FLORENCE — Although he knows he has some big shoes to fill in the pending retirement of Charles L. Young — 36 years’ worth — Randall “Randy” Cole is ready to take over as CEO of Circle Park Behavioral Health Services on Wednesday.
Cole has served as deputy director since January. He comes to Florence from Saluda, where he was deputy director of the Saluda Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission for 14 years.
“We are excited to be able to attract someone as capable as Randy to be our chief executive officer,” Circle Park Board Chairman Don Coker said. “We look forward to Circle Park’s continued recognition as the state’s premier provider for alcohol and drug services.”
Cole was selected after a national search.
“I’m excited about working with this community,” Cole said during an interview at Circle Park on Monday. “Circle Park is known throughout the state for its top-notch services. I plan to do all I can to carry on the legacy of Charles Young.”
Cole has been involved in the alcohol and drug field since 1991. He is certified by the state of South Carolina and on the national level as an Addictions Counselor Level II and a Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor.
Cole has been involved in state politics. He was appointed to the Council of Advisors on Consumer Credit by Gov. Mark Sanford. He also served as the part-time town administrator for Saluda.
Cole has an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University.
While in Saluda, he provided oversight of the operations and provided clinical counseling to individuals and families with alcohol and drug problems. He was also an adjunct faculty member at Piedmont Technical College.
Circle Park is dedicated to providing a broad range of behavioral health services. The emphasis is on educational programs and counseling related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse.
The services deal with both the symptoms of abuse and addiction as well as their causes. Their overall effectiveness hinges on the successful integration and coordination of prevention, intervention and treatment.
One of Circle Park’s unique services is the Chrysalis Residential Treatment Center for Women and Children at 1430 S. Cashua Drive in Florence.
The center is a unique, extended-term residential treatment facility for chemically dependent women and their young children. It is designed to provide a nurturing therapeutic community by allowing children up to age 10 to live on-site with their mothers during the entire treatment process.
And Circle Park Recovery Residence just opened in February. It is a 16-bed comprehensive treatment and recovery facility for men in early recovery from substance abuse that need safe, affordable housing while they work to reenter society.
Meanwhile, Young’s career spanned 41years of alcohol and drug abuse program management, including 36 years as CEO of Circle Park Behavioral Health Services and five years as Director of Palmetto Center.
Young was Circle Park’s first employee. He provided leadership for the development of Circle Park’s comprehensive alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention system.
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