Lakeview Health Services has named its next CEO. Cathy Lovejoy will succeed current Chief Executive Officer Harry Merryman when he retires at the end of the year.
Lovejoy has served as the agency’s Chief Program Officer for the past 11 years and has held management positions since joining the agency in 2000.
“My years working with Lakeview’s diverse array of housing and community-based services throughout the Finger Lakes region have been incredibly rewarding. I am honored and proud to have the opportunity to serve the organization, its staff, and our valued partners in the role of CEO. I am grateful to Lakeview’s Board, Harry and Lakeview’s truly dedicated staff for their confidence and support throughout this journey. Given the Governor’s unprecedented investment in MH Housing and services, I believe Lakeview is well positioned to enhance and expand its services to meet state and county priorities. While there is no question that challenges lie ahead, I am excited to be part of elevating Lakeview’s impact in the communities we serve moving forward.”
A Keuka graduate, Lovejoy serves on the East House Board of Directors, is a member of the Community Servces Board and Mental Health Sub-Committee, as is treasurer of the Finger Lakes Souther Tier Independent Provider Association Board of Directors.
She lives in Potter with her husband.
Christopher Button, Chairman of the Lakeview Health Services Board of Directors commented, “On behalf of the board, I want to congratulate Cathy on her appointment as CEO. Cathy is passionate, ambitions, energetic, and a natural leader who will absolutely bring Lakeview to the next level in the challenging days ahead. I’m also grateful for the leadership and many contributions of Harry Merryman who has steadfastly led Lakeview for more than a decade. We’re mindful of our past as we now imagine an exciting future.”
Merryman joined Lakeview in 2009, serving as CEO since 20212. He will remain with the agency through 2024 to help with the transition. Among Merryman’s accomplishments as CEO are the development of two 60-unit residential mixed-use apartments in Tompkins and Wayne Counties as well as steering the company through the COVID-19 pandemic.
He believes Lakeview will be in good hands with Lovejoy at the helm.
“I have worked with Cathy for over 10 years”, added CEO Merryman, “and have had the good fortune to witness first-hand her vision and passion for providing housing and behavioral health care to our communities. I have every confidence in her as she moves into her new role. She is ideally suited and exceptionally well-prepared to successfully lead Lakeview in fulfilling our mission to “Achieve Goals and Advance Lives.”
Lakeview Health Services is a 501(C)(3) organization that seeks to provide safe, affordable housing and support to those with mental illnesses and chronic mental and physical health challenges across six counties in the Finger Lakes.
