SARAH JOHNSON, MD
Medical Director of Behavioral Health
Dr. Sarah Johnson has extensive clinical and administrative experience, as well as expertise in addiction treatment. She previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Landmark Recovery and Associate Medical Director for Beacon Health Options before joining Addiction Recovery Care in 2021. Her extensive background brings valued experience in working on healthcare policy and interface of clinical practice with healthcare systems.
Dr. Johnson is board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. She completed her medical training and Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigative Sciences and Epidemiology at the University of Louisville, where she remains on volunteer faculty. Her work at ARC is focused on Behavioral Health initiatives, program development, and supervision of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner staff.
Dr. Johnson is a Kentucky native and is looking forward to spending more time in her home state after providing medical leadership for national expansion projects.
ARUN KAITHI, MD
Medical Director, Bellefonte Hospital
& Recovery Center
Arun Kaithi, MD serves as ARC’s Medical Director and attending psychiatrist at our Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center. Dr. Kaithi has 20+ years of experience practicing in an acute psychiatric inpatient setting. He joined ARC in November 2023.
Dr. Kaithi has extensive experience in Psychotic Disorders and Drug and Alcohol Addiction. Dr. Kaithi also has experience working in state hospitals, prisons, private practice, and outpatient settings. He has recently served as Medical Director and attending psychiatrist with Acadia Healthcare and Universal Health Services. Dr. Kaithi received his medical degree from Osmania Medical College in 2001 and completed his medical training at the University of Louisville.
CHRIS JUDE, DO
Medical Director of Rural Health
Dr. Chris Jude, DO serves Addiction Recovery Care as the Associate Medical Director. In this role, he provides leadership and pivotal health services to the clients we serve.
Born in eastern Kentucky, Dr. Jude has been a staple to the healthcare community since earning his medical degree in 2015. Before pursuing a medical degree, Dr. Jude worked as a leader in the fiber optics industry. Ultimately, he would change his career path in hopes of serving others in a medical role.
Dr. Jude completed a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Marshall University in 2011. Soon after graduating he would enroll and earn a doctorate degree in osteopathic medicine from the University of Pikeville in 2015. He completed his residency in 2018 at Holzer Health System.
He would return home after graduation and serve the Lawrence County, Kentucky community at Three Rivers Medical Center as an emergency room physician. Most recently he is the lead physician at Pioneer Rural Health, an Addiction Recovery Care enterprise, near downtown Louisa, Kentucky where he provides quality healthcare to his community.
Dr. Jude married his wife in 2016 and together are raising their three sons. In his spare time, Dr. Jude enjoys the outdoors, farming, growing his coin and baseball card collections, and spending time with his family.
MATTHEW PIERZALA, DO
Medical Director of Primary Care
Matthew Pierzala, DO is ARC’s Director of Primary Care. With the assistance of a team of ARNPs and PAs he oversees the delivery of medical care to ARC clients and employees in the residential, clinical, and telehealth environments.
Most of Matt’s career, since graduating from medical school at the University of Pikeville in ’03 and completing a residency in Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University in ’06, has been spent as a Hospitalist. These positions have primarily been in large referral centers with high volume ERs in Ashland, KY and Huntington, WV area but he has also staffed locum tenens positions in diverse communities spanning Harlan, Morehead, Lexington, Frankfort, and downtown Louisville. Across these communities he has observed opportunities for improvement at that point in care such as after the Narcan has been given (when patient is in acute withdrawals) or the day of discharge after a specific medical issue has been addressed (when patient continues to deal with joblessness/homelessness/substance use disorder). Matt seeks to use his experience and perspective in providing a pathway for these issues to be addressed in an appropriate environment.
Matt still lives in his hometown of Ashland, KY. During his undergraduate program at the University of Kentucky he had the opportunity to spend Junior year abroad in Helsinki, Finland. After completing a BA in Biology he trekked an extensive backpacking trip through Guatemala, southern Mexico, Cuba, and Belize touring Mayan ruins and developing a functional grasp of Spanish. He shares a household with his wife Karen, son John Silas and daughters Sophie and Daisy who are preparing to launch into young adulthood along respective careers in Nursing and Education.
He holds board certifications with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ADIM) and subspecialty certification in Addictionology with the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM).
