GLORIA QUINN NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT WEST BAY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, INC.

The Board of Directors of West Bay Residential Services is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director, Gloria Quinn. Following the announcement that its Founder and Executive Director, John DiMarco, was retiring after 32 years, West Bay embarked on a national search for its new Executive Director.

DiMarco said that he is “entirely confident that Gloria will continue the values and culture that has made West Bay a leader in its field in Rhode Island. She will also bring a new vision for how to meet the needs of West Bay individuals in the ever-changing political and economic environment of Rhode Island.”

Gary St. Peter, chair of the Search Committee noted that “Gloria not only brings more than 30 years of service in the developmental disabilities field, she has had national experience in a wide variety of programs for individuals with varied disabilities. She also started her professional experience at Looking Upwards in Middletown, RI. Even though we will never be able to replace John, we are very fortunate to be able to bring talent of this caliber into the West Bay family.”

Quinn has worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities for more than 30 years, including her role as Executive Director of Looking Upwards, a Rhode Island based organization.  Over the years, she has assumed senior leadership positions around the country.  Her leadership responsibilities have included executive oversight of multi-faceted support services for adults, families, and children in Rhode Island, New Mexico, Maryland, and most recently, Vermont.  Her recent professional experience in Vermont includes her position of Vice President of Developmental Services for a large multi-service agency.  Additionally, she has provided consultation to many organizations throughout the country in such areas as values orientation, individual planning and service design, team and leadership development, and organizational planning.

Quinn resided in Rhode Island for over 25 years, 20 of those focused on her work with, and on behalf of, individuals with developmental disabilities.  “I am very excited about this opportunity to come ‘home’ and join the West Bay Residential team.”

Established in 1981, West Bay Residential Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization providing care and residential support services to individuals with developmental disabilities. It currently provides services in 19 homes, six semi-independent apartments, and a day program. West Bay supports more than 130 people challenged by differing mental, physical and developmental disabilities in communities across Rhode Island. Its focus is to help individuals make life choices and friends, maintain family relationships, and have fun while establishing their role in the community.