Springfield, MA (April 11, 2022) — Pathlight, a pioneering organization serving people in western Massachusetts with developmental and intellectual disabilities, today named human services leader John Roberson as its new Executive Director.

Throughout his career, Roberson has designed and implemented programs tailored to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families. He brings an extensive background in leadership and operations for community-based residential programs and a passion for improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Pathlight organization, I am pleased to announce that John Roberson is joining us as our new Executive Director,” said Hank Drapalski, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We feel privileged to have a leader of his experience, character and integrity guiding Pathlight into the future.”

Most recently, Roberson was Vice President of Children & Families for the Center for Human Development (CHD), where he was responsible for management of a $25 million annual budget and expansion of services with local, state and federal agencies for a division that provides housing, child development, behavioral health and court guided support services.

Prior to becoming Vice President, he served in a variety of capacities including managing two large residential facilities as CHD’s Director of Juvenile Justice Programs. Previously, he was a Lead Treatment Supervisor for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department where he supervised treatment staff and developed treatment programs for inmates housed in the Pre-Release Center.

“I am honored to be selected as Pathlight’s next Executive Director.  I am looking forward to working to advance Pathlight’s mission to assist people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism in reaching their full human potential.” said John Roberson.

Roberson is a member of the Child Welfare League of America and the American Correctional Association. He has served as a board member of the Correctional Association of Massachusetts, the Restorative Justice Collaborative of Hampden County, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence. He holds an M.S. from Cambridge College in Springfield.

He will assume his responsibilities as Executive Director of Pathlight on May 2, 2022.

Pathlight engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its Executive Director. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including human services and agencies serving individuals with differing abilities, advocacy and educational organizations, and foundations. For more information, visit www.kittlemansearch.com.

Pathlight serves all of western Massachusetts providing for the evolving needs throughout their lives of those in the community with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Whether enrichment and skill-building classes or educational advocacy, employment support or the creation of a home, Pathlight seeks always to help each individual realize their fullest potential. For more information, visit www.pathlightgroup.org.