Jan 3, 2024
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is pleased to welcome Rich Appert, Sam Bierman, John Driscoll, and Brittany Harris to its National Board of Directors. These executives were identified for board service based on their demonstrated records of leadership in the addiction treatment field. They were then elected to the board by the NAATP membership at large. Most recently we also welcome James Witteck and Kelly Scaggs by Chair appointment and approval by the full board.
“For five decades the National Association has been stewarded by treatment leaders who volunteer their time, talent, and resources for the welfare of our association and the field at large,” said NAATP CEO Marvin Ventrell. “These people have always placed saving lives and the greater good of the profession above self-interest, and our newest members have pledged to do the same as they follow that honorable tradition.”
Rich Appert is the Division President at Acadia Healthcare. He oversees operations for Acadia’s residential treatment facilities in the western half of the country. Prior to his role as Division President, Rich oversaw Acadia’s national business development and admissions teams for 5 years. Rich began his career with Acadia in 2014 at the facility level working at Sierra Tucson and has experience with all facets of program operations. Currently residing in Nashville, TN, Rich graduated from Rutgers University and his passion for improving access to quality substance use disorder treatment drives his professional experience.
Sam Bierman is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Maryland Addiction Recovery Center. Sam’s clinical philosophies center around developing a strong therapeutic alliance between the clinician and client, as well as treating addiction as a family disease. Sam is a Certified Addiction Professional credentialed by the Florida Certification Board. He also serves on the membership committee of NAATP, the board of directors of local non-profits Phoenix Foundation of Maryland and Shalom Tikvah.
John Driscoll is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Caron Treatment Centers. With more than 30 years in the addiction treatment field, including more than 20 at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation where he served in roles ranging from counselor to Senior Vice President of Recovery Services. Well-regarded in the treatment sector, John is the former chair of NAATP and is the current chair of the NAATP Foundation of Recovery Science and Education (FoRSE) that monitors quality outcomes within the industry.
Brittany Harris is the Executive Director of Cirque Lodge. Brittany began working at Cirque Lodge in 1999 and by 2008 was working as a member of the management team, overseeing different aspects of the functional operations side of our facilities. Over the next 12 years she continued in this capacity until in 2020 she began overseeing the revenue side of the organization being chiefly responsible for admissions and marketing, as well as being intimately involved in the 80,000 square foot expansion of the studio location. She was named Executive Director in March 2022.
Kelly Scaggs joined the staff of Fellowship Hall in 2008 as a family therapist, was promoted to Clinical Director in 2015, and selected as Fellowship Hall’s first female President & CEO in December 2023. She has over 30 years of experience in behavioral health and has practiced in both Florida and North Carolina. Prior to coming to Fellowship Hall, Kelly was part of the Cone Health System for over 10 years. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, a Master’s of Social Work from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida and a Master’s of Health Administration from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She is also a graduate of the Executive Director’s Academy through the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium.
James Witteck is the Founder and Senior Consultant at Wellbrook Consulting Group, a national compliance and development consulting firm. He also serves as the Founder and CEO of Sycamore Behavioral Health, an 80-bed program in Indiana and Texas. With a background in Public Policy and Political Science from the University of Central Florida, James is a seasoned professional in healthcare risk management, known for spearheading national site development campaigns for healthcare corporations. His expertise spans development, licensing, and management of behavioral health facilities, backed by a successful track record and a deep understanding of the sector. James is also recognized for his strategic planning abilities and leadership skills.
These individuals begin their three-year board terms on January 1, 2024. They will join the NAATP Board of Directors comprised of 25 individuals who serve in executive-level leadership of entities that provide either direct Substance Use Disorder (SUD) service (Provider Members) or support such services (Supporter Members). Each individual and organization has demonstrated a commitment to the greater good of the addiction treatment community, the patients we serve, and the NAATP Mission to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and member support services to ensure the equitable availability and highest quality of addiction treatment.
The New Executive Committee will be led by the incoming Board Chair Jay Crosson (CEO, Cumberland Heights), while Jaime Vinck (CEO, Recovery Ways) will serve as Vice Chair. Greg Hobelmann (Co-CEO, Ashley Addiction Treatment Center) will remain in his position as Secretary and newcomer Rick Hubbard (Executive VP, Constellation Behavioral Health) will step in as Treasurer, becoming the first person of color to hold an executive board position in the Association’s history. Former Board Chair Bobby Ferguson (CEO & Founder, Jaywalker Lodge) will step down and serve as Past Chair.
The NAATP Board is the governing body of the association providing oversight and vision for NAATP’s professional staff. Candidates are considered for board service based on education, training, experience, expertise, and demonstrated commitment to NAATP Mission and Values.
