Nedelkoff New COO At Eckert

Richard Nedelkoff, a former Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance in Washington, D.C. and CEO of a national consulting company, has been named Chief Operating Officer of Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA), announced EYA President and Chief Executive Officer David Dennis.

"We believe Richard's tremendous background will serve EYA well in our mission to help troubled children," Dennis said. "We are absolutely delighted that Richard will be joining us."

Nedelkoff has a distinguished career and a broad range of experience in youth and family services, and he has held a variety of positions in that field for 10 different organizations in six different states.

"I am honored by the opportunity to be a part of a national organization that has such a tremendous history of providing services that impact the lives of youth and families," he said.

Nedelkoff's most recent position was President and CEO of Riga Solutions Group, Inc., a national company that provides solutions to critical issues for federal, state, and local governments in public safety and human services.

Prior to Riga Solutions Group, he was appointed by the President of the United States, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a $6 billion criminal justice planning and policy agency. He worked with the White House and many other federal agencies and national organizations to improve public safety and the administration of justice.

He also reorganized the Bureau of Justice Assistance as part of the overall restructuring of the Office of Justice Programs, including absorbing the Drug Courts Program Office and the Corrections Program Office to provide a more coordinated delivery of services.

In Florida, he was the Executive Director of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, which is a statewide coalition of over 30 non-profit and governmental organizations that provide services to truant, runaway and troubled children in 100 sites across Florida. He was also appointed by the Florida Secretary of Juvenile Justice to manage the largest juvenile justice service district in Florida.

In Texas, he was the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Division, where he oversaw the operations of the $140 million agency that provides funding in criminal justice, juvenile justice and victim services.

Nedelkoff earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University; his Master of Science degree in Administration of Justice from the University of Louisville, and his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio.

About Eckerd Youth Alternatives
Founded by philanthropists Jack and Ruth Eckerd, Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA) is one of the nation's leading providers of services for troubled youth. As a private not-for-profit organization, EYA serves nearly 10,000 children each year. Since 1968, more than 70,000 young people have been helped through a range of program models in more than 40 locations in nine states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. To learn more, call 1-800-554-HELP (4357) or visit the Web site at www.eckerd.org.