the Red Oak Recovery<sup>®</sup> wordmark in color

Red Oak Recovery® Team

Our staff members are seasoned professionals with vast expertise in treating young adults with substance use disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health issues.

flowers outside a cabin where the Red Oak Recovery<sup>®</sup> team worksThe Red Oak Recovery® team is committed to providing specialized treatment for young men 18 to 30 years old and their families. As a clinician-run recovery center, we can focus on creating a healing environment that truly impacts lives.

We know and understand the emotional challenges of recovery for both our clients and their families, and we’re committed to supporting you throughout this process with compassion, respect, and dignity. Our staff members are seasoned professionals with vast expertise in treating young adults with substance use disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health issues.

Call 828.382.9699 to learn more about Red Oak Recovery® in North Carolina.

Red Oak Recovery® Team Members

From executives to therapists, certified clinicians to support staff, the Red Oak Recovery® staff is made up of a diverse and dedicated group that shares one common goal: helping young men find lasting recovery. Our team members bring unique experiences and perspectives but are united in their passion for providing exceptional care and resources to our clients.

Executive Team

Unlike many other treatment centers, we aren’t run by businessmen. Instead, most members of our team, from the leadership to our treatment staff, are clinicians. We have training and education in holistic, adventure, and evidence-based therapies, which we integrate to promote recovery.

Mick Masterson headshotMick Masterson, CADC

Chief Executive Officer

Mick Masterson, an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment, holds the position of chief executive officer. Throughout his career, Mick has assumed various roles, including direct care, counseling, enrollment, transitional living management, program development, and operations. Mick works to ensure that Red Oak Recovery® programs maintain exceptional standards in delivering quality and effective services to our clients while upholding the utmost standards of safety and accountability. He accomplishes this through remarkable recruitment, training, and mentorship efforts, striving to employ the most qualified and compassionate staff to provide impactful and effective clinical and holistic treatment services.

Mick’s personal journey of recovery enables him to establish a profound connection with our clients and families, offering not only support but also sharing his own experiences, strength, and hope. He firmly believes in the potential of every individual to overcome obstacles and works tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the love, support, and resources they need to effect meaningful changes in their lives.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mick is a devoted and grateful father to his three daughters. During his leisure time, he cherishes moments spent with his partner, Carrie, their daughters, and their beloved pets. Surrounded by the natural beauty of western North Carolina, Mick lives a life of service and gratitude for the gifts that his life of recovery has bestowed upon him.

Brady Schroer headshotDr. Brady Schroer, DO

Medical Director – Psychiatrist/Addictionologist

Dr. Brady Schroer obtained his Bachelor of Science in biopsychology with an emphasis in chemistry. He attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. After medical school, he completed his general psychiatry residency at an internationally known psychiatric clinic. Dr. Schroer later worked in a large hospital setting for five years as a psychiatric hospitalist, taking care of geriatric patients, caring for patients with psychiatric issues on the medical floors and intensive care units (ICUs), detoxifying clients from alcohol and benzodiazepines, providing ECT treatment for depression, and served as medical director and chief of psychiatry.

Dr. Schroer moved to western North Carolina in 2007 to become the medical director of the inpatient psychiatric unit and the detoxification unit at one of the area’s top hospitals and served for seven years in that capacity. Most recently, he has been seeing clients ages 15 and over in sober living environments, residential treatments, and other outpatient settings.

He has vast experience from all different perspectives of addiction treatment and knows what it is like to be a family member of someone struggling with addiction. Dr. Schroer views addiction as a poor coping mechanism for past emotional pain and believes that the emotional pain that breeds hatred, anger, and resentment is what keeps people sick and looking for substances and behaviors to “numb it.” He is extremely compassionate and prefers to educate clients about their illness. He has learned a lot from the clients he has treated and uses that knowledge to help others move into a peaceful life.

Dr. Schroer is a Christian and loves car racing, golf, photography, and being out in the great outdoors. He feels especially fortunate to call Asheville, NC, his home.

Paul Weaver headshotPaul Weaver, MS, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS

Clinical Director

With a master’s in professional counseling from Georgia State University, Paul has worked extensively with emerging adults in both hospital and outpatient settings, largely focusing on clients with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric conditions. Being deeply influenced by the work of Carl Rogers, Viktor Frankl, and Carl Jung, Paul tends to focus on themes of autonomy and power, identity formation, and meaning and purpose in his work with clients. Paul brings to Red Oak Recovery® experience and interest in clinical rehabilitation program development and training.

Paul and his wife’s passion for the outdoors and for sustainability drew them to the Asheville, NC, area. Working at Red Oak enables Paul to continue to focus on his work with emerging adults and explore his interests in eco and adventure therapy. When not working, Paul, his wife, and their two young children spend much of their time camping, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

the Red Oak Recovery<sup>®</sup> logo, a red oak leafMichael Carroll

Director of Business Development

Bio Coming Soon!

