Crisis center solves executive issue, names new CEO

TAMPA -- Clara Reynolds has been named president and CEO of The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

She will assume her new duties July 1.

Reynolds comes from Success 4 Kids & Families, an organization she founded in 2005 that offers in-home treatment services for families with children and teens who experience behavior problems. She grew the organization from an original budget of $300,000 and seven employees to $5.7 million and 65 employees and 50 independent contractors.

Reynolds is a licensed clinical social worker with a master's degree from the University of Tampa, as well as an additional master's from Florida State University, where she did her undergraduate work.

Reynolds replaces David Braughton who stepped down last August after seven years at the helm.

The Crisis Center provides services to the Tampa community, including a 211 crisis hotline, sexual assault services and counseling, suicide prevention and safety planning and trauma counseling for children and adults.

Based on Bearss Avenue in Tampa, just west of Interstate 275, the Crisis Center was founded in 1972 as the Suicide and Crisis Hotline. It changed its name after a series of mergers in 1999.