Realizing Treatment Innovation

Ben’s passion for recovery, prevention and harm reduction comes from his own struggle with substance abuse. Sober since 6/15/96, Ben has been a part of the recovery movement in almost every way imaginable; from a recipient to a provider to a spokesperson. In 2007 Ben left his position as a HR director inside of a Denver based S&P 500 firm to help start the Colorado based nonprofit, Phoenix Multisport, now “The Phoenix”. As an original board member and then their first full time employee, Ben was instrumental in building this organization that has received frequent national recognition for their innovative approach to building sober communities around sport and healthy activities. In 2012 Cort joined the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) where he ran the marketing, business development and admissions departments for their substance abuse treatment services known as CeDAR. He left that role in 2017 to consult inside of the treatment community, athletics and organized labor. Throughout this time Ben has remained active in the discussion around marijuana, assisting several states efforts to hold back Big Marijuana and always advocating for recovery. These efforts keep him close to the national discussion and make him a frequent guest in the media. Ben has earned a reputation as being pro-logic and recovery oriented rather than anti anything. Cort is considered a subject matter expert on ethical treatment practices, having written widely adopted curriculum on the subject and frequently discusses the topic on national platforms and media. He is also utilized by professional sports leagues, clubs and collegiate athletic programs to determine appropriate treatment for their athletes, coaches and their families as well as develop recovery-oriented policies. Ben is a Jr Fellow at the University of Florida inside of their drug policy institute, a board member for NALGAP (National Association of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender treatment providers and their allies), a Board member at SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) and faculty at numerous institutes. He is a published author (Weed Inc, HCI/Simon and Schuster 2017). His TED talk “Surprising Truths about Legalizing Cannabis” has been viewed over 2 million times. In November of 2019 Ben moved from a consulting role with the Foundry Steamboat Springs to CEO. When not working or hanging out with his wife and three kids Ben can be found chasing trout with his flyrod or buried deep in a book.

Dr. Michael Barnes is a Master Addiction Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor who serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at the Foundry Treatment Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He provides administrative and clinical oversight for all residential and outpatient programs. Dr. Barnes comes to the Foundry after serving for five years as the Clinical Manager of Residential Services at CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction, and Rehabilitation) at the University of Colorado Hospital and 10 years as a full time clinical professor in Counseling. Most recently he served as the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor in the MA Program in Counseling at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Barnes has developed trauma integrated clinical models for the treatment of individuals with co-occurring addiction and trauma and he speaks nationally on Families, Trauma, and Addiction. Dr. Barnes received his BA in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University. Dr. Barnes is an avid road cyclist and a beginning mountain biker. He also enjoys skiing, hiking/camping, fishing, Colorado Rockies Baseball, and Florida State Football. As a native of Hollidaysburg, PA (about 90 miles east of Pittsburgh) he also enjoys following Pitt Football and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins.

Tom Walker brings more than two decades of behavioral healthcare management expertise and personal recovery experience to Foundry Steamboat and the Colorado recovery community. Walker’s experiences providing direct counseling care, representing programs as an outreach professional, and co-founding a successful Washington DC area intensive outpatient practice inform his expansive knowledge of behavioral healthcare theory, practice, and operation. Walker’s recovery career includes roles as a business consultant, staunch ally and advocate for individuals and families, and a board member for recovery-supportive nonprofit and community organizations. Tom’s belief in the importance of recovery-oriented systems of care and trauma-informed treatment drew him to Foundry Steamboat, where he can fulfill his calling by advancing its Trauma-Integrated Care model. Tom’s recreational therapies include all forms of motorsport, hiking, snowboarding, and reveling in the outdoors. He lives with his wife Leigh, son Colton, and dog Whipple.

