Leadership
Jonathan Ross
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan joined Austin Recovery as President and CEO on November 3, 2010. He brings a unique blend of clinical experience and corporate experience in operations and performance management. Formerly with MAXIMUS, where he served as Chief of Quality Management, Jonathan has extensive experience directing large residential treatment programs serving difficult populations. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology and spent years as a full-time therapist for individuals, groups and families. Earlier in his career, he founded and directed the first licensed psychiatric outpatient clinic in Connecticut to specialize in the investigation, evaluation an treatment of sexual abuse cases. He also developed a model program for treating sexually aggressive adolescents featured on the nationally simulcast television documentary, "Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse," narrated by Oprah Winfrey. Jonathan has personal experience with recovery and considers helping others find recovery as his greatest passion.
Craig Franke, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Franke, boarded in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, came to Austin Recovery from Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, where he acted as Medical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Dependency Treatment Program as well as Senior Staff Physician in Psychiatry. He is also an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, where he directs courses in substance abuse disorders to residents and fourth year medical students. Over the years Dr. Franke has also presented and been published in articles, books, and peer-reviewed publications on various topics involving psychiatry and substance abuse.
Ilana Zivkovich
Clinical Services & Outreach Coordinator
Ilana started off as a counseling intern at Austin Recovery in April of 2010, and within days knew that, “this was the place she wanted to begin her career.” She graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, and came on board as a full time employee in December of 2010. Ilana is experienced in grief counseling, wilderness therapy for adolescents, and a variety of non-profit pursuits, with a special focus on chemical dependency. She enhances the organization with her fiery passion for recovery and enduring compassion for those affected by addiction. She represents Austin Recovery in the media, at local and national conferences, and within the professional recovery community, but maintains that her role working directly with clients as a primary clinician is “the most important thing she does.”
Ramona Cruz-Peters
Director of Marketing & Communications
Ramona joined Austin Recovery in March of 2011. She graduated from University of California - Los Angeles with a degree in Sociology, and has experience in a variety of industries, including fashion, technology, and broadcast media. For the 5 years prior to her time at Austin Recovery, Ramona worked for Myspace in Beverly Hills, California, where she gained valuable insight into the world of social media. At Myspace, Ramona had her hands in many projects, from managing internal communications and events, representing Myspace at conferences and trade shows, hosting recruiting functions, and helping to establish the company's recruitment brand. Managing Myspace's philanthropic program, Employee Impact, led Ramona to seek a career in the non-profit world where she could have the opportunity to utilize her skills, while also directly benefiting people in her community.
Angela Vickrey
Director of Admissions
Angela has eight years of in-depth addiction treatment experience with Austin Recovery and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Prior to her role as director of admissions, Angela served as coordinator of outreach and referral services and as a counselor in admissions, women's residential treatment and outpatient services. Angela earned her bachelor's degree in liberal arts with a specialty in counseling and is currently working on her master's degree in mental health counseling.
Clinical Leadership
Donna Dickerhoff
Director of Residential Services
Donna has worked in the field of chemical dependency treatment for more than 17 years. She started her career as the program director for the Adult Rehabilitation Center with the Salvation Army before joining the staff of Austin Recovery in 1991. Donna has worked as a counselor, manager and director with specialties in adolescent treatment, detoxification, outpatient and residential care. A licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) and a certified anger resolution therapist (CART), Donna oversees Austin Recovery’s men’s residential programs.
Linda Mikesic
Director of Clinical Services
Linda oversees Austin Recovery’s detox unit and all women’s residential services. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Social Work from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. Between degrees she worked with emotionally and sexually abused girls and after gaining her master’s joined Austin Recovery’s staff in 1996. Linda is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC). She has extensive training working with families impacted by chemical dependency and implemented a Strengthening Healthy Families Program targeting children ages 6-12 and their families. Linda also created the Multifamily Group curricula currently being used by Austin Recovery and works closely with the University of Texas’ Department of Social Work supervising master level students interested in pursuing careers in chemical dependency counseling and social work.
Craig Ross
Director of Men's Voyage & Outpatient Programs
Craig was recruited to open the start-up Men’s Voyage Program in September 2010. He came to Austin Recovery from the Dallas County Divert Drug Court where he was the Clinical Supervisor for four years. He has been the Director of multiple criminal justice residential treatment centers, including a 700-bed halfway house in Houston, as well as the Phoenix House Lake View Terrace flagship facility in Los Angeles. He has forty years of experience beginning in the therapeutic community movement of the 1970’s ranging to adolescent, women’s specialized treatment and has led every type of program on the continuum from out patient, to long term residential services. He has a Masters Degree in Human Relations and Business. He is a Board Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Level III Diplomat Clinical Supervisor, and Internationally Certified Criminal Justice Professional, and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.
