Dismas House Announces New CEO
February 14, 2025
Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Nonprofit Leader Joins Organization
NASHVILLE, Tenn., – February 14, 2025 – Leading reentry program, Dismas House, announces the hiring of veteran nonprofit leader, Steven R. Murff, M.P.S., as the organization’s new CEO effective January 21, 2025. Murff has more than 20 years of leadership experience implementing successful reentry and diversionary court programs that increased access to behavioral health services, strengthened partnerships with the justice system and expanded support for underserved communities. Murff succeeds Kay Kretsch who served as CEO since 2020 and led the expansion of Dismas House’ new 72-bed campus on Charlotte Avenue.
Most recently, Murff served for six years as CEO and executive director of Educare Counseling Center, a behavioral health nonprofit in Williamson County. While at Educare, Murff secured funding to launch the Williamson County Mental Health Court that expanded access to treatment for justice involved individuals. He also expanded jail-based programming to provide behavioral health services and critical mental health and substance use treatment.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we’re delighted to welcome Steven to Dismas House as our new CEO,” said Taylor Fortune, board chair, Dismas House. “He was strategically selected by the board due to his successful leadership across a variety of initiatives serving justice involved individuals. We look forward to his innovative approach to sustain the organization’s success delivering evidence-based holistic reentry solutions.”
Previously, Murff served as programs director and court liaison at Williamson County Sheriff’s Office where he developed judicial reentry and reintegration programs to improve effectiveness and expand access to critical services. He acted as a liaison with the judiciary for development and integration of statute-based specialty and diversionary courts.
Prior to that, he was court administrator at Davidson County Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts where he played a key role in establishing the Veterans Treatment Courts and its expansion to Williamson County. These courts helped veterans throughout the state achieve stability, recovery and successful reintegration into their communities. He also served as branch supervisor/chief at the District of Columbia Superior Courts Criminal Division: Quality Assurance Case Management and Criminal Scanning.
Murff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communication and a Masters of Professional Studies, Human Resource Management from Middle Tennessee State University. He is actively pursuing his Doctorate of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from Liberty University to enhance his leadership, strategic planning and operational expertise as a nonprofit executive focused on assisting justice involved individuals.
In his new role at Dismas House, Murff oversees a team of professionals, including a dedicated clinical team, that can serve 120 men annually. In Tennessee, 50% of those released from state prisons and jails are reincarcerated within three years. At Dismas House, the most recent recidivism rate is 2.5% at Dismas House, a direct result of enhanced recovery programming that prioritizes mental health and relapse prevention.
“I’m honored to join Dismas House and build upon the solid foundation of reentry success,” said Steven Murff, CEO, Dismas House. “This organization has an incredible track record in reducing recidivism and we want to build on that legacy to positively impact more residents with increased services such as behavioral health.”
About Dismas House
Founded in Nashville in 1974 by the late Father Jack Hickey, a Vanderbilt University chaplain, Dismas House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides housing and holistic support services to formerly incarcerated men. Dismas also provides life skills classes, legal support, employment training, access to employment, mental health assessments, behavioral health counseling, substance abuse support and educational programming—all critical services to help formerly incarcerated individuals make a successful transition back into the community. Learn more at dismas.org.
Media Contact:
Julie Lilliston
Julie Lilliston Communications
615-663-2121 (cell)