Our Team

Scott Welcome, Director of IT Delivery, joined in 2014 and has more than 30 years of experience with information technology including network design and maintenance, technical support, and process and system improvements. Scott is responsible for leading start-up deployment technology, providing continuous IT support, and developing training materials. Scott previously served as the MIS Supervisor at our Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center and has served in various IT Manager and Project Manager roles. Scott holds six-sigma certification for both white and yellow belts and also served in the United States Coast Guard as an E2-Seaman Apprentice and Network Administrator in the System Engineering Division.

Erin Herda, MBA, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, joined in 2022 and has over 20 years of global recruitment experience in an array of industries. She has an established track record for effectively executing talent acquisition strategies and reducing contract labor spend. Erin has strategically developed and executed recruitment strategies that have maximized organizational effectiveness and optimal talent decisions. She is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to maximize talent attraction, business contribution, and workforce excellence. Her role provides oversight for defining and positioning scalable, effective, and proactive recruitment strategies, managing the start-up process for new business opportunities, as well as leading high performing teams in cultivating talent, engaging candidates, enhancing the candidate experience, and process improvement. Erin earned her bachelor’s in aviation management from Florida Institute of Technology and went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Rebecca Jackson, PhD, Vice President, Mental Health joined in 2011 and previously served as Clinical Director at Florida Civil Commitment Center and Corporate Director of Clinical Programs before assuming her current role in 2020. She previously served as an Associate Professor and Director of the Forensic Psychology Ph.D. program at Palo Alto University. In her current role, Dr. Jackson supports all the Recovery Solutions’ treatment programs and provides guidance to ensure care is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered. Her published works include numerous peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and the textbook, Learning Forensic Assessment. Dr. Jackson is a past recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Theodore Blau Award for Early Career Contributions to Clinical Psychology and past President of the Sex Offender Civil Commitment Programs Network. Dr. Jackson received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Virginia University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Texas. She completed her residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy program.

Lynn Cole, MBA, Vice President of Human Resources, joined in 2020 and has more than 20 years of HR management experience. Prior to joining our team, he worked in various HR management capacities for a variety of national organizations, including dd’s Discounts (a division of Ross Stores), Hertz Corporation, and Pep Boys. In his current capacity, Lynn oversees all HR activities for Recovery Solutions, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal requirements as well as regulatory and accrediting bodies. Lynn earned his bachelor’s in political science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration in global management from the University of Phoenix in Puerto Rico.

Cassandra Newkirk, MD, MBA, Chief Clinical Officer joined in 2005 and is responsible for overseeing medical and mental health initiatives. Dr. Newkirk is a Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience in direct and administrative mental health services in various settings. Dr. Newkirk has served in staff and administrative roles in community hospitals, and state and private hospitals. While in private practice in Atlanta, GA, she also had various psychiatric consultant roles serving youth populations, as well as working in other settings including Student Health at Spelman College and community mental health centers. Dr. Newkirk currently serves as an Adjunct faculty member at Morehouse School of Medicine. She is active in the Florida Psychiatric Society as well as the American Psychiatric Association where she has earned the distinction as a Distinguished Life Fellow. She is active in the American Psychiatric Association and several committees and associated groups promoting the improvement of community psychiatric services for all. She received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of North Carolina, served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Emory University and completed her Master of Business Administration from Regis University. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and other organizations promoting the improvement of community psychiatric services for all.

Jon Carner, Director of Security and Safety Operations joined in 2000 and previously served as Facility Administrator at Florida Civil Commitment Center before assuming his current role. Jon started his career as a security/safety staff and has served in various progressive security/safety operations and supervisory roles over the years to include providing additional subject matter expertise in security/safety, management, and emergency response. Jon has assisted with multiple new site implementations, site assessments, and performance improvement planning over the years. Jon is focused on providing evidence-based and best practice solutions for each of Recovery Solutions’ various treatment environments. Jon is a certified security/safety professional and continues to support a safe and therapeutic milieu for all Recovery Solutions facilities.

Karen Galin, PhD, Senior Vice President, Mental Health joined in 2002 and oversees behavioral health services. Dr. Galin is a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the treatment of individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness and expertise in psychological assessment, forensic evaluation and treatment, behavior planning, treatment planning, expert witness testimony, and training of interns and staff. Beginning her career as a Staff Psychologist at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, she has served in various clinical and administrative roles in different settings, including forensic facility, civil hospital, veteran’s hospital, and pain clinic. Dr. Galin received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emory University and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama. Dr. Galin successfully partnered with the Colorado Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to implement the first detention-based competency treatment program in the State of Colorado.

