Executive Team
Richard Nedelkoff, M.S., J.D., Chief Executive Officer
Richard R. Nedelkoff was appointed the Chief Executive Officer for SAFY in October 2011. Appointed to national and statewide leadership positions in human service and public safety by three Governors and the President of the United States, he has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating officer (COO) of three statewide and national non-profits providing services to youth and families. Additionally, he has managed agencies with budgets as large as six billion dollars and directed organizations with over 4500 employees. He is a recognized expert nationally and internationally in the juvenile justice, child welfare, public safety and human services fields.
Richard began his career gaining valuable experience as a foster care coordinator, child protective services caseworker, a Guardian Ad Litem, mediator of child custody and visitation disputes and the State Director for a network of runaway shelters and family counseling centers.
Some of his later career highlights include:
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Appointed by the President of the United States and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a six billion dollar criminal justice funding, planning and policy agency overseeing twenty-six federal public safety programs.
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Appointed by the Governor of Texas to be the Conservator of a troubled state agency in receivership. He was charged with overseeing massive reform efforts, developing a strategic vision and leading all operations of a $350 million dollar state juvenile justice agency with over 4500 employees.
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Chief Operating Officer of a national non-profit youth and family services organization that provides both residential and nonresidential programs to at risk youth and families in ten states. He directed over 1500 employees and a $100 million budget.
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President and CEO of a national management consulting firm that provided solutions and consulting to agency heads at all levels of government, non-profits and companies that do business with government in the human service and public safety areas.
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Appointed by the Governor of Texas to become the Executive Director of the operations of a statewide 140 million-dollar agency that provides policy leadership and funding in criminal justice, juvenile justice and victim services.
Richard received a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He earned a Master of Science degree (with high honors) in the Administration of Justice from the University of Louisville and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University.
Scott Spangler, MSW - Chief Operating Officer
Scott Spangler joined SAFY in 2013 as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). As part of the Executive Management Team, he is responsible for the development and execution of operations consistent with the organization’s strategy for all lines of business and services. Scott oversees financial profitability, business development and daily operations across all SAFY service locations.
Prior to joining SAFY, Scott served as the Vice President of Strategic Expansion and Community-Based Services at Pressley Ridge, where he managed $24 million in community-based Treatment Foster Care funds in three states, developed a mission-based strategic plan that expanded the organization, and enhanced government relations. He cultivated and maintained relationships with key state and national provider organizations and worked with executive leaders to enhance internal and external communications promoting the organizational goals.
Scott is active in many programs and professional associations involving children and families, including the Alliance for Children and Families. His political aptitude and ability to shape organizational change have established him as a respected and valued leader in the child welfare industry.
Scott received his master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Health/Mental Health Planning and Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Social Work. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Thiel College.
Norman Pfaadt - Senior Vice President of Finance
Norman joined SAFY in 2012 as the Senior Vice President of Finance. As part of the Executive Leadership Team, he is responsible for the financial liability of the organization and manages a plan of internal controls which ensure compliance with corporate accounting functions, financial agreements and auditing standards. Norman develops and controls fiscal policies to comply with all regulatory and contractual requirements, and oversees a system of internal controls to protect corporate assets.
Prior to joining SAFY, Norman served as founder and principal consultant for The Bluegrass Group, LLC, where he managed fiscal projects for a $1.6 billion privately held national healthcare and human services company. Throughout his career he has managed budgets as large as $450 million and developed revenue recognition policies related to Medicare services.
Norman holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Bellarmine University.
John Hollenkamp, CPA - Controller
John joined SAFY in January 2005 and currently serves as the organization’s Controller. As part of the Executive Leadership Team, he guides and monitors financial policies and procedures and protects corporate assets by enforcing internal controls. John is responsible for maximizing return and limiting risk on cash and investment accounts.
Prior to joining SAFY, John managed financial controls for several non-profit organizations including Saint Mary’s College, Sisters of the Holy Cross, and Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.
John graduated from the University of Detroit magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Rusty Alexander, MBA - Senior Vice President of Growth & Strategy
Rusty Alexander joined SAFY in 2001 as the Director of Contracts. Rusty was promoted to the Senior Vice-President of Business Development in 2007, and became Senior Vice President of Growth and Strategy in 2012. Rusty is responsible for spearheading the foster care agency’s efforts to identify and pursue new business opportunities. Rusty also supervises contracts, public relations and marketing efforts.
