Veteran Chestnut Health Systems executive promoted to CEO

Posted on November 16, 2017

*Chestnut Health Systems Board of Directors promoted David Sharar as CEO, to replace the retiring Russell Hagen. (Photo from Chestnut Health Systems)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The next chief executive officer for Chestnut Health Systems has worked the past 29 years for the Bloomington-based non-profit organization.

Chestnut’s Board of Directors has hired David Sharar as CEO, replacing Russell Hagen, who’s retiring January 7 after 36 years in that position.

Sharar will continue to serve as Chestnut’s Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing behavioral and primary health service programs in central and southwestern Illinois.

Sharar helped launch its employee assistance program, known as Chestnut Global Partners, providing services for companies and governmental units in more than 150 countries.

Sharar is from Galesburg, and earned degrees from Knox College and Northern Illinois University. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…