Leadership
Executive
Ken Kosza
Ken Kosza earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from LaSalle University in Pennsylvania. Ken began his professional career as an Adolescent Counselor. With nearly a decade of clinical work under his belt, Ken began to take on more leadership roles and shifted into administration. Ken worked his way from Entry-Level to VP & Executive Director within one of Pennsylvania’s largest networks of outpatient counseling centers – Onward Behavioral Health. Ken then transitioned to Retreat Behavioral Health, where he directed operations and facilitated significant growth of a multi-state, multi-location network of mental health and substance use disorder treatment centers. Ken is excited to represent Altior and get back to his roots and true passion of helping young people. Ken enjoys good food and is an avid NCAA Wrestling fan. He lives with his wife and five children where he can often be found coaching and cheering them on at their sporting events.
Ken Kosza
Dustin Wagner
Dustin oversees all operations at Paradigm Treatment locations, including programming, treatment content and quality, growth management and strategy, and team support to all therapeutic and operational staff. Having previously worked at Paradigm in the roles of Chief Operating Officer, Program Director, and Therapist, Dustin is also a skilled clinician with an emphasis on family systems . Prior to joining the Paradigm team, Dustin served as Program Manager at Arizona Child and Family Support Services in Flagstaff, an agency providing community-based wraparound services for youth and family treatment. At CFSS, Dustin also built, facilitated and oversaw an Intensive Outpatient Program. He also served as an individual and group therapist for Northern Arizona Substance Abuse Services working with the Drug Court; as a therapist for youth in juvenile detention; and as a wilderness therapist for a program that worked throughout Northern Arizona.
Dustin holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Northern Arizona University and has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents in a variety of settings. He is also trained in EMDR and Parent Effectiveness. Dustin’s motivation as both a therapist and a manager exemplify his deep desire to provide the insightful support and guidance that youth need to make the changes that will profoundly improve their well-being, relationships, and their futures.
Dustin Wagner
MEGAN GERBINO, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-C
Megan is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, specializing in treating patients across the lifespan. She has been with Shortridge Academy since 2021. Her previous work includes 6 years working as a Registered Nurse at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department.
Between 2012 and 2014, Megan held various roles at Shortridge Academy , starting as a student mentor before advancing to the position of Residential Manager. In this role, she managed the residential environment and organized student trips. The experience she gained at Shortridge Academy was so influential that she eagerly embraced the chance to collaborate with the students and staff once more.
Prior to Shortridge Academy and her medical training, Megan was employed at a community mental health agency as a Case Manager where she worked closely with people diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Megan would ensure these patients had their daily and case-specific needs met, as well as assisted in community integration.
MEGAN GERBINO, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-C
Randy Clunan
Randy Clunan brings 12 years of sales and marketing experience in the Behavioral Health industry. Having run several admissions and Business Development teams at various programs throughout the country. Randy is an accomplished sales leader with a depth of experience building strong sales teams, enhancing the process of the client journey into care. His own personal journey in recovery led him into the field and credits the foundation of “helping those struggling and finding relief” as his “why?”. Before joining the company, Randy served as Vice President of Sales for an Inpatient program in Arizona. Randy is originally from Mississippi and attended the University of South Alabama. The joy of his life is his three kids and an occasional round of golf.
Randy Clunan
Brian De Neve
Brian attended the United States Naval Academy and served for twelve years on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer. After four deployments and an overseas assignment, Lieutenant Commander De Neve decided to come back to shore, return to Southern California where he grew up, and begin the second half of his professional life, and most importantly, the chance to enjoy family life with his wife and three sons. Brian earned his MBA from the University of Southern California and has held various leadership positions in the healthcare environment, including medical device, hospital services, and life sciences. Working for several companies, including KCI, DaVita, Generate Life Sciences, and Cooper Surgical, Brian has had the privilege to support teams dedicated to improving the quality of life of their patients and providing the right tools to their clients so that they may live the best version of themselves.
Brian De Neve
Jonathan Monroe
Jonathan Monroe brings nearly 20 years of finance and accounting experience in private equity–backed and privately owned multi-site healthcare services, direct to consumer retail and wholesale services, and large-scale manufacturing companies. Jonathan is an accomplished finance executive with a depth of experience building strong finance/accounting teams, enhancing the organizational financial reporting through the partnership with operations and has repeatedly built and led high-impact finance and accounting teams to successfully improve operational and financial performance in high-growth situations. Before joining the company, Jonathan served as Vice President of Finance and Accounting for Newport Healthcare through the acquisition by Onex. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University San Bernardino and is an active CPA in the state of California.