Maggie Cain headshotMaggie Cain, LCMHC-A

Director of Clinical Relations

Maggie’s first home was in the great state of Texas. Collegiate tennis and a full scholarship sent her to Arkansas. There, she found her first career and love for helping people. Her first job landed her in the nonprofit fundraising sector. For thirteen years, she was blessed with raising awareness and much-needed funds for children and families seeking support, hope, and love through programs for psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral care in Arkansas. After earning her master’s in mental health and clinical counseling in 2016 from Southern Arkansas University, she became a licensed associate counselor in Arkansas and recently (2018) transferred her license to North Carolina as a licensed professional counselor associate.

Additionally, for fourteen months, beginning in December 2016, Maggie provided part-time counseling for Bradford Health Services IOP of Little Rock. Working with the clients and their families at Bradford Health Services was equally fulfilling and joyful as connecting donors to change the lives of others through their financial gifts. That experience and her love of helping people led her to a desire to stay in addiction treatment. Maggie found herself seeking through the clients’ strengths and desires for help to be a part of a team that feels the same passion for helping and ensures every client an opportunity to succeed.

Maggie’s biggest strength is that she finds daily happiness in helping others and connecting others to that feeling of joy. Her passion for helping the whole family heal will live on through her work at Red Oak Recovery® by sharing about our programs with clinicians, treatment programs, and families.

Maggie could not be happier to now live in Arden, NC, with her husband and to explore this beautiful state on foot and in a kayak.

Josh Gunalda headshotJosh Gunalda

Admissions Director

Josh has over 21 years of experience working directly with clients and families in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Josh understands that it is through direct and professional collaboration that many families find the support they need. Josh is willing to work tirelessly for clients and family members to support them through these difficult decisions.

Josh’s journey began in a direct care role with adolescents in an experiential therapeutic program where he was propelled in the direction of service and education. From there, Josh was granted the opportunity to take his skills and experience to assist in developing and opening a new young adult substance abuse and mental health treatment program, where he served as a program director for several years. During this time, Josh facilitated countless family orientations and workshops, gaining invaluable insight into the broader needs of the clients he served, specifically the importance of family system support and education.

Aiming to expand his impact on those in need and fulfill his passion for helping others, Josh accepted a position in an admissions department supporting four separate treatment centers. This experience offered tremendous experience with a wide range of clients from all over the world. Josh accepted the director of admissions role for one of these programs, where he served for over nine years. Josh has since served as the director of admissions for two additional centers. Josh has worked alongside treatment professionals throughout his career, including therapists, psychologists, interventionists, therapeutic consultants, sober escorts, and community leaders.

Josh is a proud father of two active and amazing boys. Becoming a father was one of the most rewarding positions he could have asked for. Seeing his boys grow and experience life is a great pleasure for Josh each and every day.

Ashley Egeland headshotAshley Egeland, CADC-I

Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations

Ashley joined the Red Oak family in July 2017. Since then, she has worn many hats in the company: marketing coordinator, recovery support specialist, women’s team lead, admissions director, alumni coordinator, and now, our director of marketing & alumni relations.

Ashley was born and raised in the suburb of Littleton, Colorado. In 2016, she made her way across the country and entered our women’s program at The Willows at Red Oak. She is a proud Columbine shooting survivor and a powerful woman in recovery. Today, she continues to support other survivors of mass shootings and addiction to be a guide to those in need.

In her free time, she loves to dance, write, paint, play volleyball, and enjoy the beautiful trails and rivers that surround Asheville, NC. She is currently in school with the hopes of one day being able to dive into the world of research around collective trauma. Her bucket list shifts and changes every day, but if you asked her what her perfect day would be, she would describe it as spending a day laughing with her parents and siblings about their days growing up together in Colorado.

Clinical Team

Our master’s-level, dually licensed clinical team is extensively trained in both substance use and mental health to ensure thorough, holistic treatment of the young adults we work with. Clinically dynamic, individualized care is at the very core of everything we do, and our clinicians demonstrate dignity, respect, and compassion when working with our clients.

Ben Lancaster headshotBen Lancaster, MTS, LCMHCS, LCAS-A

Primary Therapist

Ben has been licensed as a professional counselor for almost 20 years and has been practicing as a therapist and involved with addiction recovery since 1989. He has worked in a wide variety of treatment settings, including hospitals, residential, intensive outpatient, independent living, alternative school and public school, agency, and private practice. Ben has enjoyed working with dual diagnosis, mental health, and addiction recovery clients of all ages and believes strongly that any person can make meaningful changes necessary to experience a purposeful and fulfilling life with the necessary support.

