For Immediate Release: February 6, 2008
Contact: Kathy Jackson  904-824-7249; kathy@arcsj.org
Chuck Day 904-543-0785; chuckday@bellsouth.net

Arc of the St. Johns names Neal Benson to Director of Development position

Neal Benson has joined The Arc of the St. Johns as its first-ever Director of Development, Arc Executive Director Kathy Jackson announced today.

A First Coast resident, Benson brings more than 20 years of development experience to the Arc of the St. Johns, which assists and trains developmentally disabled citizens throughout St. Johns County and in 2007 was named the outstanding Arc facility in Florida.

Benson also brings 10 years of economic development experience with several chambers of commerce, including a volunteer stint with the Jacksonville Chamber. He most recently served as counsel to Pine Castle, a non-profit facility that assists developmentally disabled adults in Jacksonville, in their $4.0 million Life Enrichment Center building campaign.

Benson’s principle responsibility with Arc of the St. Johns will be planning and directing a $1.25 million capital campaign to build a permanent home for its Therapeutic Learning Center, a task he began upon joining the Arc this week. The Center serves children up to age 5 who have developmental disabilities, and has begun outgrowing the space it now rents from St. Johns County.

“I am very excited to have Neal join us,” Jackson said. “He is the ideal professional we need for both our TLC campaign and our long-term growth. It’s a perfect match, as I see it,” she added.

“This is another opportunity for me to help make a positive difference in people’s lives and I am extremely happy and eager to join the Arc of the St. Johns,” Benson said. “It’s an especially ideal fit for me.”

Benson’s background includes serving on the board that created the Arc facility in Suwannee County, Fla., as well as service to the Auditory and Speech Foundation of Atlanta.

“My wife and I have had first-hand experience with the kinds of challenges parents and families face. I know what a compelling story Arc offers and have clear understanding of its mission,” Benson said. “Most important, it’s a mission our community will enthusiastically embrace and support. All it needs is the chance to hear it.”

Benson’s arrival is “incredibly timely and most appreciated,” said Chuck Day, current president of the Arc of the St. Johns Board of Directors. “Neal joins us at a critical juncture in the history of the Therapeutic Learning Center, and the entire board is thrilled to have him with us.”

The Therapeutic Learning Center was established in 1986, and has operated out of several locations ever since. The need for a permanent facility was first identified in late 2006 by Jack Langdon, immediate past president of the Arc Board, who made a significant contribution to further indicate his personal commitment and passion for the capital campaign. TLC’s new home will be built on land at the Arc of the St. Johns headquarters off State Route 16.

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Based on Arc Drive near St. Augustine, The Arc of the St. Johns serves residents of all ages with developmental disabilities. Incorporated in 1972 as a 501(c)(3) organization, it was named Arc of  the Year in 2007 by Arc Florida and is recognized throughout the Southeast as one of the finest service providers of its kind.