News

August 1, 2018

Jim Dennis to Retire as President & CEO of Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth

Jim Dennis, President & CEO of Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth, announced he will retire this November. Dennis, a native of upstate New York, has served the agency in various roles for 33 years, 3 of which he has served in the role of President & CEO.

“It has been my honor to serve this agency for the past 33 years,” said Dennis. “I am proud of the solid leadership we have developed statewide and am confident the agency is strategically positioned for changes in the child welfare field moving forward”.

In the last 15 years, child welfare throughout New York State has experienced a significant transition away from residential care with a stronger emphasis on community-based programming including foster care & adoption as well as school- and community-based prevention programming. During this time, Dennis along with his leadership team, redefined the agency in alignment with industry trends as a strong, community-based organization with programming spanning across 45 counties throughout New York State. Today, the prevention programs he established statewide have maintained a 99.6% success rate in keeping families together.

“Jim has shared our vision of focusing on preventative, community-based programming” stated Bob Gibson, Commissioner of Columbia County. “Under his leadership, he has taken Berkshire in a direction where they have offered to all counties, an array of preventative programming and opportunities that have helped keep our children with their families which is our top priority.”

With regards to Dennis’s replacement, a search committee has been formed and any inquiries should be directed to Berkshire’s Board of Directors.