Meet the Team
The Cumberland Heights team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for adults, adolescents and families who are impacted by the disease of addiction.
Cumberland Heights is a non-profit foundation that has been changing lives since 1966. In our 55 plus year history, we’ve kept or set the pace with innovative therapies while remaining true to the values that have earned us a national reputation – and your trust.
Jay Crosson, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Jay Crosson, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Jay Crosson began his career with Cumberland Heights in 1993 and accepted his role as Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Prior to becoming CEO, Jay was the Chief Financial Officer for the organization.
Since 2016 Jay has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). As past chair of NAATP’s Ethics Committee, Jay was instrumental in important changes made to the organization’s code of ethics. In addition, Jay serves as Treasurer/Secretary of the Foundation of Recovery Science and Education. He has also served on an advisory committee with LegitScript, certification that lets search engines know which treatment centers operate safely and legally.
Jay is a grateful recovering alumnus, having been a patient at Cumberland Heights in 1989. His personal treatment experience helped shape his leadership principles today.
Jay is a Nashville native and graduate of MTSU with an MBA from Belmont University.
Chapman Sledge, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Chapman Sledge, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Chapman Sledge, a nationally recognized physician and speaker, has been the Chief Medical Officer at Cumberland Heights since 2009. Prior to joining Cumberland Heights, Dr. Sledge was the Medical Director of Addiction Treatment Services at Pine Grove Behavioral Health in Mississippi.
Dr. Sledge has been named Nashville’s top addiction doctor by the Nashville Business Journal, a recognition only five percent of physicians in the United States hold. Dr. Sledge served on the board of directors for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and was among the first physicians to receive certification from them.
Dr. Sledge is a sought-after speaker in the industry, talking about the critical need to treat both the mind and body of those struggling with substance use disorder. In addition to working for Cumberland Heights, Dr. Sledge is an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
Dr. Sledge is a graduate of LSU and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.
Cinde Stewart Freeman, RN, LADAC, QCS
Chief Clinical Officer
Cinde Stewart Freeman, RN, LADAC, QCS
Chief Clinical Officer
Cinde Stewart Freeman is Cumberland Heights’ Chief Clinical Officer and has been with Cumberland Heights for 30 years. During her tenure, Cinde has served in nursing, clinical management, and administrative roles.
Cinde is a bachelor’s prepared Registered Nurse and a master’s prepared Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Level II. She holds NAADAC’s Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential and is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor (QCS) as well.
Cinde has a love for the places where opposites touch. This has led her to clinical explorations of somatic and spiritual healing of the things that wound us, as well as explorations of how the lived wisdom of the 12-step tradition informs and brings color to clinical education and experience. It also leads her to the beach as much as possible!
Cinde regularly trains on topics ranging from 12-step based Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Spiritual Care principles to ethical practice and clinical supervision. Her core belief is that love is more powerful than the wounds we have experienced, and, in fact, can cause us to become our strongest at those places.
Robin Cox, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Robin Cox, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Robin Cox began her career at Cumberland Heights in 2006 as the Controller. In 2018, she was promoted to Chief Financial Officer.
Robin has lived all over the United States including New York, New Orleans, Virginia, and now Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting from Western Kentucky University and her MBA from Cumberland University.
Robin’s goal is to make sure Cumberland Heights is financially stable even during tough economic times, so we can continue our mission of healing families.
Robin is the treasurer of her child’s school PTA and spends her spare time at her children’s many sporting events.
Randal Lea, MA, LADAC, QCS
Chief Community Recovery Officer
Randal Lea, MA, LADAC, QCS
Chief Community Recovery Officer
Randal Lea, our Chief Community Recovery Officer is a licensed addictions counselor with 30 years of clinical and administrative experience.
Randal received master’s degrees in counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is a frequent presenter on a variety of topics such as assessment, sexual behavior in children, ethics, dreamwork and trauma. He is a certified practitioner of DreamTending and a qualified clinical supervisor.
Prior to his current role as Chief Community Recovery Officer, Randal served eight years as Assistant Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. In 2008, he was recognized by the Praed Foundation as a national “Systems Champion” for implementing a statewide children’s assessment for DCS. He also received the Friend of Children Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 from Tennessee Voices for Children after seven years on their board. Randal was also recognized in both 2000 and in 2015 as Professional of the Year by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).
