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Our Team

We offer individual understanding to our clients through our excellent, empathetic, skillful staff, who know addiction. For more information about our Top of the World Ranch team, call 1.844.814.8885 today.

Our Administrative Team

Mark-Sadler

Mark S, MC

Our Founder

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Justin W, CADC

PF and Facilities Manager

keri-fager

Keri F MS, CTRS, CADC

Clinical Manager

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Brett V, LCPC, CAADC, MA

Director of Clinical and Operations

Our Clinical Team

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Bryan M, LCPC, MA

Lead Counselor

Rita

Rita, MSW

Counselor

tracy-hopkins

Tracy H, MS

Counselor

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Stephanie C

Counselor

Our Program Facilitators

erin-johnson

Erin J

Program Facilitator

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Patrick B

Program Facilitator

ted-ketelsen

Ted K

Program Facilitator

jt-westerfield

JT W

Program Facilitator

jon-kenseth

Jon K

Program Facilitator

jon-aguilar

Jon A

Program Facilitator

michael-gayman

Michael G

Program Facilitator

sarah-miller

Sarah M

Program Facilitator

Morgan-Cornette

Morgan C

Program Facilitator

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Steven K

Program Facilitator

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Brad M

Program Facilitator

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Tracey S

Lead Program Facilitator

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Michael W

Program Facilitator

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Adam W

Lead Program Facilitator

Our Chefs

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Travis S

Executive Chef

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Marissa G

Sous Chef

Chef-Josh

Joshua W

Sous Chef

Our Medical Team

Doctor James Petre

Dr. James P, MD

General Medicine

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Dr. Zachary B

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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Kelly P, RN

Ranch Nurse

Amanda-Bos

Amanda B, RN

Registered Nurse

Kayla-Short

Kayla S

Licensed Massage Therapist

Intake and Billing Team

Stacy

Stacy N

Intake and Billing Coordinator

Our Maintenance Team

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Luke D

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Jeff K

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Jake M

1.844.814.8885
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Mark S, MC

Our Founder

After many years of fighting tooth and nail, years of denial, trying to get and stay sober on my own, trying to convince myself that it would be different this time, I was given a moment of clarity to see myself as I truly was. I saw the reality of my addiction, I saw the damage that I was causing, I suddenly understood that the problems I drank about were not outside me – the problem was me – and that the change that was needed had to be me.
I was floored, I was beaten. And so, as to not leave my family the sad legacy of a dead alcoholic, I sought treatment. When I got on the plane to go, I had no real hope. I felt I could not be happy if I could not drink and knew that I could not be happy if I did. I felt damned. My life was in chaos and made no sense to me. I could not understand how this had happened.

I went to treatment. The lights began to turn on. I began to wake up. This was a great center and experience, but something was missing and I knew that this “something” was in great abundance at the ranch. With time, I understood why my life had turned out as it did, in the necessary sequence in which it had unfolded. I knew with absolute certainty that the purpose and meaning of Top of the Word Ranch was intertwined with my own. I knew what I needed to do and why I needed to do it. It felt predestined, it felt certain, and it still does. My wife and I grew up in Moline Illinois. We moved to BC Canada in 1995. We had left our old lives behind but we really never pulled up our roots. When I was invited to open another treatment center in Illinois, I was only interested if we could open another Top of the World Ranch. I am very pleased to say that what we have put together has surpassed the original vision of what could be. We have an amazing place here, the right mix of nature and high-end amenities.

There is no other center like it. Since opening our doors in Canada in 2005, I have obtained a Master of Counseling degree so that I may further help our clients because, you see, the real beauty of recovery is that by giving to others, we get more than we give in return.

I hope you choose us with the knowledge that we will offer you our best.

Justin W, CADC

PF and Facilities Manager

Justin knows all too well the pain and despair that comes with being a prisoner of active addiction. After decades of battling with addiction and many close calls he finally had a moment of clarity in which he acknowledged the fact that if he didn’t seek help he would surely die, leaving his son and family to grieve. He completed a treatment program and began the road to recovery which would ultimately lead him to a life that he never dreamed possible. Free from the chains of active addiction, Justin demonstrates his appreciation by helping others to break free from their own bondage. His heart is fully invested in seeing people rekindle their passion for life and grow into the best versions of themselves. When he isn’t working at the Ranch Justin is a regular speaker at recovery groups and he actively volunteers in the community. He enjoys spending time with his son and loved ones and taking time to appreciate nature’s beauty.

Keri F MS, CTRS, CADC

Clinical Manager

Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Recreation Therapy
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Keri earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Therapy from East Carolina University and her Master’s Degree also in Recreation Therapy from Northwest Missouri State University. She is a nationally certified Recreation Therapist and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. For the past 18 years, Keri has had the opportunity to provide both direct care and leadership in the recreation therapy and behavioral health fields. The main focus throughout her career was to design and implement evidence-based substance abuse and mental health programs with the goal of marrying traditional counseling and cognitive-behavior therapy with experiential and recreation-based modalities. Keri has had the ability to collect data from various experiential-based programs, and have seen first-hand the impact of recreation, nature, mindfulness, creative expressive arts, as well as those geared to overall wellness and holistic health on mental health and substance use treatment outcomes. Keri is truly passionate about the need to emphasize the building of skills in treatment that are necessary and transferable to real life. The Ranch is an ideal setting for clients to gain healthy living skills and to explore a life worth living in recovery.