JAMES STATON, PharmD, RPh
Vice President of Pharmacy Operations
James Staton, PharmD, RPh. serves Addiction Recovery Care as the Senior Director of Pharmacy Operations. In this role, he oversees all operations relating to pharmacy and medication distribution throughout ARC. He is also Pharmacist-in-Charge for ARC’s flagship pharmacy, South Creek Drug.
Dr. Staton became interested in the practice of pharmacy early in life thanks to an independent pharmacy he would frequent when visiting family friends that worked there. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in 2019 with plans to bring the knowledge he had gained back home to rural Kentucky.
Dr. Staton took part in numerous experiential leadership rotations and internships during his time at the University of Kentucky Healthcare, gaining experience in areas including Ambulatory Pharmacy Management, 340B Program Management, Inpatient Central Pharmacy Directorship, and Clinical Pharmacy Services. During this time in Lexington, he saw firsthand the widespread toll that addiction has taken on people from across the Commonwealth and how critical it is to provide quality healthcare to this vulnerable population.
After graduation, he returned home and served as Pharmacy Manager for an independent retail pharmacy serving his local community before stepping into his role with ARC when they opened their own pharmacy to better meet the unique medication needs of our clients.
Dr. Staton lives in Albany, Kentucky with his wonderful wife, Chelsey, and their two dogs, Maverick and Chloe. He is passionate about using his knowledge of pharmacy to advocate on behalf of all patients in an ever more complex healthcare system.
VANESSA KEETON
Vice President of Marketing
Vanessa Keeton serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). She oversees the media, communications, transportation, intake, community and hospital liaison teams, and Casey’s Law advocates. Through her shared experience, Vanessa strives daily to share hope with the hopeless and help people access quality addiction treatment.
As ARC’s first client in December 2010, Vanessa has helped lead multiple departments across the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, a degree she obtained during her recovery.
Vanessa’s husband, James, is also in recovery. They live in Louisa, Kentucky, with their twelve-year-old son, Jacob. They are committed to helping others to overcome addiction and trauma and know that if someone has breath in their lungs, they can heal and live an abundant life.
CASSANDRA WEBB
President, Education & Workforce Division
JOHNATHAN FRAZIER
Community Chief Executive Officer,
Bellefonte Hospital & Recovery Center
Johnathan Frazier serves as the Community Chief Executive Officer at Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center. Frazier runs the day-to-day operations at the facility.
Frazier has 15 years of managerial experience as well as years of experience as a CEO and market CEO. Most recently, Frazier was Market CEO for several Psychiatric hospitals in Indiana.
Born in Beckley, West Virginia, Johnathan now lives with his wife of 16 years and children in the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia. He is the graduate of Concord University and he earned his Masters’ degree from Liberty University in Executive Leadership.
ROYIA MANLEY
East Region Chief Operating Officer
Royia Manley serves as the East Region Chief Operating Officer for Addiction Recovery Care. In her role, Royia oversees operations and ensures quality care for clients in the eastern region.
Royia holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with more than a decade of experience in addiction treatment.
Prior to her time at Addiction Recovery Care, she spent four years implementing and supervising substance abuse programs within a minimum-custody prison. Additionally, Royia previously served as a Recovery Coordinator for the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts.
KEVIN SCHMIDT
West Region Chief Operating Officer
Kevin Schmidt serves as the West Region Chief Operating Officer for Addiction Recovery Care. He began with ARC in November 2020. His responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of ARC’s treatment centers, management, supervision of center directors, clinical and peer support services, processes and procedures, and promoting a culture of recovery and accountability throughout the ARC network.
Since beginning his recovery journey in 2013, Kevin has obtained his M.Ed. from Lindsey Wilson College and holds the credentials of LPCA and CADC. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, real estate, and being outdoors.
MICHAEL BURBA
Community Chief Executive Officer,
Crown Recovery Center
Michael Burba was born and raised in Bardstown, Kentucky. Michael is a person in long-term recovery since 2014, and currently serves as Community Chief Executive Officer for Crown Recovery Center.
Michael’s duties are to provide leadership and strategic vision to the organization, oversee the day-to-day administrative and operational functions, operational, managerial and administrative procedures, reporting structures, and operation controls to Crown Recovery Center. Michael is also responsible for effectively communicating and fostering growth among the executive team and all employees while building and maintaining a safe and healthy recovery culture. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.
