ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Stephen L. Williams of St. Clairsville has been named Superintendent of the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, effective today.
Williams succeeds long-term Superintendent Monty L. Kerr, who took a position with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities in 2011 after 23 years with the Belmont County Board.
Williams holds a bachelor's degree in education from The Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Ohio University. He has worked in the developmental disabilities' field for 23 years and been involved in nearly every aspect of it, from service planning and delivery to business management and leadership.
Williams headed several initiatives during his career at the Belmont County Board. He played a key role in development of the transition plan that privatized Adult Services in the county. He created the Belmont board's office of Provider Development and Support and served as its first Director. In that post, Williams developed the Partnership for Quality Services Initiative, a quality assurance program that supports the provider network by encouraging a process of feedback and then providing incentives that are tied to the satisfaction of the people served. He also developed the Board's Partnership Grants, which provide funding support to schools, agencies and individuals actively engaged in direct support of people with developmental disabilities.
"Steve has demonstrated his commitment to the progress of the Board through his hand-on leadership," said Jay Rodak, president of the Belmont County Board of DD. "More importantly is his compassion for those we serve. I know he will continue to lead by example."
For the last year, Williams has served as Director of Operations for the BHN Alliance, the collaboration between the Belmont, Harrison and Noble county boards wherein certain administrative functions are shared. He will serve as Superintendent of the Harrison and Noble County Boards as well.
"Mr. Williams understands our vision of sharing functions in order to be cost effective," said Robin Bowdish, Harrison Board president. "He is committed to moving Belmont, Harrison, and Noble County Boards forward in this process and we look forward to our future under his leadership."
County boards of developmental disabilities are operated as separate administrative entities in Ohio. They are governed by seven member boards of directors that are responsible for hiring the Superintendent, who is the chief executive officer.
As incoming Superintendent, Williams said he will work to maintain financial stability, continue to break ground with new initiatives, and be an agent for positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities at the local and state levels.
"I am pleased and humbled to have been chosen for this position," Williams said. "It is a privilege to work on behalf of people with disabilities in all three counties."
Williams and his wife, Penny, are the parents of two sons, Zachary, a student at West Virginia University, and Logan, a St. Clairsville Middle School student.
