Bridgewell, a local nonprofit providing social and human services empowering people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed and productive lives, today announced its board of directors has appointed Christopher Tuttle as president & chief executive officer, effective immediately. Tuttle has served as the agency’s interim president & chief executive officer since August 2018, following the passing of Bridgewell’s former CEO and President Kelly J. Martin.

“We are pleased that the board voted unanimously to appoint Chris as president and CEO of Bridgewell,” said Robin Sutherland, chair of the board of directors. “Chris transitioned seamlessly into the role of interim CEO and has exceeded our expectations. He has continued on Kelly’s legacy, centered around innovation, inspiration and dedication, and we are confident he’ll be an effective and compassionate leader for our organization and the people we serve.”

A leader in the field of social and human services, Tuttle’s experience includes years working for nonprofit organizations that focus on child welfare, particularly cases involving children who have experienced trauma. As CEO, Chris will continue to oversee and provide strategic direction for operational activities in support of regulations, policies, goals and objectives, including maintaining the quality of Bridgewell’s services. Key initiatives will include developing additional programming for 22-year-olds with autism who are assimilating into adulthood, expanding Bridgewell’s recovery and substance use disorder treatment services by recruiting more coaches for the agency’s recovery coach program and creating Bridgewell’s new family and persons served advisory committee.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as Bridgewell’s next CEO and to continue building upon the strong foundation left by Kelly,” said Tuttle. “I look forward to working alongside the Bridgewell team to expand and deepen our autism and recovery services, and to enhancing our relationships with community partners, whose support is critical to our mission.

Tuttle, a Beverly resident, previously served as director of operations for NFI Massachusetts, Inc., supervising the senior managers of five divisions and overseeing the organization’s budget, helping it grow from $18 million to $30 million over a four-year period. He was also director of behavioral health and director of adolescent residential services at NFI Massachusetts. Previously, Tuttle was director of the Northeast Regional Resource Center, health and education services, in Beverly. He holds a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University and a BS from Metropolitan State College. He is also a member of the North Shore Chamber Board of Directors, Lynn Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs committee, Provider’s Council’s Public Policy and Caring Forces committees, and ADDP’s Legislative committee.

ABOUT BRIDGEWELL

Bridgewell is a nonprofit social and human services organization dedicated to strengthening communities. Headquartered in Peabody, Mass., Bridgewell empowers people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education and employment training. Bridgewell’s staff of more than 1,400 professionals serves approximately 6,300 people and their families. Bridgewell is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and fully licensed by the state. For more information, visit www.bridgewell.org.