Red Oak Recovery®’s administrative staff has a passion for helping others. While many of them understand the healing power of fresh air in a rejuvenating, comforting setting, the addiction, trauma, and mental health recovery field requires people who truly care about others. Without their hard work and dedication, Red Oak Recovery® wouldn’t be the successful treatment center it is today.
Christa Laws
Finance Coordinator
Christa is a Western North Carolina native. She has worked in healthcare for the last 15 years, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant after high school, while attending AB Technical College in Asheville. Christa soon discovered her knack for detail and organization and pursued an administrative career. She has served a diverse population in roles over the years, where she has become well versed in billing and administrative functions. Christa is thrilled to take on the role of Client Financial Services Coordinator as she has a deep-rooted aspiration to help families on their collective recovery journey. She feels privileged to help with any assistance she may be able to provide to make the process a smooth one. Christa enjoys good coffee, spending time with her family and fur babies, kayaking, traveling, and exploring new places.
Justin Slack, SHRM-CP
Human Resources Manager
Justin Slack was born and raised in Florida and moved to North Carolina in 2010, drawn by the beauty of the mountains. After graduating from Florida State University, Justin served in various management roles prior to discovering his true passion for Human Resources. As a certified HR professional, Justin enjoys learning all about the many ways Human Resources can have a major impact on both the lives of the employees and those they serve. His desire is to continually provide and ensure a positive atmosphere and experience for the employees at Red Oak Recovery®, so they can continue to provide the absolute best care for our clients. Outside of work, Justin enjoys a number of volunteer activities, teaching and sharing the joy of music with both children and adults. Justin also enjoys traveling whenever possible to discover the beauty and uniqueness that other cultures and places have to share.
Katie Gallant, BS, SHRM-CP
Human Resources Generalist
Katie has been working in a mental health direct care role since graduating from Appalachian State University where she studied Psychology and Addictions. She has a passion for helping people learn and grow. Katie grew up in the foothills of North Carolina and has always been drawn to the mountains. After moving to Asheville for its beautiful landscape, Katie was drawn to Red Oak Recovery® and joined the team in a direct care role at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®. She has had the pleasure of working alongside many departments and many amazing people. Katie has grown within the company and is committed to its purpose of helping clients honor themselves, unveil their self-worth, and pursue positive, lasting change. She now applies that same principle to staff as Human Resources Coordinator and is excited to be part of a growing and supportive work family. When not at work, Katie spends as much time outside as possible. She loves swimming, hiking, and sitting by a fire with a good book.
Bob Cummings, MA, WEMT, CPS
Staff Training Manager
Bob has worked in the substance use treatment and substance use prevention field for over 35 years and is a Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, a Wilderness EMT, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Orthodox Christian Studies from St. Sophia Orthodox Seminary in Somerset, NJ. In addition to working in treatment programs, he has worked street ministry with the homeless population, was a Social Worker with child protective services, and was the owner and lead teacher of a ShaoLin Kung Fu school in Asheville, achieving the level of ShaoLin Master Instructor. As the Training Manager, Bob is responsible for making sure that all Red Oak Recovery® staff are the best, most competent, and the most well trained in their fields, and that they are trained in the Red Oak Recovery® system of treatment. His responsibilities include recruiting potential staff, screening them to find the best suited for the Red Oak Recovery® family, and providing the utmost in onboarding and ongoing training. Originally from San Diego, Bob grew up in East Tennessee and now lives in Waynesville, NC with his wife. They have three adult children between them and are enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty house. In his spare time, Bob is ordained clergy in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, still teaches and studies ShaoLin Kung Fu, is an ardent canoeist, backpacker, fly fisherman, and loves doing all those things with his wife in the mountains of Western Carolina.
Christopher Haug
Quality Assurance Officer
Christopher grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York in a small town neighboring the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River. He received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science while minoring in psychology from the University of New York at Cortland. Christopher later moved to Asheville and began working at a holistic residential program for adults experiencing mental health challenges. While there, he enjoyed the relationship-based approach and opportunity to help others learn and grow and appreciates this same spirit at Red Oak Recovery® programs. His prior work experience ranges from creating exercise programs for athletes, running professional kitchens, developing occupational health, and safety programs, to most recently serving as an operations director for a non-profit mental health organization. Christopher’s attention to detail and capacity to see the big picture are two important traits he brings to the Quality Assurance Officer role. When Christopher is not working, he enjoys spending family time with his wife, Emily and their two young children, Rosalie and Zev. He loves working on home improvement projects, time in nature and finding the latest and greatest taco truck in town.
Elizabeth Krug
Administrative Specialist
Bio Coming Soon!
