MARK G. WENDEL
Altoona,PA
Summary
Transformational Chief Executive Officer with 25+ years of experience leading complex, mission-driven non-profit enterprises through sustained growth, regulatory rigor, and organizational transformation. Proven record of scaling operations, stewarding multimillion-dollar budgets, and leading large, multidisciplinary workforces while preserving a strong, values-driven culture. Recognized for a people-centered, trust-based leadership style that builds high-performing leadership teams, strengthens succession pipelines, and fosters psychologically safe, accountable environments. Understanding in board governance, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and service-line expansion across behavioral health, early childhood education, and human services systems.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Cen-Clear Child Services, Inc.
Bigler, PA
11.2022 - 02.2026
- Served as Chief Executive Officer for 3+ years, providing enterprise-wide leadership for a $48M+ organization with 700+ employees across multiple service lines and locations.
- Established and sustained a high-trust, mission-aligned culture emphasizing transparency, accountability, staff well-being, and leadership accessibility.
- Built and mentored a strong executive and senior leadership team, creating long-term leadership continuity and improved workforce retention.
- Led organization through significant sector, funding, and regulatory changes, ensuring stability, adaptability, and continued growth.
- Partnered closely with the Board of Directors on long-range strategic planning.
- Provided clear, data-driven reporting on organizational performance, financial health, risk exposure, and quality outcomes.
- Supported board development, committee leadership, and strategic decision-making aligned with mission and sustainability.
- Held full accountability for financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audits, and fiscal compliance.
- Oversaw $48M+ annual operating budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of public and private funding.
- Modernized operational infrastructure through implementation of enterprise systems (EHR, HR/payroll, financial platforms, AI-enabled tools), improving scalability and performance visibility.
- Applied data-informed decision-making to optimize resource allocation and long-term financial sustainability.
- Led the design, launch, and expansion of multiple service lines, including early childhood education and preschool programs, outpatient and community-based behavioral health services, and substance use disorder treatment programs.
- Advanced integrated care and evidence-based practice models to improve outcomes and community impact.
- Cultivated strong partnerships with state agencies, school districts, healthcare systems, and community organizations to expand reach and influence.
- Ensured continuous compliance with CMS, state licensing bodies, and federal/state regulatory frameworks.
- Oversaw policy development, quality assurance, accreditation readiness, and enterprise risk management.
- Maintained strong regulatory relationships while protecting organizational integrity and service quality.
- Statewide human services organization providing early childhood education, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services.
- Led clinical operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to improve patient care quality across multiple departments.
- Mentored clinical staff, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
- Analyzed clinical data to identify trends, driving process improvements and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on budget management and resource allocation for clinical services.
- Oversaw clinical program development, aligning services with organizational goals and community needs.
- Championed continuous quality improvement efforts, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing targeted interventions.
- Expanded service offerings by conducting market research analysis studies that identified emerging trends in healthcare.
- Oversaw regulatory compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to all applicable laws, standards, and guidelines governing clinical practice.
- Established and maintained collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, promoting organizational alignment and driving essential change.
- Maintained strong relationships with external partners such as payers, vendors, government agencies, accrediting bodies, and community organizations to advance our mission of providing exceptional patient care experiences consistently.
- Managed financial resources effectively to support organizational goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
- Increased employee engagement levels through the implementation of transparent communication channels that empowered staff members to contribute ideas regarding improvements in operations.
- Spearheaded the development of innovative clinical programs, addressing gaps in service offerings and meeting evolving patient needs.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
Chief Clinical Officer
Cen-Clear Child Services
Bigler, PA
04.2017 - 11.2022
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Developed and executed strategic initiatives for enhanced clinical performance and operational efficiency.
- Created a culture of accountability through data-driven performance management systems and regular feedback mechanisms.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based clinical protocols and best practices.
- Maintained strong relationships with external partners such as payers, vendors, government agencies, accrediting bodies, and community organizations to advance our mission of providing exceptional patient care experiences consistently.
- Streamlined workflows leading to more efficient use of existing resources within various departments throughout the organization.
- Oversaw clinical program development, aligning services with organizational goals and community needs.
- Optimized patient flow and throughput by establishing new processes that focused on reducing wait times, improving access to care, and enhancing overall satisfaction levels.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
- Championed continuous quality improvement efforts, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing targeted interventions.
- Spearheaded the development of innovative clinical programs, addressing gaps in service offerings and meeting evolving patient needs.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Ensured seamless transitions of care by coordinating services across multiple departments within the organization.
