David Ptaszek, LCSW

CEO, Pennyroyal Center, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

David Ptaszek has served as the Executive Director of the Pennyroyal Center since January 2002. Pennyroyal provides a full continuum of services for persons affected by mental illness, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities and serves eight counties in western Kentucky. From 1978 until 2001, Ptaszek was president and CEO of Bridgeway (formerly Spoon River Center), providing a full array of services in substance abuse, mental health, and developmental disabilities to 27 counties in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. During his tenure at Bridgeway, Ptaszek supervised the development of over 120 units of community housing for persons with disabilities. He also served on the Blue Ribbon Committee appointed by Governor Jim Thompson to recommend low-income housing alternatives for the homeless.

Roger Teese

Teese Consulting LLC
488 Guinea Rd.
Charlotte, VT 05445

Phone: 802-425-4659
Fax: 802-425-7747
Cell: 802-310-0145
E-mail: teese@gmavt.net

Profile:
46 years experience property/casualty experience
35 years agency experience
30 years Managing General Underwriting/Program Management experience
27 years captive insurance company management experience
27 years Authorized Captive Manager in VT until 2009
6 years claims adjusting BI PD, Trial Management 3 years
Licensed in 50 states until 2009, now licensed in VT
Licensed Surplus Lines Broker in 26 states until 2009

Senior Positions:
President, CEO, Principal, Smith Bell & Thompson Insurance. Burlington, VT
President, CEO, Principal, SBT Captive Management Co., Burlington, VT
Founding President and Chairman of the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA)
President Managing Agency Group, Hartford, CT, Syracuse, NY
Trial Adjuster with authority, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co

Professional Experience:
Smith Bell and Thompson (1973-2008)
SBT Captive Management Company (1982-2008)
Managing Agency Group (2005- 2008)
Presently (HRH acquired by Willis in 2008 – severed)

Professional Memberships:
Current: CIC, VCIA honorary member
Former: RIMS, PLUS, VIAA

Catherine Ryder

Catherine Ryder serves as the Executive Director for Tri-County Mental Health Services (TCMHS) where she has been employed for 20 years. She previously served as Director of Clinical Services and during that time focused on developing models of care that align well with the principles of healthcare reform. She is passionate about ensuring access to appropriate levels of care, bending the cost curve and reducing the stigma associated with behavioral health services.

Catherine is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a MS in Counselor Education, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has completed the certificate program in Primary Care Behavioral Health out of UMass and has recently graduated from the Hanley Leadership Development program for healthcare leaders in Maine.

Owen T. Nichols, Psy.D., MBA

President/CEO, Northern Kentucky Mental Health/Mental Retardation Regional Board, Inc.

Dr. Owen Nichols is a Fellow in the American Academy of Clinical Psychology, Fellow in the Academy of Medical Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division of Independent Practice. He served as the 2010 President of the Board of Directors of the American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy. He holds the distinguished honor of serving on the Advisory Board of the Neuroscience Education Institute. He is Past-Chair for the Kentucky Board of Examiners in Psychology.

He is the President and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Mental Health--Mental Retardation Regional Board (dba NorthKey Community Care). He also serves as an intermittent surveyor in the Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program with the Joint Commission providing accreditation reviews and consultation nationally. He has previously served as the Associate Executive Director and Clinical Director of Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Dr. Nichols is also currently serving as the President and Board Chair of the Kentucky Association of Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Programs, Inc. (KARP), which represents the Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Dale Shreve

Dale E. Shreve is the President and CEO of Mental Health Corporations of America (MHCA). MHCA, headquartered in Tallahassee Florida, is a business association of select providers of behavioral healthcare services from over 30 states. MHCA’s mission is to strengthen members' competitive position, enhance their leadership capabilities and facilitate their strategic networking opportunities. Prior to joining MHCA Shreve served 14 years as the CEO of Harbor, an outpatient health care provider in the Toledo Ohio area employing over 400 professionals and providing a continuum of services integrated with its core behavioral healthcare expertise with both youth and adults. Dale received his Master’s degree from The University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s from Michigan State University. Dale and his wife Wendy have 2 children and 4 (adorable) grandkids.

Ronald K. Zimmet, J.D.

Ronald K. Zimmet has been a trial lawyer since 1975. He maintains an active litigation practice and provides risk management consulting services to community mental health centers nationwide.

Mr. Zimmet helped organize and for over 20 years has served as general counsel to the Mental Health Risk Retention Group, Inc. an insurance company providing professional and general liability and directors and officers insurance to community mental health centers. He is the featured speaker in risk management audio and video presentations presented by the Risk Retention Group for many years. These presentations address, among other things, risk management for sexual misconduct, suicide malpractice, violent patients, medication errors and employment related claims. Mr. Zimmet has lectured on risk management at many National Council and Mental Health Corporations of America meetings.

