Ron Melka
- Adjunct Faculty
Ron Melka is the Executive Director of the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission, where his overall responsibilities are to manage and direct the activities of the Commission, through coordination, evaluation, intervention, planning and funding, a comprehensive community-based system of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and prevention services for the 110,000 people in Lyons Township. Ron manages a $4 million levy dedicated to mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services. In addition, he is Chair of the Development Committee for the Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council of the Illinois Department of Human Services. He also chairs the Medicaid Committee for the Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois. Recently, Ron has initiated the Coalition for a Drug Free Lyons Township and is conducting an intensive needs assessment of area. Prior to his current position, Ron was a Grant Writer at Aunt Martha’s Youth Services and Healthcare, one of the State’s largest service providers, serving over 80,000 people at 56 sites. In the last year there, Ron had written and received over $10 Million in Federal, State, and Local grant funding.
Ron was President/CPO of United Way of Illinois and worked in partnership with government and communities addressing issues impacting human services. Ron strengthened Illinois through service to members, and advocacy for effective health and human services policies for the people of Illinois. He was the United Way lobbyist to Illinois and while there he formed and chaired the Governor’s Human Service Task Force Collaborative Board and Charity Advisory Panel. He was the Chairman of the Illinois Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter State Set Aside Board. He co-chaired the Governor’s Keep Warm Illinois program and was also a member of Attorney General Madigan’s Charitable Advisory Board, and the State Employee Combined Appeal Board. Ron has also lead several nonprofit organizations and began his career in direct service. Ron lives in Brookfield with Mary, his spouse, who is a professional photographer. He is the father of three, and the grandfather of three.