Aaron Atkinson has been named president and chief executive officer of People Encouraging People, a Maryland nonprofit organization focused on recovery, resilience, and independence for people needing mental health support who are disabled or disadvantaged. PEP operates in Baltimore City and five s urrounding counties. Atkinson has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.  His record includes roles requiring leadership, fiscal stewardship, and measuring impact through mission. Before being appointed PEP’s president and CEO, he was CEO of The Arc Western Montana. There he oversaw the improvement and expansion of services, strengthened their finances, and advanced the organization’s culture. “Aaron is an accomplished advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health diagnoses,” said Chamberlain Diala, chair of PEP’s board. “His success at The Arc Western Montana, coupled with his extensive background in directing multi-site operations, eliminating multimillion-dollar deficits, and enhancing program quality and staff engagement, will be instrumental in positioning PEP as one of Maryland’s top employers and expanding our service offerings in the jurisdictions in which we operate.” People Encouraging People was founded in 1982 and offers behavioral health and supportive services across Maryland. These include psychiatric rehabilitation, outpatient mental health, substance use treatment, and housing support. PEP’s website explains their services are “values-based” and designed for each individual’s specific challenges, building a path towards becoming accepted, productive members of their community. Their services range from assistance for the deaf and blind to residential and vocational. Their clients face an array of obstacles, from drug addiction to schizophrenia to homelessness. The overarching principles of PEP are that everyone is treated with respect and decency regardless of their challenges, and that everyone can improve their lives and community through work and encouragement. Prior to his work with The Arc Western Montana, Atkinson held executive leadership with Community Options, Inc. and The Arc Baltimore. His training and education include Leadership Baltimore County, the Maryland Leadership Institute, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland, so Maryland is hardly new territory for him. “PEP has a long and powerful history of helping people thrive through comprehensive, strength-based mental health services,” Atkinson said. “I am honored to join this mission-driven team and look forward to building on PEP’s legacy of providing services and supporting people in their mental health and well-being journeys.” ...read more read less