Management Team

PETER BLOCH, President and Chief Executive Officer

As president and chief executive officer of Jewish Vocational Service, Peter Bloch heads an agency that primarily helps adults with developmental disabilities by providing training, work and other services, thus boosting their self-esteem and self-sufficiency.

Peter became the top executive in 1997, but his involvement with JVS dates to the mid-1970s when he joined the JVS Board of Trustees. He later became the board chair.  

As a leader, Peter tries to give others the authority to make decisions whenever possible. “We empower staff,” he said, “by moving decision-making deep within the organization.”

His predecessor, Bernard S. Rosenthal, had a big influence on him, especially when it came to identifying long-term resources other than donations. “Long before other non-profits realized it,” Peter said, “Bernie knew we had to operate like a business.”

He enjoys being around the people JVS serves, watching them work toward their personal goals each day. “It’s a pretty energizing place,” he said. “It’s a place where small successes are truly celebrated.”

In 2004, as the Jewish Federation of Greater Cincinnati searched for a new chief executive officer, Peter served as interim CEO of the Federation for about six months while continuing to run JVS.

Earlier, he served as the first executive director of The Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation in Cincinnati, overseeing the foundation’s investments and grant-making process.

He also managed the Covington plant of Duro Bag Manufacturing Co.  And he worked as an investment counselor for Bartlett & Co. in Cincinnati.

Peter also has served in volunteer leadership roles for his professional associations. In December 2009, he became president of the Ohio Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. He is a past president of the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services and a past president of the Leadership Council of Human Service Executives in Cincinnati.  His volunteer service also includes leading numerous community organizations. He has served as the board chair of the Free Store/Food Bank of Cincinnati, president of Isaac M. Wise Temple and president of the Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund. He is a member of the Leadership Cincinnati Class XIV, a leadership development program sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and is a chartered financial analyst.

He grew up in East Walnut Hills and lives in Columbia Tusculum with his wife, Randy. He has two adult children, Jane and John.

In his spare time, he helps his wife with her catering and takeout business, and enjoys traveling with his family, especially to Italy.

How to reach Peter Bloch: 
pbloch@jvscinti.org
513-347-1555 
4300 Rossplain Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236

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RICH DAVIS, Vice President

As vice president of Jewish Vocational Service, Rich Davis oversees all services and programs for the organization’s consumers and acts as a liaison with agencies that fund JVS.  His duties include recruiting, hiring, training and supervising many of JVS’ managers. He also has overseen the development of new JVS services and programs.

“I like being able to help people grow and achieve their goals -- their life goals, their work goals -- to provide opportunities they might not otherwise have,” he said.

Rich, who has been with JVS since 1981, previously acted as director of transitional rehabilitation services. In that role, he managed seven vocational rehabilitation programs serving adults with disabilities, overseeing 28 employees. Earlier, as a JVS counseling supervisor and training coordinator, he managed counseling services and case management activities, and provided individual and group counseling to adults with disabilities.

Before joining JVS, he worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the now-closed Longview State Hospital in Cincinnati. There, he counseled adults with severe mental disabilities about their career choices and helped them adjust to their disabilities and their jobs. He also worked as a field services coordinator for Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries in Cincinnati. In that role, he interviewed and educated Social Security and Workers Compensation recipients about services available through the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, both from the University of Cincinnati. He is a licensed professional counselor.

In 1997, he became the first recipient of the Bernard S. Rosenthal Leadership Award, presented by JVS in honor of its former longtime leader. In 1990, the Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Association honored him as Manager of the Year.

He grew up in Bridgetown on Cincinnati’s West Side. He now lives in Clifton. He has an adult daughter and two grandchildren.

Rich plays guitar and sings in the Nickel Night Band, a classic rock band. He also does yoga.

How to reach Rich Davis:
rdavis@jvscinti.org
513-985-0515  
4300 Rossplain Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236 

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DAVID LUDWIN, Controller

David Ludwin is the controller for Jewish Vocational Service, giving him the responsibility to oversee the financial aspects of an organization with an $8 million budget.  He puts together the annual budget, makes sure financial reports are compiled accurately and on time, supervises the accounts receivable and accounts payable staffs and provides daily financial advice.