Andrew Hoffman, Chief Financial Officer, joined in 2021 and brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience in corporate financial planning and analysis to Recovery Solutions. He previously served as Corporate Director of Nursing Finance & Data Analytics at MedStar Health, where he provided financial planning guidance to the SVP and Chief Nursing Officer of more than 8,400 nurses. Andrew previously worked as Director of HealthCare Innovation Operations & Financial Planning and Director of Financial Planning at Johns Hopkins Medicine. He has a demonstrated history of improving global fiscal and operational performance through implementing best practices in Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), with expertise in creating and executing best-in-class financial systems. Andrew earned his bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Baltimore and his master’s in finance from Loyola University Maryland.

Jessie Phelps, MBA, Division Compliance Officer, joined in 2016 and ensures compliance with internal and external policies and regulations. Jessie started her career as a Medical Records Clerk and has served as a Health Services Administrator, Regional Manager, and Director of Accreditation and Operational Compliance, prior to assuming her current role. Jessie has experience with The Joint Commission, CARF, ACA, and NCCHC accreditation. She is a Certified Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP) through NCCHC. She is responsible for building and maintaining strong partnerships with the division, preparing all Recovery Solutions’ facilities for upcoming accreditation surveys and conducting annual corporate assessments and validations. Jessie received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s of Business Administration through the University of Phoenix.

Diana Acosta, MS, Senior Director of Operations and Performance Improvement, joined in 2007 and is an operations, performance improvement and compliance professional with more than 16 years designing and implementing quality improvement and regulatory compliance systems within healthcare delivery systems. She has extensive experience leading administration, operations, and critical projects to achieve successful outcomes. Diana assists with restructuring processes to enhance operations and care delivery, as well as ensuring risk management strategies, contract requirements and accreditation standards in hospitals and healthcare systems are always met. Diana previously served as Forensic Liaison and Aftercare Coordinator at South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (SFETC) and has previously partnered with regulating agencies such as the Florida Department of Children and Families, The Joint Commission, Agency for Health Care Administration, and The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities. During her time at SFETC, she also served as Council member of the Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council for the Southern Region from 2007-2012. Diana served six years in the 11th Judicial circuit of Miami Dade County in the Mental Health Administrator’s Office and was dedicated to assisting our Mental Health population through the Diversion Project lead by Judge Steve Leifman. She earned her bachelor’s from Carlos Albizu University and her master’s in business ethics and compliance from New England College of Business.

Kerry Mangold, MBA, Senior Vice President, Operations – Shared Services, joined in 2013 and has over 10 years of experience in project management, relationship building, and operations support. She is responsible for providing operational support for all Recovery Solutions’ facilities processes as well as the development and maintenance of performance, efficiency, quality, and safety/security initiatives with a focus on process improvement, patient and client materials, and consistency with data collection and reporting. Kerry also manages the competitive procurement process, client negotiations for business opportunities, and supports continued retention of our valued client partnerships. Kerry assures that all facilities have systems and processes necessary for maintaining a safe, secure, and functional patient care environment and coordinates resources necessary to support and implement facility strategic planning activities. She has her bachelor’s in chemistry and a Master’s of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Teresa Koeberlein, Chief Strategy Officer, joined in 2020 and is responsible for overseeing all governmental affairs and building strategic partnerships to support continued growth of the organization. In her current role, Teresa identifies and develops new opportunities, manages governmental affairs, and promotes effective strategies that are aligned based on our client’s needs. Prior to joining our team, she spent eight years on Capitol Hill, serving as Chief of Staff to Congressman Diane Black, Chairman, Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Teresa also spent 10 years as the Executive Director, American Cancer Society of Greater Nashville. She received her bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Adam Thau, MD, Medical Director joined in 2018 and has more than 30 years of hospital medicine experience, including more than 25 years in emergency medicine. Prior to joining Recovery Solutions, Dr. Thau was a teaching physician at Jacksonville Naval Air Station during Desert Storm War and practiced Emergency Medicine for 26 years at 7 South Florida Hospitals including as Chief of Department and Medical Director of Northwest Medical Center and Universal Medical Center over a 17 year period. He also directed the new Hospitalist Medicine Program at Northwest Medical Center for 5 years before joining Recovery Solutions. He has 31 years of Hospital Medicine experience. The largest hospital corporation in America, HCA, had him on their National Advisory Panel in Nashville for 3 years on the Future of Emergency Medicine in this country. In his current role, Dr. Thau supports all Recovery Solutions’ facilities, along with their medical staff, to evaluate and properly treat their complex medical patients. He is a member of our organization’s Hospital Admission Committee and has weekly reviews of all of our hospital admissions. He has taught medical students, interns, residents, and PA students from multiple national schools with both lecture series and extensive bedside clinical teaching from 1991-2013. Dr. Thau received his doctor of medicine degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.

Rebecca Jackson, PhD, Vice President of Mental Health joined in 2011 and previously served as Clinical Director at Florida Civil Commitment Center and Corporate Director of Clinical Programs before assuming her current role in 2020. She previously served as an Associate Professor and Director of the Forensic Psychology Ph.D. program at Palo Alto University. In her current role, Dr. Jackson supports all the Recovery Solutions’ treatment programs and provides guidance to ensure care is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered. Her published works include numerous peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and the textbook, Learning Forensic Assessment. Dr. Jackson is a past recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Theodore Blau Award for Early Career Contributions to Clinical Psychology and past President of the Sex Offender Civil Commitment Programs Network. Dr. Jackson received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Virginia University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Texas. She completed her residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy program.

