June 26, 2023
Contact: Veronica Mikitka Reed, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 484-241-0473
PHMC Board of Directors Appoints Michael Pearson as Interim President and CEO; announces new Treasurer and board member
PHILADELPHIA, PA— The Board of Directors of Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, has voted to appoint Michael Pearson as Interim President and CEO. Pearson will lead the organization, starting July 1, until a permanent CEO is identified.
“Michael is exceedingly qualified for this interim role having deep knowledge of the organization through his extensive board experience. In addition, he is an important convener in the Philadelphia business and philanthropic communities, an important skillset for this position,” said Sam Patterson, PHMC Board Chair. “We are fortunate to have Michael step into this role given his tireless advocacy for public health in our region.”
In late 2022, PHMC President and CEO Richard J. Cohen announced his retirement plans following 42 years of service in that role. Cohen officially transitions to leading PHMC’s foundation, the Public Health Fund, on July 1.
Pearson has served on the PHMC board since 2011, holding a number of leadership roles including Treasurer, Vice Chair and Board Chair, a position he held from June 2015 to June 2019. Under his guidance as PHMC Board Treasurer, Pearson helped to increase organizational sustainability by supporting the implementation of financial planning and budgeting requirements for PHMC’s programs and subsidiaries, allowing each subsidiary to carry out its mission more effectively and deliver services more efficiently to the community. Pearson also played a vital role in launching PHMC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Governing Council in 2020 and the 2023 release of Embracing Diversity, Fostering Equity, Achieving Inclusion, PHMC’s first DEI report.
In addition to his accomplishments on PHMC’s Board, Pearson is a business and community leader. He founded Union Packaging, LLC and provides consulting services to Econsult Solutions. Pearson is Board Treasurer of Evident Change, a national nonprofit that uses data and research to improve social services, and serves on the board of Wash Cycle, Inc. and Tompkins Community Bank - Pennsylvania, and Urban Engineers. He is a past board member of the National Council for Crime and Delinquency, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey, the Committee of Seventy, and William Penn Foundation. He has held leadership positions with the U.S. Small Business Administration National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, ACHIEVEability, the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, Philadelphia Safe and Sound, the Big Picture Alliance, and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Pearson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and served in the United States military as a combat duty Army Officer in the Persian Gulf War, where he received the Bronze Star.
PHMC’s Board of Directors also announced the appointment of Christopher Cullom to Board Treasurer. Cullom, President of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic South Region has been a member of the PHMC Board of Directors since 2022; he replaces Steve Fera, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Markets for Independence Blue Cross, who most recently served in the role. Also, John C. McMeekin II has joined the PHMC Board of Directors. McMeekin is a partner with Rawle & Henderson LLP in Philadelphia and is the son of PHMC founder, Jack McMeekin. The Executive Committee of PHMC’s Board of Directors expects to engage in a President and CEO search in the coming months.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
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