are more complexities and stakeholders to address. This session will discuss:
- The relationship between an expandable infrastructure and sustainable growth
- Strategies for addressing profit compression
- Approaches to market expansion
Kenneth Duarte, MAcc, CPA
As Chief Financial Officer at Community Based Care (“CBC”), Kenneth is responsible for leading the finance organization, including financial planning & analysis, accounting, treasury management, tax and revenue cycle. Kenneth has over 18 years of experience across multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, and professional services.
Prior to joining CBC, Kenneth served as Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Gastro Health, a national, multi-site healthcare provider. Kenneth began his career with Ernst & Young in their Assurance and Mergers and Acquisitions practices. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Florida International University, a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Virginia, and is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) in North Carolina.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum For Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
Becoming A Center Of Excellence: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Opportunities & Collaborating With Health Plans
Centers of Excellence are rapidly gaining traction as a way for health plans to recognize provider organizations for delivering superior care. By identifying ‘high value’ provider organizations for specific conditions— payers are then able to develop benefit plans designed to encourage consumers to use those provider organizations.
Join our distinguished panel of industry leaders in this thought-provoking plenary session as they delve into the intricacies of what it means to become a Center of Excellence, share insights into the future implications for providers and health plans, and uncover both the challenges and opportunities inherent to this dynamic model.
Robert Poznanovich
Bob Poznanovich is the Chief Business Growth Officer and a member of the Executive Leadership Team at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He manages the organization’s strategic relations with health systems, employers, insurance and managed care organizations, professional referents and other national accounts, along with the patient access and placement team. Bob is also responsible for bridging the gap between product development, marketing and sales to help the nonprofit reach more people with its lifesaving substance use and mental health care and resources
Bob joined Hazelden Betty Ford in 2009 after many wide-ranging and successful business ventures elsewhere. Prior to joining the organization, he co-founded and served as the CEO of AiR Health a behavioral health company. Before that, he spent over 20 years as a senior business development executive in the technology industry. He also co-authored the Hazelden Publishing title, It Is Not Okay to be a Cannibal: How to Stop Addiction from Eating Your Family Alive. On top of that, he also gives public speeches and media appearances to share his expertise on a variety of addiction-related topics, including the impact of addiction in the workplace.
Debra Nussbaum, Ph.D., LCSW
Dr. Debra “Deb” Nussbaum is a Sr. Director For Behavioral Health Evidence Based Services and National SUD Strategy Lead for Optum. Optum is the behavioral health specialty arm of United Healthcare Insurance Company. Deb has been in a clinical leadership role for Optum since 2010 and has led behavioral product design, network development and specifically substance use disorder (SUD) initiatives since 2013.
Deb’s products within Optum are designed to improve access to evidence based services, such as the adoption and roll out of the American Society of Addiction medicine (ASAM) criteria, expansion of Optum’s MOUD/MAUD network, implementation of the 24/7 SUD helpline and development of alternative payment and value based models of care. Deb also leads parity compliant benefit design initiatives for customers looking to address specific utilization trends for their population.
Deb’s clinical background is in substance use treatment, family services and was an addictions counselor prior to earning her PhD. She is also an LCSW licensed in Florida and in New York. Deb sits on many committees within ASAM and is an advocate for evidence based care at the federal level championing SUD legislation.
Stuart L. Lustig, M.D., MPH
Dr. Stuart L. Lustig came to Cigna in 2011 and is currently the National Medical Executive for Provider Partnerships at Evernorth, part of The Cigna Group. He engages with behavioral provider groups and other stakeholders about innovative care delivery and contracting approaches. He has also worked extensively with Cigna clients in his prior role as National Medical Executive for Behavioral Health. A board-certified child psychiatrist, he has also served as Lead Medical Director for Child and Adolescent Care for Evernorth Behavioral Health. Dr. Lustig previously served as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. For two decades, Dr. Lustig has worked with numerous human rights organizations and, due to numerous published articles in professional journals, is a nationally recognized expert on psychological trauma among refugees and political asylum seekers. He has provided consultations to numerous school systems in the San Francisco and Boston areas. He is the editor of the textbook Advocacy Strategies for Health and Mental Health Professionals: From Patients to Policies. Dr. Lustig received his Doctorate of Medicine from Rush Medical College and completed his psychiatric training at Stanford and Harvard hospitals. He also has a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois School of Public Health.
