SARRC Appoints CAO

The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) has appointed Larry D. Hillwig as its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
SARRC recently created the CAO position to support building the infrastructure necessary to sustain current and future clinical and research program growth. This new position will allow SARRC’s President and CEO, Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA-D, to focus on the strategic direction of autism research and services, fundraising, and partnership development.
“As part of SARRC’s five-year strategic plan, we are expanding our most impactful programs in order to offer high-quality services and research to more children, teens, and adults diagnosed with autism in Arizona. We are thrilled to find a leader like Larry Hillwig who has years of experience of successfully managing business operations and growth,” Openden said.
Hillwig joins SARRC following a 20-year career with McDonough Corporation and its subsidiary, L. J. Smith, Inc. Hillwig was recently the CAO and treasurer for McDonough. While there, he was responsible for corporate oversight of human resources, the treasury, compliance at the holding company and overseeing activities at its many subsidiary companies across the nation.
“After many years in the private sector, I made an effort to seek out an organization with a cause. I wanted to join an organization where I could apply my broad business background to help further the mission of a nonprofit. I cannot think of a better place than SARRC to do that,” Hillwig said.
In his career, Hillwig has held many progressive roles in managerial accounting, such as controller and chief financial officer for large manufacturing organizations. He has also held increased leadership roles such as general manager, chief financial officer and president. During his extensive experience in leadership positions he has gained knowledge of all business functions.
Hillwig is originally from the western Pennsylvania area where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in accounting from Geneva College in Beaver Falls and his Master in Business Administration from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.