He joined JVS in October 2008 after spending most of his career working for accounting firms, including the Kirsch CPA Group, which has offices in Oxford and Fairfield, Ohio; Shriver & Company in Cincinnati; and Price Waterhouse, an international firm. His clients included those in manufacturing, health care, construction, real estate, retail and the nonprofit sector. 

He enjoys working for JVS because, instead of mainly being focused on how to help clients make more money, he helps JVS enhance people’s lives. “I think it’s absolutely amazing how we’re able to help people feel more productive and independent,” he said.

At JVS, he has worked to make employees more comfortable talking about finances. “I’ve tried to bring some stability and an open-door policy to the whole financial side of the operation,” he said.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Miami University in Oxford and later became a certified public accountant.

He grew up in Parma, a Cleveland suburb. He lives with his wife, Sandy, in Springfield Township, Hamilton County. He has three children in college, Brian, Jennifer and Michelle.

He heads the finance committee for his church, Bellarmine Chapel on the Xavier University campus. He plays golf, racquetball and basketball.

How to reach David Ludwin: 
dludwin@jvscinti.org
513-347-1554 
4300 Rossplain Rd. 
Cincinnati, OH 45236

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BARRY WOLFSON, Manager of Quality Assurance and Cincinnati Career Network; Consumer Rights Officer

Barry Wolfson has three roles at Jewish Vocational Service: He manages quality assurance efforts, serves as the consumer rights officer and oversees the JVS service known as the Cincinnati Career Network.

As the manager of quality assurance, he makes sure rehabilitation services are as effective as possible to the people with disabilities that JVS serves. As the consumer rights officer, he serves as an advocate for those individuals who need someone to speak up for them, such as when they have an accident, a dispute with another consumer or behavioral issues. And as the supervisor of the Career Network, Barry oversees the two career consultants who advise JVS clients how to get jobs.

Barry also has been the JVS liaison to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities during JVS’ last three re-accreditation reviews. JVS has been accredited by the commission for more than 40 years.

Barry, who has worked at JVS since 1988, is proud of the way JVS strives to help anyone achieve independence, regardless of their age or disability.
“I like what this agency is about. I like the way we work with people to become independent.”

Earlier, he worked at New Perceptions Inc., an agency that serves people with developmental disabilities in Northern Kentucky, including as employment services director.

He has a bachelor’s degree in special education with a teaching certification from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in rehabilitation from Wright State University. He is a certified rehabilitation counselor.

Barry grew up in Roselawn and Bond Hill. He lives with his wife, Laurel, in Blue Ash. He’s the father of two adult daughters.

He’s vice president of his congregation, Northern Hills Synagogue. And he has been active in Toastmasters International, achieving the distinction of being an Advanced Toastmaster. He also is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association and the Ohio Rehabilitation Association.

How to reach Barry Wolfson:
bwolfson@jvscinti.org
513-347-1566
4300 Rossplain Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236

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SHANNON JOHNSON, Human Resources Manager

Shannon Johnson has led the JVS human resources office since she created it in 1999. Previously, human resources had been under the chief financial officer. Her responsibilities – and those of her staff -- are broad. “Just about anything that touches people’s employment, I do or I oversee -- from the time they start here until the time they leave,” she said.

Examples: She supervises recruitment, orientation and training of staff. She oversees employee benefits. She makes sure JVS complies with state and federal laws involving human resources. And she oversees the payroll process.

Shannon and her staff do not provide direct services to JVS’ consumers. Instead, they support the employees who provide those services.

The number of JVS employees has grown from 75 to 175 since she arrived a decade ago, increasing the amount of variety in her job.

“There are constant challenges,” she said. “Things are constantly changing. No two days are the same.”

Previously, Shannon was the human resources manager for Riverview Community, a long-term care facility in Delhi Township. And earlier, she worked as a human resources associate for Paragon Health Systems in Springdale.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in community counseling, both from the University of Cincinnati. She is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management.

As a child, she lived in Anderson Township. Now, she lives in West Chester Township with her husband, Michael, and their three children.

How to reach Shannon Johnson:
sjohnson@jvscinti.org
513-985-0515 
4300 Rossplain Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45236