David Gerber has been in the field of substance use disorder treatment for over 30 years. Prior to coming to Summit, he was the Founder and CEO of Sober at Home, an online platform to help those struggling with substance use disorders. David was the first CEO and Chief Clinical Officer at Resource Recovery Center of Orange County in New York. He also the Founded Hudson Valley Interventions. David has lead programs at nearly every level of care. His expertise has been sought out in all forms of media, and David has conducted workshops nationally and internationally. Additionally, David continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor teaching Graduate Psychology at Pace University for over 20 years.
Tracie Smith, Director of Clinical Services, has been with Willingway since 1987. Tracie is a Master Addiction Counselor, Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor II, Certified Criminal Justice Specialist, Certified Sexual Addiction Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor. She loves the legacy of the Mooney Family and their journey of creating Willingway. Her favorite part of the job is working with treatment resistant clients and navigating the family dynamics. Tracie’s father retired from the military, so treating the Veteran population at Willingway is special to her.
Tracie is from Norcross, GA. She is married to her husband, Alex, and has a son in college who is working towards his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her and several family members are alumni of Georgia Southern and hold season tickets to support the basketball, football and baseball programs. She is also a part-time professor at Georgia Southern University.
Director of Human Resources, Mat Young, started with Willingway in 2019. He has 15 years of healthcare and human resources experience. Mat holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a Specialization in Human Resources, from Ashford University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Psychology, from Southern Utah University. Mat enjoys getting to work alongside the management team at Willingway and describes the staff as, “passionate and dedicated to helping others.” Mat has lived all over the country including California, Las Vegas, Utah, Chicago, and Nebraska.
Mat’s true passion is professional sports: baseball, basketball, and football. “Go Yankees!” He is the youngest of 5, and of course, the “favorite child”. His goal in life is to visit every major league baseball stadium in the country and is a little over half-way there.
A proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, Mylene brings 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in Georgia to her role. Prior to obtaining her RN, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Oklahoma.
Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Mylene still enjoys visiting her family there. Her commitment to nursing is matched by her passion for helping others, particularly in the field of recovery. Mylene believes in approaching every task with kindness, love, and the best of her abilities, and she finds great fulfillment in witnessing the growth of individuals on their journey to recovery
Caden Lehr serves as the Director of Business Development at Willingway. Since joining the organization, he has established himself as a proactive leader who not only develops effective strategies but also works hands-on to support his team and ensure that clients are connected to the care they need.
He began his journey at Willingway in 2023 as a Business Development Representative and quickly advanced into a leadership role. This progression was driven by his ability to build strong relationships, identify growth opportunities, and consistently deliver results. He is deeply passionate about recovery and remains committed to helping individuals and families access the support and resources necessary for healing.
Before transitioning into the behavioral health field, Caden built a successful career in the fitness industry, working as both a personal trainer and fitness manager. That experience fostered his passion for motivating others, instilling discipline, and guiding people toward achieving their goals. He now applies these skills to leadership and client engagement in behavioral health.
Business Office Director, Mark Platt, started with Willingway in October of 2017. Mark is an alumni of Emory University, where he earned his B.A. in philosophy. His favorite part about working for Willingway is the opportunity to provide the infrastructure and support for clients to receive the help they need. Having once been a patient himself, Mark deeply understands the impact of receiving help during difficult times. Being able to pay it forward and help others on their journey to recovery is a gratifying experience for him.
Mark is engaged to his fiancé Kim, and they have two children named Leah and Logan. Their family is completed by their beloved cat, Smitty. Marks personal experience as a patient has shaped his dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. Mark’s role as the Business Office Manager at Willingway allows him to contribute to the well-being and recovery of the clients the organization serves. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mark values spending time with his family. Whether it’s engaging in outdoor activities or enjoying quiet moments at home, he cherishes the love and support they provide. Mark’s compassionate nature extends to all aspects of his life, making him a trusted and respected member of the Willingway team.
Cindy Taylor, Director of Utilization Review, has a passion for helping individuals overcome substance use disorders. A Georgia Southern Nursing Graduate, Cindy brings 22 years of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her favorite part of the job is engaging with the clinical and medical team to develop personalized treatment plans for each client, ultimately promoting long-term sobriety.
Originally from Virginia, Cindy is also an Army veteran who served on active duty for 7 years from 1991 to 1998. Her military background has instilled in her a deep commitment to assisting our veteran population. Cindy aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding these illnesses, firmly believing in the reality and attainability of recovery.
Admissions Director, Katie Rodriguez, has been on the Willingway team since 2018. She has worked in all areas of medical administration for 25 years. Katie is an Alumni of the Willingway program and enjoys giving back to the community that helped save her life.
When asked about her favorite part of working at Willingway, she says, “I am thankful every day that I get to help clients and families find the gift of recovery.” Katie is originally from New Jersey;’ however, she has lived in Georgia for 20 years. She is married to her husband of 25 years and they share 3 children.
Melanie was born and raised in Stuttgart, Germany. After attending Dental Hygiene school there, she practiced dental hygiene for 10 years in both the civilian sector and the military as an enlisted soldier. In 2005, Melanie was accepted into the Officer’s Academy (OCS) to pursue a career as a logistics officer. After 20 years of service, Melanie retired from the military in 2015 having reached the rank of Battalion Executive Officer. Following her military retirement, Melanie decided to pursue her passion for training bird dogs and worked as a professional obedience/hunting dog trainer for several years. Eventually, she decided to embark on a new full-time career at Willingway. As Director of Compliance and Risk Management, she loves making a difference in people’s lives.
Dakota Ulmen, a Willingway alumna, resides in Statesboro and is a woman in long-term recovery. After completing treatment, she was drawn to the town’s welcoming character and quickly found a sense of connection and purpose within the community. Inspired by her own recovery journey, Dakota works alongside fellow alumni to help cultivate a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences and begin healing. Deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back, she is committed to supporting clients with compassion, integrity, and hope—holding a steadfast belief in the possibility of lasting recovery.
Dr. Bryan brings decades of experience in caring for individuals and families affected by addiction and mental health conditions. Raised along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he earned his medical degree through the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force.
Board Certified in Addiction Medicine, Dr. Bryan has spent much of his career leading and providing care in detoxification, mental health, and substance use treatment programs. He has served as Medical Director in both public and private treatment settings, including Willingway Hospital and St. Simons by the Sea. His approach emphasizes compassionate, comprehensive care that supports long-term recovery for patients and their families.