Nick Hayes, PhD, LMFTA, LCDC
Chief Science Officer
Nick Hayes, PhD, LMFTA, LCDC
Chief Science Officer
Dr. Nick Hayes is the Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, overseeing all research, technology and quality related initiatives for the organization. His research focuses on measurement-based practice systems, digital phenotyping and intensive longitudinal monitoring.
Nick’s work highlights Cumberland Heights’ commitment to outcome-oriented care, using proven techniques to put those struggling with substance use disorder on a path to success.
Nick received his PhD in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. He is also on the faculty of Lipscomb University as an adjunct professor of psychology.
Cindy Patterson
Chief Development Officer
Cindy Patterson
Chief Development Officer
Cindy Patterson is the Chief Development and Marketing Officer at Cumberland Heights, having more than 17 years of experience in non-profit fundraising.
Before joining Cumberland Heights in 2019, Cindy served as Development Officer for United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Prior to that she spent 10 years as the Vice President of Development for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. She also worked as the Development Director of NashvilleRead. Prior to entering the world of fundraising, Cindy was the Manager of Premium Services for American Airlines.
Originally from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, Cindy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
Joey Darby
Chief Growth Officer
Joey Darby
Chief Growth Officer
Dean Porterfield, LPC-MHSP, NCC
Executive Director of ARCH Academy
Dean Porterfield, LPC-MHSP, NCC
Executive Director of ARCH Academy
Dean Porterfield currently serves as the Director of ARCH Academy. Dean has been with Cumberland Heights for over 11 years. As the Director he is responsible for day to day operations of ARCH as well as overseeing program development, staff development, referral relations, research and community outreach/education on teen addiction. Dean has served as Executive Director of an outdoor therapeutic program for adolescent males for over 10 years. Dean also has served on the Board of Director of NATSAP (National Board of Therapeutic Schools and Programs), and frequently presents at national, regional and local conferences. Dean is also an approved LPC clinical supervisor. Dean brings over 18 years experiences working with the adolescent population and their families. He believes in a strength-based approach and understands that authentic relationships with the teens and families we serve is paramount for lasting change.
Heath Chitwood
Executive Director of Still Waters
Heath Chitwood
Executive Director of Still Waters
Dana Mires, RN, MBA, MBA
Director of Nursing
Dana Mires, RN, MBA
Director of Nursing
Dana Mires, our Director of Nursing has held many nursing and leadership roles in the past 20 plus years. She’s been in her current role since 2016, leading us through the COVID-19 pandemic the past two years with top notch communication and care. Dana has a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master’s in Management in Health Care. The most rewarding part of Dana’s job is leading a team of nurses who truly care about the patients and their recovery.
Jennifer Wilson, PHHNP-BC, RN
Nurse Practitioner
Jennifer Wilson, PHHNP-BC, RN
Nurse Practitioner
Jennifer Wilson works in our Community Recovery Outpatient office on Music Row. She is licensed as a Registered Nurse and board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Jennifer began working in addiction treatment at Cumberland Heights in 1995. She left in 2005 to focus on acute psychiatric and community mental health services. She returned to addiction treatment in 2015 at The Next Door before rejoining Cumberland Heights in 2019. Jennifer says the most rewarding part of the job is watching the spiritual transformation bring light and hope back into our clients’ lives.
Andrea Whitis, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Andrea Whitis, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Andrea Whitis is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who works on our inpatient team. She has worked in various settings of mental health, including inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health. However, her true passion has always been working with those with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues. The most rewarding part of Andrea’s job is seeing individuals she treats get into recovery and work through any co-occurring mental health symptoms creating roadblocks to a full and happy life.
Tammy Gatlin, LPN, CPR/FA/AED
Nursing Coordinator
Tammy Gatlin, LPN, CPR/FA/AED
Nursing Coordinator
Tammy Gatlin joined Cumberland Heights team in 2005 and currently serves as the Nursing Coordinator. Tammy says the most rewarding part of her job is seeing patients make the transition from brokenness to hopefulness following treatment.
Rebecca Johnson, LPC-MHSP, ATR
Art Therapist
Rebecca Johnson, LPC-MHSP, ATR
Art Therapist
Rebecca Johnson started at Cumberland Heights in 2008 as a Family Counselor, and within a few months of her time here, built a comprehensive art therapy program. Through her work, Rebecca creatively helps patients develop more insight and self-awareness to aid their long-term recovery. She encourages them to push through their doubts and vulnerabilities to see what they can accomplish. Rebecca says the most rewarding part of her job is hearing from the alumni she’s worked with.