- Implemented cutting-edge technology solutions to enhance overall efficiency within the organization''s operations.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by optimizing care delivery processes and streamlining communication among healthcare providers.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to improve patient care quality across multiple departments.
- Led clinical operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Expanded service offerings by conducting market research analysis studies that identified emerging trends in healthcare.
- Oversaw regulatory compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to all applicable laws, standards, and guidelines governing clinical practice.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
Various Roles
- Over 40 + plus years in a Progressive leadership role providing clinical, supervisory, and program management experience within behavioral health and human services environments.
- Organizations: Dickinson Center, Gateway Institute & Clinic, Nelson Counseling, Allegany Council on Alcohol & Substance Abuse, Maple Manor Treatment Center, Franklin County Probation Department.
- Roles Included: Program Director, Supervisor, Behavioral Specialist, Prevention Specialist, Counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer.
- Early career established a deep understanding of frontline service delivery, regulatory environments, staff supervision, and program development—forming the foundation for later enterprise leadership.
Director of MH/SUD, Director of Family Services
Cen-Clear Child Services
Bigler, PA
04.2000 - 05.2017
- Led cross-functional teams to implement strategic initiatives aligning with organizational goals.
- Developed and executed comprehensive business plans to drive growth and operational efficiency.
- Directed resource allocation and budgeting processes to optimize project outcomes and reduce costs.
- Mentored senior management and team leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling / Psychology
Norwich University
Master of Arts - Counseling Education
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Dependable and responsible
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Active listening
- Problem resolution
- Verbal communication
Executive Profile - Summary
Transformational Chief Executive Officer with 25+ years of experience leading complex, mission-driven enterprises through sustained growth, regulatory rigor, and organizational transformation. Proven record of scaling operations, stewarding multimillion-dollar budgets, and leading large, multidisciplinary workforces while preserving a strong, values-driven culture. Recognized for a people-centered, trust-based leadership style that builds high-performing leadership teams, strengthens succession pipelines, and fosters psychologically safe, accountable environments. Understanding in board governance, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and service-line expansion across behavioral health, early childhood education, and human services systems.
Enterprise Leadership Strengths
- Enterprise Strategy & Vision
- Executive Team Development & Succession Planning
- Organizational Culture & Workforce Engagement
- Financial Stewardship & Capital Allocation ($48M+ budgets)
- Operational Scale & Systems Modernization
- Regulatory & Risk Management (CMS, State & Federal)
- Service Line Growth & Program Innovation
- Community, Government & Stakeholder Relations
- Change Leadership & Organizational Resilience
Executive Foundation
Over 40 + plus years in a Progressive leadership role providing clinical, supervisory, and program management experience within behavioral health and human services environments., Dickinson Center, Gateway Institute & Clinic, Nelson Counseling, Allegany Council on Alcohol & Substance Abuse, Maple Manor Treatment Center, Franklin County Probation Department, Program Director, Supervisor, Behavioral Specialist, Prevention Specialist, Counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer, Early career established a deep understanding of frontline service delivery, regulatory environments, staff supervision, and program development—forming the foundation for later enterprise leadership.
Affiliations Community Leadership
- Past board member, Kiwanis
- MHCA
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Open Minds
- RCPA (Rehabilitative Community Providers Association) Children/Adult Committee Cofaciliator
- Clearances, Criminal, FBI, and Child Abuse Clearances (Current)
- Member of many community Social Clubs
Personal Information
Title: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 5+ in the development of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Acquired 2 out of 7 of the current CCBHC's (ICWC) across Pennsylvania
- Supervised team of 14 staff members.
- As a employer in various leadership roles at CenClear had a visionary strategic growth goal and took company from about a 2 million MH/SUD division to over 26+ annual revenue with a vast array of services
Core Competencies
Transparent Leadership & Senior Operations
Strategic Planning and Execution
Program Development and Launch
Financial Literacy & Acumen
Merger & Aquisitions
Grant Management & Implementation
Community Behavioral Health
Cross-Function Team Management
Vendor/Stakeholder networking and relations
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Cen-Clear Child Services, Inc.
11.2022 - 02.2026
Chief Clinical Officer
Cen-Clear Child Services
04.2017 - 11.2022
Director of MH/SUD, Director of Family Services
Cen-Clear Child Services
04.2000 - 05.2017
Master of Arts - Counseling Education
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Various Roles
Master of Arts - Counseling / Psychology
Norwich University