Lighthouse CEO Retiring After 40 Years

Lighthouse CEO Retiring After 40 Years

Bob Mecum 2015

Today, Bob Mecum announced his plans to retire as CEO and President of Lighthouse Youth Services on December 30, 2016.  Mecum’s decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of 40 years of continuous service to Lighthouse and our community.

“Thanks to all of you for your support for me over the last 40 years,” said Mecum. “The agency has been preparing for a leadership transition for the past three years and it’s time now for me to pass the helm to a new generation. I look forward to spending the next 10 months as productively as I can as we move closer to our goal of ending youth homelessness in Cincinnati by 2020.”

Mecum has served as Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse Youth Services since 1978. Under his leadership, Lighthouse has grown from an agency serving 16 youth on a daily basis in two residential programs to a multi-service organization serving children, youth and families statewide. Lighthouse has pioneered the development of many services for youth and families, and has received national recognition for its work in the areas of runaway and homeless youth; juvenile corrections; Independent Living; and Foster Care.

“The board of trustees is grateful to Bob for his 40 years of dedicated service to Lighthouse and his commitment to providing the best services possible,” said Richard Haffey, Jr., Chair of the Lighthouse Board. “He’s been a strong leader who has managed and grown the agency through challenges and transitions as Lighthouse has responded to the changing needs of our community. The board is thankful for his innumerable contributions to the agency and his distinguished tenure as CEO.”

The search firm Gilman Partners begins the work of finding Mecum’s successor immediately.

Mecum began his career as a live-in counselor in a halfway house for adult felons, then became a probation officer, and served as the Assistant Director of the Butler County Youth Service Bureau. In 1976, Mecum joined Lighthouse Youth Services as the Director of the Lighthouse Runaway Shelter before his promotion to CEO in 1978.