Jeremy Barr, President & Chief Executive Officer, joined in 2011 and has led the growth of Recovery Solutions from 6 locations in 3 states to 70+ locations in 10 states. Prior to assuming his current role in 2018, Jeremy served in various partnership development roles. He received his master’s degree in communications studies from Florida Atlantic University and his bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as a board member for East Nashville Wellness Center, a non-profit mental health and substance use clinic committed to restoring the wellness of Nashvillians through improving mental health, curbing addiction, and helping find the music again.

Kathy O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, Senior Vice President of Operations – East, joined in 2018 and has nearly 20 years of clinical and healthcare administration experience. Kathy oversees operations across our Eastern Region and previously held positions as the Director of Behavioral Health and the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Services for the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Kathy also held several private sector roles including Executive Director of Psychiatric Services at Carney Hospital and Vice President of Operations for Diamond Healthcare. She earned a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and special education from Boston University and a Master of Social Work from Boston College. Kathy also serves as the Executive Director for Judy’s Angels, a non-profit charity providing financial support to graduate-level nursing students with financial hardship.

Genna Marx Brisson, LCSW, Vice President of Operations, joined in 2007 and previously served as Director of Contract Compliance and Director of Operations before assuming her current role in 2016. Genna has more than 25 years of behavioral health experience and has provided leadership and oversight of facilities including competency restoration programs for the past 10 years. Genna was actively involved in the activation of our Colorado RISE Program and subsequent expansions resulting in increased bed capacity. She also partnered to implement the first Admission, Evaluation, and Stabilization (AES) Center in the State of California and most recently led the activations of two new RISE Programs in North Carolina and Georgia. Genna received both her MBA and MSW from Florida International University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, and she holds a Certificate of Health Services Administration that she received from Florida International University. She also serves as Secretary and Board Member at the Faulk Center for Counseling in Boca Raton, a non-profit organization that promotes emotional well-being through a variety of free and low-cost mental health programs, and she was appointed as a member of the City of Boca Raton Community Advisory Panel in 2023.

Donald Sawyer, PhD, MBA, Vice President of Operations – IP/RTF, joined in 2011 and previously served as Facility Administrator at the Florida Civil Commitment Center, a 720-bed secure treatment program. Prior to joining our team, Dr. Sawyer was CEO of Central New York Psychiatric Center, the sole provider of inpatient and outpatient mental health services to nearly 60,000 individuals in New York State prisons, including a 300-bed forensic psychiatric hospital, competency restoration programs, and residential and day treatment programs. Dr. Sawyer is a past President of the National Association for Rural Mental Health, the author of several publications, and former Assistant Professor of Psychology at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Sawyer is a licensed psychologist who holds a PhD in clinical psychology and a master’s in business administration.

Jennifer Diaz, CCHP, Senior Vice President of Operations -West, joined in 2005 and has served in numerous roles during her 17 years of tenure, including Medical Records Clerk, Recruiter, Health Services Administrator, and Regional Director of Operations. Jen was integral to establishing our RISE program in Stanislaus County, and subsequently served as HSA at Alameda County, whose COVID response led by Jen and her team was published in the American Journal of Public Health as a best practice for managing a global pandemic. She has been recognized for having the Facility of the Year in 2017 and was the award recipient for the Culture of Caring in 2019, and Hope and Healing in 2022. In her current role, Jen oversees Kern County AES Center, our California RISE Programs, and the Early Access and Stabilization Services Program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business with a specialization in healthcare management from Capella University.

Cassandra Newkirk, MD, MBA, Chief Psychiatric Officer, joined in 2005, and is responsible for overseeing medical and mental health initiatives. Dr. Newkirk is a Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience in direct and administrative mental health services in various settings. Dr. Newkirk has served in staff and administrative roles in community hospitals, and state and private hospitals. While in private practice in Atlanta, GA, she also had various psychiatric consultant roles serving youth populations, as well as working in other settings including Student Health at Spelman College and community mental health centers. She has additional experience with large correctional systems in multiple states including serving as Mental Health Director for Georgia Department of Corrections and Rikers Island Penitentiary. She has also served as an expert witness in prison litigation cases involving mental health issues. Dr. Newkirk currently serves as an Adjunct faculty member at Morehouse School of Medicine. She is active in the Florida Psychiatric Society as well as the American Psychiatric Association where she holds has earned the distinction as a Distinguished Life Fellow. She is active in the American Psychiatric Association and several committees and associated groups promoting the improvement of community psychiatric services for all. She received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of North Carolina, served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Emory University and completed her Master of Business Administration from Regis University.