Brett V, LCPC, CAADC, MA

Director of Clinical and Operations

I earned my undergraduate degree at Taylor University in Psychology and my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. During my master’s program, I worked at an adolescent inpatient center for substance use. Upon graduation, I started working at the Robert Young Center where I worked primarily with males from the ages of 18-99+ with a substance use disorder diagnosis; mainly dependence. In addition to working in an outpatient setting, I worked in the inpatient substance abuse unit, the inpatient mental health unit, the ED department where I conducted crisis evaluations, and individual therapy for a variety of mental health disorders. I was trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy during my master’s program, but I also utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and EMDR in my treatment approach. My desire when working with individuals is to understand their basis of guilt and shame, which prompts them to hold unhealthy beliefs about themselves and therefore leads to the use of substances and then subsequently the development of addiction. In addition to my clinical work I have also had the opportunity to be an adjunct instructor of psychology at two separate collegiate institutions within the area. The Ranch allows individuals to cope with the shame and guilt that lies underneath the addiction through methods that aim at healing the individually internally. Serenity gained through the various treatment modalities offered at the Ranch is something that can be carried on with the individual when they go back to daily life. My hope is to help foster that internal healing through the journey that will be embarked on at the Ranch. I will step alongside and offer encouragement and a safe place for an individual to shed their old self, which includes destructive thoughts, self-loathing emotions, and a helpless hopelessness and realize the beauty that lies within.

Bryan M, LCPC, MA

Lead Counselor

I began my educational journey by serving in the United States Army. I then used the GI Benefits Bill to help garner my undergraduate degree at Spring Arbor University in southern Michigan. I also began working in Pastoral Ministries. After some time serving in this area, I realized it is hard to speak to someone’s spiritual side when their thoughts, emotions and behaviors are all out of balance. I enrolled back into Spring Arbor University and completed a master’s degree in counseling. When it came time for my internship, I chose a place in Cadillac, Michigan called Catholic Human Services. During my time there, I had a life changing privilege happen to me. I had the ability to work in the Intensive Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Services offered there. I had the opportunity to share my life of serenity, sanity, and sobriety with those there in recovery, and they sure shared their lives with me. I went on to become a Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor in the state of Michigan. I also went on to help students in the school setting as well. I went back to Spring Arbor University and completed the course work and internship for a Master’s in Education K-12 Professional School Counselor certification. I am now a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at the Ranch. I strive to live each day with serenity, sanity, and sobriety, and believe it is possible for those who seek this pathway for themselves.

Patrick B

Program Facilitator

My initial credentials come as an alcoholic/addict who was a client of Top of The World Ranch. I am currently working on completing my undergrad studies in preparation to complete a Masters Degree in Psychology thus allowing me to become a licenced Family/Drug Therapist. The Ranch gave me the opportunity to realize a life unimaginable! My unimaginable life is a manifestation of my discovery of a strength in surrender. A surrender to self, old life philosophies and old friends. Within my surrender I have put together the strongest life to date. This life is directly proportionate to me having the courage to put into action what The Ranch taught me about self, and most of all, daily spiritual practices. I was able to play soccer in Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and Canada. I mention this because clearly I must have had a propensity to being uber competitive. Today through the daily attempt to walk this earth in unconditional loving service with gracious humility, I only try to be better than or compete with the man I was yesterday.

Top of The World Ranch has given me a new set of eyes and heart to share the gift of life as the blessing it is. I look ever forward to a sharing this sober life with everyone; which is directly proportionate to the hopefulness I have for all through living clean and sober!

Joshua W

Sous Chef

Josh brings many skills, gifts, and creativity to Top of the World Ranch. He is an award winning Chef with an impressive portfolio of professional experience, training, and achievements. Previously serving in the demanding position of Executive Chef for Oakwood Country Club (Coal Valley, Illinois), he has also served at fine dining establishments in many areas of culinary specialty. His education includes training in Culinary Arts, professional seminars, and training directly under some of the finest Award Winning Executive Chefs. Collectively, Josh brings over fifteen years of professional experience in Culinary Arts. Josh is also a successfully recovering addict who personally understands the difficult life of addiction, the processes necessary for successful recovery, and the marvelous life and great achievements of long term recovery! Since his recovery, he enjoys encouraging others and periodically speaks about his recovery and subsequent success.

His professional Awards include the Quad Cities Taste of Excellence Awards in 2014 and 2015.

Stacy N

Intake and Billing Coordinator

As the Coordinator of intake and billing I work with the clinical and medical teams to ensure a smooth transition from each client’s home to the Ranch. I’m also available to help clients with their needs through-out their stay. Insurance companies can be daunting to many and in a time of crisis can be overwhelming. I will be there every step of the way from verifying benefits and obtaining authorizations to ensuring that insurance claims are processed as accurately and effectively as possible. I’ve worked in healthcare for 35 years, but it wasn’t until 1999 when I discovered my passion was in the mental health and substance abuse field. I am dedicated to not only make the intake process go smoothly, but also assist in any way I can with care and compassion. Being part of a family that was torn apart by addiction time and time again, I have learned a lot from listening to and watching so many journey’s to long-term recovery.

Outside of work I enjoy attending live music shows, playing with my grandchildren and volunteering at several area events.