ADAMHS Board Withdraws Job Offer to Its Pick for Executive Director
Montgomery County's mental health and addiction board says Ohio law bars former trustee Teresa Russell from taking the job until March 2027.
The board that oversees Montgomery County's public mental health and addiction services has withdrawn its job offer to the person it chose as its next executive director, WHIO reported Oct. 26.
The Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Trustees voted at a special meeting Oct. 21 to withdraw the offer to Teresa Russell, according to WHIO. Russell had also withdrawn her acceptance, the station reported.
Why
The board cited a waiting period in Ohio law that bars Russell from taking the job until March 2027, WHIO reported. Russell had been a member of the board itself; she resigned her seat in March 2026, according to the report.
WHIO reported that Russell first expressed interest in the job in November 2025 without submitting a formal application, and then recused herself from board discussions, meetings and votes while she waited for more information about the position's qualifications. The board had hired the recruiting firm BeecherHill to run a five-month nationwide search; the firm later identified Russell as a prospective candidate, contacted her and recruited her into the interview process, the station reported.
Board members still expressed confidence in her qualifications and leadership, according to WHIO.
What the board said
Board Chairman Chief John Porter said, "Our responsibility now is to address the issue transparently, comply with the law," according to WHIO. "We remain supportive of Ms. Russell and regret the uncertainty this has created for her," he said.
What's next
Christina Sanders will remain interim executive director while the board works toward an appointment that complies with Ohio law, WHIO reported. The report did not say whether the board will reopen its search or wait until Russell becomes eligible.