Dr. Shuler has lived in Colorado since age 6, growing up in the Fort Collins area. He attended Colorado Timberline Academy in Durango for high school and after that became an MP in the United States Army. After that, he returned to Fort Collins where he was self-employed in a couple of different ventures before attending College at Colorado State University where he did a double major in Botany and Zoology. After graduating, he attended medical school at Des Moines University where he also received a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. He then attended internship residency in emergency medicine at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. He returned to Colorado and practiced emergency medicine in a wide variety of emergency departments including locum tenens work in multiple states and started an urgent care business with other partners. Dr. Shuler’s passion for addiction medicine arose from his own recovery from alcoholism over a decade ago. He began his training at Harmony Foundation and worked under and with several addiction medicine specialists in a variety of practices over the past 6 years. He is currently dual board-certified in addiction and emergency medicine with a subspecialty fellowship in wilderness medicine. He currently lives with his wife in Lafayette, Colorado and has two girls, ages 19 and 22, and two step-children ages 19 and 25. He is the Medical Director for inpatient addiction treatment at the Foundry in Steamboat, Colorado, and the Lookout in Boulder, Colorado. Additionally, he is a regional medical director for Front Range Clinics, devoted to outpatient addiction treatment and works with the Denver Recovery Group, another outpatient addiction treatment facility. His hobbies include gourmet cooking, as much travel as possible, and a variety of outdoor activities in Colorado.

Jasmine is the Clinical and Compliance Director/Therapist at Foundry Treatment Center. She is a lover of the great outdoors. She can be found riding her bike up some pass in Colorado or out hiking in the wilderness. The outdoors, however, is not her only passion. She is very dedicated to those suffering from addiction, as she understands what it is like to find oneself in the menacing grip of addiction, not knowing how you got there and doubtful as to whether you can find your way out. Her understanding and belief in those struggling with the obsessive, compulsive illness fuel her to ensure those receiving treatment are getting a compassionate, individualized, professional, high-quality treatment experience that is effective. It is, for this reason, she works at Foundry Treatment Center. Jasmine believes Foundry Treatment Center provides high-quality treatment, fosters hope as well as aids clients in beginning the journey of lifelong recovery. As for Jasmine’s experience, she has worked in the field of addiction for well over twenty-five years, working with individuals both in an outpatient and inpatient setting, as well as those who are seeking treatment on a voluntary basis and those who find themselves in court-ordered treatment. Jasmine has experience treating those who are struggling with various forms of addiction, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado. Jasmine is licensed in Wyoming as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Addictions Therapist (LAT). She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor through the State of Colorado. In addition, she is an Acupuncture Detox Specialist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and EMDR trained.

Scott has been an integral part of the Foundry Treatment Center team since the beginning of 2016 and brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to his position of Executive Director. Prior to his work with the Foundry, Scott oversaw day-to-day operations at treatment programs across Colorado, including Outpatient and Residential care. His initial role with the Foundry was as Director of Admissions, where he assisted families and individuals in accessing quality care (both inside and outside of Foundry programming). Scott’s position quickly evolved to include multiple aspects of the program; coordinating continuing care with outside providers, staffing, and Business Development. In December of 2018, Scott transitioned to an Operations position within the company; combining his previous work experience with the unique perspective gained while managing admissions. Scott now oversees day-to-day operations in Steamboat Springs, working alongside the clinical & medical departments to ensure the highest possible quality of care.

Amanda joined the Foundry in September 2015 and loves being part of a team that provides hope for so many. She is grateful for the opportunities to grow her professional and personal skill sets as part of the Foundry Steamboat Team. Amanda started her behavioral healthcare career in Continuity Oversight, supporting clinical, medical, wellness, and leadership colleagues. As Operations & Compliance Manager, she played a vital role in developing procedures and implementing Foundry’s Environment of Care Program. She then became involved in program development, case management, admissions, and intake. As Foundry Steamboat’s Human Resources Manager, Amanda applied expertise in mindfulness and self-care to improve the workplace environment for all employees, help colleagues advance their goals, and reduce compassion fatigue. Amanda continued to develop productive relationships with staff, community, and provider partners as Foundry Steamboat’s Community Relations Manager. Amanda is passionate about helping individuals discover and pursue their true potential and believes that Foundry Steamboat’s exceptional leadership team, caregivers, and programming supports the growth of treatment professionals and the healing of clients and families.

