ViaQuest Taps Veteran Insider for CEO, Signaling Stability and Growth

DUBLIN, Ohio – July 13, 2026 – In a move that underscores a deep commitment to strategic continuity, ViaQuest has announced a significant transition in its executive suite. The leading provider of behavioral health and developmental disability services has appointed Emily Stickley, a 19-year veteran of the company, as its new Chief Executive Officer. She succeeds founder Rich Johnson, who guided the organization for over two decades.

The appointment, effective immediately, marks a pivotal moment for the Dublin-based company. Rather than looking externally, the board’s unanimous decision to promote from within signals a powerful vote of confidence in the company's internal leadership pipeline and its existing strategic direction. Paired with the appointment of Emily Wagner as the new Chief Financial Officer, ViaQuest is positioning a new female leadership duo to steer its next chapter of growth and community impact.

A New Era Built on Deep Roots

For any organization, replacing a founder is a defining challenge. For ViaQuest, the solution was cultivated over nearly two decades. Emily Stickley is not just an executive; she is a core part of the company's institutional memory and a key architect of its operational framework. Her journey through the ranks—from an early role in Human Resources to Chief Operating Officer and CEO of the Developmental Disabilities Services division—provides her with a granular understanding of the company's complex operations.

Her tenure has been marked by tangible achievements. Early in her career, as Vice President of Human Resources, Stickley was recognized for her innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the company's most valuable asset: its people. She launched programs like "ViaQuest University" to foster internal development and implemented a veterans' recruiting platform, earning her the "Executive of the Year" award in 2016 from the Ohio Association of County Boards. These efforts directly addressed critical industry challenges like employee turnover while improving both staff and client satisfaction.

This long-term commitment and proven track record were central to the board's decision. "Over nearly two decades with ViaQuest, Emily has been a driving force behind our day-to-day operations and a key architect of our strategic direction," stated Richard Hallworth, Chairman of the Board. "Her deep institutional knowledge, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to our people and our clients make her exceptionally well-suited to lead us into our next chapter. The Board has full faith and confidence in Emily, and we are unanimous in our support as she assumes this role."

A Strategic Duo to Steer Financial and Operational Health

Complementing Stickley's operational mastery is the strategic financial expertise of new CFO Emily Wagner. With an extensive background in healthcare finance and an MBA from Xavier University, Wagner is tasked with fortifying the company's financial strategy to support sustainable growth. Her focus on fiscal accountability is critical in a sector where balancing mission-driven care with long-term viability is paramount.

The installation of Stickley and Wagner at the helm is also a noteworthy development in healthcare leadership. While the healthcare workforce is predominantly female, the top executive ranks have historically lacked gender parity. At ViaQuest, this move appears to be the culmination of a long-standing cultural commitment to diversity. As of 2022, the company’s executive team was already 58% female, a stark contrast to industry averages. The appointment of a female CEO and CFO duo solidifies this commitment at the highest level, positioning the organization as a progressive leader in the field.

Together, Stickley and Wagner represent a powerful combination of operational depth and financial discipline. As ViaQuest navigates the evolving demands of behavioral and developmental health services, their combined leadership is poised to ensure both the quality of care and the health of the organization itself.

Beyond the Founder: Charting the Course for Future Impact

The transition from a founder-led organization to its next phase of leadership is a sign of corporate maturation. Under Rich Johnson's leadership, ViaQuest grew from a concept in 1999 into a major regional provider serving over 20,000 individuals across Ohio and Indiana with a workforce of more than 4,000 employees. The new leadership team inherits a strong foundation and a clear mandate to expand its impact.

Stickley's vision is rooted in the company's core purpose. "At ViaQuest, our purpose is to make a real difference in the lives of the individuals we serve, to support our employees with dignity and opportunity, and to do right by our communities," she stated. This mission is more critical than ever, as communities across the Midwest grapple with rising needs for mental health support and specialized care for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Her reputation as a leader who finds "innovative ways to grow the business lines" suggests that stability does not mean stagnation. The future for ViaQuest under this new leadership will likely involve leveraging its operational excellence to explore new service models, expand its geographic footprint, and deepen its engagement with the communities it serves. The company's established "Circle of Care" philosophy, which emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach, provides a robust framework for this future innovation.

A Unified Team for a Complex Mission

While the spotlight is on the new CEO and CFO, the press release makes clear that they are supported by a deep and tenured senior leadership team. Executives like Chief Administrative Officer Janet Pell and Chief Technology Officer Jeremy Waweru, along with the heads of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities divisions, create a unified front. This collective expertise is essential for managing the complexities of a dual-specialty organization operating in a highly regulated and deeply personal field.

Ultimately, the success of this transition will be measured by the experiences of the thousands of individuals and families who rely on ViaQuest's services. The new leadership's focus appears to be squarely on them and the employees who provide that care. "I'm incredibly proud of the more than 4,000 employees who show up every day to provide exceptional care," Stickley said. "The work our teams do changes lives and strengthens communities, and we have the right leadership in place to build on that foundation as we continue to support people in need of services."