Elisha Engelen, MA, LMFT
Elisha is a Vice President of Aon’s U.S. Health Transformation Team. She is a member of the U.S. Health Transformation Leadership Team. She is a leader for the Minneapolis Apprentice Program. Her role is to partner globally with Aon colleagues and client leaders to understand the current employee wellbeing strategy, culture, and utilization to inform needed changes or enhancements. Her role also includes people leadership, which includes developing the next leaders at Aon.
Prior to joining Aon in 2021, Elisha served as the Clinical Director at Cigna Healthcare and concurrently practiced in the field for 18 years as a Licensed Mental Health Professional.
She first began working in the industry in 2003 as a Mental Health Practitioner. Her background stretches clinical practice in community- based care, school-based counseling, and outpatient services. During her 16 years at Cigna, the highlights of her career were that she built Utilization and Case Management Programs in Autism and Eating Disorders and built a Talent Readiness and Sustainment Program for Medical and Behavioral Operations to serve 4000 employees.
Elisha’s expertise includes systemic mental health care. She brings her systemic thinking into her Prosci Change Management Certification to lead organizational changes. Her background also includes organizational cultural journey development and sustainment. She is trained in Mental Health First Aid.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
Roadmap For Implementing Value-Based Payments
The use of value-based reimbursement models is increasing by payers of all sizes. While fee for service may still be the base for funding core services, new funding models have been refined to incentive performance and outcomes. Key frequent performance measures tied to value include access to care, clinical outcomes, participant experience and reduction of unnecessary costs. But considering the challenges of retaining skilled staff to drive performance, some payers are considering additional factors such as staff retention and DEIA. The key to success is aligning consumer needs, payer responsibilities and provider sustainability. This session will focus on:
- Identification of performance domains and goals for value-based payment
- Negotiating payment incentives that align with consumer needs, payer requirements and provider sustainability
- The role of data systems to drive value-based outcomes
Theresa Reyes-Cummings, MPA, GPC
Theresa Reyes-Cummings is a native of Kansas City, Kansas. She received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas with an emphasis in performance management and a master’s certification in Health Care Administration from Mid America Nazarene University. Her career spans over 35 years of experience and expertise in the fields of non-profit and public administration, mental health and criminal justice administration, community development, and government relations. She is also a seasoned grants professional, holding her national grant professional certification (GPC) for 15 years. In her tenure as a public funder for mental health care in Jackson County, Missouri, she has led the implementation of a Value-Based Payment structure for behavioral health care. She was also instrumental in addressing mental health disparities and enhancing the level of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts among a network of mental health agencies serving non-insured populations. Theresa’s personal passions include any type of outdoor adventure, ultra-trail running, and bodybuilding.
Bruce Eddy, Ph.D.
Bruce Eddy is executive director of the Community Mental Health Fund (CMHF). The Fund is a public payer for mental health services for 18,000 uninsured residents of Jackson County, Missouri. Direct services are provided through 35 contracting non-profit agencies. Bruce’s responsibilities include the development and oversight of healthcare contracts, strategic direction, government relations, budgeting, quality assurance programs, and staffing an appointed board of trustees. He also represents public services as a Kansas City Tax Increment Finance Commissioner. In his prior role, he served as executive director of Resource Development Institute, a non-profit research and evaluation institute. He received his doctorate in community psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In his post-doctoral work, he directed national and international technical assistance at the Association of University Affiliated Programs for Developmental Disabilities in Washington, DC.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
The 2024 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Executive Survey: Where Are We On The Road To Value
During this session, OPEN MINDS Senior Associate Carol Clayton will share the results of this year’s survey, The 2024 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Executive Survey: Where Are We On The Road To Value, and discussing its implications for health and human service organizations.
