YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Gateways to Better Living went through a change in leadership in 2021 that maintains its commitment to serving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Gail Riess, who led the agency for 25 years, retired in July and was replaced by Karl L. Ware as executive director and CEO. The Gateways board also retained James Linert as chief financial officer and promoted Kristie Rossi to chief operating officer.
The agency – which serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties – shows its appreciation to employees by offering many perks, Ware says.
Workers can receive a $1,000 bonus for referring job applicants to the company who get hired, wage increases, movie and dinner gift cards, and Christmas bonuses.
Gateways launched a new day program in late 2020 called The Village by Gateways.
The agency also provides residential services; its 13 intermediate care facilities make it the largest provider of such services in the area, Ware says.
Gateways operates more than 25 waiver homes across the Mahoning Valley to serve those with developmental disabilities.
The nonprofit care provider employs 450 and has an annual revenue of $25 million.