JFCS Leadership

Governance Board

Chair

Rick Naimark

Vice Chair

Robert Carr

Secretary

Leesa Berens Weisz 

Immediate past chairman

Richard Gottlieb

Emeritus Members

Lenore Schupak

Executive Leadership Team

• Michael R. Zent, Ph.D., President & CEO (Read bio below)
• Mark Callesen, MD, Chief Medical Officer
• Javier Favela, Chief Financial Officer
• Carol Felton, Executive Director of Human Resources
• Frank Jacobson, Vice President of Marketing & Development
• Martha Miller, Director of Compliance
• Kevin Rhode, Director of Information Technology
• Ellie Schwartzberg, MC, Vice President of Older Adults & Jewish Community Services
• Linda Scott, MSW, Vice President of Child & Family Solutions
• Mary Jo Whitfield, MSW, Vice President of Behavioral Health

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.