MHS Association and Friends Services Alliance (FSA) memberships have approved the merging of the two organizations.
On March 19th, MHS Association members gathered for the annual Members’ Meeting held during MHS Assembly. Member organization CEOs were invited to vote on the merger after a brief Q&A session with FSA CEO Jane Mack and MHS Association CEO Karen Lehman.
The merger was approved by a majority vote of the members. FSA held its annual meeting the week prior, where the merger was also approved.
MHS Association and FSA boards will continue to function separately through the end of 2025 until the merger has been legally approved and all merger documents are signed, with an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2026. On the effective date of the merger, a new combined board will be installed with equal representation from FSA and MHS Association member organizations. Until then, individuals expected to serve on the new entity’s board will form an advisory task force to work on the legal and technical details of the merger.
Jane Mack retired on March 31, and effective as of April 1, 2025, Robin Somers took on the role of interim CEO for FSA. She will serve in this capacity until July 1, at which point FSA will enter into a management agreement with MHS Association. Karen Lehman will function as CEO of both organizations at that time and will continue as the CEO of the newly formed organization.
In April, a written notice of the proposed merger was submitted to the PA Office of Attorney General (OAG). Review and approval by the OAG could take up to 90 days.
It is anticipated that the name of the newly merged organization will be decided this summer.