Barbara Meyers has been chosen as the chief executive officer of Gateway Behavioral Health Services, succeeding Dr. Frank Bonati, who will retire after 10 years with Gateway. Meyers will assume her new role effective July 1.

“After a thorough and deliberate selection process, the board of directors is delighted that Barbara Meyers will lead Gateway,” said Howard Lynn, chairman of Gateway’s board. “Barbara has a long and exceptional career. She brings the right combination of knowledge, depth and experience to take us to the next level at a time when health care is undergoing massive changes.”

Meyers joined the staff at Gateway Behavioral Health Services in 2003, and has served as its chief clinical and operations officer since April 2012. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Diego State University, an MA in counseling psychology from the Professional School of Psychological Studies in San Diego and an MBA in health care administration from the University of Phoenix.

“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve Gateway as its new CEO,” said Meyers. “We have amazing staff, best practice services, and a strong commitment to quality and collaboration within the communities we serve. I look forward to guiding Gateway to a new phase of growth and development.”

Gateway Behavioral Health Services is Coastal Georgia’s largest public nonprofit behavioral health and developmental disability service provider. Its service area includes Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.

The $37 million-a-year organization has a staff of more than 300 and includes four nonprofit subsidiary corporations.