Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health names new Executive Director

Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, Inc., a  long time provider of mental health and substance abuse recovery services in Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Howard, and Fayette counties,  has named Robert (Bob) Thacker as their new Executive Director effective July 1st.  Thacker will replace Patrick Smith, who is retiring June 30th after 11 years as Executive Director. 

Thacker comes to Decorah from jobs as Director of Chemical Dependency Services at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls and Director of Chemical Dependency Services at the Fort Dodge YWCA's Women with Children program.  He has 25 years of work in providing mental health and substance abuse recovery services, including providing direct client care as a clinician and working in supervisory and administrative roles over the past 15 years,

Thacker holds a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of South Dakota.  He is a certified International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) through the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC).  He is a long time educator with Buena Vista University where he has taught numerous courses in psychology, sociology, and social work.