[March 04, 2015]

Momentum for Mental Health President and CEO Announces Retirement

Momentum (News - Alert) for Mental Health announced today that it has begun a search to seek a replacement for Paul Taylor, President and CEO, who announced his plans for retirement. Mr. Taylor will remain with Momentum through June 2015 to ensure a smooth and successful transition for his successor.

"I feel good that I am leaving at a time when the quality of care and the continued innovation at Momentum is at an all time high. We are well-positioned strategically and I am confident that this organization is up to taking on the challenges that may lie ahead," said Mr. Taylor.

After a career that spans over four decades in mental health care, Mr. Taylor has been credited for building Momentum into one of the nation's leading non-profit mental health organizations. Momentum is the largest private non-profit mental health agency, serving adults in Santa Clara County, with over 400 employees and a budget of $34 million serving 4000 people annually.

Mr. Taylor has been a dedicated agent of change in the mental health industry for over 40 years and his impact will long be felt. Over the course of his career he has made many contributions, including these milestones:

• Established one of the first residential treatment programs in the nation for mentally ill ex-offenders.
• Board member of the California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies (CCCMHA) and Board member of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA).
• Served as President of the California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies (CASRA), President of the California Chapter of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and President of the Behavioral Health Contractors' Association of Santa Clara County (BHCASCC).
• Recipient of the 2013 Irvin Rutman award.
• Founded The La Selva Group, the first residential treatment prgram for adults who have mental illness in California funded by both commercial insurance and private pay.

"These are very, very talented people who work hard," he said. "They're very caring people, and they really respect the dignity of the people we serve."

"Paul has led Momentum through an era of tremendous change, setting a clear strategic vision that has produced tremendous growth and tremendous quality and experience for the consumers we serve," commented Chair of Momentum Board of Director, Jason Noriega.

"It has been a wonderful experience working with Paul. Under his leadership we have expanded Momentum's services in the community and grown our private service unit, La Selva. He has made a profound difference and he will be sorely missed," added Noriega.

"Momentum is well positioned, due in large part to Paul's vision, his tremendous leadership skills, and his commitment to excellence. Paul has a leadership style that inspires all around him to reach their maximum potential. He will be greatly missed by Momentum's team members and the Board of Directors," said Barbara Zenz, Chair of Momentum's Foundation for Mental Health. "Paul has the Board's appreciation and we are indebted to him for his many years of exemplary service to Momentum's mission."

Board member and former Chair Larry Burns commented, "I have long been a strong supporter of this cutting edge organization. Over the years, I have seen how Momentum's efforts to promote mental health care in Santa Clara County have grown and flourished under Paul's direction. I am looking forward to more decades of tremendous growth as a result of the strong foundation that Paul has put in place."

The Board has secured the services of executive recruitment firm, Leadership Search Partners, to conduct a nationwide search for Momentum's new President/CEO. All inquiries should be directed to Leyna Bernstein, Managing Partner at 510-542-2922 or [email protected].

Mr. Taylor, executive staff and the Board Nominating Committee will be working closely with the firm to ensure a smooth transition occurs. "We are confident that Momentum will remain a premier leader in the effective delivery of critical services to people facing mental health illness and mental health challenges," stated Greg Walton, Chair of the Board's Executive Search Committee.

Momentum's Board of Directors, the Foundation Board, and the organization will be announcing an event to honor Mr. Taylor's retirement in the coming weeks.

About Momentum

Momentum for Mental Health is the largest private nonprofit provider of adult mental health services in Santa Clara County. Our program and services for individuals living with a mental illness are comprehensive and include a prevention and early intervention program, adult and transitional age youth (14 to 24) out-patient services, employment services, day rehabilitation services, residential treatment, supported housing and a volunteer program. In addition, Momentum works to reduce and eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental illness and mental health care through a community relations program that promotes education, diversity and collaboration.

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