Barry County mental health director to retire

The Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Board has announced that after 32 years of service, Jan McLean will be retiring Feb. 3, 2017.

After an extensive search, the board has announced that Richard Thiemkey will assume the executive director role and begin his transition with McLean Dec. 1.

McLean began with the organization in 1984 as office manager and became the executive director in 2001 and made many contributions during her tenure.

"Jan's contributions have provided great benefits for our community, and we thank her for her dedication, tenacity and leadership," said Linda Maupin, board chair.

Among McLean's accomplishments were obtaining approval of the county board of commissioners and establishing BCCMHA as a mental health authority, providing autonomy to the agency and less financial risk to the county; integrating Barry County Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Services with the mental health organization to offer one location for any behavioral health need; moving from a single county provider to a partner in a regional network; and adding peer support, community living and autism service options. Most recently she led her team's effort to build the new clinic on Barfield Drive, which will be open for business in early February.

The agency has expanded from having 38 staff members in 2001 to 85 in 2016, and expenditures of $4.1 million in 2001 to approximately $10 million in 2016. McLean plans to continue volunteer work with her therapy dogs and spend more time with family.

Thiemkey's most recent experience is as director of clinical services at Allegan County Community Mental Health Services. He has prior experience at Lakeshore Coordinating Council, Hope Network and Saginaw County Community Mental Health. He has a bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University and a master of arts in clinical Christian counseling from Cornerstone University.

"We feel fortunate that Rich brings a wealth of experience in the areas of substance-abuse prevention, autism programming and development of community partnerships," Maupin said. "He is excited to step into the leadership of our community's very robust mental health organization."

Barry County Community Mental Health Authority provides accessible and affordable mental health and substance abuse services focused on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to county residents who can benefit. Barry County Community Mental Health Authority is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.