Endress, who has more than 30 years experience in behavioral healthcare, will join the County on August 6, 2012.

As MeckLINK Behavioral Healthcare director, Endress will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the department that oversees government-funded care of Mecklenburg County residents for mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. MeckLINK Behavioral Healthcare (MeckLINK) has a full-time staff of 73 and an annual (FY13) operating budget of $53 million. MeckLINK served more than 55,000 persons last year. On January 1, 2013, MeckLINK will expand its responsibilities to include overseeing the local administration of Medicaid behavioral health system. 

Currently, Endress is commissioner of the Erie County Department of Mental Health in Buffalo, New York. In his current role, Endress manages the Erie County, New York  department which oversees all publicly funded services for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse, including Medicaid services and as well as a developmental disabilities waiver program serving more than 48,000 residents.  His experience includes planning, directing, coordinating, and monitoring programs of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for mental health and substance abuse services.

Endress holds an MBA and a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from the State University of New York in Buffalo.