EMPACT Leadership

Laura Larson-Huffaker, MC, LPC is the Executive Director of EMPACT-SPC, effective March, 2006 when the agency founder, Dr. Ilene Dode, retired. Laura has been with EMPACT-SPC for over 11 years, most recently as the Director of Clinical Services.

In 2005 Ms. Larson-Huffaker was selected by the Virginia Piper Trust Foundation for their Fellowship Program. As part of the fellowship program, she attended Executive Education courses at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton College, and earned a Certificate of Professional Development. She has a Masters Degree from Arizona State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years experience in non-profit Behavioral Healthcare. She has participated on numerous committees and task forces in order to encourage and plan improvements in the behavioral health system in Maricopa County, especially in the areas of Crisis services and the Children’s system.

Dr Tony Floda, PhD, is Vice President/Director of Quality Management for EMPACT-SPC. He provides oversight over all continuous quality improvement activities, conducts program evaluations, manages the agency outcome measurement system, ensures agency compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and contractual requirements, and develops agency policies and procedures. Dr Floda also teaches graduate courses in Community Counseling and Marriage, Child, and Family Therapy at a local private university. Prior to working at EMPACT-SPC, Dr Floda was the Director of Clinical Training at Prehab of AZ.

Sharon Casagrande, C.P.A. is Vice-President/Director of Finance for EMPACT-SPC. She provides oversight of all agency accounting and finance functions including the reporting of all financial statements to the CEO and administration. She also manages the budgetary and financial planning functions of the corporation including the preparation and review of all departmental budgets. Ms. Casagrande is a Certified Public Accountant with 15 years experience in the healthcare field. Prior to her current position at EMPACT-SPC, Ms. Casagrande was the Finance Director for CareNow Arizona.

Arthur L. Blinick LCSW CPHQ is Director of Clinical Services for EMPACT-SPC. Mr. Blinick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality with 33 years of experience in for-profit and non-profit behavioral healthcare. Mr. Blinick holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and provides oversight of all outpatient services provided by EMPACT. Prior to joining EMPACT, Mr. Blinick was Quality Management Administrator for Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona, Vice President and Director of Organizational Advancement for EMPACT, and Asst. Director of Quality Improvement for CIGNA Behavioral Health.