New Executive Director Lawrence E. Ott joined the HART Center July 1, 2026, bringing
a background rich in leadership, person-centered education, and personnel
management. In his own words, “[I am] a servant leader. I’m drawn to the HART Center
because its mission is centered on helping people reach their potential and creating
meaningful opportunities for our clients. I want to be part of growing those
opportunities—not only within the HART Center, but throughout our community—so that
our clients can thrive, contribute, and experience greater purpose and success.”

Born an athlete in Upstate New York, Larry declined recruit to SUNY Oswego’s baseball
team following high school to pursue a gap year resulting in an academic trajectory
spanning three degrees and certification in Business Education.

Larry started his undergraduate degree at SUNY Oswego, where he met and fell in love
with his wife Bonnie Foster. Bonnie had been a majorette at Penn State University
while earning her undergraduate degree before enrolling at SUNY Oswego for her
master’s in counseling. Larry and Bonnie married, worked as assistant hall directors
while managing full courseloads at Oswego, and welcomed son Kyle. A requirement of
hall director positions was to teach the three-credit college-level course “Contemporary
Issues.” That’s when Larry fell in love with teaching.

They moved to SUNY Cortland for Bonnie’s job within the college’s Student Services
Department and Larry completed his undergraduate degree in Economics and

Management. They then moved back to SUNY Oswego for Larry to attain his Master of
Business Administration (MBA) degree and welcomed son Kollin.

Ready for change, the couple decided to establish their young family and careers in
Bonnie’s hometown of New Oxford PA. Bonnie was hired by Littlestown Middle School
as guidance counselor and Larry landed at Paradise School for Boys as a mental health
worker and became a coach for Littlestown School District junior high school wrestling
program. When he was approached by the District to teach Business Education at
Littlestown High School and also coach wrestling, baseball, and golf, Larry said yes and
added Advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter to his
responsibilities.

He said yes when the District later asked him to consider the Dean of
Students/Assistant Principal role at Littlestown High School. Upon completing his
certification in business education, Larry enrolled in the master’s program for
Educational Leadership at McDaniel College. With his second Master’s secured, he
said yes again when the opportunity to become Principal at Littlestown Elementary
School arose.

In 2010, he was approached by the District Superintendent to come on at the Central
Office as Special Education Director for the Littlestown Area School District. Larry said
yes and undertook leadership of the school community’s learning support needs. In
2013, he

was asked by Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 (LIU12) to become Principal of Franklin
Learning Center in Franklin County. He said yes and served students with profound
special needs for the next two years.

Larry had been immersed in student development for more than 15 years when he
fielded the next request by the LIU12: co-lead the Human Resources operations the IU
for Franklin, Adams, and York counties. He didn’t blink. He said yes.

Five years later, Paradise School knocked again. “Larry, come be our principal,” they
said. Full circle, Larry reasoned. Close his career where it had opened. It was fate,
meant to be, a divined plan. He said yes.

Then he ran into Bettie Bertram one day, whom he knew from his tenure with LIU.
“There is an opportunity I think you would be perfect for,” Bettie told him, and explained
her position as a member of The HART Center’s Board of Directors. “HART needs a
new Executive Director.” Beth Becker, also a HART Board member, encouraged him to
apply as well.

The women described HART’s mission, its history, its growth and its goals. He asked
about HART’s needs and its challenges, its continued growth and extended goals.
Larry toured HART, met its community, assessed its pulse. He discussed HART with his
wife and weighed the decision in his soul over hundreds of muscled miles of hilly bicycle
terrain.

He said goodbye to his career’s sure full circle. He said yes.

The bit about muscled miles is true. Larry is a dedicated athlete harking back to the boy
whose energy exceeded organized wrestling, baseball, and football through high school
to the adult who competes in triathlons today. Larry’s energy and drive burn as the most
notable traits about him today.

Since Larry’s arrival at HART, the Center has processed in six new clients and has
rolling admission now of two to three more monthly. Larry has implemented fitness
programs for staff, building group morale, individual well-being, and employee
autonomy. HART’s social media and community outreach is stronger than ever and still
growing. Grants are being applied to for facility improvements and new ideas are
actively researched. Larry arrives early and stays late. His door is always open.
HART’s future is in good hands.