A native of North Carolina, Ben has appreciated the natural therapy of his homeland from coast to mountains throughout most of his life. Growing up farming tobacco, playing sports, and working in the woods of eastern North Carolina gave him an early experience of the importance of embracing nature and needing support. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986, an interest in psychology and religious studies was fueled, and he continued to evolve with a master’s of theological studies degree in 1991 from Vanderbilt University with a focus on human development counseling. Experiences of spirituality and community related to mental health and addiction recovery offered a natural fit for continued passion and learning for a lifetime.

Ben is a North Carolina-licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor. He has committed multiple years of advanced education to two major postgraduate training programs—The Southeast Institute for Group & Family Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC, and the Appalachian Gestalt Therapy Institute (AGTI) in Asheville, NC. He continues to be currently involved with AGTI. As a primary therapist at Red Oak Recovery®, Ben brings an interest in co-creating experiences of connection, wholeness, and support for individuals and families who decide to make life-affirming changes toward long-term, sustainable recovery.

Ben is an avid UNC Tar Heels fan and enjoys hiking and most outdoor activities. He also loves sitting by the fire in his mountain home with his golden retriever, Jackson, and his wife, Peggy, of 25 years.

Fiona Abrams headshotFiona Abrams, MA, LCMHC, LCAS

Primary Therapist

Born and raised in upstate New York, Fiona has long felt a deep connection with nature and its therapeutic power. After completing her bachelor’s in psychology from Vassar College, Fiona followed her passion for ecotherapy with a move to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina to work as a wilderness field guide in a dual-diagnosis treatment program. Her clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings has largely focused on supporting adolescents and emerging adults to develop a sense of identity and establish holistic, sustainable recovery.

Fiona holds her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Appalachian State University with a certificate in addiction counseling. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor-associate and licensed clinical addictions specialist-associate. As a primary therapist at Red Oak Recovery®, Fiona takes an individualized, collaborative, and trauma-responsive approach with her clients.

When not at work, Fiona spends as much time as she can outdoors. She enjoys hiking, camping, creating art, practicing and teaching yoga, reading, and connecting with loved ones.

David Wilder headshotDavid Wilder, MA, LCAS, LCMHC-A

Primary Therapist

David has been a member of the Red Oak Recovery® team since 2016. Over the years he has served as a recovery guide, clinical case manager, and milieu therapist, prior to moving into a primary therapist role. David is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate as well as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. As a Primary Therapist, he is passionate about helping clients find their purpose in life.

David leans heavily on a person-centered approach and draws inspiration from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), existentialism, and 12-step recovery.

Originally from Columbia, SC he has now called Asheville, NC home for nearly a decade. While growing up, David enjoyed many backpacking and camping trips in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He finds the abundance of natural beauty and open spaces to be inspirational and healing. His favorite leisure activities are hiking, biking, enjoying live music, and camping with his partner and their therapy dog Evelyn.

Melanie Hanson headshotMelanie Hanson, MSW, LCSW, LCAS

Family Therapist

Melanie brings a wealth of clinical experience to Red Oak Recovery®. She recently moved to Asheville, NC, from Boston, MA, where she worked as a behavioral health therapist for unhoused people, runaway youth, and young adults (ages 14-24), many of whom struggled with substance use as well as mental health challenges. Prior to living in Boston, Melanie lived in Burlington, VT, for 11 years and worked with people in various stages of opioid addiction and recovery for eight of those years. Her experience working in the addiction field has instilled an interest in continuing to reduce stigma, as she believes shame resulting from the stigma around addiction hurts self-esteem and can increase barriers to seeking support around addressing addiction. This work also inspired her to support her clients in developing a diverse tool kit of healthy coping resources in their pursuit of recovery.

She understands the importance of fostering a connection to combat addiction and has learned that recovery is not a linear process. Her work experiences have shown her the value of treating addiction and mental health simultaneously. Melanie values presenting recovery options to individuals, as she believes there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. “I believe that people are deserving of support, compassion, and respect wherever they are on the recovery spectrum,” said Melanie. “I have gained insight into the impact that environment has on addiction, and value Red Oak’s approach to including the family in the recovery process.”

As a primary therapist at Red Oak Recovery®, Melanie uses a person-centered, strengths-based, relational approach with her clients. She is trained in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Melanie is collaborative, supportive, curious, and loves to learn.

Melanie considers Washington D.C., her hometown. She loves visiting family and friends there and traveling with her fiancé to his hometown of Miami, FL. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys painting, hiking, practicing yoga, spending time outside, exploring new places, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants and new recipes at home. She looks forward to exploring and experiencing all that Asheville and the surrounding area has to offer.

