05 Mar David Bender succeeds Anne Richey as CEO of CP North Country

Anne Richey, Chief Executive Officer of CP Association of the North Country and Community Health Center of the North Country, has announced her retirement after nearly 39 years of employment with the organization. “It has been my extreme honor and privilege to be part of an organization that strives to ensure every member of our North Country community has access to quality supports and services needed to achieve their highest level of wellness and independence”, said Richey; “I am grateful for the support of our Board of Directors and our talented and dedicated team.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to thank Anne for her years of dedicated leadership that have helped us serve the varied needs of the North Country community”, said Jondavid DeLong, Esq., North Country Board President; “she will be missed, but we wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement.”

To facilitate the transition in leadership, and after a national search process, David Bender, a resident of Massena, and longtime executive at St. Lawrence Health, will serve as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bender holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and Master of Science in Public Health, Health Services Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia. DeLong added on behalf of the Board “we are fortunate David Bender will apply his extensive management experience and knowledge of health care in the North Country as our next CEO”.

“We welcome David to the CP State family,” said CP State President and CEO Mike Alvaro, “and look forward to supporting him as he continues the great work done by Anne.”

“I am honored to be named Chief Executive Officer for the Cerebral Palsy Association and Community Health Center of the North Country, and will do my best to build upon the great work Ms. Richey and her team have realized over her tenure with the organization.,” said David Bender.

The organization, established in 1975, is an independent provider of health care and human services for people of all income levels across the North Country. They have locations in Canton, Gouverneur, Malone, Ogdensburg, and Watertown. Services include primary care, dental, behavioral health, optometry, physical therapy, care management, outreach and enrollment, WIC, and many programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.