Kristy Roll, LCSW
Family Services & Experiential Therapies Director
Kristy Roll, LCSW
Family Services & Experiential Therapies Director
Kristy joined the Cumberland Heights team in 2012 as a Youth Primary Counselor and now serves as the Family Services Director. She has a psychology degree and a master’s in social work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Kristy is passionate about providing education and healing to loves ones battling addiction so they may begin a journey of recovery for themselves.
Cindy Spelta/Clinical, LADAC II, NCAC I
Director of Outpatient Services (South)
Cindy Spelta/Clinical, LADAC II, NCAC I
Director of Outpatient Services (South)
As someone in long-term recovery who has been in the field of addiction treatment since 2000, Cindy Spelta is dedicated to relapse prevention. Cindy started working at Cumberland Heights in 2007 as a counselor and Gorski Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist, and now serves at the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services. Cindy, A Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor and a LADAC II in the state of TN, wants to provide an environment filled with hope and healing. She’s passionate about helping those who are struggling find peace, health, happiness and quality of life. Cindy is also the organizer of Nashville’s annual RecoveryFest.
Travis Hupp, LADAC II, CAADC
Director of Milieu Management
Travis Hupp, LADAC II, CAADC
Director of Milieu Management
Travis Hupp has been working in the field of addiction treatment since 2006, and currently serves as the Director of Milieu Management. He says the most rewarding part of his job is when the light comes on for the patients in his program and he starts to see some real change. It’s why he shows up every day.
Lindsey Hicks
Professionals Program Coordinator
Lindsey Hicks
Professionals Program Coordinator
Lindsey Hicks has been working in the addiction treatment field since 2014. Prior to her current role, Lindsey held several different positions at Cumberland Heights including Clinical Associate, Case Manager, Staff Development Coordinator, and Quality Management Analyst. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Colorado State University and is a current master’s student in forensic psychology. Lindsey says the most rewarding part of her job is helping patients, family members, and staff with concerns and ensuring the quality of care our staff members provide.
Amanda Lewis, LCSW, MSW, DSW
Senior Director of Outpatient Services
Amanda Lewis, LCSW, MSW, DSW
Director of Outpatient Services (East)
Amanda Lewis has worked in the addiction treatment field since 2014. She is currently the Clinical Coordinator for East TN Outpatient Services at Cumberland Heights. Her clinical background includes facilitation of group, individual, and family therapy; intake assessments; and crisis management. She has given numerous presentations related to addiction, suicide, co-occurring disorders, and assessing levels of care. Clinical interests include treating co-occurring disorders and transdiagnostic assessment. She is an LCSW and received both her MSW and DSW degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
John McAndrew
Recovery Music Specialist
John McAndrew
Recovery Music Specialist
Vivian Sypolt, MS, LADAC II
Men’s Program Director
Vivian Sypolt, MS, LADAC II
Men’s Program Director
Vivian has been with Cumberland Heights since 2016 and serves as the Director of the Men’s Program. She is a graduate of the University of Phoenix Arizona, with a Master of Science in psychology and has worked administratively in the mental health and addictions field since 1995. Vivian says Cumberland Heights’ serene campus brings spirituality and healing to the patients in a way that other treatment centers cannot.
Jeff Wilson
Director of Young Men and Extended Care Programs
Jeff Wilson
Director of Young Men and Extended Care Programs
Bio coming soon!
Dale Kirkham, MA, LPC-MHSP
Director of Admissions
Dale Kirkham, MA, LPC-MHSP
Director of Admissions
Dale Kirkham, Director of Admissions, has been working in the field of addiction treatment since 2007, helping to ensure the process of entering treatment is as comfortable as possible. Dale says the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the transformation from when a resident comes in the door for the first time to when they’re discharged, ready to use their recovery tools as they continue their journey.
Robin Figlio, CPRS
Admissions Coordinator
Robin Figlio, CPRS
Admissions Coordinator
As an alumna of Cumberland Heights, Robin was inspired to help others find life-saving treatment for addiction and joined our team in 2015. She enjoys helping people take their first step to recovery, being an advocate for our patients, and watching them continue their recovery journeys. Robin also has several family members that have received care at Cumberland Heights. She says that the people that work here create a great, supportive community to begin the journey of sobriety.