Josh Kelso headshotJosh Kelso, MA, LCMHC-A, LCAS-A

Family Therapist

Josh holds a master’s degree in school counseling with an emphasis on clinical counseling. Josh began his career teaching English internationally and spent summers raft guiding in Colorado. He started in adventure therapy with Alaska Crossings as a field guide and found the power of change through relationships and connection to the wilderness. He has worked as a family therapist at wilderness programs in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina. He enjoys facilitating the opportunity for entire family units to grow, change, and deepen their relationships.

Josh lives in Asheville with his wife, Margaret, and his two young children. He enjoys traveling, being with family, and spending time outdoors.

John Dwiggins, CRPC, CADC

Milieu Counselor

John started as a recovery guide at our adolescent campus, Foothills at Red Oak, in 2020. There, he began working towards his CADC credential, receiving regular training and clinical supervision. After two years of learning and developing skills at Foothills, he became a certified alcohol & drug counseling intern. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to the Red Oak Recovery® men’s campus and continued to build interpersonal and group facilitation skills. John recently joined the clinical team as a milieu counselor at Red Oak Recovery®. John enjoys bringing mindfulness and experiential-based groups and group activities to our clients, bringing awareness to the body and to the processes of the mind and how this relates to addiction and mental health recovery. In his free time, John enjoys creating music, exploring the great outdoors, and various movement practices such as yoga, capoeira, and slacklining.

Carlyn Daubs headshotCarlyn Daubs, PhD, LP

Psychologist

Carlyn joined Red Oak Recovery® after obtaining her MS and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining the Red Oak Recovery® team, Dr. Daubs treated children, adolescents, and families in many different therapeutic settings, including a community mental health clinic, university counseling centers, an adventure program, and a therapeutic boarding school. In addition to Dr. Daubs’ extensive clinical and assessment experience, she has also built and designed therapeutic programming for residential facilities for adolescents and their families.

Her research interests include family systems, parent-child attachment, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, comorbid disorders, addiction processes, romantic attachment, and coping styles. In her spare time, Dr. Daubs enjoys running, reading, and traveling.

Medical

Offering the best in supervised medical care, Red Oak Recovery®’s medical team has experience in a variety of urgent care settings. With an unrelenting passion for people, their helping hands guide you or a loved one through any or all substance abuse and mental health concerns.

Jessi Herr headshotJessi Herr, BSN, BA, RN

Director of Nursing

Jessi grew up in middle Tennessee and came to North Carolina in 1992 when she attended Warren Wilson College, where she studied plant biology and horticulture. After graduating, she worked in Asheville at Beanstreets, Salsa’s, and Lark Books. In 1999, she took a road trip and landed in Seattle, where she lived for five years. In that time, she got married, became a mom, and became certified as both a postpartum doula and a Pilates instructor. She returned to North Carolina in 2004 and started a small Pilates studio in 2005, which she ran until 2018. In 2018, Jessi started the accelerated BSN program at Western Carolina University and graduated summa cum laude in 2019.

Jessi was drawn to the work at The Willows at Red Oak because of personal experiences with loved ones struggling with mental health issues and addiction. She feels profoundly humbled and grateful to be a part of clients’ recovery and healing.

She loves gardening, hiking, dinner parties, and reading and has recently fallen in love with tennis. She lives with her husband, an acupuncturist, and their therapy dog, Cooper, and cat, Leo. Her adult son is self-employed as a blade smith/blacksmith in Weaverville, NC, and her daughter just started college in Colorado.

Rebecca Flemming headshotRebecca Flemming, RD

Registered Dietitian

Rebecca Fleming grew up in Jupiter, FL, and earned her Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics at Keiser University in Port St. Lucie, FL. Since entering the field of dietetics, she has specialized in eating disorders, substance use disorders, and pediatrics. She works with patients of all ages, with a particular interest in those aged 0-30. She has worked in facilities that have offered all levels of care, including inpatient, outpatient, IOP, and PHP. She follows a non-diet, health at every size (HAES) approach and focuses on creating a safe and judgment-free environment with all clients. During her free time, she enjoys quiet mornings with a hot beverage, a book, and her German shepherd. She also enjoys spending time outside on the trails and curling up at night to a horror movie.

Operations

The operations team at Red Oak Recovery® is essential to our day-to-day activities. Keeping our campus safe and running efficiently would not be possible without these resourceful team members.

Nathan Gazaway headshotNathan Gazaway

Operations Director

Nathan is originally from the Atlanta, GA, area and arrived in western North Carolina seeking relief from a debilitating drug addiction. It was in these mountains where Nathan found a new purpose and the desire to separate from all that had defined his life previously. Nathan brings his hard-won recovery to his position at Red Oak Recovery® and knows he has been exactly where all Red Oak Recovery® clients have been: in the same hopelessness and futility of trying to get sober on their own and failing. Nathan is thankful to be one of the lucky few to have the opportunity to get sober in a treatment center, and this experience led him to serve in the field of recovery in roles such as direct care, management at both transitionary and primary treatment centers, and adventure programming. Nathan truly believes in the healing power of the natural world and brings an intense desire to respect and protect the mountains of western North Carolina. This desire compelled him to achieve the title of Leave No Trace master educator as well as certified substance abuse counselor intern.

