Internationally recognized behavioral health leader to join Protocall’s next phase of clinical and technology innovation

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Protocall Services, a national provider of crisis intervention, behavioral health support services, and digital mental health solutions, today announced the appointment of Ben Locke, Ph.D., as Chief Clinical Officer.

Dr. Locke joins Protocall from Togetherall, where he served as Chief Clinical Officer overseeing global clinical operations for one of the world’s largest peer-support mental health platforms. Prior to Togetherall, he spent nearly two decades at Penn State University, including serving as Senior Executive Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Dr. Locke is also widely known as the co-founder and longtime Executive Director of the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), the influential practice-research network that has helped shape national understanding of college student mental health trends, clinical outcomes, and service delivery strategies across higher education. Under his leadership, CCMH grew into an international practice-research network representing nearly 900 institutions and millions of students seeking mental health care. At Protocall, Dr. Locke will oversee clinical strategy, quality assurance, evidence-based practice development, and clinical innovation across the organization’s growing ecosystem of services and technologies. His role will support Protocall’s continued expansion across higher education, 988 crisis systems, community behavioral health, employee assistance, and digital mental health markets.

“Ben brings an exceptional combination of clinical leadership, operational experience, research credibility, and technology vision,” said Phil Evans, CEO of Protocall Services. “He has spent his career helping organizations improve access, quality, and outcomes in behavioral health while also building systems that operate effectively at scale. His experience aligns extraordinarily well with Protocall’s mission and the evolving needs of the markets we serve. And the fact that Ben comes to us by way of Togetherall, our most successful ecosystem partner, further strengthens that partnership for the many customers our shared ecosystem serves.”

Evans added, “Ben understands both the human and operational realities of behavioral health services — from crisis response systems to higher education mental health to technology-enabled models of care. As Protocall continues to grow nationally and invest in innovation, his leadership will help strengthen both our clinical foundation and our strategic direction.”

Dr. Locke said he was drawn to Protocall’s long-standing reputation for clinical quality and innovation.

“Over many years of working alongside Protocall, first overseeing its work with the Penn State system and then as a critical ecosystem partner at Togetherall, I’ve developed tremendous respect for the organization and its people,” said Dr. Locke. “Protocall occupies a unique and increasingly important position in behavioral health, combining large-scale crisis service delivery with an expanding ecosystem of technology-enabled mental health solutions. I’m excited to join a team that is deeply mission-driven while also focused on thoughtful innovation and long-term impact.”

Ben replaces Brad Pendergraft, LCSW, who is retiring after a combined tenure of nearly 20 years as the leader of Protocall’s clinical operations.  Brad was a part of its original founding team from1992 to 1997 and the architect of Protocall’s early clinical vision. Brad later returned to the organization as Director of Clinical Operations and eventually Chief Clinical Officer, leading major initiatives focused on counselor training, quality assurance, workflow optimization, and the application of AI in helping clinicians improve their crisis intervention skills.

“Brad has had a profound influence on Protocall across multiple eras of our company’s history,” Evans said. “His leadership has helped shape our clinical culture, service philosophy, and commitment to innovation.  As Ben begins his new role overseeing our clinical systems, research, and behavioral health strategy, we’re just as pleased that Brad’s retirement will include a continuing role of Clinical Consultant, with a focus on emerging technologies and advancing the responsible use and development of AI training and quality assurance tools at Protocall.”

About Protocall

Founded in 1992, Protocall Services provides ecosystem of care that ensures high-quality access to 24/7 crisis intervention, behavioral health support, and digital mental health services for colleges and universities, community behavioral health organizations, employee assistance programs, healthcare systems, and crisis response networks nationwide.

Keila Gordon Head of Business Development, Education Solutions 800-435-2197 info@protocallservices.com

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SOURCE Protocall Services