Maryse Saffle
Experiential Coordinator
Maryse joined the staff of Austin Recovery in 2007, and oversees the Experience-Based treatment. She is a native of Switzerland, and graduated from Cambridge University, England. She was Owner/Director of a Child Development center for 18 years. She is a now a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Certified Practitioner of Integrative Breathwork and Soul-Based Psychology through the Eupsychia Institute. Maryse is passionate about bringing the soul back into the treatment and helps bring musical journeys, yoga, drum circles, guided imagery, art therapy to help clients reconnect with their True Self. Her personal experience with recovery gives her the compassionate guidance needed to help others turn their lives around.
Rick Treadway-Teran
Director of Clinical Programs
Rick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and Texas. He brings 16+years experience in the chemical dependency/mental heath treatment field and has held supervisory, leadership and training positions in public service settings, various non-profits and through his private practice. He entered the field as a child assessment specialist for low-income families and later developed strong skills in the treatment of dual diagnosed individuals who were challenged with major medical, mental health and substance use issues. He has managed outreach programs, worked with various Wellness and Recovery Programs and managed HIV treatment programs. He earned his Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology at The University of Arizona in Tucson. He also earned his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at The California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where he studied not only Psychology but Eastern/Western Religion. He has extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, has supervised interns in outpatient and residential settings and has a strong background in child and family therapy. Rick oversees the Men’s and Women’s Journey Programs as well as The Men’s Awakening Program in Buda.
Bill Wigmore
Director of Chaplaincy Services
Bill brings 30+ years experience in the chemical dependency field with leadership positions in nationally recognized treatment facilities including Baton Rouge General's CDU, Parkside Lodge of Lutheran General Hospital, Cottonwood de Tucson and the Life Healing Center of Santa Fe. As President and CEO of Austin Recovery from 1995 through October 2010, Bill helped grow the agency into the largest chemical dependency treatment organization in Texas. Bill is a national workshop presenter, monthly columnist for Recovery Today, and a passionate advocate for recovery. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2006 with a specialized ministry to people in recovery and asked the board's blessing to transition from CEO to Director of Chaplaincy Services in 2010.
Administrative Leadership
Donna Baker
Director of Finance
Donna joined Austin Recovery in November 2010 bringing more than 16 years experience in both corporate finance and finance in non-profit sectors. She has held positions as mutual fund accountant with Capital Group Companies, chief accountant with the Texas Association of School Administrators, and finance manager with the University of Texas at Austin, College of Fine Arts. She also spent a year living in Mexico City and surrounding cities teaching English as a second language to Hispanic finance executives who travel to the United States and other English-speaking countries. Donna holds a bachelors of Business Administration degree with emphasis in Accounting from Texas A&M University.
Laura Chism
Training Coordinator
Laura joined Austin Recovery in June of 2011. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and a Master’s degree in Public Health – Health Services Management and Policy from The Ohio State University. Previously, Laura worked for the EMDR International Association as the Education and Training Coordinator, The Ohio Hospital Association/Ohio Patient Safety Institute as a Project Manager, and the Ohio State University as a Development Assistant. Laura is a volunteer board member and the scholarship fund development coordinator for The Ohio State Alumni Club of Austin.
Linda Garnett
Director of Contracts & Billing
Linda brings 39 years working with insurance and patient billing in both for profit and non-profit settings. She has worked for Austin Recovery for 25 years. She started her career as the Finance Manager at Riverside Hospital in Virginia and then as Patient Financial Director for the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas before joining Austin Recovery in 1986. She brings a large array of experience working in the insurance billing and insurance follow-up settings. She presently oversees the funding contracts and patient billing at Austin Recovery.
Christina Hernandez
Administration Coordinator
Christina joined Austin Recovery in June 2011 with more than 15 years of experience in executive administrative support. She has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Latin American Studies- Planning and Urban Development from The University of Texas-Austin. Christina specializes in vendor and procurement management, qualifications and proposal writing, document production, and software instruction and mentoring. Christina is currently working on certifications in Facilities Management and Lean Business Practices.
Scott Walker
Director of Human Resources
Scott brings 15+ years of professional human resource experience in both non-profit and corporate settings. He has in-depth knowledge and skills in employment law, training and development, employee relations, performance management and leadership coaching. Scott offers a unique background including a 16 year previous career in mental health residential treatment and he is also an adjunct university professor here in Austin. Scott is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Social Work and a dual Masters degree in Human Resource Development and in Management.