Nathan’s mother is also active in her own recovery community, supporting those with addicted children and offering her experience to those in the destructive wake of the person in former active addiction. In his spare time, Nathan loves to hike and explore the Great Smoky Mountains and the Pisgah National Forest with his therapy dog, Ellie May. He enjoys woodworking, playing sports, and working on motorcycles. He also spends much of his time working with and mentoring other young men in recovery who may be seeking help from the 12-step community.

Michael Dickinson headshotMichael Dickinson, BS

Program Director

Michael brings over 20 years of business and managerial experience to his role at Red Oak Recovery® in the fields of both martial arts and construction. Michael’s extensive background in construction lends itself well to his responsibilities to maintain and improve the beautiful Red Oak campus. He earned his degree in psychology with a minor in education, which dovetails well with the work he does with the clients at Red Oak. Michael is very skilled at building connections with people in the community and with clients alike. His compassionate nature aligns well with the recovery world by providing support, mentorship, and a powerful example of owning one’s own story. Through his own struggles with substance abuse, he discovered the power of martial arts concepts and ideology to be a very useful tool in recovery. Michael has found that no matter the person’s background, their ability to connect with body, mind, and spirit is paramount in recovery. His ability to meet people where they are in life and help them move forward in a healthy, sustainable way has prepared him to work in this field.

Michael’s personal art is taekwondo, in which he is a fourth-degree black belt. He does individual and group sessions with clients at Red Oak, mainly focusing on jiu-jitsu. He leads a weekly Recovery Warrior group that explores the concepts and ideas of mindfulness, martial arts, and recovery. In these sessions, Michael is keen to focus on the mindfulness component that martial arts brings to the work of recovery.

He also works directly with clients who might have an interest in hands-on work by creating service projects, woodcraft projects, and other construction-related activities. Examples of client projects include chessboards, paddles, and keepsake boxes.

In his free time, Michael enjoys being with his wife, two daughters (who are in high school and college), and his five dogs. He also enjoys playing and writing music and any sport available to him.

Sophie Bessa headshotSophie Bessa

Program Manager

Sophie was born and raised in Leesburg, VA. She studied social work at James Madison University. While earning her BSW, Sophie volunteered at a program for men who had been recently released from incarceration, and she interned for a semester at a probation office in Staunton, VA. These experiences inspired her to want to work in the field of substance use intervention. After graduating, Sophie hiked from Georgia to Virginia on the Appalachian Trail. Once returning home, she decided to apply for the recovery guide position at Red Oak and move to Asheville. Sophie guided for a year and a half before becoming program manager at the men’s campus. In her current role, Sophie trains and supervises the direct care staff, creates weekly schedules for the clients, and runs groups throughout the week.

Sophie brings an avid love and appreciation for the outdoors, a passion for helping others, and a love for fun to her roles at Red Oak. Sophie feels driven by relationships and has found fulfillment in connecting with staff and clients. She loves leading team-building activities and emceeing talent shows and trivia nights on campus. Sophie has a whitewater raft and enjoys spending her weekends on the WNC rivers with friends and family. She loves the music scene in Asheville and can regularly be found seeing a show downtown. Sophie recently adopted a puppy from a local shelter and has loved connecting with and training her new four-legged companion.

James Sparks headshotJames Sparks

Administrative Specialist/Alumni Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

Holistic Services

There are several different paths we take to implement positive change and growth. We offer various holistic services to meet the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs of our clients.

Nancy Jurek headshotNancy Jurek

Yoga, Mindfulness, and Relaxation Teacher

Nancy has been teaching yoga at Red Oak Recovery® since 2015. She is certified as a Hatha yoga teacher, a Yoga of Recovery counselor, and a professional Ayurvedic wellness counselor. Specializing in supporting people in their recovery process, Nancy incorporates a wide variety of holistic practices, including Hatha Yoga, meditation, deep relaxation, visualization, and mindfulness. She has a master’s degree in English literature, which is where her passion for teaching, Yoga philosophy, and spirituality began.

She is also a trained chef who studied culinary arts in Italy, where she lived for four years. She has owned a farm-to-table restaurant and catering business and continues to work in the world of diet and nutrition as an Ayurvedic counselor. Her focus is on igniting curiosity and guiding others toward the attainment of deep and lasting peace, vitality, and harmony with nature. Yoga and Ayurveda are paths that can help us all be resilient and thrive amidst life’s ups, downs, and obstacles.

Kathie Miller headshotKathie Miller, MS, L.Ac.

