C.J. Davis is the CEO of Brightli, Inc., the parent company of Burrell Behavioral Health, where he serves as President and CEO, and Preferred Family Healthcare. Brightli was formed through joint partnership of Burrell and Preferred in 2022; together the companies employ nearly 5,000 individuals in more than 200 locations across the four-state system.
At Burrell, C.J. has made mission expansion through strategic mergers and acquisitions a top priority. Earlier this year, Burrell merged with Comprehensive Mental Health Services, an Independence-based Community Mental Health Center, establishing Burrell/Brightli’s presence in the metro-Kansas City mental heath market. This, coupled with the PFH partnership, have made Brightli one of the largest nonprofit mental health providers in the Midwest.
With more than 25 years of experience in the mental health industry as both an executive and a clinical psychologist, Dr. Davis has managed and practiced at nearly every level of behavioral health care, including community treatment settings, residential treatment, primary care behavioral health, inpatient hospital services and criminal justice. C.J. previously held executive leadership positions in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, focusing on improving accessibility to care at each stop in his career. After being hired as President and CEO of Burrell Behavioral Health in 2017, he has remained committed to accessibility, mission expansion, and promoting community conversations related to behavioral health issues.
With a passion for community service, C.J. serves on the boards of the Missouri Behavioral Health Council, the National Psychology Training Consortium, and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2019 C.J. was named one of Biz 417 Magazine’s “10 for the Next 10” as well as one of the Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year. In 2021 he was chosen as the SBJ’s CEO of the Year at their annual Dynamic Dozen awards.
C.J. will be speaking during Build Or Merge? How To Expand Your Service Line Portfolio Or Merge To Get It.