Claire Ledford, M.Ed., BCBA
Co-Founder & CEO of First Coast ABA Services, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Claire Ledford, M.Ed., BCBA, is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Coast ABA Services and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia.
Claire is a clinical leader in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with extensive experience providing and overseeing services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism across home, school, residential, community, and Telehealth settings. She has led clinical operations across multiple markets, with a focus on developing scalable service models that maintain high standards of care.
In her role as CEO, Claire directs clinical strategy and service delivery, ensuring alignment with ethical, regulatory, and evidence-based standards. She has significant experience building and leading clinical teams, developing treatment frameworks, and implementing systems that drive consistency, accountability, and measurable outcomes across growing organizations.
Claire is committed to advancing access to high-quality ABA services and works closely with families and caregivers to ensure care is collaborative, practical, and focused on long-term skill development and independence. Her professional interests include clinical quality, staff development, and expanding services into underserved communities.
Outside of her professional work, Claire enjoys spending time with her family along the St. Marys River on the Georgia–Florida border, where they appreciate the outdoors and the natural beauty of Northeast Florida.
Julius Philip Ledford Jr.
Co-Founder & CFO of First Coast ABA Services
Julius Philip Ledford Jr. is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of First Coast ABA Services. He brings a strong operational and financial background with experience in healthcare revenue cycle management, billing systems, and business operations.
Philip has extensive experience managing end-to-end revenue cycle functions within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) space, including claims processing, accounts receivable management, and payer compliance.
Before his work in ABA, Philip owned and operated a multi-site inspection business, where he managed client portfolios, coordinated service delivery, and maintained full accountability for operational performance and reporting. His background also includes experience in clinical and administrative support roles within healthcare settings, where he contributed to patient intake, insurance verification, and front-end billing processes.
In his role as CFO, Philip oversees financial operations, revenue cycle performance, and billing infrastructure, ensuring the organization maintains strong financial health while supporting sustainable growth. He is focused on optimizing systems, improving cash flow, and maintaining compliance across all payer sources.
Philip holds a degree in Medical Assisting from Athens Technical College.