Licensed Acupuncturist

Kathie holds a BA from the University of Michigan and earned her Master of Science in traditional oriental medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA. Currently, in private practice in Asheville, Kathie has been board-certified by the National Commission for Certification in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine since 2000 and has held licensure in North Carolina from the Acupuncture Licensing Board since 2007.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in assisting the recovery process. Specifically, research shows acupuncture’s ability to decrease anxiety, stress, and insomnia and reduce cravings during the withdrawal process. Kathie’s treatments focus on improving the body-mind-spirit connection within an individual, and she is passionate about assisting clients in their deepest discovery of compassion and harmony within themselves and expanding that to others and the environment around them.

Kathie has been living with her family in West Asheville for the past 15 years, raising two amazing sons, mountain biking the local trails, sitting on mountaintops, and taking in the natural and cultural beauty of Asheville.

Enrollment

Our enrollment staff at Red Oak Recovery® specializes in serving clients and families in need. By accurately assessing addiction severity, trauma, and mental illness risk, our team assigns you or a loved one to the comprehensive care model designed for their individual needs to ensure that Red Oak Recovery® provides the best care for your loved one.

Michael Carroll

Director of Business Development

Michael, a compassionate FSU graduate, seamlessly transitioned from corporate roles to a meaningful career in Behavioral Health. His journey, marked by personal triumphs over challenges, led him to a profound understanding of the struggles individuals face.

Having overcome his own obstacles, Michael is thrilled to be working with the Red Oak programs, which he believes represent “a true opportunity for patients to experience healing in an incredibly therapeutic environment alongside renowned clinical staff.”,  His background in organically growing businesses uniquely equips him to address the complexities of behavioral health with a nuanced perspective.

In his pursuit of aiding others, Michael has cultivated relationships with leaders across the nation in hospital systems, treatment centers, educational consultants, and interventionists, along with other vital areas of the field. His commitment goes beyond the ordinary, going the extra mile to connect families with the most suitable care options.

Now based in Charlotte, Michael’s dedication to helping others is deeply personal, rooted in his journey of restoration. Along with his wife Kate, he’s a loving parent of two beautiful children and adorable dog.  Beyond his role, Michael embraces a holistic approach to well-being, engaging in fitness, travel, and occasional rounds of golf.

In every aspect of his life, Michael brings a heartfelt commitment to helping individuals take vital steps toward long-term health. His narrative is not just a professional one but a testament to the transformative power of empathy and personal growth.

Maggie Cain headshotMaggie Cain, LCMHC-A

Director of Clinical Relations

Maggie’s first home was in the great state of Texas. Collegiate tennis and a full scholarship sent her to Arkansas. There, she found her first career and love for helping people. Her first job landed her in the nonprofit fundraising sector. For thirteen years, she was blessed with raising awareness and much-needed funds for children and families seeking support, hope, and love through programs for psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral care in Arkansas. After earning her master’s in mental health and clinical counseling in 2016 from Southern Arkansas University, she became a licensed associate counselor in Arkansas and recently (2018) transferred her license to North Carolina as a licensed professional counselor associate.

Additionally, for fourteen months, beginning in December 2016, Maggie provided part-time counseling for Bradford Health Services IOP of Little Rock. Working with the clients and their families at Bradford Health Services was equally fulfilling and joyful as connecting donors to change the lives of others through their financial gifts. That experience and her love of helping people led her to a desire to stay in addiction treatment. Maggie found herself seeking through the clients’ strengths and desires for help to be a part of a team that feels the same passion for helping and ensures every client an opportunity to succeed.

Maggie’s biggest strength is that she finds daily happiness in helping others and connecting others to that feeling of joy. Her passion for helping the whole family heal will live on through her work at Red Oak Recovery® by sharing about our programs with clinicians, treatment programs, and families.

Maggie could not be happier to now live in Arden, NC, with her husband and to explore this beautiful state on foot and in a kayak.

Carol Rose headshotCarol Rose, MHDL CARC ITC-1

Collegiate and Community Outreach Specialist

Carol earned her master’s in counseling from UNC Charlotte. Her degree has taught her the importance of being a good listener and building a trusting relationship, whether she is working with the individual asking for help, a family member, or a mental health professional. Carol believes that during a time of crisis, trust is paramount to finding a good place to heal.

Carol was the founding coordinator for The Collegiate Recovery Program at UNC Charlotte, a program offering support to students in early recovery. It was there that she developed her own trusting relationships with her community in order to grow the program. Carol also brings personal experience with addiction within her own family, which she shares to offer hope to families in need. Her personal experience allows her to empathize and explain the journey a family will take not only while at Red Oak but also beyond. Helping families find continued support within their community is a big part of Carol’s job as a collegiate and clinical outreach specialist. She has received additional training as a certified addiction recovery coach (CARC) and uses the CRAFT and Invitation to Change models of support when helping families.

