What Happened?
Hagerstown, MD-based Don Francis as Senior Director of Human Resources
About the Company
The Arc of Washington County was founded in 1952 by a group of local parents seeking services and more complete lives for their children with developmental disabilities. Initially formed as The Hagerstown Council for Retarded Children, these dynamic individuals paved the way for the services that have since been integrated into the Washington County educational system. They were also pioneers in providing residential housing where it was needed for individuals who could not be cared for in their own homes, as well as in the formation of day training and work programs for adults. By 1975, the group had expanded their membership and changed their name to The Washington County Association of Retarded Citizens, receiving licensure from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration as well as affiliation with the Maryland and National Arcs. This originating group, many of whom still actively serve the organization today, was the catalyst for the wide variety of valuable programs and innovative services that now exist at The Arc of Washington County. Today, more than 900 people with developmental disabilities receive support throughout the western region of Maryland. Our caring, dedicated staff of over 600 employees strives to support each individual we serve to live their lives with dignity and respect.
About the Person
Don Francis is the Senior Director of Human Resources at Arc of Washington County. Don Francis was born in Rochester NY. Following high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served in the law enforcement and intelligence communities and then later in intelligence operations. Towards the end of his military career, Don became responsible for assuring the forces, training and equipment necessary for operations was available to the Special Operations community. He earned his bachelor`s degree in the Administration of Justice from Culver Stockton College, Canton, Mo. and his master`s degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University, all while on active duty. Following his Air Force career, Don accepted a position as the Vice President of Quality, Training and Human Resources for a national trucking company. Four years later, he rejoined the public sector during which he continued his work in human resources as the chief human resources officer for organizations such as the City of Hagerstown, Washington County Public Schools and Frederick Community College. Don has more than 30 years of human resource and risk management experience with senior certifications from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), and the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA). He is the President of Sentinel Business Solutions. His past positions in the both public and private sectors have included executive level positions of organizations as small as 150 and as large as 2600 employees. His depth of experience brings a unique blend of human resources, emergency management and preparadeness, risk management and hazard mitigation, strategic planning, organizational development and change management. Don is an active member of his professional and local communities. In addition to his work in organizations, he has been an adjunct professor in the Mount St. Mary`s University MBA program for more than 15 years where he teaches courses like human resources, management, business ethics, organizational behavior and development, and organizational systems and assessment. His public sector work included a two-year term as the President of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges Human Resources Group where he worked closely with the Maryland Higher Education Commission on state and national issues that impact Maryland community colleges. In his spare time, Don enjoys feeding the travelling bug he got in his years in the Air Force, woodworking, and music. As a 40-year musician, he enjoys occasionally taking the stage with friends in local country, blues and classic rock bands.
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