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Interface Children Family Services today announced the appointment of Erik Sternad as its new Executive Director. Sternad, 43, comes to Interface from Stanford Home for Children, a highly respected social service agency in the Sacramento area with an annual budget of more than $12 million and a staff of 130, where he has served as Executive Director for six years. Prior to that time, Sternad served in a number of private and nonprofit management and social service positions as well as working as a private practitioner in the treatment of children and families with a wide range of clinical issues. Sternad is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Family and Child Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

Interface, founded in 1973, is a multi-faceted nonprofit social service agency serving all of Ventura County. Interface has been recognized on a state and national level for its innovative and quality programs. Its programs range from Information and Referral Services (2-1-1 Call Center) to Children’s Resource programs providing donated medical services to needy children, from child and elder abuse prevention to family resource centers and domestic violence shelters and the provision of domestic violence prevention programs. In essence, Interface is a safe haven for children and families in need throughout Ventura County.

According to the co-chairs of the Interface Board of Directors, Ron Polito of Ojai and Mike Sedell of Simi Valley, Sternad is the perfect fit for the organization’s new Executive. “Our Board was looking for an Executive Director who could continue the record of achievement at Interface, while at the same time renew our commitment to excellence in the provision of services to those in need,” stated Polito. “Erik’s background with the administration of similar organizations, his proven financial and fund-raising abilities, and his excellent communication skills were the key to his unanimous selection by the Board of Directors as Executive Director to lead Interface Children Family Services. The selection of Sternad is an important addition to Interface’s leadership team, rounding out the impressive blend of talents already present in the Interface program and administration.”

In accepting the position Sternad noted that he was pleased to be coming to Ventura County, where he has many family connections, and stated that he has high regard for Interface’s vital community-centered mission. “I’m truly pleased to have been selected to lead Interface into the future,” Sternad said. “I know that the Interface staff is highly dedicated and well trained and the Board of Directors is actively working with an involved community that truly believes in the mission of Interface. The entire nonprofit sector is currently challenged in the area of fundraising, as I know that Interface is, due to a tightening economy. I really look forward to working with these challenges that the organization is facing and I am confident that by enhancing the positive relationship of Interface with the community, we will meet these challenges head on and take Interface to the next level.”

Sternad is scheduled to start work with Interface on February 5, 2007. He has just celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary and has five children/step-children and five step-grandchildren.