Ranck introduced as new PCCS executive director

Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Both festive and formal Tuesday night, the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event, sponsored by Putnam County Comprehensive Services, offered both holiday cheer and the introduction of new PCCS Executive Director Andrew Ranck (at left in left photo) by Chuck Schroeder. (Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE)

After holding the reins of Putnam County Comprehensive Services operations with unbridled passion for more than 40 years, Chuck Schroeder has decided it's time to pull back.

And Tuesday evening at the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce annual holiday Business After Hours, Schroeder introduced his successor, Andrew Ranck, to community leaders as the new PCCS executive director.

"When I started 43 years ago at Putnam County Comprehensive Services," Schroeder told the group during a reception at the Inn at DePauw, "I was the youngest (at 23) executive director of a community agency serving individuals with disabilities in the state. Now I am one of the oldest."

Getting into the Christmas spirit, PCCS staff members Lea Bowman (left) and Terri Hayes get their elf on dancing along to holiday songs performed by a group of PCCS consumers. (Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE)

When Schroeder started at PCCS there were but a handful of employees in one county, while today the organization, in the midst of a building expansion project, has more than 400 employees with services in 26 counties.

While Ranck, a 1991 DePauw University graduate who began his PCCS career in April 2014, officially took over executive director duties on July 1, Schroeder has continued to serve in an emeritus capacity and will do so until June 30.

"I have to finish a few projects for PCCS," Schroeder said, listing the new 9,000-square-foot addition to the east side of the PCCS facility on Tennessee Street in Greencastle as well as the addition of a sprinkler system for the PCCS Greenwood day service as the main projects commanding his attention.

Schroeder's focus on the larger projects has given Ranck time to assimilate into the day-to-day operations of executive director.

"Lately I have been reminded of the innovative approaches and success of our clients while working at PCCS," Schroeder said. "The thing that is in every equation, and the thing I am most proud of and appreciate, is you. Clients who taught me strength. Staff who taught me dedication. Board members who gave me insight. And the community who taught me acceptance."

Schroeder, a former Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year winner, told the audience he is assured that his successor "has the knowledge and dedication" to do the job.

"Most of all," Schroeder said, "he has the same philosophy when it comes to working with individuals with disabilities to ensure the success of PCCS in the future."

Ranck, who has spent his entire career providing services to Hoosiers with disabilities, began working at a group home in Bloomington as a supervisor for Transitional Services Inc. (TSI) and eventually became TSI regional director in both Bloomington and Indianapolis. He then went on to Danmar Services Inc. to develop its new Community Living Program for community-based services.

After completing his MBA from IU's Kelley School of Business in 2004, Ranck started working as director of business development for the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF), the trade association for agencies like PCCS.

Continuing his professional development, he accepted appointment as director of initiatives at the Division of Disability Rehabilitative Services, a subdivision of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) during the Mitch Daniels administration.

Ranck then returned to the private sector, assisting several social service agencies as a consultant for Business Development and Regulatory Oversight.

"Having had the opportunity to partner with PCCS over the years," Ranck said, "it was an easy decision to join PCCS and continue the 40-plus years of great work Chuck Schroeder had done in the 26 counties to which PCCS provides services."

Familiar with Greencastle and DePauw, Ranck sees it as a nice fit to return to the city 25 years after graduating from the university. He and his partner, Aaron Swartz, moved here from Indianapolis this past May, immediately becoming active members of the community through Kiwanis and the Putnam County Playhouse.

Ranck looks forward "to maintaining and growing the great services provided by PCCS," and says he will "work hard to continue PCCS's reputation as a provider of choice among Indiana's individuals with disabilities and their families."

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