JRC's Stern retiring early

Daniel E. Stern vacationed in Lake Champlain last week. The Jefferson Rehabilitation Center executive director enjoyed it so thoroughly he decided not to come back to work.

Mr. Stern, 64, told his agency's Board of Directors about eight months ago that he'd retire in January 2011. But Monday, he changed his mind, telling the board he was resigning immediately.

"In 20 years you put a lot of blood sweat and tears into an agency. It's mixed emotions," said the Watertown resident, who joined the company as an assistant executive director. "But I know it's so financially stable. And clinically and programmatically, it's in good shape."

Mr. Stern has been largely responsible for the success of JRC, which serves more than 1,000 clients with development disabilities, autism, mental health and physical disabilities. The agency's annual revenues have increase from about $10 million when Mr. Stern assumed command in 1997 to $35 million this year.

The executive director said the board was "well prepared" to find his replacement. He said the directors had four candidates within the agency, and five from outside.

Jill A. Allen, the agency's controller and director of business and finance, will remain as the "executive director on call" for the next few days.

Betty J. Bresler, the board's vice president, said her group will soon name a "permanent" interim executive director before picking Mr. Stern's replacement. She did not know how long that process would take.

Mrs. Bresler said Maureen P. Cean, JRC's director of habilitative services, also resigned Monday. She said Mrs. Cean's departure was not connected to Mr. Stern's resignation. Mrs. Cean worked at the agency for nine years.

The vice president said there would be no immediate changes in agency programming and services because of Mr. Stern's departure.

Mrs. Cean also is the president of the Fort Drum Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.

Mr. Stern, who moved to Watertown with his family in 1974, has been JRC assistant executive director since 1989.

Mr. Stern said he did not have any post-retirement goals, except to spend more time with his wife, Sandra, and his three grandchildren.

In addition to his role at JRC, Mr. Stern's community service includes serving as president and director of the Jefferson County Task Force for Child Protection. co-president of the Jefferson County Council of Social Agencies and chairman of the Watertown Correctional Facility Advisory Committee.

He also was a member of Transitional Living Services of Jefferson County, the Community Network Committee of the Watertown Board of Education, the United Way's Agency Relations Committee, Family Counseling Service of Jefferson County Board of Directors, Samaritan Medical Center Annual Support Committee and the Jefferson County Community Services Board.