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TASC Board Names Joel K. Johnson to Succeed Pam Rodriguez as TASC CEO on March 1

(Chicago) – TASC’s board of directors announced today that it has named Joel K. Johnson as president and CEO, effective March 1. Johnson will be the first African American to lead the agency.

Johnson, a respected nonprofit executive with broad leadership experience in addiction treatment, mental health, and child welfare services, has served most recently as executive vice president of Friend Health (FH) and president of the Chicago-based Human Resources Development Institute (HRDI), a subsidiary of FH. HRDI provides community-based substance use and mental health treatment for 7,000 people annually, including justice-involved individuals placed and case-managed in treatment by TASC.   

“Joel brings to TASC exactly what we hoped to find,” said John Zielinski, chair of TASC’s board of directors. “Not only does his experience demonstrate the executive skills required to lead an organization of TASC’s stature, but he has the one essential quality that you can’t teach: a passion for the work we do. Clearly, Joel understands TASC’s mission of providing hope and quality care for those we serve.”

Johnson will succeed Pam Rodriguez, who is retiring after a nearly 40-year career with TASC, including serving as CEO since 2009.

“Pam built a tremendous team, championed justice reforms, assured TASC’s fiscal strength during COVID, and elevated the global profile of TASC,” added Zielinski. “As we congratulate and thank Pam for her service, we do so knowing that TASC’s leadership legacy will continue under Joel’s same deep commitment to the mission and values of TASC.”

TASC advocates for people in justice and family service systems to help them achieve health and wellness in the community. Specializing in substance use assessment, case management, and recovery support, TASC reached nearly 30,000 youth and adults across Illinois in 2020. 

Prior to joining HRDI in 2009, Johnson held progressive roles in direct services and operations leadership for juvenile justice and child welfare organizations, including SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, the Child Welfare League of America, and Chicago Commons. He underscored the depth and complexity of issues that TASC clients face, from barriers to recovery to challenges in family reunification, and the necessity of systems-level changes.

“TASC’s focus on social justice and public policy, along with quality service delivery across the state, is what makes the agency exceptional,” said Johnson. “I welcome this tremendous opportunity to lead an organization whose reputation is well known and respected in the field. Through direct services, public policy, and systems change initiatives, we will continue to address social determinants of health to better enable the recovery and well-being of the people and communities we serve.”

Johnson’s in-depth knowledge of these systems and services stood out among dozens of candidates identified during the national executive search conducted by Montague & Associates, according to TASC Board Vice Chair Jason Hutton.

“So many candidates were interested and wanted to be part of TASC,” said Hutton, who led the board’s five-member search committee. “Joel shone in both his understanding of the mission and his vision for TASC’s continued growth and impact.”

Rodriguez praised the board’s selection of Johnson as her successor. 

“From the beginnings of both TASC and HRDI in the early 1970s, our organizations have enjoyed a strong relationship focused on quality care for our clients,” Rodriguez said. “It is professionally rewarding and personally gratifying to know that Joel will be leading TASC into the future. For our clients, our staff, and everyone we work with who is committed to justice and health, I am excited about the coming era of TASC.”

Founded in Illinois in 1976, TASC has facilitated access to community-based substance use and mental health treatment and recovery for tens of thousands of adults and youth. TASC and its Center for Health and Justice are at the forefront of local, state, and national efforts to build equitable justice systems and increase access to quality care in the community.

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