Embattled Hanna Boys Center names Tullus Miller as new board chairman

Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma has appointed a new chairman of its board of trustees.

Tullus Miller, a certified accountant who had been vice-chairman of the Sonoma Valley residence home for at-risk boys, will lead the 72-year-old treatment center that has in recent months been hit by sexual abuse allegations.

Miller, a partner at Moss Adams of San Francisco, did not immediately return a call Monday. He suggested in a prepared statement the Catholic Church-based center was in a period of expansion.

“We have a long legacy at Hanna of helping motivated youths rebuild their lives through a focus on faith, education and caring,” said Miller, 52, who will lead the all-volunteer board composed of community leaders and Bishop Robert Vasa of the Diocese of Santa Rosa.

Brian Farragher, chief executive officer, said Miller’s appointment was part of a planned rotation of leadership and had nothing to do with the center’s much-publicized troubles. Miller takes over for William Schrader, chairman of the board of Exchange Bank. Schrader will remain a voting member of the Hanna board.

“Tullus is a really wonderful guy, very smart, very engaged,” Farragher said. “He’s a good leader. He’s going to be a great addition for us.”

The center on Arnold Drive, which serves about 100 teenagers, has suffered a series of recent setbacks.

In June, its former clinical director, Kevin Thorpe, 39, of Rohnert Park, was arrested on charges of molesting a boy in 2009. An investigation uncovered a second accuser and sparked a civil lawsuit alleging additional abuse.

Thorpe remains in custody with bail set at $1.5 million. His next court appearance is Wednesday.

Thorpe’s predecessor is also suing the center for $2.7 million, claiming he was fired after complaining about the lack of supervision over minors involved in bullying.

And a 22-year-old staff member is facing criminal charges that she had unlawful sex with a 17-year-old boy at the center.

The appointment announcement did not address any of the criminal or legal challenges.

In previous interviews, Farragher said his staff is cooperating with investigators and undergoing additional training on spotting and reporting abuse.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.