JASON MERRICK
Vice President of Program Development
Jason Merrick is ARC’s Vice President of Program Development. Merrick brings unmatched frontline experience working with individuals in recovery and expanding access to treatment among one of Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations.
In his role with ARC, Merrick is expanding and promoting the organization’s outpatient services, while spearheading new growth and development in Northern Kentucky and Ohio.
Jason was most recently director of addiction services at the Kenton County Detention Center in Covington, Kentucky. Under his leadership, the Kenton County Detention Center developed, implemented, and managed a highly innovative, 125-bed, licensed residential treatment program. This program has been critical in increasing access to treatment for individuals in and transitioning out of the criminal justice system and has served as a model for other states implementing similar programs.
Jason has also co-authored the 2013 report, “Northern Kentucky’s Collective Response To the Heroin Epidemic,” which offered a comprehensive approach to combating addiction in the region and increasing access to treatment.
Jason comes to ARC with extensive experience in the field of addiction and is considered a national leader on the subject. He will be a key part of the future development of outpatient services as well as ARC’s growth in the Northern Kentucky and Ohio region.
HEATHER GIBSON
Vice President of Clinical Operations
Heather Gibson, LCSW, LCADC is the Vice President of Clinical Operations for Addiction Recovery Care. She began with ARC in April 2023. She will be instrumental in enhancing ARC’s level of care in Kentucky and across state lines.
Heather brings many years of leadership and experience to ARC after serving a variety of roles at The Healing Place (THP), which has been recognized nationally for its model of care. Most recently, she served as THP’s chief program officer.
RYAN SUMPTER
Vice President of Laboratory Operations
Ryan Sumpter serves as the Vice President of Laboratory Operations for Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). In this role, he oversees the entire laboratory division, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, efficient, and innovative testing services across the ARC Healthcare network.
Ryan has a diverse background in healthcare, with experience in behavioral health hospital operations, risk management, quality assurance, data analytics, and nursing. His expertise in data-driven decision-making, honed during his previous role as VP of Systems Analytics at ARC, allows him to optimize laboratory processes and contribute to strategic planning.
Additionally, Ryan has a strong foundation in biomedical research, having published several peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and presented his work at numerous international conferences. He is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, both from the University of Kentucky.
Ryan resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, Regina, and their children, Payton and Mackenzie.
BRANDI MURRIELL
Vice President of Outreach Relations
Brandi Murriell serves as the Vice President of Outreach Relations at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). Brandi leads the ARC Liaison Team, develops Local Advisory Councils, maintains relationships with Referral Sources, and looks for ways ARC can give back to the communities we serve. Brandi represents ARC by speaking at events, sharing the ARC story, and providing hope and encouragement by sharing the stories of client success and emphasizing the need to end the stigma of addiction.
Prior to coming to ARC, Brandi served in a management/leadership role for 18 years- specializing in Healthcare as the Director of Urgent Care Centers in West Virginia. While serving in this role, Brandi worked in and with the underrepresented population in a high-risk community. Brandi encountered overdoses, poverty, homelessness, and addiction while in this role. As addiction and overdose rates increased, Brandi felt an urgency to help in a bigger capacity, which led her to ARC in 2017. Brandi has served many roles during her time with ARC, including being the director of three women’s centers.
Brandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alice Lloyd College (2003) and a Master’s Degree in Business (MBA) from the University of Phoenix in (2006). Brandi lives in Louisa, KY with her husband Michael and they have a son, Max.
WAYNE SARTIN
Vice President of Treatment Placement
Wayne Sartin joined Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) in early 2019, bringing over twenty-five years of experience in health services and a lifelong commitment to championing underserved populations. As the VP of Treatment Placement, Wayne oversees several key departments and programs, including the Treatment Placement Team, the PSS team at ARH, and Medical Business Development. With a strong track record of launching new initiatives, he focuses on meeting the needs of referral sources while fostering a positive peer culture through grace and tact.
After developing the Community Liaison and Transportation teams, Wayne shifted his focus to strengthening hospital relationships to better care for individuals whose health is severely impacted by substance use disorder (SUD). Guided by his belief in empathy and compassion as best practices, Wayne works tirelessly to bring hope and healing to marginalized victims of the addiction crisis in our communities.