OPEN MINDS surveyed specialty provider organizations in the health and human services market to determine where they are on the road to value-based contracting adoption. The survey provides information on:
- Performance-based contracts for staff by market and organizational size
- Trends in value-based contracting arrangements by market and organizational size
- The number of organizations with contracts with managed care plans or accountable care organizations by market and organizational size
A full copy of survey results, The 2024 OPEN MINDS Performance Management Executive Survey: Where Are We On The Road To Value, will be available to all OPEN MINDS Circle members in the OPEN MINDS library following the session.
Carol Clayton, Ph.D.
Dr. Carol Clayton is a licensed, psychologist with 30 years of health care experience in the public and private sector, including non-profit and private practice work. Prior to joining OPEN MINDS as a Senior Consultant, she retired as the Translational Neuroscientist for Relias, where she specialized in health care solutions targeting workforce development and population health outcome improvement. Before joining Relias, Dr. Clayton was the CEO of Care Management Technologies, a health IT data analytics company. She also served as the Executive Director of the NC Council of Community Programs from 2000-2006. The NC Council is the predecessor organization to i2i.
Chief Financial Officer Networking Lunch
Join us for this private luncheon for executive leaders of OPEN MINDS member organization – created for Chief Financial Officers. The objective of this networking session is to provide opportunities for executive leaders from across the country to share solutions to the challenges in serving consumers with complex needs. Our host for the luncheon is Ken Carr and Dee Dewitt, Senior Associates at OPEN MINDS. (To register, contact Erin Deppen, Event Coordinator, at 717-334-1329 or edeppen@stg-openminds-staging.kinsta.cloud.)
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.
Dee Dewitt
Dee DeWitt has extensive experience as a consultant and corporate leader in the healthcare field. Mr. DeWitt brings over 28 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, M&A, use of technology, strategic planning, and change management in healthcare organizations to OPEN MINDS as a Senior Associate.
Previously, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Momentum For Health, a CARF-accredited non-profit behavioral health organization providing services to individuals with a diagnosed serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance abuse disorder, in San Jose, California. During his tenure, Mr. DeWitt increased outpatient productivity by 25% and contributed to growing revenues from $55 million to a projected $71+ million for the fiscal year of 2023. Mr. DeWitt also oversaw Momentum ‘s pilot with Santa Clara County’s transition to Netsmart Provider Connect and led a successful grant award and implementation of a multi-year paid intern program in partnership with Santa Clara University, San Jose University, and Palo Alto University.
Mr. DeWitt was also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Veridian Financial Group, a strategic consulting firm specializing in performing long-term, on-site C-level and Director roles, evaluating and implementing financial strategies, strategic operational planning, and development strategies for companies that are poised for significant growth, change, or require turnaround attention, in San Jose, California. During his time at Veridian Financial Group, Mr. DeWitt focused primarily on healthcare, finance, technology, and private equity and coordinated licensing, compliance, and external audits for 42 state licenses, including managed care organizations, managed care plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and service provider organizations.
In addition, Mr. DeWitt served as Chief Financial Officer and a Consultant in Strategic Planning and Finance for Home Recovery – Home Aid, Inc., a private equity-backed, for-profit company that provides personal care and skilled care in 35 locations and in-home care throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. During his time there, Mr. DeWitt was a member of the company’s executive management team, audit team, and License & Compliance team. Mr. DeWitt also served as Chief Financial Officer of Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a for-profit holding company comprised of 5 home health companies, 4 hospice companies, and 2 private duty/personal care companies. Mr. DeWitt has also been the Chief Financial and Technology Officer for The Filson, a nationally renowned non-profit archive and research institute, and Director of Strategic Development for Signature Healthcare, LLC, a national private equity-backed for-profit, long-term care company operating over 180 facilities, with 18,000 employees, and over $1 billion in revenues.
