Robert N. Spaner Chief Administrative Officer

As CDHS’s Chief Administrative Officer and Principal Investigator, Bob Spaner has overall responsibility for the Center and each of its five regional offices. He is responsible for overseeing the Center’s $50 million budget, its 400 employees, and over 40 funded projects. Throughout his 28-year history with CDHS, including the past 10 years as CAO, he has participated in and overseen the Center’s tremendous growth—from a small, six-person operation in 1978 to what is arguably the largest human services training enterprise in the country. Since CDHS is funded primarily on a yearly basis the Center operates on the principle that everyone is responsible not only for his or her own personal success, but also for the success of the others who are part of the organization. Bob is committed to blending an extremely talented workforce with state-of-the-art technology, which together enable CDHS to meet the high expectations set by sponsoring organizations.

During his tenure at CDHS he was one of the original authors of the New York State Child Protective Workers Curriculum (in conjunction with Cornell University) and at one point also served as Director of the New York State Medicaid Training Institute. In his current capacity as CAO, Bob works closely with administrative staff from several NYS agencies and reports to the Provost of Buffalo State College. Over the course of his career he has presented papers and workshops at several national and international events. Bob is the recipient of the Buffalo State College President’s Award for Excellence in Service to the College.