After more than a decade at the helm of one of the Northland’s most trusted mental health organizations, a longtime CEO is stepping down with a legacy rooted in compassion, growth and community. Tom Petrizzo has served as CEO of Beacon Mental Health, formerly known as Tri-County Mental Health Services, since January 2014. His journey into behavioral health began unexpectedly after an early career in law. “I grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended private Catholic schools,” said Petrizzo. “I went to college at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and after graduating, went straight to law school at the University of Texas. I practiced law for about 3-4 years but did not enjoy it. So, I got a job as a compliance officer at a large mental health center in Houston. I really enjoyed its mission and that led to me staying in this field for the last 33 years.” What began as a career pivot quickly became a calling. “I saw at my first job at the mental health center in Houston how…