Michelle Morris, M. Div. LPC-MHSP
Spiritual Care Director
Michelle Morris, M. Div. LPC-MHSP
Spiritual Care Director
Working in the field of chaplaincy and counseling introduced Michelle to many people with addiction. These experiences focused her on becoming part of the solution, so she began working for Cumberland Heights in 2018. Michelle finds it rewarding to watch patients become brighter and more connected in their early recovery. She also enjoys seeing patients still working and living in the solution and accomplishing great things in their lives after they leave.
Mary Murphy, M. Div.
Spiritual Care Counselor
Mary Murphy, M. Div.
Spiritual Care Counselor
Mary is a compassionate spiritual caregiver whose own devotion to the 12 steps as a spiritual practice inspired her to begin working with Cumberland Heights. Prior to joining our team in August 2022, Mary completed her Chaplain Residency at Vanderbilt’s Clinical Pastoral Education Program. According to Mary, helping individuals discover what helps them to feel spiritually connected is the most rewarding part of her work.
Casey Hyatt, CPRS, LADAC-C
Extended Case Management Coordinator
Casey Hyatt, CPRS, LADAC-C
Extended Case Management Coordinator
Casey Hyatt manages the Cumberland Heights Extended Care program, helping alumni develop a deeper understanding of recovery principles to use in everyday life. He has worked in the addiction treatment field since 2011. Casey says he feels incredibly grateful to be part of the Cumberland Heights family and to witness miracles happen for a living.
Jennifer Sujdak, MHA
Director of Quality Management
Jennifer Sujdak, MHA
Director of Quality Management
Jennifer Sujdak has worked in health care since 1999, and in the field of addiction treatment since 2020. As Director of Quality Management, she takes pride in ensuring our patients are receiving top notch care in a safe, healthy facility. Jennifer says the most rewarding part of her job is seeing how patient outcomes improve over time as she creates data for QM reports.
Jimmy Jamison
Director of Information Technology
Jimmy Jamison
Director of Information Technology
Jimmy Jamison, our Director of Information Technology joined the Cumberland Heights team in 2006. At that time, he was the Systems Administrator. Jimmy says the most rewarding part of his job is being able to witness technology initiatives positively impact patient care and recovery.
Matthew Rosenberg
Quality Management Analyst
Matthew Rosenberg
Quality Management Analyst
Bio coming soon!
Andrew Cassetty
Director of Support Services
Andrew Cassetty
Director of Support Services
Andrew Cassetty joined Cumberland Heights Foundation in September of 2017 and currently works as the Director of Support Services on campus. Andrew is grateful to provide campus services that create a safe and peaceful environment for patients to begin their recovery journey. Andrew takes pride in giving counselors the space they need to help patients heal from active addiction.
Steve Lee
Senior Director of Strategic Relationships
Steve Lee
Director of Business Development
Steve has worked in the field of addiction treatment since 2013 and currently serves as our Director of Business Development. Steve values the opportunity to build relationships at Cumberland Heights, in the community and within the treatment industry. He says the most rewarding part of his job is watching individuals restore their lives through treatment and recovery. He is in long-term recovery himself, finding freedom from drugs and alcohol in 1989.
Jennifer Vandivort, MBA
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Jennifer Vandivort, MBA
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Jennifer Vandivort began working at Cumberland Heights in 2022 as the Regional Outreach Coordinator, helping those struggling with substance use disorder navigate treatment options. Jennifer has worked in the field of addiction treatment since 2014 in business development, administration, admission, and aftercare roles. Jennifer says she’s inspired by the longevity of so many employees – many who have worked at Cumberland Heights for decades.
Duke Tribble
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Duke Tribble
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Duke’s own recovery and desire to give back inspired him to begin his career with Cumberland Heights in 1997. He says that the most rewarding part of his job is guiding others with addiction to a better way of life, free from substances. Duke attended Memphis State University and is actively involved in animal rescue. He is also passionate about photography.
Carol Jane McKaskle
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Carol Jane McKaskle
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Greg Snodgrass
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Greg Snodgrass
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Upon entering long-term recovery, Greg found that being of service to others is essential for him and his recovery. So, he switched careers and began working with others with addiction. Greg has a dual role at Cumberland Heights. Nationally, he works connecting Cumberland Heights with collegiate recovery programs (CRP’s), and regionally, he works as a regional business development outreach coordinator. Greg spends his free time with his wife and daughter traveling to horse shows across the southeast.
