Senior Leadership

Dan Adams
President and CEO

As President and CEO of Cal Farley’s and the Cal Farley’s Foundation, Dan Adams provides oversight for all programs and services, supporting operations, finance, fundraising, and asset management. Please click the link below to read his biography.

(Dan Adams Biography)

Mark Strother
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Mark A. Strother is a Texas native who is dedicated to his career of helping others. Mr. Strother acquired a bachelor degree in business administration and a master degree in education. He also is a Licensed Child Care Administrator. Before joining Cal Farley’s in 2002, he worked with other social service organizations around Texas including the Methodist Home in Waco; and the Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home in El Paso. Currently, Mr. Strother serves as president-elect for the American Re-ED Association (AREA), and as feature editor of Resilient Brain, in the Reclaiming Children and Youth journal. Mark has been married to Deb for 20 years and together they have four children and three grandchildren.

Belinda Palacios
Senior Vice President for Community Based Services 

Belinda Palacios received a bachelor degree in psychology in 1987, and a master degree in education in 1989. She gained experience in the private, hospital and criminal justice sectors of psychiatry, and has worked in the residential treatment and counseling center settings before coming to Cal Farley’s in 1997. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s community-based services. Moreover, she serves as liaison for Cal Farley’s with numerous area, state and national public and private social service organizations. Palacios is a volunteer peer reviewer for the National Council on Accreditation.

Dede Schuler Ballou
Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer 

Dede Schuler Ballou graduated from Texas Tech in 1983 with a degree in accounting. She earned her CPA license in 1985, and practiced public accounting for 12 years. She has garnered experience in the healthcare, banking and real estate industries before landing with Cal Farley’s six years ago as controller and director of accounting. Ballou is an Amarillo native, married to David, and they have five dogs. She also is an ordained Episcopal deacon.