Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is governed by a 18-member governing board that includes a representative from every county in the agency’s service area. They are appointed by county leadership, primarily by each county’s respective Board of Commissioners.
The board has an executive committee who are selected by board members, and two standing committees: corporate compliance and finance. Members serve three-year terms, and terms are staggered to ensure continuity of governance.
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health’s board meets every other month (six times each year). As a quasi-governmental state agency, we are subject to Open Meetings and all Governing board meetings are open to the public and announced in advance. The full governing board meets beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health FY2024 Governing Board
The Highland Rivers Behavioral Health governing board includes individuals who have family members with mental illness, addictive disease or developmental disabilities, as well as representatives from the judicial system, family services, private industry, law enforcement, local government. and healthcare services.
Tonya Riddick
Chair
Founder, Smile Up Charitable Foundation
Cherokee County
Mary Ghorley
Vice Chair
Piedmont Mountainside Hospital
Pickens County
Michael McElveen
Secretary
Berry College
Floyd County
Lori Rakes
Treasurer
Bartow County
Steve Grimsley
Paulding County
Lane Bennett
Gordon County Sheriff’s Office
Gordon County
Thomas Brown
Whitfield County
Michael Register
Cobb County
Dr. Carol Holtz
Cobb County
Jimmy Davenport
Murray County
Larry Maxey
Floyd County
Chinwe Okoronkwo
Cobb County
Leland Johnson
Gilmer County
Karen Sparks
Haralson County
Connor Hooper
Polk County
Pete Quinones
Cobb County
Vacant
Fannin County
Vacant
Cherokee County