Community Praise Member Named Lourie Center Executive Director

By Clarencia J. Stephen

Wright has been serving as interim executive director since April 2009 when a nationwide search was initiated for a permanent candidate. The Lourie Center, located in Rockville, Md., joined the Adventist HealthCare network in 2006. The center specializes in the assessment, treatment and prevention of emotional, behavioral and developmental problems in infants and young children.

“Since assuming the interim role last year, Marcel’s strategic leadership has helped the Lourie Center staff, board members and donors remain focused on the organization’s vision,” said Sako Maki, chair of the center’s board of directors. “I am very excited to work with Marcel in his role as executive director and look forward to seeing the Lourie Center flourish under his leadership.” 

Wright provides strategic direction for the Lourie Center’s core services: Parent-Child Clinical Services; the Lourie Center School; Therapeutic Nursery; Early Head Start; and the Before and After School program. 

Prior to joining the Lourie Center, Wright was a senior director at Adventist Behavioral Health’s Rockville campus for seven years. Earlier, he served as a consultant to US Airways Group, Inc. and a human resources director at HCR ManorCare. Wright holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in administration from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) in Takoma Park, Md.