PERU — On Sept. 3, Dan Fitzgerald was named chief executive officer of Horizon House.
He is filling the position that was vacated when Jim Monterastelli retired on July 12 after serving as CEO for 38 years.
Jeff Borelli, president of Horizon House’s Board of Directors, announced, “We are very fortunate to have someone with such vast experience, knowledge and commitment to promote into this position. We are confident that Dan will excel as CEO.”
Fitzgerald was hired in 1981 as a case services coordinator for Horizon House. In 1989, the agency underwent an administrative reorganization and he stepped into the newly-created position of director of programs and services. During his 28-year tenure in that position, he oversaw all program functions of the agency including overseeing the ongoing national accreditation of the agency’s services.
As a result, Fitzgerald also served as a program surveyor/consultant for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for eight years, completing surveys in 17 states and Canada. He has a strong interest in promoting self-advocacy for people with disabilities and oversaw the development of a Disabilities Awareness Program conducted annually in local elementary schools.
Fitzgerald serves as a member of the local Workforce Development Board, the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity LBPC and the Oglesby Zoning Board of Appeals.
“I am honored to be chosen for this position. I look forward to adapting to the new expectations of families and people with disabilities as a result of their self-advocacy efforts and experiences in the community. People we serve have come to expect a life like any other and I will do everything I can to support that expectation,” Fitzgerald stated.
He was born in Mendota and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He lives in Oglesby with his wife, Nancy.