Alan Kassirer, Chief of Performance and Quality Improvement

Alan Kassirer first joined Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. as a management consultant in 1992. After a brief hiatus in 1993, he rejoined the Agency on a permanent basis in 1994 as budget director. Since his return, Mr. Kassirer has played many roles. Aside from his role as budget director, he has served as Director of Monitoring, Assistant Vice President of Program Services, Regional Director of Maryland Programs, Acting Chief of Human Resources, and in his current position as Chief of Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI).

In 2004, CEO Jeff Fleischer created the PQI Department with the role of measuring the Agency's client outcomes. Mr. Kassirer launched Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.'s outcomes measurement system in November, 2005 and today it houses data on over 20,000 youth. More recently, Mr. Kassirer has taken on the role of coordinating Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.'s effort to become accredited by The Council on Accreditation. YAP expects to attain this accreditation, which will confirm its commitment to best practice, in 2009.

Aside from his departmental responsibilities, Mr. Kassirer serves on the Agency's Health Insurance, International, External Training and Consultation, Senior Management, Integrity Compliance, Quality Improvement and Research committees.

Prior to joining Youth Advocate Programs, Mr. Kassirer spent 13 years in the banking industry mainly with Chemical Bank in New York. His last position with Chemical Bank was as a member of the merger implementation team with Manufacturer's Hanover Bank. It was this experience that led Mr. Kassirer toward a career in management consultation and ultimately to Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.