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. n the foster care system.
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 in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University.
John Hollenkamp, CPA - Senior Vice President Finance
John began his SAFY career in January 2005, assuming management responsibility for the Finance, Management Information Systems, and Facility Maintenance. As part of the Executive Team of SAFY, John participates in setting the strategic direction of the company, ensuring the financial and technological development portion of the plan.
Prior to joining SAFY, John worked for several Non-Profit Organizations in financial management, including Saint Mary’s College, a service organization for the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.
John graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, Magna Cum Laude, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Rusty Alexander, MBA - Senior Vice President Business Development
Rusty Alexander joined SAFY in 2001 as the Director of Contracts. Rusty was promoted to the Senior Vice-President of Business Development in 2007. 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 and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University.
Roger Smith, Ph.D -Vice President Mental Health Services
Roger Smith, Ph.D. joined SAFY in August, 2002 as the Vice President of Mental Health. Roger is responsible for overseeing all of the mental health services provided by SAFY. He is responsible for 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 has been 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 was the Director of an Undergraduate Social Work Program in West Virginia. He spent twenty three years working in various positions in Community Mental Health Centers and Private Practice.
Roger received his Doctorate from Ohio University and is a licensed psychologist in Ohio. He received his Masters Degree in Social Work and a BS in Business Administration from West Virginia University.
Jim Sherman, MA, LPC - Vice President of Administrative Services
Jim joined SAFY in June of 2009 as the Vice-President of Quality Improvement. 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 - Vice President of Human Resources
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.
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. 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.