Mr. Zimmet has been published in Behavioral Healthcare Magazine and has also been published by the Florida Bar Journal. He was president of the board of directors of a community mental health center in Daytona Beach and has served on the board of a substance abuse facility in Daytona.

You may contact Mr. Zimmet at his office in Daytona Beach at 386-255-4020 or by e-mail at rzimmet@att.net.

Donald Savoie

President / Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

Don is a Healthcare executive with over 30 years as a leader in behavioral healthcare, management, implementation, and growth development. He balances a quality patient care focus with strategic priorities and operational demands. He has a keen focus on mobilizing and empowering staff to develop and achieve goals in alignment with organizational mission, vision, and values using transformational leadership. Don's journey in behavioral healthcare began with his BA in Computer Sciences and Mathematics from Rhode Island College in 1989. He was immediately hired as the Chief Information Officer of The Providence Center, where he worked for 11 years. He later served as Lavender & Wyatt Systems, Inc.’s Chief Technology Officer for almost 13 years. He took on a similar role with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare in 2011. With significant business and operational expertise he was promoted to the role of the Chief Operations Officer (COO) in 2016 and then appointed as President/ Chief Executive Officer of Meridian in 2019.

Abby Drane

CEO, Seven Counties Services/Bellewood & Brooklawn

Abbreial “Abby” Drane is President & CEO of Seven Counties Services / Bellewood & Brooklawn. She holds a CPA license in Kentucky and earned her MBA at Western Kentucky University. Additionally, Abby is consecrated as a Diaconal minister in the United Church of Christ; a servant leader.

Abby is an experienced leader in the behavioral health industry with more than 28 years as CFO and CEO at two of Kentucky’s largest community mental health centers and largest child psychiatric residential program – Seven Counties Services, Communicare, and Bellewood & Brooklawn.

With a passion for helping those in need, she has dedicated her professional career to serving children and families in crisis across Kentucky. Abby has the faith and vision to see a better life for anyone living with mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders.

Scott Burgess

CEO, David Lawrence Center, Naples, FL

Scott Burgess joined David Lawrence Center as the Chief Executive Officer in January 2014. As CEO, he works closely with the David Lawrence Center Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall management of center operations and development. He provides administrative, clinical, and strategic direction to the Executive Management Team and provides leadership and support for DLC’s 325+ professional staff.

Burgess came to DLC after an illustrious almost 22-year career with Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health – an arm of Alexian Brothers Health System, a large multi-hospital healthcare network – in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He began working for the mental health center as an entry level Vocational Counselor and progressed across time to Executive Director. During his tenure with the organization, he also served as the Manager of Aftercare Services, Director of Program Services and Director of Research. He is a proven clinician with experience assisting children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, he is a highly recognized supervisor, manager, and leader with deep knowledge of community behavioral health and integrated healthcare systems and solutions.

Burgess earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Illinois State University; his Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Concordia University; and a Certification in Clinical Research Trials from the University of Chicago. Burgess attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program in 2016 and attained an Executive Certification in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame in 2020. He is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

Passionate about effective policy for those struggling with mental illness, Burgess co-authored legislation that became law in Illinois to develop its first ever five- year statewide mental health strategic plan. He was appointed as a member of the Governor’s Task Force to develop the state road map for improved care which was completed and ratified. Most recently, Gulfshore Life magazine has recognized Burgess’s tireless efforts by selecting him as a “Man of the Year 2018” and he was recognized by Naples Illustrated in 2020 and 2021 as one of Collier County’s “Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders.”

Burgess is currently Vice-Chair and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Florida Behavioral Health Association, serves on the Circuit 20 Regional Council for the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, is on the Leadership Advisory Committee for Healthways Blue Zones Project, and is a Board Member for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Burgess is a statutory member of the Collier County Public Safety Coordination Council and served as the Chair of Collier County’s Mental Health Strategic Planning Commission.

In addition to his professional interests, Burgess enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He spent over 15 years volunteering as a youth coach and has been, and is, active in volunteering in various ministry efforts.

Kiara S. Kuenzler, Psy.D., L.P.

President and CEO, Jefferson Center for Mental Health, Wheat Ridge, CO

Dr. Kiara Kuenzler is President and CEO of Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a non-profit, community focused provider of mental health and substance use disorder services in Colorado. Jefferson Center serves more than 30,000 children, individuals and families each year through prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services. Dr. Kuenzler is a licensed Psychologist and received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado Medical School, in Administration and Evaluation Psychology. In addition to her more than 10 years of experience in health care administration, quality, and program evaluation, Dr. Kuenzler spent many years providing direct clinical services and teaching at the University of Colorado, Denver. In her current role, Dr. Kuenzler brings a fierce passion and vision for a healthy community, where mental health and substance use matters and care is accessible to all. She seeks community partnerships and innovative solutions to meet the growing needs of the people served and drives excellence in care to promote wellbeing and thriving communities.