Search Committee Formed to Conduct a Thoughtful Transition Process
OAKTON, Va. (June 18, 2026)— HopeLink Behavioral Health, a regional nonprofit that helps individuals who live with serious behavioral health issues or that are in crisis, has announced that Chief Executive Officer Joseph Getch will retire in spring 2027 after 22 years of service, seven of those of as CEO.
“Joe’s leadership has had a lasting impact on HopeLink and on the broader behavioral health community. We are grateful for his decades of service, his dedication to HopeLink’s mission, and his commitment to ensuring the organization is well positioned for continued success,” explained Board Chair Linda Lang, MD, Chief, Behavioral Health Service Line, Vice Chief Hospital Divisions, VHC.
HopeLink’s Board of Directors is actively engaged in leading a thoughtful and intentional transition process. The Board has formed a Search Committee to identify and select HopeLink’s next CEO and has retained The Meyers Group, an executive search firm specializing in executive recruitment in the behavioral health industry, to conduct a national search. HopeLink expects the transition to be complete no later than June 30, 2027.
“Serving as the CEO of HopeLink has been the honor of a lifetime. Being able to grow HopeLink to reach more people in our community with our life-changing programs while maintaining an excellent workplace for our stellar team is what I’m most proud of,” said Getch. “I will miss the mission and team, but I know that the Board will find an excellent leader to continue HopeLink’s vital work.”
Getch’s tenure as CEO was marked by significant expansion and transformation as HopeLink grew nearly 225%. Under his leadership, HopeLink became the largest 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline contact center in Virginia and one of the largest in the United States; launched and expanded a mental health outpatient program; established a Youth and Family division; and completed a major organizational rebrand in 2023 from PRS, Inc. to HopeLink Behavioral Health.
The timing of the announcement reflects HopeLink’s commitment to a smooth and well-supported transition, including planned overlap with Getch’s successor before his retirement date. Throughout this process, HopeLink remains fully committed to its mission, to quality, to strong service delivery, and to the individuals, families, communities, partners, funders, donors, and contracting agencies it serves.
Headquartered in Northern Virginia, HopeLink has a budget of $25 million and 350 employees and touches the lives of thousands of people. Again this year, HopeLink was recognized by The NonProfit Times as one of the 50 best nonprofits to work for in the United States, noting its outstanding work environment that encourages teamwork, professional growth, and work-life balance.
About HopeLink Behavioral Health
HopeLink is a leading nonprofit helping those living with diverse behavioral health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence, self-sufficiency, and safety. HopeLink provides the people it serves with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through a range of services including Psychosocial Rehabilitation Day Program Services, Mental Health Outpatient Therapy, Mental Health Skills-Building, TIP, Children and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Navigation, Individual Supported Employment, Peer Support Services, Coordinated Specialty Care, and other services. HopeLink is a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Center and Regional Crisis Call Center answering calls, texts, and chats from across Virginia and the nation. For 24/7 support from HopeLink, call 988. For 24/7 chat support, visit 988lifeline.org/chat. www.hopelinkbh.org