Family Counseling Service names Jason Andrade as next executive director

Family Counseling Service said Dr. Eric Ward will step down as executive director on Sept. 30 after 16 years, and the Aurora nonprofit has named Jason Andrade as his successor. The planned handoff follows years of succession planning at the century-old behavioral health provider serving Aurora and nearby communities.

Why it matters: - Family Counseling Service is handing leadership to a longtime internal leader after a planned transition, which is meant to preserve continuity at a major local behavioral health provider. - The change comes as the organization says it will keep serving Aurora and surrounding communities under Jason Andrade’s leadership.

What happened: - Family Counseling Service announced that Dr. Eric Ward will step down as executive director effective Sept. 30, 2026. - The FCS Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Jason Andrade, MS, LCPC, as the organization’s next executive director. - Andrade currently serves as vice president of organizational development. - The nonprofit is based in Aurora, Illinois, and has served the area for more than 100 years.

The details: - Ward has led Family Counseling Service for 16 years. - Ward’s career at FCS started when he was 19, beginning as a receptionist before moving into roles including master’s-level intern, part-time group facilitator and clinical director. - Before becoming executive director, Ward worked in nonprofit community mental health for almost 35 years. - Under Ward’s leadership, FCS grew its Behavioral Health programs from serving just over 600 clients a year to nearly 7,000 last year. - Andrade brings more than 27 years of experience in community-based mental health. - Andrade grew up in Aurora and has spent the past several years working closely with Ward to prepare for the transition. - Ward and Andrade first worked together about 25 years ago in community crisis intervention. - Luanne Irvin, president of the FCS Board of Directors, said the board is confident in Andrade’s experience, steady presence and local roots. - FCS said the succession plan had been in development for years. - Ward said he believes the organization has reached a point where it needs a leader with a different skill set. - Ward said he plans to pursue other career ambitions after the transition.

Between the lines: - The board’s unanimous vote and the years-long planning suggest FCS wanted a low-drama leadership handoff rather than a broad external search. - Andrade’s promotion from inside the organization signals that FCS is betting on continuity, local ties and institutional knowledge. - The leadership change also reflects Ward’s view that the organization’s growth has changed the demands of the role.

What’s next: - Ward will remain in the role until Sept. 30, 2026. - Andrade is expected to take over leadership of FCS after the transition date. - FCS says it will continue serving Aurora and surrounding communities under Andrade. - More information is available on Family Counseling Service’s website.

The bottom line: - Family Counseling Service is passing the top job to a longtime, homegrown leader after a deliberate succession plan designed to keep the organization stable.