Macomb-Oakland Regional Center names new Executive Director

By JERRY WOLFFE

Dennis Bott has been named the new Executive Director of the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Inc. by the Board of Directors, replacing Jerry Provencal, who plans to retire in March 2016.

“Dennis stood out for his strong organizational skills, knowledge of MORC’s operations and established relationships with key funders and providers,” said MORC Board Chairman Dave Reece. “We were also impressed with the vision he articulated to lead the company into the future.”

Bott, who lives in West Bloomfield and is the organization’s current Chief Operating Officer, has been with the agency since 1976.

He worked directly on early community placement initiatives including participating in the closure of many of the state’s largest institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He then assisted with MORC’s transition from a State agency to a non-profit entity in 1996.

Bott played an integral role in promoting the organization’s growth through oversight of critical operational areas including finance, information technology, contracts and reimbursement. Bott is a past recipient of the ARC of Oakland County President’s Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.

The Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, with offices in Clinton Township, Auburn Hills, and Livonia, provides wide-ranging services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. It is the largest non-profit in Southeast Michigan.

MORC's mission is to serve men, women, and children with differing abilities so they may, as true citizens, celebrate life, freedom, and independence in the community. MORC currently provides services and supports to close to 5,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties with the goal of helping them live more independently in the community setting of their choice.

Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence, advocate-at-large at MORC. He can be reached at 586-263-8950.