In her spare time, Carol enjoys watching old movies, spending time with her husband of 42 years, Marty, being proud of her two grown daughters, and seeing them thrive.

Sam Hayes headshotSam Hayes, CADC-I

National Business Development

Sam has worked in the treatment industry for several years now having the opportunity to wear many hats; direct care, case management, admissions, and now as a member of the Red Oak business development team. He has an extreme passion for helping individuals who are suffering from substance use and mental health disorders and their families.

Dan O'Gorman headshotDan O’Gorman

Outreach Coordinator

Dan is originally from Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, but currently lives in Bend, Oregon. He began his journey of working with others through his personal struggles with addiction. Before joining Red Oak Recovery®, he held various roles in wilderness therapy programs, at a young adult transitional living program, and most recently, was selling Real Estate in Central Oregon. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends, working out, and enjoying all the outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Dan is excited to be a part of Red Oak Recovery® and looks forward to meeting and building relationships with everyone in the industry.

Wesley Culpepper headshotWesley Culpepper

Regional Outreach Specialist

Wesley Culpepper grew up in Columbus, GA, where he enjoyed playing sports and spending time outdoors. In high school, he began to struggle with addiction and was sent to boarding school, where his substance use only escalated. After multiple attempts in college and bouncing around between treatment centers, he finally gained the willingness to accept help from others. In June 2017, Wesley moved to Asheville, NC, and began his journey to obtain long-term sobriety. Now, he is active in the recovery community and is living a fulfilling life helping others achieve sobriety.

Wesley has worked in several different roles within the treatment industry, including direct care, case management, family communication, operations, and now enrollment. This experience helped him to develop a desire to work closely with families of loved ones in treatment, which led him to join the enrollment team at Red Oak Recovery®. Wesley has also recently completed the ARISE 3.5-Day Comprehensive Care with Invitational Intervention Workshop and will soon begin supervision to become a certified ARISE interventionist. Wesley is passionate about helping young people who are struggling and showing them that they can accomplish anything if they are willing to ask for help and accept it.

Wesley spends his free time enjoying all that Asheville has to offer. You can often find him running long distances, hiking, and camping with his wife, Nancy, and their dog, Etta. Wesley also enjoys mountain biking in Bent Creek and paddle boarding along the French Broad. Wesley and Nancy are also expecting a child in the spring and are looking forward to this new chapter in their life.

Josh Gunalda headshotJosh Gunalda

Admissions Director

Josh has over 21 years of experience working directly with clients and families in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Josh understands that it is through direct and professional collaboration that many families find the support they need. Josh is willing to work tirelessly for clients and family members to support them through these difficult decisions.

Josh’s journey began in a direct care role with adolescents in an experiential therapeutic program where he was propelled in the direction of service and education. From there, Josh was granted the opportunity to take his skills and experience to assist in developing and opening a new young adult substance abuse and mental health treatment program, where he served as a program director for several years. During this time, Josh facilitated countless family orientations and workshops, gaining invaluable insight into the broader needs of the clients he served, specifically the importance of family system support and education.

Aiming to expand his impact on those in need and fulfill his passion for helping others, Josh accepted a position in an admissions department supporting four separate treatment centers. This experience offered tremendous experience with a wide range of clients from all over the world. Josh accepted the director of admissions role for one of these programs, where he served for over nine years. Josh has since served as the director of admissions for two additional centers. Josh has worked alongside treatment professionals throughout his career, including therapists, psychologists, interventionists, therapeutic consultants, sober escorts, and community leaders.

Josh is a proud father of two active and amazing boys. Becoming a father was one of the most rewarding positions he could have asked for. Seeing his boys grow and experience life is a great pleasure for Josh each and every day.

Doug Carter headshotDoug Carter, CADC, WFR

Admissions Counselor

Doug moved to Asheville from Maryland’s Eastern shore to pursue a career in wilderness and adventure therapy. His background encompasses restaurant management, agriculture, equine therapy, environmental literacy, and outdoor education. Before his work in admissions, he served as a Recovery Guide and then Program Manager for Red Oak Recovery®. Doug is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Washington College with degrees in English and Art History; upon graduating, he was a finalist for the Sophie Kerr Prize, the nation’s largest literary award for undergraduate creative writing.

One of Doug’s passions is teaching others how to cultivate the resources necessary to evolve as individual members of a team. Discovering value in varying perspectives, as well as fostering effective communication skills, propels his mission to enhance client and employee culture in the Red Oak community. His continuing education as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor has led him to incorporate self-inquiry, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and spiritual awareness in his professional and personal life.