Jonathan Monroe
Lex Remillard, MSW, LCSW
Lex Remillard earned his Master of Social Work from University of California and soon afterward moved to the Philadelphia area and began his career as an individual and Intensive Outpatient Adolescent Therapist working with substance-use/mental health disorders as well as family systems treatment. During this time, Lex expanded his skill set by developing and successfully launching a mental health Intensive Outpatient Program, became the director of a satellite office and expanded offices into neighboring counties. In his 20-year professional career Lex has taught graduate course work at the University of West Chester and the University of Southern California, given numerous lectures/radio and video interviews, supervised/ mentored junior therapists, ran a successful private practice, and provided professional consultation with local burgeoning residential centers. Lex is driven to continue to utilize his clinical and empathetic approach to assist both clients and employees in this specialized field of practice. Lex is excited to join the Altior Healthcare Team to continue to promote and grow thriving mental health programs. Lex looks forward to cooking with his family, hiking with his dogs and fishing.
Lex Remillard, MSW, LCSW
Krista MacKinnon
Krista MacKinnon has worked in the mental health field for 20+ years in various capacities. She is a firm believer in the power of recovery and has delivered mental health recovery trainings across Canada, USA, and Australia. Her work is rooted in both personal and professional experience. She is driven by the power of love and connection.
Krista MacKinnon
Admissions
Mindi Proffitt
Mindi is completing a Bachelor of Science in International Business. Before discovering her passion for supporting clients to navigate and access care, she was a small business owner and successfully managed high profile restaurants in the Denver Metro area. After going through a healing journey of her own, Mindi decided to pursue a career in a field that aligns with a desire to support others in an impactful and meaningful way. After serving as Admissions Manager for psychology clinics specializing in eating disorder recovery, Mindi found her way to Paradigm Treatment. Outside of work, Mindi enjoys spending time with her partner and dogs, and is passionate about collecting and restoring antiques.
Mindi Proffitt
Sydney Marino, MS, AMFT
Sydney is a compassionate therapist who is dedicated to guiding families through the admissions process. A graduate of the University of Alabama and California Lutheran University, Sydney began her career in 2016 working at a halfway house for individuals transitioning out of prison. Since 2016, she has worked and volunteered in a variety of settings including residential treatment, outpatient, private practice, substance use treatment, and sober living homes. Since joining Altior Healthcare in early 2020, Sydney has found immense fulfillment in guiding families through the admissions process. She uses a multitude of evidence-based modalities including CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused therapy, and Bowenian techniques.
Sydney Marino, MS, AMFT
Alex Lincoln
Alex has had a passion for helping others since she started working in the treatment field in 2017. Alex’s prior experience includes working as a case manager and an admissions coordinator for a treatment center in New Hampshire. Her passion for this work comes from both personal and professional experiences. Alex’s favorite part of working at Altior is helping to initiate positive changes for families and young people. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, working out, and being outdoors.
Alex Lincoln
JESSE CARRILLO
Jesse is a dedicated professional who brings a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry. With a background in admissions since 2017 and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the process, Jesse plays an important role in facilitating seamless transitions for clients and family members alike. Jesse’s approach to admissions ensures a positive experience for patients and their families, reflecting Altior Healthcare’s commitment to compassionate and efficient healthcare services.
JESSE CARRILLO
Business Development
Scott Portney
Scott graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a minor in communications. Scott has over 18 years of business development experience in the health, wellness, and fitness space. He has successfully grown and sold multiple companies from the ground up. Scott is a certified personal trainer and martial arts enthusiast who also enjoys giving back to others and has been working with adolescents for over 15 years. Scott enjoys always growing both personally and professionally and spending time with his wife and 5-year-old twins.
Scott Portney
Rudolph Novak, JD CIP
Rudolph (Rudy) Novak earned his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Montclair State University. During his junior years he clerked for a Superior Court Judge in New Jersey and continued in the private practice of law afterwards.
As an attorney he realized early on that his work often intersected with those who may be in a behavioral health crisis. His own personal journey of [family] recovery began in his adolescence and through this, he developed a passion for the behavioral health field. With a personal investment and a stark need in the community for access to care, Rudy dedicated his career path to filling this void.