Mr. DeWitt also held the positions of Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at the County of Ventura, CA Behavioral Health Services Department, and Director of Finance and Management Services of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), a joint commissioned accredited non-profit.
Mr. DeWitt graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master’s in Political Science with a concentration in Economics and Public Policy.
From Medicaid Dependency To A Thriving Commercial Book Of Business – Revenue Diversification For Growing Organizations
In today’s dynamic health care landscape, organizations are seeking innovative ways to secure their financial future while maintaining a competitive edge.
Over the next five years, the role of the commercial health plan will continue to grow in importance to all provider organizations. Already, group and non-group private insurers cover an estimated 179 million individuals—54.7% of the U.S. population—and 45 million individuals, 13.7% of the U.S. population, respectively. And in OPEN MINDS’ recent report of the unwinding of pandemic-era Medicaid coverage, commercial health plans are likely to gain membership.
In this dynamic session, discover how organizations have successfully expanded their revenue streams beyond traditional sources in order to better weather economic uncertainties and gain a distinct edge in the market. Our industry leaders will explore crucial aspects of revenue diversification, its impact on financial sustainability, and the strategic importance of engaging with commercial health plans through real-world examples and case studies.
- Understand how revenue diversification enhances financial sustainability and increases competitive advantage
- Discuss the operating and business model changes associated with working with commercial health plans
- Examine how commercial insurance is an important component of the organizational growth strategy
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of dedicated service in the behavioral health space. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Recovery Unplugged Behavioral Health, Ms. Jackson plays a pivotal role in overseeing operations across five states, ensuring the delivery of high-quality substance abuse and mental health services to thousands of individuals.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Jackson served as the Director of Compliance at Recovery Unplugged, where her in-depth understanding of state and national standards of care played a crucial role in ensuring the organization’s adherence to regulatory guidelines. Her involvement in revenue analysis, operational efficiency, and the development of systems and processes has been instrumental in the success of Recovery Unplugged, which has positively impacted the lives of over 13,000 patients. Ms. Jackson demonstrates versatile leadership, showcasing a wealth of experience working with diverse populations and organizations with varying funding sources including non-profit, private, and managed care.
Ms. Jackson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University and a Masters’ of Science in Mental Health Counseling from NOVA Southeastern University. Her commitment to advancing the field of behavioral health is exemplified by her contributions as an author for a textbook used in graduate-level university courses for psychotherapy.
Ken Carr
Ken Carr brings more than 20 years of finance, technology, data analysis, and reporting experience in the health and human services field to OPEN MINDS. He currently is a Senior Associate with the OPEN MINDS consulting practice. In this role, he has served as a subject matter expert leading numerous engagements in strategic planning, merger and acquisition prospecting, business process improvement, financial analysis of service lines, and technology selection.
Before joining the OPEN MINDS team, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Centers, a community mental health center in Ocala, Florida. In this position, Mr. Carr led a realignment of the organization’s financial management functions. This included revenue cycle management, EHR bill implementation and reporting, cash management enhancement, and strategic financial analysis.
Prior to his role at The Centers, Mr. Carr served as Chief Financial Officer of Guild Incorporated, an organization providing residential and community based mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. As CFO, Mr. Carr led the financial, billing, IT, quality, informatics, compliance, and facilities activities. During his tenure at Guild Incorporated, Mr. Carr used his expertise in change management and business process improvement to lead the EHR implementation team, align service data reporting and financial performance, and lead the financial and data capture activities for new service initiatives.
Mr. Carr has also held the positions of Administrative Director and Finance Director at the St. Paul National Testing Laboratory, a biomedical testing facility of the American Red Cross. In those positions he oversaw activities to enhance inventory management, align financial results to industry standards, and improve financial and facilities performance through problem analysis and quality management initiatives. He also was involved in directing human resource functions during laboratory closing near the end of his tenure.
Mr. Carr earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sioux Falls Seminary. He maintains an active CPA license with the State of South Dakota.