Interface names new director

Erik Sternad

Interface Children Family Services recently announced the appointment of Erik Sternad as executive director. He is scheduled to start work with Interface on Feb. 5.

Sternad, 43, previously worked at Stanford Home for Children, a social service agency in the Sacramento area with an annual budget of more than $12 million and a staff of 130. He served as executive director for six years.

Prior to that, Sternad served in a number of private and nonprofit management and social service positions and worked as a private practitioner in the treatment of children and families with a wide range of clinical issues.

Sternad is a licensed marriage family therapist with a master's degree in family and child counseling and a bachelor's degree in psychology.

"I'm truly pleased to have been selected to lead Interface into the future," Sternad said. "I know that the Interface staff is highly dedicated and well trained and the board of directors is actively working with an involved community that truly believes in the mission of Interface.

"The entire nonprofit sector is currently challenged in the area of fundraising, as I know that Interface is, due to a tightening economy. I really look forward to working with these challenges that the organization is facing and I am confident that by enhancing the positive relationship of Interface with the community, we will meet these challenges head on and take Interface to the next level," Sternad said.

"Our board was looking for an executive director who could continue the record of achievement at Interface while at the same time renew our commitment to excellence in the provision of services to those in need," said Ron Polito, Interface board member. "Erik's background with the administration of similar organizations, his proven financial and fundraising abilities, and his excellent communication skills were the key to his unanimous selection by the board of directors as executive director to lead Interface Children Family Services.

Interface, founded in 1973, offers programs ranging from child and elder abuse prevention to family resource centers and domestic violence shelters and the provision of domestic violence prevention programs. Interface Children Family Services is at 1305 Del Norte Road, No. 130, Camarillo.