In his previous position as the Director of Contracts, Rusty was instrumental in effectively negotiating contracts with county child placement agencies. He also assisted in the development of new programs implemented throughout eight states.
Rusty brings with him ten years of experience in social services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.
Roger Smith, Ph.D - Senior Vice President of Treatment & Clinical Services
Roger Smith, Ph.D. joined SAFY in August, 2002 as the Vice President of Mental Health Services. In 2012, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Treatment and Clinical Services. Roger is responsible for overseeing all mental health services provided by SAFY, in addition to the design and development of mental health programs, proposal and grant writing, and ensuring compliance with the different states’ Medicaid rules. He also provides training to staff and foster parents on a variety of mental health and therapeutic issues. He is primarily responsible for the development and research of the SAFY Risk of Disruption Inventory and he is currently spearheading SAFY’s efforts to prevent disruption in out of home placements.
Prior to coming to SAFY, Roger directed an undergraduate Social Work program in West Virginia. He spent 23 years working in various positions in community mental health centers and in private practice.
Roger received his doctorate from Ohio University and is a licensed psychologist in Ohio. He received his master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University.
Jim Sherman, MA, LPC - Senior Vice President of Administrative Services
Jim joined SAFY in June of 2009 as the Vice-President of Quality Improvement. In 2012, he was named Senior Vice President of Administrative Services. Jim is responsible for implementing the organization’s multi-phase Performance and Quality Improvement Plan and ensuring compliance with COA (Council on Accreditation) requirements, state regulations, contracts and licensing entities.
Jim has over 35 years of professional clinical and administrative experience in the behavioral healthcare field, with particular focus on development and management of specialized programs for children, youth and families.
Jim has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and a Masters degree in Mental Health Administration from Antioch University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio.
Barbara Utrup, PHR - Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Training
Barb joined the SAFY organization in 2000 as a Staff Recruiter. In 2008 she was promoted to the Director of Personnel and became the Director of Human Resources in 2009. She was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in 2011 and became Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Training in 2012.
In her current position, Barb is responsible for managing company HR functions including compensation, benefits, recruitment, employee recognition, legal and regulatory compliance and personnel policy. In addition, she oversees new hire orientation and ongoing training, staff training and development, and ensures training compliance with state standards. She also assists in the development and execution of organizational goals and strategies.
Barb graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and received her PHR certification in 2010.
Peter D. Howard, L.C.S.W. - Vice President of Operations
Peter D. Howard was named Vice President of Operations at SAFY in 2012. In this position, he is responsible for the implementation and coordination of operational policies and programs enabling the organization to provide multi-site continuum of care services in the child welfare youth services industry. He oversees SAFY operations in Nevada.
Howard has served as the Chief Executive Officer at three child welfare agencies, directing organizational growth and transformation. He has managed annual budgets in excess of $13 million and administered regional and statewide prevention and early intervention programs for young children and families at risk for academic, social and economic failure. He is a Certified Team Leader for the Council on Accreditation.
Throughout his 30 year career in health and human service management, Peter has demonstrated success in multiple aspects of behavioral services strategic and operations management, business planning/group practice management, fundraising, financial management, case management/utilization review, mergers, strategic alliances, corporate communications and public affairs, third party payor contracting, community-based health planning and customer relations management. His administrative and clinical expertise has made him a leader in the child welfare community-based care industry.
Marc Bloomingdale, M.S. - Vice President of Operations
Marc Bloomingdale was named Vice President of Operations at SAFY in 2013. In this position, he is responsible for the implementation and coordination of operational policies and programs enabling the organization to provide multi-site continuum of care services in the child welfare youth and juvenile justice services industry. He oversees operations in Oklahoma and Texas.
Marc has a 27 year history of clinical and administrative experience in the child welfare field where he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania. In this role, he managed an annual budget of $7.5 million and directed 15 diverse human service programs. He also served as the Vice President of Community Services with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, where he directed, developed and implemented a variety of human service programs and managed several initiatives to ensure quality and budgetary performance.
As the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Social Services of Kansas and Oklahoma Inc., Marc led organizational business activities ensuring effective, ongoing program activities and sound long-term development. He established business and strategic plans to eliminate financial deficits and implemented financial and operational assessments including program quality and cash flow needs. His clinical and business expertise in implementing and advancing youth and family service programs positions SAFY’s Southwest Region as a leader in the child welfare community-based care industry.
Marc earned a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Truman State University.