Scott Rasmus has been promoted to be the new executive director of the Butler County Mental Health Board.

Prior to the promotion, Rasmus was the board’s assistant executive director for six years.

He replaces Terry Royer, who retired after serving the board for 23 years.

Board president Patricia Deis-Gleeson said that Rasmus was hired unanimously by the board after a national search that evaluated more than 50 candidates.

“We believe Dr. Rasmus has the education, experience and leadership skills to successfully guide the board into the future,” she said.

“I have great passion for our work advocating for and supporting the needs of those with mental illness and their families in our county, especially in our challenging times,” Rasmus said.

“I recognize the importance of having collaborative partnerships to stretch dollars and services with various stakeholder organizations in Butler County and our region to advance the treatment needs of our mental health consumers,” he said.

During his tenure, Rasmus has assisted the board in identifying new evidence-based mental health practices for the county’s mental health system, such as UPLIFT for senior citizens, START for dually-diagnosed mental illness and intellectual disability, Ex-Offender prison re-entry and Campus Safety for student military veterans. He also assisted in developing the board’s Quality Assurance program.

Rasmus received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Easter Connecticut State University, a masters degree in marriage and family therapy from Stetson University in Florida and a PhD in counselor education from the University of Central Florida.

He is currently licensed by the state as a professional clinical counselor supervisor and independent marriage and family therapist.

Rasmus and his wife, Vanessa, live in Fairfield.