Wayne’s dedication to human service began at age eighteen when he provided 24-hour care for children with multiple physical and developmental challenges in an adaptive recreational setting. This experience, particularly at Easter Seal Camp KYSOC, inspired him to pursue health sciences. He graduated from Spencerian College with a degree in Applied Health Sciences and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from WGU. Throughout his career as a healthcare administrator and marketing expert in the skilled rehab sector, Wayne has achieved significant career success through cross-training and promotion. However, these accomplishments are overshadowed by his fulfillment in working with a team dedicated to transforming lives from Crisis to Career™.
As a leader in his church, Wayne deeply values ARC’s faith-based recovery program and is committed to facilitating the best outcomes for clients and communities. He resides in Louisville, KY, with his wife, Angela, and their two children, Emma and Elijah. Wayne is also passionate about his church family, Dodgers baseball, and his loyal dogs, Dodger and Vinny.
BRIAN ANTHONY
Systems Director of Marketing
& Client Access Analytics
Brian currently serves as the Systems Director of Marketing and Client Access Analytics. In this role, he is responsible for improving efficiencies and outcomes for our intake and transportation departments.
Before joining ARC, Brian worked for Springstone, a national behavioral health company, as the Market Director of Admissions, overseeing two psychiatric hospitals in Columbus, Ohio. He also served as the National Director of their Behavioral Health call center, supporting services for over 18 hospitals and 30 outpatient clinics. Brian has extensive experience in addiction treatment and mental health care. Brian is excited about assisting ARC in its mission to create opportunities for people to discover hope and live their God-given destiny.
Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is also working on an MBA in Healthcare Administration through Indiana Wesleyan University.
TAMAIRA ASH
Deputy Chief of Staff
Tamaira Ash serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). She leads the organization’s spiritual life team and helps build and maintain high-level relationships externally and across the organization.
Additionally, Tamaira provides support in internal and external communications, operational support, and interaction across departments. She also assists in the overseeing of large, often cross-functional organizational-wide projects and initiatives.
Tamaira is a graduate of the University of Cumberlands, where she earned her degree in Business Administration. Tamaira is an RPhT of over 14 years, having worked in retail pharmacy for 10 years prior to her career at ARC. In 2015, she received the award for Rite Aid Pharmacy’s Associate of the Year for the entire company. Tamaira is a Leadership Kentucky alumni and attends The Table Christian Church, where she leads worship.
BRIANNA MUNCY
Vice President of Operations
Brianna Muncy serves as Vice President of Operations at Addiction Recovery Care. In this team-driven role, Brianna oversees the day-to-day operations of helping clients discover freedom from addiction. Brianna oversees residential and outpatient centers, client benefits and verification, and targeted case management services.
Brianna has been with ARC since March of 2015 and has since helped shape the growth of our fast growing organization. Throughout her career with ARC she has been in various positions that have helped lead her to her position today. Brianna is goal oriented and strives to lead by example to the clients and employees she serves.
Brianna earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Sullivan University and an Associate in Business Administration from West Virginia Junior College. Brianna is not only a leader in the organization but a wife to Kenny and a mom to three boys, Keagan, Tucker & Tyson. She and her family reside in Louisa, Kentucky.
LEON HEATON
Vice President of Quality Operations
Leon Heaton is the Vice President of Quality Operations with Addiction Recovery Care. Leon has 30 years of experience in the human service field, primarily working with those in addictions, primarily in residential settings.
Leon holds a Master’s degree in Sociology with an area of concentration in addictions and a Master’s in Counseling. He has been Reality Therapy Certified since 2000. Leon has also been a Kentucky Certified Juvenile Sex Offender Counselor since 1996. On top of his other credentials, Leon is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and is currently a member of the Kentucky Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors as well as a member of the Kentucky Corrections Commission.
JOHNATHAN GAY
Director of External Affairs
Deputy Legal Counsel
Johnathan Gay serves as the Director of External Affairs and Deputy Legal Counsel at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). Johnathan represents and advises the ARC on risk-related issues, and helps with a wide variety of external (public) affairs, including local government relations and judicial matters.
Johnathan is currently in his 20th year practicing law with a diverse workload that includes business law and an active criminal defense practice. He believes addiction is the greatest public health challenge in America and is proud to be part of a company that offers solutions, hope, second chances, and an opportunity to discover one’s destiny.
