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SALT LAKE CITY — Gary Larcenaire has been selected the new chief executive officer of Valley Mental Health Inc. following a nationwide search, the board of directors of the nonprofit behavorial health provider announced Monday.
Larcenaire, the former CEO of El Paso Mental Health Mental Retardation in El Paso, Texas, is expected to join Valley sometime before March 1, 2012. He will succeed Debra Falvo, who announced she would not renew her contract when it expires at the end of 2012.
According to the The El Paso Times, Larcenaire resigned from the El Paso mental health agency Monday morning. The Texas newspaper reported that the mental health agency had "faced controversy in the last year, dealing with deep budget cuts and an upheaval of its board earlier this year.
Larcenaire also came under fire because of questions of lavish travel expenses and a generous renegotiation of his contract at a time the agency was financially strapped.
–- El Paso Times
"Larcenaire also came under fire because of questions of lavish travel expenses and a generous renegotiation of his contract at a time the agency was financially strapped."
Larcenaire's base compensation is between $193,500 and $210,500 for this year," the newspaper reported.
Reports by the El Paso Times earlier this year questioned Larcenaire's spending of public funds while the agency was facing a $2 million cut in revenue. The newspaper's analysis revealed that Larcenaire spent $213 on dinner, nearly $200 in two days on room service and had a $77 tab for a hotel minibar.
Asked if Valley Mental Health's board of directors was aware of the issues raised by the newspaper, spokesman Chris Katis said in a statement, "Valley's board of directors did its due diligence and believes that Mr. Larcenaire was the right person to lead Valley going forward."
His VMH salary was not disclosed.
Larcenaire, who started his career as a caseworker, was selected after a nationwide search. He holds a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters of public administration.
“I want to thank the board of directors for this opportunity,” Larcenaire stated in a statement.
“I firmly share Valley’s vision and commitment to helping the severely and persistently mentally ill find relief, recovery and rediscovery. Valley is in an exciting stage of its evolution and I’m enthusiastic to be a part of the team."
Earlier this year, Salt Lake County officials announced as of July 1, OptumHealth would take over management of Salt Lake County's mental health services.
Valley Mental Health had been the sole provider and manager of Salt Lake County's mental health services for nearly 25 years. VMH has served some 18,000 mental health clients a year, ranging in age from infants to senior citizens. Most clients are on Medicaid.
I firmly share Valley's vision and commitment to helping the severely and persistently mentally ill find relief, recovery and rediscovery.
–- Gary Larcenaire
Salt Lake County first selected OptumHealth in 2010 through a competitive bidding process. Valley Mental Health officials protested the selection, which prompted an administrative review. However, county officials stuck by the decision to award the bid to OptumHealth.
In April, VMH officials announced the layoffs of 100 employees, which at the time, was described as a cost-cutting measure.
Dean Hunger, chairman of VMH's board of directors, said in a statement that Larcenaire "brings the management experience, compassion and business acumen we require to guide Valley into the future."
Hunger also expressed gratitude to Falvo. She "spent her career advocating for the most vulnerable in our population,” he said. “She has provided exemplary leadership to Valley during her tenure with us.”
Falvo added, “I am confident that Valley will have a bright future under Gary’s leadership. I look forward to working with him, as I know our entire staff will be as well.”
Email:mcortez@ksl.com
