John R. Aller, class of 1983, was nominated by Margery Crowl Aller, Class of 1957. Since his high school graduation, he has received his BA in psychology from Kent State University. In 1994, he received his MA in education with a focus in community counseling. He is currently certified as a licensed professional counselor and a licensed independent certified addiction counselor. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in public health with a concentration in health policy and management.
John has served the community in addiction and mental health services for 21 years in client care, supervisory, and administrative capacities. While he was the director of the Alcohol and Drug Board of Stark County in 2008, the decision was made to combine with the Mental Health Board of Stark County. Although fiscal considerations and efficacy drove the decision, John’s track record of successful program development, administrative skills and innovation made him the obvious choice to take over the merger of the two boards. He has been in this position of Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County (MHRSB) since.
Under his leadership, the Stark MHRSB has been recognized at both state and federal levels as being at the forefront of behavioral health. His team is responsible for obtaining millions of dollars in grants to assist those in need. Aller directly oversees the distribution of all funding and services provided to those in need of substance abuse or mental health care through MHRSB’s providers.
John has received numerous awards including: Distinguished Alumni of Kent State’s College of Education and was appointed by the governor to serve as a member of the Council of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Advisory Group. He has also served on various state and local committees and currently is on the executive committee of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. He is also a federal grant reviewer for federal behavioral health applicants.
Recently MHRSB has awarded Quest Recovery Services with a grant to begin to offer services in Minerva with the opening of an office. This is in additions to the funding currently provided to ensure access to Minerva students in prevention and treatment in the schools.
Aller’s philosophy is based on “leaving the community where he lives better off than he found it.” He also feels his drive for community service and civic responsibility were nurtured during his developmental years in Minerva.
He currently resides in Green, Ohio, with his wife Loretta, and children Kelsey and Sean.