Founded in 1968, La Frontera Center was one of the original 947 community mental health centers established during the initial stages of the community mental health movement. Since its inception, the Center has been committed to the provision of services to the economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse.

 

The Center originally operated with a staff of five people working out of a store front, serving an area of Tucson with the highest rate of unemployment, lowest level of educational attainment, highest arrest rate, highest proportion of welfare recipients, and the largest percentage of families living in crowded conditions.

 

Today, La Frontera Center is the largest nonprofit community behavioral health care organization in southern Arizona, and is in the top 10% nationally, with approximately 500 employees working out of many different locations throughout metropolitan Tucson and the surrounding county.

 

With treatment programs for children, adolescents, and adults, for substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and serious mental illness, La Frontera provides an accessible, coordinated, and comprehensive network of mental health and substance abuse services for the residents of Pima County. La Frontera also has a long track record of conducting comprehensive program evaluation and obtaining federal demonstration and research grants (CSAP, CSAT, NIDA). Several of La Frontera’s programs have won national awards, and La Frontera has one of the leading dual diagnosis programs in the nation.

 

 

Tucson is the true southwest. It is a city alive with character, history, and rich cultural diversity. A stunning desert setting, with ruggedly handsome mountains, gentle rolling hills, and clear blue skies creates unmatched natural beauty, geography, and climate.

 

Tucson is one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in the United States. As a city, it was officially founded in 1775. Today it is a fast-growing city of approximately 1 million people. Home to the University of Arizona, and residents who actively support the arts and the city’s heritage, Tucson is a thriving cultural center.

 

The sun shines about 350 days a year, and mild winter temperatures allow for outdoor activities, including tennis, golf, swimming, biking, and hiking all year round. Two rainy seasons replenish the desert landscape. Tucson’s ideal location puts residents within only hours of such diverse settings as Mexico’s beaches, cool mountain forests, and winter skiing.  In addition, the cost of living is relatively low.  All of this, along with its “laid back” lifestyle, makes Tucson a desirable place to live.

PHOENIX (December 17, 2024) – La Frontera Arizona, the largest community nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization in the Arizona, has named Alicia White Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2025. Most recently, she served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the organization. She is succeeding Michael Prudence who will retain his role of Executive Vice President for Affordable Housing. In her new position, White will oversee corporate accounting, budgeting and direct financial planning and growth strategy.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than a decade of experience, White previously worked at Keegan Linscott & Associates, a leading Arizona CPA firm, where she held roles with increasing responsibility.

“As CFO, Alicia will play an integral role as La Frontera continues on its growth trajectory,” said Dan Ranieri, President and CEO of La Frontera Arizona. “Her solid foundation as a CPA combined with her commitment to her community makes her a perfect addition to our executive team.”

“I am proud of the work La Frontera Arizona is doing and look forward to leveraging my skills and experiences to help build on the organization’s vital work,” said White. “My goal is to contribute to our shared vision of enhancing community well-being through sound financial oversight.”

White is actively involved in the community, currently serving on the board of directors for Greater Tucson Leadership and United Way of Southern Arizona (“UWSA”). She was also named a Southern Arizona 40 under 40 awardee by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Daily Star, and Snell & Wilmer and is a graduate of the Greater Tucson Leadership class.

White holds a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Arizona, an MBA from Medaille College in Amherst, New York, and a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Canisius College’s Richard J. Wehle School of Business in Buffalo, NY.

For more information about La Frontera Arizona’s career opportunities please visit lafronteraaz.org.

About La Frontera Arizona

La Frontera Arizona, originally founded in 1968 as La Fronter Center, is Arizona’s largest nonprofit community behavioral healthcare organization, with more than 30 facilities statewide and 1,500 employees. La Frontera Arizona is now comprised of a statewide family of companies including La Frontera Center, EMPACT-Suicide Prevention Center, Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services, and La Paloma Family services. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) since its inception, La Frontera Arizona provides critical health services for all, with programs serving economically challenged and culturally diverse populations.

La Frontera Arizona is comprised of problem solvers. With behavioral health specialists located throughout Arizona, La Frontera Arizona partners with local leaders to solve critical social, health, and community challenges. Treatment and housing programs serve children, adolescents, adults, and veterans by providing best-in-class care and resources for co-occurring disorders, homelessness, substance abuse, and serious mental illness. La Frontera Arizona is a leader in community and individual health services with a national reputation for excellence and program effectiveness. Learn more at https://lafronteraaz.org/