The Board of Directors of Desert Arc announced that Richard Balocco, President/CEO, plans to retire on January 31, 2025.
“For the past 17 years, Richard has guided our nonprofit, human social services organization and stewarded our mission to enhance the quality of life and create opportunities for people with disabilities,” said Damian Jenkins, Chair, Board of Directors. Founded in 1959, Desert Arc now serves nearly 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the Greater Palm Springs, Morongo Basin, and Palo Verde Valley communities. “We are who we are today because of Richard, and we owe him a debt of gratitude.”
In 2007, upon his retirement from an executive position in Silicon Valley, Richard was recruited by Desert Arc for a short-term assignment to work on a financial restructuring plan. Three months later, he officially took the helm as President/CEO. Richard successfully implemented a financial plan to rescue a then-struggling agency and transformed Desert Arc by creating value rooted in the community. To this end, Richard transitioned the organization from a membership-based to a community-based structure and simultaneously changed the name to Desert Arc.
During his tenure, Richard’s vision and belief in social innovation led Desert Arc to develop its Business Services Divisions, micro-enterprises providing on-the-job training and gainful employment for Desert Arc’s clients (people with disabilities served by its mission). Today, these flourishing Business Services encompass Shredding & Recycling, Janitorial, Landscape Maintenance, and Fulfillment crews working within the community. In tandem with other impactful programs, these have put a face on Desert Arc in the community and elevated the Desert Arc brand.
Desert Arc boasts a stellar list of Business Services partnerships in this community with Eisenhower Health, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the City of Palm Springs, the City of Rancho Mirage, the City of Indian Wells, City of Palm Desert, City of Indio, Agua Caliente, RivCo Mechanical Services, SA Recycling, Burrtec, John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Hi-Desert Medical Center, The Management Trust, Shalhoub Family McDonald’s, and Desert Resort Management, to name a few.
Desert Arc’s Board of Directors will initiate a comprehensive process to select a new President/CEO in the months ahead.
