Talbert House CEO Neil Tilow to Step Down After 49 Years with Organization

Talbert House today announces that Chief Executive Officer Neil Tilow will step down effective July 13, crowning a 49-year career dedicated to empowering children, adults and families in Southwest Ohio to live healthy, safe and productive lives.

President and Chief Operating Officer Josh Arnold has been promoted to CEO and will assume those duties on July 14. Tilow will continue to serve Talbert House as Executive Advisor to the CEO in a part-time role for three years.

Tilow started his career in 1974 at Talbert House as an undergraduate at Xavier University with encouragement from a professor. He served as Program Director and Assistant Director from 1974-81. After a year as Executive Director at Transitions, Inc. and while serving on the Talbert House Board, he returned to the agency in 1982 to lead the organization. Tilow has taken the agency to unprecedented heights in Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties during his 41-year tenure as CEO.

“I came to Talbert House to make a difference. I stayed because I saw the positive change for our clients, their families and the community. The commitment of our staff, board, funders and donors has made it possible for us to impact hundreds of thousands of lives over my career. We continue to make a difference in our community every day. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to dedicate my life’s work to Talbert House,” Tilow said.

During his tenure as CEO, the agency has grown from four programs with a budget of $1 million to over 40 programs, social enterprises, and affiliations encompassing southwest Ohio with annual revenue of more than $90 million.

Talbert House builds stronger communities through five service lines: Addictions, Community Care, Court and Corrections, Housing and Mental Health. Tilow’s leadership has positioned the agency at the forefront of key community issues including welfare reform, the heroin epidemic, the integration of primary and behavioral care, fatherhood services and nonprofit leadership development.

Tilow’s strides in the nearly five decades have strengthened Talbert House’s role as a vital resource in prevention, assessment, treatment and reintegration services across the community. The agency served 600 clients in 1982. Last year, it exceeded 30,000 in-person visits and assisted 146,000 clients through prevention and hotline services.

Tilow promoted a culture of effectiveness, excellence and professionalism at Talbert House while overseeing 1,000 diverse staff members. A local Top Workplaces in 2021 and 2022, the agency has been recognized nationally Top Workplaces 2022 DE&I Practices and Top Workplaces USA 2023.

Tilow and Arnold have worked together closely at Talbert House specifically on the enhanced opiate services as a response to rising overdose deaths and the integration of primary and behavioral health care to meet client overall health care needs. They share a common vision for integrated care to improve communication, opportunity, and outcomes for clients.

Arnold has served the agency for 25 years, assuming greater responsibility and impact with each role. He started as a case manager in 1998 and has ascended to leadership positions throughout his tenure. After serving as Talbert House’s Director of Adolescent Services, he assumed to Vice President roles for Youth Behavioral Health, Court and Corrections and Addiction Services. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and most recently to President/COO in 2022.

A Talbert House Executive Team member since 2012, Arnold’s commitment and experience will ensure a seamless transition in leadership.

“Neil Tilow has created a legacy at Talbert House that I have been entrusted to continue, and I am proud to carry that torch,” Arnold said. “Through his vision and dedication, Talbert House is in the optimal position to continue to evolve to meet the needs of adults, children and families across Southwestern Ohio.”

“We are forever grateful for Neil Tilow’s impact on Talbert House. He has built the organization into a comprehensive resource for thousands of people,” said Board Chair Mark Addy. “Talbert House is in good hands with Josh Arnold. He has devoted his career to the agency and understands the complexities of this unique organization.

Tilow and his wife, Sally, are the parents of four adult sons and two grandsons. He plans to continue to consult with Talbert House on key projects and build his private consulting practice in Cincinnati.

Arnold, his wife, Julie, and their sons, Beatty, Sam and Max reside in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.