At home, Doug finds himself fermenting food, tending to plants, reading, writing, and exploring the natural world. His belief in the connection of mental and physical health has inspired him to unify a practice of running, yoga, meditation, and high-intensity interval training. If not immersed in a hobby, Doug spends his time sitting by a fire under the stars with his partner.

Kelsey Mansfield headshotKelsey Mansfield, CADC-I

Senior Admissions Counselor

Kelsey grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, as the youngest of three children within a close-knit family system. She began to struggle with the complexity of addiction and other co-occurring disorders at the age of 17. This would begin a 10-year struggle, the result being many lost jobs, homes, and, most acutely, her sense of purpose. Kelsey came to Asheville in 2019 when she first went to treatment and ended up finding healing, peace, and stability that she never thought possible.

Kelsey has served in various roles at Red Oak, ranging from direct care as a shift supervisor, alumni coordinator, and sober living founder to later transitioning into her current admissions role. She is passionate about the belief that one is truly never without hope and that the debris that stems from our past can always be repaired. Through her work with women, Kelsey has found meaning within humor, commonalities, and the breaking down of barriers that can culturally separate people from one another. She is currently working towards her CADC and returning to school in hopes of becoming a family therapist.

When Kelsey is not working, you can find her spending time with her labradoodle-dachshund mix named Dox, getting coffee with friends, or watching documentaries.

Chris Taylor

Admissions Counselor

Chris grew up in Atlanta, GA, where he enjoyed playing football and lacrosse throughout high school. Chris then attended Georgia College and Georgia State University and graduated in 2014 with a degree in outdoor education and a minor in psychology. He planned to work in wilderness therapy, but life took him in another direction, where he was a service manager for a pest control company in the greater Atlanta area.

Struggling with his own mental health issues and going through treatment, he wanted to find a way to give back to those who are struggling. This landed him in Asheville, where he initially worked as a house manager for a local aftercare. Chris then began his journey with Red Oak as a recovery support specialist at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® shortly after. He also served as a team supervisor before joining the admissions team. While at The Willows, he was able to lead groups on backpacking trips and experiential activities and share his love for the outdoors.

Outside of work, you can find Chris enjoying a round of disc golf, rock climbing, and spending some quality time with his partner and dog.

Ashley Egeland headshotAshley Egeland, CADC-I

Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations

Ashley joined the Red Oak family in July 2017. Since then, she has worn many hats in the company: marketing coordinator, recovery support specialist, women’s team lead, admissions director, alumni coordinator, and now, our director of marketing & alumni relations.

Ashley was born and raised in the suburb of Littleton, Colorado. In 2016, she made her way across the country and entered our women’s program at The Willows at Red Oak. She is a proud Columbine shooting survivor and a powerful woman in recovery. Today, she continues to support other survivors of mass shootings and addiction to be a guide to those in need.

In her free time, she loves to dance, write, paint, play volleyball, and enjoy the beautiful trails and rivers that surround Asheville, NC. She is currently in school with the hopes of one day being able to dive into the world of research around collective trauma. Her bucket list shifts and changes every day, but if you asked her what her perfect day would be, she would describe it as spending a day laughing with her parents and siblings about their days growing up together in Colorado.

Administration

The administration team is essential to the daily operations of Red Oak Recovery® and helps keep everything running as smoothly as possible. They cover a myriad of needs for our staff as well as for our clients and families.

Christa Laws headshotChrista Laws

Finance Manager

Christa is a western North Carolina native who attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical College after high school. She has spent her career working in different facets of healthcare. Christa brings years of diverse experience to her role. She is well-versed in billing and insurance and serves as a notary for the state of North Carolina.

Christa began her career with Red Oak Recovery® several years ago, eager to succeed as the financial coordinator, and was promoted to finance manager. She is grateful to be a resource for families on their collective recovery journey, assisting throughout treatment and after to ease apprehension and ensure the financial process is a smooth one.

Christa enjoys keeping every animal she finds, good coffee, spending time with her kids and fur babies, kayaking, and traveling to new places.

Elmer Brown headshotElmer Brown

Finance Coordinator

Elmer moved to Asheville, NC, in 2021. Although a native of Illinois, the change of scenery is very awe-inspiring. He has a degree in accounting from Eureka College and a Master of Accountancy from Illinois State University. Having taught college courses for 28 years, he finds it fulfilling to “put into practice what I teach.” He also has a background working in hospitality for the past 10 years in customer service.

Elmer began his time with Red Oak Recovery® at the end of 2022 as a finance assistant and became our finance coordinator in June of 2023. He is considered compassionate, diplomatic, and known for the occasional “dad joke” with co-workers. When communicating with client families, his skills and knowledge are useful in answering questions while being caring and empathetic to their circumstances.

Elmer enjoys spending time with his wife and fur babies. He likes staying connected with family and traveling to see them for that nostalgic visit to Illinois.