Lakeview Health Services, a premier provider of behavioral health and housing services throughout the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, is excited to announce that Cathy Lovejoy has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed the current CEO, Harry Merryman, upon his retirement at the end of this year. Lovejoy, who is a seasoned leader with years of experience in behavioral health care, has been the driving force of the successful growth of the agency’s program operations in her role as Chief Program Officer for the past 11 years.

In anticipation of the future retirement of the current CEO, the Lakeview Health Services Board of Directors positioned themselves to judiciously select a successor to Merryman, seeking an individual who will continue to champion the future growth of the agency while upholding its mission and values. Recognizing her capabilities, the Board has invested in Ms. Lovejoy over the last several years and committed a considerable amount of time in the past year validating her potential.

Christopher Button, Chairman of the Lakeview Health Services Board of Directors commented, “On behalf of the board, I want to congratulate Cathy on her appointment as CEO. Cathy is passionate, ambitions, energetic, and a natural leader who will absolutely bring Lakeview to the next level in the challenging days ahead. I’m also grateful for the leadership and many contributions of Harry Merryman who has steadfastly led Lakeview for more than a decade. We’re mindful of our past as we now imagine an exciting future.”

The current CEO, Harry Merryman, who has been with Lakeview since 2009 and serving as CEO since 2012, has generously agreed to remain with Lakeview Health Services through 2024 to assist with the transition. During his tenure, Merryman guided Lakeview through ongoing and substantial regulatory changes, while developing two, much-needed 60-unit residential, mixed-use apartments in Tompkins and Wayne Counties and navigated the enormous challenges of the pandemic years as they affected an essential, 24/7 industry.
“I have worked with Cathy for over 10 years”, added CEO Merryman, “and have had the good fortune to witness first-hand her vision and passion for providing housing and behavioral health care to our communities. I have every confidence in her as she moves into her new role. She is ideally suited and exceptionally well-prepared to successfully lead Lakeview in fulfilling our mission to “Achieve Goals and Advance Lives.”

To accompany the announcement, both in retrospect and pointing to future growth, Lovejoy expressed,
“My years working with Lakeview’s diverse array of housing and community-based services throughout the Finger Lakes region have been incredibly rewarding. I am honored and proud to have the opportunity to serve the organization, its staff, and our valued partners in the role of CEO. I am grateful to Lakeview’s Board, Harry and Lakeview’s truly dedicated staff for their confidence and support throughout this journey. Given the Governor’s unprecedented investment in MH Housing and services, I believe Lakeview is well-positioned to enhance and expand its services to meet state and county priorities. While there is no question that challenges lie ahead, I am excited to be part of elevating Lakeview’s impact in the communities we serve moving forward.”

Cathy serves on the East House Board of Directors; she is a member of the Community Services Board and Mental Health Sub-Committee both in Yates County and also serves as Treasurer of the Finger Lakes Southern Tier Independent Provider Association Board of Directors. She has held management positions with Lakeview Health Services since she joined the agency in 2000.

Lovejoy attended Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY earning her and Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, Summa Cum Laude, and her Master of Science in Management.
She resides in Potter, NY with her husband.
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For the past 45 years, Lakeview Health Services has helped thousands of individuals achieve their personal life goals and helped them to become successful members of their communities. Through a person-centered approach, Lakeview provides safe, affordable housing and support to persons with mental illness as well as health care coordination services to individuals with chronic mental and physical health challenges. Serving individuals in a six-county region in the Finger Lakes, Lakeview is dedicated to helping those they serve to identify and achieve personally meaningful life goals and to realize their full potential.
Lakeview is a 501(c)(3) organization.