Preston O’Neal
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Preston O’Neal
Regional Outreach Coordinator
In July of 2018, Preston came to work for Cumberland Heights to help people suffering from the disease of addiction. Watching patients in the community thriving and prospering is the most rewarding part of the job for Preston. He holds degrees in Education from East Central University and Pittsburg State University. Some of Preston’s favorite activities are spending time with his two children and being outdoors golfing, fishing, and hunting.
Todd Mulligan, CPRS
Admissions Referral Relations Liaison
Todd Mulligan, CPRS
Admissions Referral Relations Liaison
Sarah Shepard
Admissions Referral Relations Liaison
Sarah Shepard
Admissions Referral Relations Liaison
Bio coming soon!
Kyle Williams
Director of Philanthropy
Kyle Williams
Director of Philanthropy
Kyle Williams joined the Cumberland Heights team in 2020 as the Director of Philanthropy. In this role he helps connect donors with opportunities to make an impact on the projects and programs they are passionate about. Previously, Kyle worked for nearly 10 years in various fundraising roles at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Kyle enjoys building relationships with Cumberland Heights’ donors who are vital to its mission. He says it is amazing to see how donor’s stories of healing and hope lead them to acts of generosity that help so many.
Paige Bainbridge
Director of Philanthropy
Paige Bainbridge
Director of Philanthropy
Paige Bainbridge joined the Cumberland Heights team in July 2023 as the Director of Philanthropy. Paige earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Growing up in Nashville, Paige has known what a beloved organization Cumberland Heights is to the recovery community, which is close to her heart. Paige is thrilled to be a part of the fundraising efforts of Cumberland Heights to support their mission of truly transforming lives.
Stacy Bridges
Events Coordinator
Stacy Bridges
Events Coordinator
On her first visit to River Road, Stacy realized that Cumberland Heights is where she wanted to be, making it an easy choice to accept a position in 2017. Stacy enjoys building lasting relationships with professionals across the nation and credits those connections for her personal and professional growth. As events coordinator, she works to ensure that Cumberland Heights’ events make a lasting impact on all in attendance.
Ryan Smith
Videographer/Content Coordinator
Ryan Smith
Videographer/Content Coordinator
Starla Brown
Editor
Starla Gunter
Editor
Emily Demeter
Benefits Coordinator
Emily Demeter
Benefits Coordinator
Emily Demeter has been Cumberland Heights’ Benefits Coordinator since 2006, helping employees navigate insurance, medical leave, and 401k options. And yes, she loves it! Emily has always wanted to use her talents at a mission-drive organization, so when she saw the opening for this position, she jumped at it. Emily says the most rewarding part of her job is helping staff navigate important life events so they can focus on delivering top notch care to our patients.
Stacey Ricks
Human Resources Director
Stacey Ricks
Human Resources Director
Bio coming soon!
Daniel Burton
Human Resources Generalist
Daniel Burton
Human Resources Generalist
Bio coming soon!
Caroline Cirone
Staff Development Coordinator
Caroline Cirone
Staff Development Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Ryan Schlegelmilch
Director of Dietary Services
Ryan Schlegelmilch
Director of Dietary Services
In the spring of 2021, after completing the Still Waters program, Ryan decided not to go back to work in restaurant kitchens. Instead, he chose to use his culinary skills to nourish the patients at Cumberland Heights. He enjoys bringing joy through food and the sense of community that is created in the dining hall.
Teague
Recovery Dog
Teague
Recovery Dog
Teague came to Cumberland Heights as a foster from Snooty Giggles in August of 2020 and was formally adopted shortly after. He was named after a much-loved employee, Brady Teague who sadly passed away in June of that year. Teague loves to dress up for special occasions, run around campus, and lend a paw to anyone struggling or needing comfort during their time here.
Ethel
Recovery Dog
Ethel
Recovery Dog
Ethel came to Cumberland Heights as a foster from Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue for the Men’s Program in September 2020. She made such a positive impact on the residents that we decided to adopt. Ethel is a good girl who loves to run around campus, eat treats, and provide comfort to those going through the recovery process.
