WEST HARTFORD – Gary Jones has been appointed interim executive officer of Hebrew HealthCare (HHC) and its affiliates, it was announced last week by Jerry Long, chairman of the Hebrew HealthCare Board of Trustees. Jones will assume his new role following the retirement of HHC President and CEO Bonnie Gauthier and HHC Executive Vice President and CFO David Houle on Sept. 30.

“After careful succession planning and a thorough search process, the board is pleased to have found the best individual to assume interim leadership of this century-old organization,” said Long in making the announcement. “Mr. Jones has extensive non-profit and executive experience, coupled with a long standing volunteer commitment to Hebrew HealthCare and within the Greater Hartford Jewish community. He is the ideal leader to bring Hebrew HealthCare through its current transitions.”

Prior to his appointment as interim executive officer, Jones served on the HHC Board of Trustees for more than 30 years, and as chairman of the board from 1997 to 1999. He also served as chairman of the Hebrew HealthCare Foundation and has served as a member of the Hebrew Life Choices Board.

A non-profit executive and attorney, he most recently served as director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CT Regional Office. In that capacity, he oversaw the ADL’s efforts to fight prejudice, monitor and expose extremist groups, promote civil rights and build bridges of understanding among diverse groups within the region. For his work with the ADL, Jones was named one of the Connecticut Jewish community’s 2011 Movers and Shakers” by the Connecticut Jewish Ledger.

Prior to his work with ADL, Jones was a partner in the law firm of Levy & Droney, PC, Farmington, where he was engaged in a broad-based practice that included corporate acquisitions, commercial finance, real estate transactions and public development. Prior to joining Levy & Droney, he was counsel at Edwards & Angell, LLP, Hartford; a partner in the law firm of Drubner, Hartley, O’Connor & Mengacci, LLC, Waterbury; and a partner in the law firm of Schatz & Schatz, Ribicoff & Kotkin, Hartford.

In addition to his volunteer leadership role at Hebrew HealthCare, he has served on numerous boards including those of the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University and his Juris Doctor from New York University. He and his wife, Jill, live in West Hartford and are the parents of three sons, Harrison, Ethan and Aaron.