New executive director hired at non-profit organization, Rebekah
Children’s Services
By Betsy Avelar Staff Writer
Gilroy – David H. Tollner thinks he has what it takes to lead an organization that serves 1,800 children a year.
After 10 months without an executive director, Rebekah Children’s Services hired Tollner in May to fill the role vacated when the past director moved to Minnesota to attend to family issues.
Rebekah Children’s Services is a non-profit organization that aids children whom have been abused, neglected or who suffer from mental illness of all ages in providing them with large amount of services and programs.
“(It’s a) far better job than practicing law,” said Tollner, who was born and raised in San Jose and who has practiced business and corporate law for 10 years. He served as the director of Pacific Autism Center for Education for three and a half years in Sunnyvale, where he established an early intervention program for 2 to 5 year olds, and an adult day program for adults with autism.
“This job has no shortage of fulfillment,” said Tollner referring to working for a non-profit. His transition from lawyer to director began after years of practicing law and finding no fulfillment nor satisfaction.
His responsibility as director includes community relations, fundraising, and operations; but his goal is to run the organization operationally, make sure that it is headed in right direction, serving kids properly, and serving more kids overall.
“What we try to do is not to become their role models or caregivers,” said Tollner. His understanding of the mission was vital to his hiring.
“(We want) somebody who has compassion, somebody that can understand our mission and how it fits with what we do with the children and families,” said Eleanor Villareal, Public Relations Officer. Tollner also was chosen based on his background of law as that was a strength in helping the organization with the many contracts that they have with the county and with his strength in fundraising.
“David Tollner came with a lot of experience in fundraising for one thing,” said Villareal. “He’s very intelligent and just seems to be unpretentious and down to earth.”
Tollner also understood the mechanisms to lead such an organization and that it is necessary to make sure all of the programs are functioning well.
“The goal is to treat this as a place for both the family and the kids to have time out from each other,” said Tollner when explaining one of the purposes of the organization. Early intervention is important to Tollner and was another reason why he was hired; he understood the purpose of early intervention and its value.
“It’s just like grandma said: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Villareal.
