After 45 years of service, Edward Mialky, executive director of The Guidance Center, has announced his plans to retire from the agency.
The board of directors has appointed Denise Bean, director of drug and alcohol services at The Guidance Center, to succeed him.
“While I couldn’t have predicted that this transition would take place during such a historic time, the decision is rooted in many months of thoughtful consideration and planning,” said Mialky. “The Guidance Center is in a good place for this change and I have worked closely with Denise and the management team over several months to ensure a smooth transition.”
Mialky started at The Guidance Center in 1974 as a social worker, when counseling services were under the direction of CEMP (Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter) Counseling Center, which became Family and Child Guidance Center.
In 1984, it was decided that CEMP direct service programs should become a private, non-profit agency and The Guidance Center was formed under the direction of Mialky.
Under his leadership, the agency has grown from a few programs to 21 programs serving approximately 8,000 individuals a year across six counties.
“For 45 years, Ed’s dedication to our clients and employees has been the pillar of our agency,” said Rev. Rob Klouw, The Guidance Center’s board president. “He has not only been a long tenured executive, he has been a transformative leader. Board members, both past and present, are grateful for his service and his absence will be felt. I share our board and management team’s gratitude for his leadership and wish him well into retirement.”
The Guidance Center offers a wide variety of community-based services including mental health, intellectual disabilities, education and prevention services.