JARC Florida Announces New Executive Team to Lead the Agency Forward

By Robert S Weinroth

JARC Florida provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by working to remove barriers to independence so people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are better able to reach their potential.

JARC programs include residential homes and apartments, community case management, and employment training. Through everything they do, they assist their clients to develop life skills and growing friendships. Some JARC clients live in their residential network, others live in private residents where JARC provides support services. Still others come to daily programs and live near the JARC center in the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach campus.

Jeffrey M. Zirulnick
Chief Executive Officer

After 25 years of service, JARC Florida’s CEO, Debra Hallow, recently announced her retirement. The Board has named Jeffrey M. Zirulnick JARC’s next CEO. Zirulnick noted, Hallow ”made a huge impact over the past 25 years and I have big shoes to fill.”

Zirulnick, who has nearly 40 years of experience working with non-profits, has been part of JARC for four years now and noted it to be one of the most unique organizations he has worked with. “JARC educates the community and demonstrates that there is a place and a role in society for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities,” said Zirulnick.

Michael J. Hopper
Chief Operating Officer

Zirulnick plans to focus on the Community Works Program because it is a great opportunity for JARC clients to be part of the community and be contributing members of society. He has also committed himself to do more collaboration with high school students who will soon be transitioning into JARC.

The Board has also announced the naming of Michael J. Hopper JARC’s Chief Operating Officer. Hopper joins the JARC team with nearly 30 years of IT and business experience. He served 25 years in the United States Navy as a flight engineer before retiring in 2011. He has been a volunteer at JARC where he assisted in building a computer lab for the clients.

Like Zirulnick, Hopper would like to grow JARC’s programs and services for the benefit of its staff and clients and ultimately, take JARC to the next level. Hopper notes his area of expertise is in process of improvement. His goal is to further the JARC clients’ progress in using their own collective voices and becoming their own advocates.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Zirulnick and Michael Hopper and best wishes to Debra Hallow as she enjoys her retirement.