Wendell Foster has announced the appointment of Rick Searcy as its Vice President for Community Living Options. He will be assuming the position in early October. Searcy is currently the Executive Director of the H.L. Neblett Community Center, a position he has held since 2013.
Prior to coming to Neblett in 2012 as its After School Coordinator, Searcy worked in services for disadvantaged and disabled youth at the Job Corps and at the Owensboro Treatment Center, as well as serving as Offensive Coordinator for the Kentucky Wesleyan College football team. Searcy is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College and Ft. Campbell High School. He has served on several local volunteer boards and is currently serving on the Owensboro Housing Authority Commission board, the RiverPark Center board , as Past President of the United Way agency directors group and also serves as a Greater Owensboro Mentorship Network adviser. In addition, Searcy was recently selected by the Chamber of Commerce as one of Owensboro’s “40 Under 40” group of young community leaders.
In his new position, Searcy will be overseeing Wendell Foster operations in several community and residential services areas including case management, adult day programming, supported employment and Medicaid Waiver funded individualized community and in-home supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, he will be overseeing Wendell Foster community residential programs including supported living homes, adult foster care and several independent living homes.
According to Wendell Foster’s Chief Program Officer Kelly Turnham, “We are excited to have someone with the background and energy that Rick possesses joining our team here at Wendell Foster. His knowledge of the Owensboro community and its human and social services will be a great benefit to the individuals with disabilities that we serve and to our program staff.” Turnham went on to say about Searcy, “He is a recognized leader who addresses challenges with a creative and can-do attitude. We know that he will help take this division of Wendell Foster to bigger and better things.”