Since his formative years as an attorney, Rudy has sought out opportunity to learn and grow in the recovery industry; he has worked as a certified interventionist, an attorney, an advocate, a case manager, and a clinical outreach director, amongst various volunteer positions. Through advising on intervention and treatment planning for thousands of clients and their families nationwide, Rudy has visited, evaluated, and assisted in developing of hundreds of treatment programs across countless miles and diagnoses.
Through his own efforts to increase accessibility to treatment and recovery, Rudy maintains relationships with organizations and practitioners globally. In his own investment in accessibility and community service he has co-founded a nonprofit foundation and private organization that are dedicated to serving marginalized populations and expanding access to therapeutic services.
In his free time, you will find Rudy spending time with his son, eating, traveling, hiking, and seeing live music.
Rudolph Novak, JD CIP
Robert Blume, B.S.
Robert has a degree in business management from Clemson University in South Carolina. He started his career in Atlanta, working for one of the city’s first companies, helping clients adapt their business to an online environment. Innovation and “What’s Next” interested Robert from the start. He relocated from Atlanta to California in 2007, continuing his career in the high tech industry. Robert later started his career in mental health in 2015 with a Los Angeles treatment center as Director of Admissions.
Robert is a natural empath and is passionate about helping others take the necessary steps to achieve a better life. In his time away from work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, traveling, and taking care of his rescue pup, Bowie.
Robert Blume, B.S.
Alicia Kennedy
Alicia has limitless compassion and empathy for people going through life’s challenges and transitions and feels privileged to work with those who are seeking support. She grew up in Seattle, Washington and moved to Los Angeles in 2017. Alicia has worked in the behavioral health field for 5 years. As someone who has had family and close friends struggle with mental health, she understands the importance of our industry and the services we provide. Alicia is passionate about eliminating the negative stigmas in society associated with mental health care and normalizing public discussion surrounding this topic. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, pilates, and being outdoors.
Alicia Kennedy
Erica Macero
Erica is a seasoned clinician with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient, hospital, and residential settings. A graduate from Quinnipiac University with a Masters in Social Work, Erica began her career working in residential treatment programs with adolescents and adults struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. Her professional training includes various evidence-based practices, including CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Erica has spent the last few years developing partnerships with other mental health professionals and serving as a referral resource for their clients. She values the importance of interpersonal relationships and trust among professionals in the mental health treatment world. In her personal time, Erica enjoys traveling, Crossfit, and spending time with her Goldendoodle, Chloe.
Erica Macero
Jacqueline Weiss
Jacqueline Weiss is a highly organized and driven business development professional with a passion for building meaningful relationships in her community. She has made it her mission in life to find the positive in every situation. She firmly believes that the world gives us back the same energy that we put out. If we can put ourselves in a positive mindset, we can better help others to do the same. She wants to impart on her teenage daughter, Vivienne, that no matter what life throws at us, there are tools and strategies we can implement to learn from each experience and grow stronger from having faced those challenges. She also works closely with the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as an advocate for mental health awareness and substance use prevention campaigns.
Jacqueline Weiss
Sam Peterson, MBA
The treatment of veterans and their families is very close to Sam’s heart. Following a notable career as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the U.S. Army, including two combat deployments to Afghanistan, Sam lost several friends and mentor to suicide. After battling through his own personal mental health challenges Sam dedicated himself to improving mental health treatment for veterans and first responders.
He has founded several organizations in this space, focusing on mental health and traumatic brain injury treatment. Sam’s experience with start-ups, combined with his knowledge of business administration, makes him a strong asset to the Altior team. His qualifications are further enhanced by a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Regis University.
As Altior’s Director of Veteran Programs, Sam is responsible for launching new mental health initiatives for veterans. His dedication to helping others, along with his extensive experience and knowledge, makes him well-suited to lead these programs, positively impacting the lives of veterans.
Sam Peterson, MBA
Kimmi Simon
Kimmi’s background in mental health and business development ignites her intrepid approach to behavioral health. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she integrates her studies in human development with counseling and clinical outreach. Her passion for psychedelic therapy, sexual assault counseling and AAPI mental health fuel her purpose each day. Kimmi is honored to support her community in Northern CA toward healing from trauma.
Kimmi Simon
Stephanie Conni | Senior Behavioral Health Advisor
Stephanie is a dedicated business development professional who specializes in the mental health industry. Her passion lies deeply in adolescent mental health and substance use disorder services. With over a decade of experience, she has excelled in forging strategic partnerships that have broadened access to mental health services for adolescents. Stephanie’s expertise lies in understanding the unique needs and challenges faced by adolescents, and in crafting innovative business strategies to effectively meet these needs. She is deeply committed to improving mental health outcomes for adolescents and is devoted to the development of programs and services tailored to their specific challenges. As a dedicated mom and bonus mom to three wonderful children, Stephanie is actively involved in running a nonprofit organization that advocates for youth and provides support. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new cuisines through cooking and is an avid traveler, always seeking new experiences and perspectives to enrich both her work and personal life.
