Philip S. Allard joined Family Service Association in April of 2006 as Chief Operating Officer, a position that had most recently been held by Carol Nagle, the non-profit agency’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Phil brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit behavioral health care sector, a field in which he has worked since graduating from the University Of Rhode Island in 1981.
Phil began his career as a group home mental health counselor in Rhode Island for Fellowship Health Resources (FHR), a multi-state behavioral healthcare organization serving Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. He gradually advanced through the organization from direct care to a management role.
In 1985, Phil moved to Fall River from Rhode Island to work in a specialized program serving the elder mentally ill population. He has remained in Fall River ever since, although his former positions at the Fellowship often took him to the organization’s six states. During that time, Phil was intimately involved in organizational and program development.
“I love the city of Fall River, the people, its history, and the community – you can’t beat the food, either!” says Phil.
In 1987, FHR named Phil director of Lawton Hall, a program for mentally ill adults at risk of homelessness, located at the former Jerry’s Lodgings on North Main Street. There he became known for his innovative programs and services.
“Jerry Lawton was a one-of-a-kind mentor. He inspired me to work with persons often rejected by traditional programs and services. He also found unique ways of helping me to ‘keep it real’”, said Phil. “At Jerry’s you checked your ego at the door if you wanted to help people”.
Phil soon developed a knack for proposal writing and program development, helping his agency to expand services in Fall River and add services to New Bedford and Bangor, Maine. In 1993, Phil became the Regional Director for the agency’s Southeastern Massachusetts region. Six years later, Phil became Chief Operating Officer, a position he held until June of 2005.
In between promotions, marriage, and children, Phil completed his Masters in Social Work from Rhode Island College (1997), and a Masters in Business Administration (2005) from the University of Phoenix. “I couldn’t have done it without an extremely supportive spouse and in-laws -- also Fall River residents”, he said. Phil and his wife have two children, both of whom attend Fall River public schools.
“I am very excited about working for Family Service. First, it is a tremendous organization with a great reputation in the community; second, we are in an excellent position to grow and expand services both in the community and in the region; and third, the leadership at FSA is energetic, experienced, and open to new ideas and services.
He added, “During the interviews, I felt that this was the right place for me. In particular, I saw in Carol Nagle the kind of leader needed to bring about change and improvement in a very competitive nonprofit environment. I was thrilled to be chosen.”
