DOYLESTOWN, Pa. October 30, 2018 – After 42 years of service, Beverly (Bev) J. Haberle is retiring as Executive Director of The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (The Council) effective December 3, 2018. She will be succeeded by Jennifer King who joins the organization November 1, 2018. The change in the organization’s leadership was announced by William Weigman, The Council’s Board President. “Beverly is a nationally recognized pioneer in recovery support services. She advanced The Council as a servant leader and a person in long-term recovery who demonstrates daily that ‘Thriving in Recovery’ is not just a slogan. Her dedication has transformed how addiction is addressed in our communities and it is with immense gratitude to her that the Board announces her retirement.”
Bev started with The Council in 1976 as a volunteer and was named The Council’s Executive Director in 1980. Under her leadership, The Council has grown from one office in Doylestown to include eight offices throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. As the organization’s focus expanded, the staff grew from two to more than 70 professionals with support from more than 400 volunteers. Bev’s drive and persistence has been recognized through the Livengrin Foundation’s Ford Hansel Award and the William White Lifetime Achievement Award from Faces and Voices-America Honors Recovery. Of her retirement, Bev said, “I have been very blessed all these years to have been able to provide leadership to this organization. I value and respect the work of our staff and know this important mission will continue to be served by them under Jennifer’s strong leadership, operational background, and commitment.”
Jennifer King has worked in social services her entire career. Having served the southeastern Pennsylvania region for more than 20 years, she joins The Council from Penn Foundation where she was the Director of Advancement for eight years. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive, holds a master’s degree in communication from LaSalle University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Peter’s College. Board President Bill Weigman said, “The Board’s unanimous support of Jennifer to lead The Council into the future is recognition of her proven professional skills, experience, and dedication to serving this region.” While at Penn Foundation, Jennifer directed the organization’s capital and annual giving campaigns, special events, and legislative outreach. In addition, she oversaw its marketing and external communications programming. “As our community responds to the devastating opioid epidemic, it is such an important time to be working in addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. I am honored to be part of the Council’s future, and to further engage our community in helping people achieve and maintain long-term recovery. It is a mission I am deeply committed to and can’t wait to get started,” she said.
About The Council
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. The Council brings together evidence-based prevention, intervention and recovery support services to help transform how addiction is viewed and addressed. The Council is recognized nationally for its services and is visited regularly by organizations and legislators looking to replicate its programs in their communities. Pennsylvania Recovery Organization—Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT) is the grassroots advocacy and recovery support division of The Council. For 17 years, PRO-ACT has coordinated the nation’s largest Recovery Walks! to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction disorders during September’s National Recovery Month. In 2018, 30,000 people gathered together for this event at Penn’s Landing. This 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization is a member of a nationwide affiliate network,
Facing Addiction with NCADD. To learn more, visit
www.councilsepa.org.
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