Executive Leadership Team
Michael R. Zent, Ph.D., President & CEO
Dr. Zent’s extensive experience spans more than 20 years. He directed the overall operation of the Maricopa County Regional Behavioral Health Authority as chief executive officer for more than six years. He also was chief executive officer of the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona where he helped develop and later manage the public sector behavioral health system for Pima County and Southeastern Arizona. Previous to that, he served as executive director of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services, Inc. and earlier worked at La Frontera and the State of Arizona’s Division of Behavioral Health. During his career, he has introduced innovative recovery-oriented programs and cultural competency programs, advocated for resources and positive changes and fostered positive provider relations. Dr. Zent is a fourth generation Arizonan and long-time resident of both Phoenix and Tucson.
Ellie Schwartzberg, MC, LPC, Vice President of Geriatric Services and Jewish Community Services
Ms. Schwartzberg has 30 years of geriatric experience. She began her career at JFCS in 1980 as the director of the Osborn Senior Center. She later became the coordinator of Jewish Family Life Education and in 1985 was promoted to Director of Geriatric Services where she managed the JFCS Geriatrics program. In 2006 she was promoted to vice president. She has been responsible for the management, operation and growth of Geriatric Services, including the Center for Senior Enrichment, and initiated the Family Partners program in 2007. In August 2009, Jewish Community Services was added to the umbrella of programs under her supervision.
Linda Scott, MSW, Vice President of Child and Family Solutions
Ms. Scott has been with JFCS since November of 1994 and has 25 years experience in non-profit social service work. She began at JFCS as a family therapist and has held the positions of clinical coordinator, coordinator of electronic medical records, and director of special services and EMR integration before her promotion to vice president in September of 2006. She currently manages the Homebased Services, Shelter Without Walls, Real World Job Development, and Prevention programs. Ms. Scott’s experience spans direct care in crisis intervention, community based treatment for the severely mentally ill, family therapy, and child welfare; clinical and administrative supervision; program development and management.
Mary Jo Whitfield, MSW, Vice President of Behavioral Health
Ms. Whitfield joined JFCS in July of 2006 with more than 30 years in the field of behavioral health. She served as chief clinical officer for Value Options of Phoenix where she oversaw the operation of more than six divisions which included budgets totaling 400 million dollars and more than 1,200 staff members. She served with ComCare, Maricopa Clinical Management, Community Care Network and Phoenix Indian Center. She and her husband are long time residents of the Phoenix area.
Frank Jacobson, Vice President of Marketing and Development
For nearly two decades Frank served as the founding President and CEO of the Scottsdale Cultural Council overseeing the management of the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Scottsdale Public Arts Program. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the Daron and Ron Barness Family Foundation and was the interim director of the Scottsdale Museum of the West. He has more than 30 years of senior management and fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector. Frank has lived in Scottsdale with his wife Stephanie for more than 20 years. They have two sons, Aaron and Adam, daughter Ashley and three grandchildren.
2007/2008 Governance Board
Chair
Richard Gottlieb
Vice Chair
Rick Naimark
Secretary
Carol Kern
Members
Robert Carr
Steven Friedman
Armando Roman
Carol Seidberg
Councilman Michael Johnson
Emeritus Members
Aileen Osofsky
Lenore Schupak