Valley Behavioral Health names Sanford new CEO and president

Valley Behavioral Health, a Salt Lake City-based mental health provider, has named Jared Sanford as president and CEO. He will replace interim president and CEO Rebecca Brown, who will resume her role as chief operating officer when Sanford takes over on Dec. 1.

“We’re thrilled for Jared to join our team as president and CEO,” said Stacy Weight, board chair of Valley Behavioral Health. “He has spent an entire career in roles that service the community by providing care to individuals. Valley Behavioral Health will benefit from Jared’s passion for behavioral healthcare, as well his leadership acumen in running and improving behavioral health organizations.”

Sanford is returning to Utah from Vancouver, Washington, after a decade of serving as president and CEO of Lifeline Connections, a substance use and mental health treatment center. Prior to his move to Lifeline Connections, the Utah native served in various roles in behavioral health organizations in Ogden, West Valley, Bountiful and Orem. Sanford holds a master of public administration degree from Brigham Young University.

“As the world comes out of this global health pandemic, the need for behavioral health treatment has increased exponentially. Community behavioral health providers must continue to meet that demand and so much more by transforming how they deliver care and how they respond to the community,” said Sanford.  “I’m thrilled to be back in my home state of Utah and to join Valley Behavioral Health, as they’re well-situated to provide the leadership to assist our communities to become national examples of behavioral health treatment and services that are high-quality, inclusive, integrated, innovative and comprehensive.”