Stephanie Conni
Finance
Michelle Linsley
Michelle Linsley has recently assumed the role of Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Altior Healthcare. Formerly the Director of Revenue Cycle, she will now be overseeing this department across all programs and locations. She will lead and oversee all aspects of Revenue Cycle processes which include utilization review, billing, collections and financial services with a significant focus on streamlining and improving the insurance utilization review processes to increase insurance coverage and access to care, increasing timely payment collections and improving our client and family communication support by providing consistent, thorough and accurate follow up to our clients and their families.
Michelle comes to Altior with over 25 years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle with over 15 years in leadership roles with a proven track record of maximizing talent by leading teams up to 300 employees to achieve results that drive companies to the next level.
Michelle Linsley
Lindsay Fenton, CMHC, LPCC
Lindsay has over a decade of experience in the behavioral health field. She obtained a BA in Communication Studies at Loyola Marymount University, and then went on to earn a MS in clinical mental health counseling. She is currently a licensed therapist. Lindsay’s clinical focus is trauma, addictions and substance use disorders, and she is a trained EMDR clinician. In Utilization Review, as the liaison between the clinical teams and insurance care managers, Lindsay and her team work with insurance to establish initial and ongoing medical necessity for Altior clients. This behind the scenes work with insurance companies allows clients and their families to focus on receiving the lifesaving treatment they need without the added financial burdens and headaches of navigating insurance. Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Lindsay Fenton, CMHC, LPCC
Christopher Sutton
Christopher Sutton
Human Resources
Derek Doukakis
Derek is a compassionate and knowledgeable HR professional with decades of quality work experience in both the legal and healthcare fields. He began his career managing the many facets of large law firm operations until ultimately finding his passion for Human Resources. He transitioned to healthcare after a meeting with the leadership at Altior where he was impressed by their dedication to client care, which set the company apart from others in the industry. Derek’s background and experience in operations and management of staff provides him an important perspective in cultivating a positive work environment and bridging the gap between clinical practice and corporate oversight. He enjoys spending time with his fiancé and two children, watching Marvel movies, attending his kids’ sporting events, and rooting for his favorite sports teams – the Los Angeles Angels, the LA Kings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derek Doukakis
Yoanca Reyes
Yoanca Reyes graduated from UCLA in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Spanish. Her interest in the HR field led her to seek an HR certificate through Cal State Dominguez Hills. During this time, she also volunteered for Latina Republic as a tutor to elementary school students who needed extra assistance. Her enthusiasm for a positive work environment and stimulating work culture match her role at Paradigm Treatment, where Yoanca assists the HR team in assuring that employees are in accordance with company guidelines and that employees’ questions and concerns are answered.
Yoanca Reyes
Administrative
Avonlea Ware
Avonlea Ware holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, where she also earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Philosophy. Focused on working in behavioral health, she joined Paradigm Treatment Centers in 2016 as a Clinical Assistant. Since then, Avonlea has worked in numerous departments including admissions, outreach, human resources, and compliance. Avonlea has a vast understanding of how residential facilities operate and is determined to create access to these programs across the country. She prioritizes the importance of being ethical and compliant throughout every component of treatment. A high-energy team player, Avonlea possesses a broad range of interpersonal and administrative skills and strives to meet the needs of clients and families. Born and raised in California, she enjoys spending time at the beach and around nature. She finds beauty in everything and aims to bring that light into her work.
Avonlea Ware
Aaron Logan
Aaron develops all of the technology systems for Altior Healthcare, from networks for student computers to communications platforms, device management systems, and databases. He has worked with clients to explore building game networks, creating virtual 360 video tours for the facility, and producing music on digital audio workstations. Aaron has worked to improve the client technology experience since he started at Shortridge Academy in 2003. His most important goal has been creating the structure for clients to learn a balanced and healthy approach to personal technology and, more recently, helping families as they navigate device management at home. When he’s not “plugged in,” Aaron can be found enjoying the lakes region with his family, whether boating on lake Winnipesaukee or skiing, biking, hiking, or scuba diving.
Aaron Logan
Kelli Salafia
Kelli Salafia
