Harcourt named vice president and chief financial officer

Harcourt has served on the Damar Services board for 22 years. When his desire to leave the banking industry coincided with Damar’s need to replace Ken Benson, its director of administration and operations who is retiring after 21 years of service, Harcourt was eager to be considered for the newly restructured position of vice president and chief financial officer.

“We conducted a thorough search, had many applicants and interviewed a number of qualified candidates,” said Greg Johnson, president and CEO of Damar Services. “It was a real pleasure to see Rich emerge as the leading candidate. I have seen first hand his honesty, integrity and strategic financial management skills. His stewardship of our financial health is a big part of how we have grown over the years.”

As one measure of that growth, Damar Services had fewer than 100 employees when Harcourt joined the board in 1986; sometime next year Damar expects to exceed 750 employees. It is one of the largest not-for-profit employers in central Indiana and has an annual budget approaching $39 million.

Damar Services provides residential and community-based treatment, educational, vocational support and other services to 700 children and adults facing the intellectual, developmental and behavioral challenges associated with mental retardation and autism. Damar Services’ residential campus is located at 6324 Kentucky Avenue in Indianapolis. It also operates four group homes, 22 transition homes and a growing number of community-based home sites across central Indiana as well as offering comprehensive outpatient counseling and mental health services.

“I stayed involved on the Damar board because of the terrific work they do on behalf of kids,” said Harcourt. “Even though the services offered and number of people served has grown, Damar has never lost its focus on its clients. Ninety six percent of the people Damar serves move on to a more independent setting. That’s a critical measure of its success.”

He finds it exciting to be leaving the volunteer board and joining the Damar staff. “It’s an exciting feeling to begin the next phase of my career and work with an organization that helps kids.”

Harcourt also has served as a commissioner of the Zionsville Redevelopment Committee, president of the Zionsville Finance Authority and as a board member for Covenant Christian High School.

Harcourt is a resident of Zionsville. He and his wife, Dianne, are the parents of four sons.