Richard Balocco, President/CEO, To Retire January 31, 2025
Greetings,
I write to you today on behalf of Desert Arc’s Board of Directors to share the news that Richard Balocco, our President/CEO, plans to retire on January 31, 2025. For the past 17 years Richard has guided our nonprofit, human social services organization and stewarded our mission to enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for people with disabilities. Founded in 1959, Desert Arc now serves nearly 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the desert communities of Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, and Palo Verde Valley. We are who we are today because of Richard, and we owe him a debt of gratitude.
In 2007, upon his retirement from an executive position in Silicon Valley, Richard was recruited for short-term assignment by Desert Arc to work on a financial restructuring plan. Three months later he officially took the helm as President/CEO. Richard successfully implemented a financial plan to rescue a then struggling agency and transformed Desert Arc by creating value rooted in the community. To this end, Richard transitioned the organization from a membership-based to a community-based structure and simultaneously changed the name to Desert Arc. During his tenure, Richard’s vision and belief in social innovation led Desert Arc to the development of its Business Services divisions, microenterprises providing on-the-job training and gainful employment for our clients (people with disabilities served by our mission). Today these flourishing Business Services encompass Shredding & Recycling, Janitorial, Landscape Maintenance and Fulfillment crews working in the community. These in tandem with other impactful programs have put a face on Desert Arc in the community and elevated the Desert Arc brand.
Desert Arc’s Board of Directors will be initiating a comprehensive process to select a new President/CEO in the months ahead. We plan to celebrate Richard’s myriad contributions to Desert Arc at our Champions of Change luncheon on February 6th! Everyone is duly grateful for Richard’s unwavering commitment to Desert Arc’s cause and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities!
Respectfully,
Damian Jenkins
Chair, Board of Directors