Betty Ford’s President and CEO John Schwarzlose leaving his post

Betty Ford’s President and CEO John Schwarzlose is no longer involved in the center’s daily operations, says a spokesman for the alcohol and rehab center in Rancho Mirage.

Schwarzlose will no longer be part of day-to-day operations as the Center transitions to a new CEO.

“Such a transition is not uncommon in the business world as an organization prepares to replace a longtime leader,” said the Center in a press release.

Schwarzlose will now begin writing a book about the history of the Center. “He and Mrs. Ford often talked about such a book; it was her hope that John would embrace the project.”

He will still make himself available for consultation and special projects.

In the meantime, a Transition Team in the Office of the President has been formed, and includes:

-Charlene Montgomery, Senior Vice President, Human Resources
-Jerry Moe, Vice President and National Director of the Children’s Program
-Harry Haroutunian, MD, Physician Director of Residential Day Treatment and of the Licensed Health Professional Program
-John Boop, President, Betty Ford Center Foundation

Also, talks on a Betty Ford Center/Hazelden Foundation relationship are continuing. “Several business topics will be discussed between the two organizations at an upcoming meeting (exact date to be determined) in Center City, Minnesota.”

John Schwarzlose is the founding Director of the Betty Ford Center. He was selected by Betty Ford and her co-founder, Leonard Firestone, following a national search to be the Administrator/Program Director in 1982 prior to the Center’s opening. John has been a counselor and administrator in the Alcoholism/Drug Addiction field since 1972.