[Archived] New Executive Director Named to Head Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED TO HEAD
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE
AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD

Alexandria City Manager Philip Sunderland and Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB) Chair Phillip Bradbury jointly announce the appointment of the person who will serve as Executive Director of the CSB and Director of the Alexandria Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse. L. Michael Gilmore, Executive Director of the Rockbridge (including Lexington, Virginia), Area CSB since September 1983, will become director in Alexandria on Feb.10, 2003.

Dr. Gilmore will fill the position now held by William L. Claiborn. Dr. Claiborn has been with Alexandria since 1981 and will retire in early January, 2003. During his tenure with the City, Dr. Claiborn led the effort to significantly increase residential options for individuals with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse problems from only two supervised apartments and one group home in 1981 to 10 group homes, 23 supervised apartments and 31 assisted living units in 2002. He also assisted in the expansion of the Regional Detoxification Center from six beds for men to 38 beds for men and women and worked to develop or expand a variety of other programs to meet the needs of Alexandrians.

“Dr. Claiborn is a brilliant and compassionate public servant who will be missed,” said Sunderland. “His commitment and dedication have helped improve the lives of Alexandrians and all Virginians struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.”

Under the policy, guidance and oversight of the Alexandria Community Services Board and the City Manager, Dr. Gilmore will be responsible for managing the mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse (MHMRSA) programs for the City and overseeing the City's Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse which has over 300 employees and an annual budget of approximately $23 million.

During his 19 years as Executive Director of the Rockbridge Area CSB, Dr. Gilmore directed the growth of the agency from 15 employees and a $500,000 budget to 140 employees and a $5.4 million budget. In addition, the number of programs grew from a few to 21 programs including intensive in-home family preservation, adolescent day treatment, child mentoring, therapeutic foster homes, and four group homes. During his first six years he served the dual role of Executive Director and Chief Clinical Officer with the added responsibility of clinical direction and supervision of program coordinators. Dr. Gilmore also has extensive experience as a college instructor, speaker and author of several articles in professional medical journals.

Prior to his position as Executive Director of the Rockbridge Area CSB, Dr. Gilmore was Chief, Office of Children's Services, Ohio Department of Mental Health, from 1981 to 1983; Director, Child and Family Programs, Montgomery County (Ohio) Mental Health Board, 1978 to 1981; Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University and Research Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was an intelligence Officer and Assistant Plans Officer in the US Navy from 1969 through early 1971. Dr. Gilmore has a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Gilmore to the City of Alexandria,” Sunderland said. “He brings a distinguished record of service and broad experience in managing community programs for children, youth and families.”

“Dr. Gilmore’s in-depth understanding of Virginia requirements, together with his reputation for compassionate treatment of consumers, will be strong assets for both the City staff and the CSB,” added Bradbury.