Nikki was looking to expand her career in the treatment industry and mentoring others in their business development endeavors. She has always been impressed with the clinical excellence with Foundry, as well as the general passion for helping people and families affected by addiction. She genuinely enjoys helping people better their lives and being an educator and resource to referral sources, clients and families to reduce the stigma of addiction. On her time off she loves learning new recipes and trying new restaurants, indoor cycling, yoga, walking in nature, pilates and hanging with her 4-year-old son, husband and friends.

Cait is the Wellness Director for the Foundry’s residential program and is an ACE Certified Health Coach. Cait grew up in Colorado and played soccer for Aurora University in Aurora, IL. Cait got her degree in Fitness and Health promotion while attending Aurora University and has experience in various types of health and wellness careers including personal training and as an Exercise Physiologist. After moving to the mountains in 2012, she took a hiatus from the health and wellness field and worked at a guest ranch for two years in Granby before moving with her husband and dog to Steamboat Springs. For her first two years in Steamboat she worked in the hospitality industry before deciding to get back to her true passion in the health and wellness industry. Cait has been at Foundry Treatment Center since 2016, starting as an Addiction Tech before becoming the Wellness Director in 2018. Cait and her family have made Steamboat their home and enjoy all of the activities the town has to offer, especially snowboarding, hiking and fly-fishing.

Amber is a Certified Addiction Specialist who has a deep passion for helping those struggling with substance use and mental health by seeing people for the unique individuals they are and meeting them where they are at on their journey. Amber believes that anyone has within themselves the ability to rebuild their lives given the right opportunities and support. Amber has worked in the treatment field for six years with experience in all levels of care. Amber began her work as a case manager providing resources to individuals in treatment. After obtaining her counseling certification, she moved into a clinical role working with individuals and families. More recently, Amber has begun the next leg of her professional adventure in helping educate and advocate for treatment resources in different communities around the state of Colorado. Currently, she is working toward a double major in psychology and business. Her goal is to create change within the behavioral health system by making treatment resources and opportunities more readily available for everyone. Amber is a person with lived experience and is in recovery herself. When she is not advocating and working to help others, Amber spends most of her time with her partner and two-year-old daughter going on new adventures, even if it is imaginary ones in the backyard. She enjoys playing softball, camping, traveling, spending time with family, and DIY projects around the home.

Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Amanda was introduced to Colorado during a family ski trip. When it came time to choose a college, she headed west again and graduated from Colorado State University. After earning her master's degree and spending some time back on the east coast, she and her husband moved to Steamboat Springs where they spent six years enjoying mountain living. Amanda was introduced to Foundry in 2019 when she began working as an Administrative Assistant. After a transition to Lakewood, CO, she now continues her work with Foundry remotely. Amanda is passionate about helping people discover, appreciate, and apply the talents and gifts that make them unique. To that end, she is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and works with individuals to implement a strengths-based mindset in all aspects of life. As the Human Resource Administrator, Amanda is excited to bring her own talents to this role with a special focus on employee growth, development, and engagement. She and her husband are proud Aunt and Uncle to five amazing kids. They love to cook, bike, hike, and enjoy all that the beautiful state of Colorado has to offer.

Scott has been an Executive Chef for 15 years and his background has been in Hotels and Resorts. He has enjoyed the change of pace and 1 on 1 interactions he has on a daily basis. If you ask Scott what his favorite thing to make is, his reply will be different depending on the season!

Henry grew up in Saint Peter, Minnesota, where he enjoyed all that the ten thousand lakes had to offer! After graduating from high school Henry took what he thought was only going to be a year off, but during this year, Henry found himself working in the kitchen of a retreat center in the North Cascades of Washington state. The North Cascades are where Henry discovered his love for cooking and baking, with lots of backcountry skiing on the side! Henry eventually found himself living with his brother in Fort Collins but knew that he was never going to stay there long. So in December of 2020, Henry moved to Steamboat Springs where he is enjoying his lifelong passions of cooking and baking at the Foundry Treatment Center. Of course, when Henry is not at work, he will be skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, or carving cooking utensils out of wood!