Vera French

Dr. Richard Whitaker began his career in the Quad Cities 24 years ago as a doctoral intern at the historic Marriage and Family Counseling Service in Rock Island, Illinois prior to receiving his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in 1995. Since that pivotal year, Dr. Whitaker has pursued a career in community mental health, providing therapy services, supervision, and executive administration at community mental health centers in Grand Island, Nebraska (9 years) and Jasper, Indiana (12 years as CFO).  Since January, 2017, Rich has served as the CEO of Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport, Iowa.  Dr. Whitaker also serves as a Governor-appointed  commissioner for the Iowa MHDS Commission, as a board member for the Iowa Association of Community Providers, and as a member of the Eastern Iowa MHDS Regional Advisory Committee.  Rich and Miriam, his wife of 28 years, are the parents of 3 daughters and 1 son and the proud grandparents of 2 highly intelligent and multi-talented granddaughters.  In his spare time, Rich enjoys family time at home, exercising, ultimate Frisbee, vocal performance, and service in the church and community.

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