Alan Benson

Alan Benson began his career in the field of Intellectual Disabilities over forty years ago when began his career as a substitute DSP, progress to fulltime DSP as college student and finally as a live-in house manager for over four years. Alan then moved from direct care and served as a Program Specialist for several years. It was at this point in 1992, while developing services for consumers in the “Ruth L” program that he was hired to supervise Lakeshore’s “Ruth L” and Specialized Programs. Alan supervised Lakeshore’s expansion into Cameron, Elk & McKean, Clearfield & Jefferson and Warren counties more than doubling the agency in size. During this period Alan also facilitated Lakeshore’s expansion into the Mental Health Services field through the “Erie Warren Project” where consumers were returned to their home communities with enhanced supports from Warren State Hospital. This resulted in additional Mental Health services programs for Lakeshore. Subsequently, Alan was then promoted to C.O.O. until he was selected to succeed founding C.E.O. Richard Ruedy in January of 2016.

Additionally, Alan serves a member of the Board of Directors for the following agencies: PAR (Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability), Center for Disability Information, Bethesda Lutheran Services Foundation, and Keystone Rural Health Consortia.

In additions to his service in the Human Services field, Alan served sixteen years in the United States Army Reserves in both enlisted and commissioned positions. In his free time Alan enjoys travelling with his Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Baxter, hunting, fishing, woodworking, and photography.