Johnathan is a father of five children ranging in age from college to preschool. Previously serving as a foster parent, Johnathan and his wife Julie have adopted three children.
Johnathan is a Veteran of the United States Army and the Kentucky National Guard. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law.
NATHAN MARTIN
Director of Legal Operations
Deputy General Counsel
Nathan Martin serves as the Director of Legal Operations and Deputy General Counsel for Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). In addition to acting as legal counsel for ARC and ARC’s affiliates, Martin is responsible for managing the workflow and daily operations of the Legal Department. Martin also handles all insurance needs of the organization and places a large emphasis on risk mitigation.
TODD DIALS
Vice President of Compliance
Todd Dials is the Vice President of Compliance for Addiction Recovery Care and its affiliated companies. In this role, Todd evaluates and reports the organization’s adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards. Additionally, he is a leader in the company’s ethical delivery of service. Todd investigates reports of ethical violations and manages the ARC ethics program by advising, training, and monitoring ethical practices throughout the enterprise.
Todd has been with ARC since the summer of 2018, when he began as the company’s Vice President of Human Services, where he utilized his business management experience to lead and grow the HR Department. Previous to ARC, he worked in the banking industry for over 18 years in a variety of roles. For nearly a decade, he was responsible for the Deposit Operations for a large regional bank, where he successfully led a large team with varying backgrounds to achieve excellent results. He holds a BA degree in University Studies from Morehead State University.
ARRON RHODES
Vice President of Human Resources
Arron Rhodes serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Addiction Recovery Care. Arron is a major addition to the organization and brings many years of leadership and experience within business and people operations, allowing ARC to bring the HR landscape to the best in class.
Arron joins ARC after serving a variety of roles within Accounting, Operations, and Human Resources in both local and globally based organizations. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources within his last organization.
GARY LAFFERTY
Director of Safety & Security
Gary Lafferty serves as the Director of Safety & Security for Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). His position includes assessing and consulting executive staff on security assessment and policy throughout the ARC network.
Prior to joining ARC, Gary has amassed a broad area of experience and training in the area of safety and security. Gary is a veteran of the US Army, where he served as a Military Police Officer in combat operations in the Republic of Panama, Iraq, and Kuwait. After being honorably discharged from the military, Gary was accepted and graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy, where he held and performed several different positions. During the course of his 20-year career, he was a road Trooper, chaplain, Commander of KSP Employee Assistance Program, and post-level investigative supervisor. After retiring from the KSP, Gary worked as a Court Security Officer through the US Marshal Service and as a Safety Administrator with the Department of Community-Based Services. Most recently, Gary worked with the Kentucky Office of School Security Marshal, where he was a compliance investigator, ensuring that public schools were following state law and best practices in school safety and security.
He says that much of his law enforcement career was spent seeing only the “terrible” side of drug addiction and the collateral it brings. Now, he’s glad to see on the other side to witness the thousands of lives changed daily through the wonderful work at ARC.
LINDSEY VISSING
Associate Vice President of Operations
Lindsey Vissing serves as the Associate Vice President of Operations at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). Prior to joining ARC, Lindsey worked for Acadia Healthcare Southern Indiana Treatment Center as the Executive Director of Operations. There, her main focus was reducing barriers to treatment and expanding services by developing relationships and working closely with state officials and law enforcement.
Lindsey has dedicated her nursing career to working in addiction medicine, where she has served in a variety of functions, including program development, business development, budget planning, community engagement, medication-assisted treatment, inventory control, and team building.
Lindsey is passionate and focused on creating solutions, building successful teams and helping others reach their goals. She is excited about being able to share her passion for helping others with ARC and remain focused on providing exceptional care to every person who is suffering from addiction.
In Lindsey’s spare time, she enjoys warm weather, boating, and spending time with her family and friends on the water. Lindsey graduated with a degree in nursing in 2006 from Galen College of Nursing.
SARAH DANIELS
Senior Director of Clinical Operations
Sarah Daniels is the Senior Director of Clinical Operations for Addiction Recovery Care. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with 14 years of experience working in the behavioral health and mental health field. Prior to this role, she worked as a telehealth clinician at ARC’s Crown Recovery Center in Springfield, Kentucky, before being promoted to Clinical Manager in April of 2021. Daniels earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education degrees from Lindsey Wilson College.
