Login | June 29, 2025
Longtime Oriana House Executive VP Bernie Rochford to retire
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 30, 2023
It’s been just over 38 years since Akron resident Bernie Rochford first joined Oriana House as the residential institutional probation program manager in 1985.
At the time, the 16-bed male work release halfway house program that he oversaw was one of two programs run by the nonprofit agency.
But a lot has changed since then. Today Oriana House operates behavioral health services and community corrections programs at multiple locations around the state including in Summit, Stark, Cuyahoga, Seneca, Washington, Huron and Sandusky counties.
“When I started we had 10 full-time staff members and another 10 who were part time,” said Rochford. “Today we have about 800 employees, so we have grown quite a bit.”
Rochford, who was promoted to his current title of executive vice president of administrative services and business relations in 1987, has played an integral role in overseeing the agency’s expansion. Now as he prepares to retire on July 31, he said he could not have charted a better career course.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Rochford, who turned 65 in December 2022. “We went from being a small agency to one of the largest in the state in terms of what we do.
“We’ve added behavioral health, cognitive-based programming, employment and educational assistance,” said Rochford. “None of this would have been possible without the vision of our CEO and founder Jim Lawrence, who has allowed the staff, myself and others to grow personally, professionally, and to develop and implement innovative programs.
“Anne Connell-Freund, who retired in January 2021 as executive vice president of operations, played an equally important role in the agency’s development.”
In an email, Oriana House President and Chief Executive Officer James Lawrence stated, “I cannot imagine what Oriana House would be today if Bernie did not join me in 1985. I will be forever grateful for his vision and leadership skills and more importantly, his dedication and commitment to our mission.
“In his 38 years with the agency, Bernie identified needs and opportunities for Oriana House to help people improve their lives; he always had the best interests of clients, staff and the community as his priority. Bernie is a man of high integrity, intelligence and an all-around good guy. He truly is invested in the clients and the communities we serve and his care, compassion, accessibility and sense of humor are evident always.”
Oriana House Public Relations Specialist Linda Weyandt described Rochford as “humble, genuine, invested and as likable as they come,” adding that he never hesitates to discuss the agency and its work with anyone who could benefit from the information.
“Bernie generously shows compassion and shares his institutional knowledge and I am sure that has benefited and guided countless individuals,” said Weyandt.
Former Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, who joined the agency last August as vice president of behavioral health, will be taking over for Rochford once he retires.
“Bernie has served Oriana House and our community for decades and really has had such a positive influence on so many programs and people. I am incredibly humbled and appreciative that Jim Lawrence, the president/CEO and Bernie have placed their trust in me to succeed him.
“Bernie has served as the liaison between Oriana and the courts in Summit County,” said Corrigall Jones. “He and I collaborated over the years and he was always willing to try and find solutions when I was on the bench.
“He is an incredible role model—brilliant, patient, humble and funny, to name just a few of his strengths.
“There is a learning curve and I have a great deal of work to do in order to learn and step into the role,” Corrigall Jones said. “During the transition, we are meeting regularly to prepare so that we can ensure that Oriana House continues to provide quality treatment and services to our clients and community partners.”
A lifelong resident of Akron, Rochford graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in 1976.
He received his bachelor’s degree in political science/criminal justice from The University of Akron in 1982 and earned his juris doctorate from UA’s School of Law in 1990.
During college, he worked as a detention officer in the Summit County Juvenile Detention Facility.
“Although I majored in political science and criminal justice as an undergraduate, I hoped to become a professional umpire,” said Rochford. “After college, I went to umpire school in Florida but things did not pan out, which was a blessing in disguise for a host of reasons.”
In 1983, Rochford joined Summit County Adult Probation as a probation officer.
Eighteen months later, he accepted an offer from Oriana House to serve as program manager, taking on his current title in 1987.
“Working with the courts as a probation officer and previously as a detention officer provided the necessary experience to transition to operating a 24/7 program,” said Rochford.
As executive vice president of administrative services and business relations, Rochford is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the agency.
He’s also charged with supervising the vice presidents of administration/legal counsel, finance/CFO, services and the director of admissions. The agency’s accreditation staff members also report to Rochford.
In addition, he serves as the liaison to outside criminal justice agencies, courts, businesses, media and the community and assumes the duties of the president/CEO in the event of Lawrence’s absence.
“My responsibilities have grown since I took on my current title over 30 years ago,” said Rochford. “Much of my current work is designed to support the agency’s programs.”
Rochford said his JD has proven very useful in carrying out his duties at Oriana House.
“I am able to analyze issues and problems in a way that just having an undergraduate degree might not have allowed me to do,” he said.
A member of the Akron Bar Association, Rochford served on the Akron Bar Foundation board for six years, including one year as chair.
He’s also a member of the International Community Justice Association and the American Correctional Association (ACA) and is the chair of the ACA Community Corrections Committee.
Rochford is currently on the board of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, where he has served since 2007, including completing two different terms as chair.
He has also participated in volunteer opportunities with the Akron Marathon Race Series.
Rochford is the president of the board at the nonprofit Ohio-based organization Running2BWell and its Akron group leader. The grassroots group seeks to help people, especially those with substance abuse or mental health issues, develop healthier lifestyles.
His other former board positions include CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) and Community Services, the Summit County Community Partnership Project and the Leadership Akron Alumni Association, where he is also a past chair.
While Rochford is retiring from his full-time position at Oriana House, he will continue to do some part-time work for the agency.
“I will be reviewing leases and looking for development opportunities for some of Oriana House’s vacant properties,” said Rochford.
“I know I will be leaving the organization in great hands with Amy Corrigall Jones and our amazing staff,” said Rochford. “I am so grateful to have worked with so many committed staff members.
“Their dedication was never more apparent than during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rochford. “When much of the world worked from home, our staff showed up every day to deliver the care our clients needed. Our staff never wavered and constantly adapted as we all learned about the virus. The staff members are the true champions of our organization.”
In addition to his part-time duties at Oriana House, Rochford and his wife, Summit County Juvenile Court Magistrate Rita Rochford are hoping to spend more time with their four adult daughters, three of whom have chosen to go into the legal profession.
“Our daughter Rita works for Jones Day and our daughter Allison works for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Our youngest, Hannah, just graduated from Brooklyn Law School in New York and has an offer at a firm in New York.
“Our daughter Elle has a Ph.D. in sociology and is a researcher at the University of Delaware,” said Rochford. “Despite our busy schedules and theirs, we are very close and hope to get to see more of them.”
While he plans to enjoy additional family time and do some extra chores around the house, Rochford is also on the lookout for other volunteer opportunities.
“Who knows what the next chapter of my life will bring,” said Rochford.