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Founders

a photo of Justin, on staff at The Arbor

Justin Harvey

Founder and CEO

a photo of Jim, on staff at The Arbor

Jim Walker

Founder

Eloise DeJoria

Founder

Leadership

Dan Ptak

Executive Director

Headshot of Tamara

Tamara Segura

LPC, LCDC, EMDR

Clinical Director

Zack Plyler

Director of Business Development

John Swartz

Director of Admissions

Christi Finley Headshot

Christi Finley

BSN, RN

Director of Nursing

Eric Schneider

LCSW, LCDC

Intensive Outpatient Program Manager

Kris Gonzales

M.S., TRI, ESMHL

Equine Therapy Lead

a photo of Amy, on staff at The Arbor

Amy Alden

LCDC

Family Services Director

Dr. Julius Cantu

MD

Medical Director

Kasey Bates

MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Karyn Chavez

Director of Human Resources

Kathryn Naegeler

CPA

Controller

Nick Engstrom

Director of Recovery and Alumni Services

Justin Harvey

Founder & CEO

Justin is a committed member in the recovery community of Austin and an avid suppo­rter of quali­ty treat­ment for alcoh­ol and drug abuse. Displaying the highest level of integrity in his personal and professional life, he is a former marine and has worked in the addiction field and commercial construction management. His passion for helping others struggling with addiction brought him to The Arbor. His leadership skills and compassion for others make him excellent with client care and 12-Step support services while maintaining a safe and therapeutic treatment environment.

Jim Walker

Founder

Jim has been actively working in the alcohol treatment and drug treatment field for over 30 years. He has provided executive leadership in multiple capacities and organizations, including the Greater Austin Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, La Hacienda treatment center in Hunt, Parkside treatment centers, and Heartland Health Systems. Jim recently provided consulting services to Memorial-Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center for marketing, patient access systems, and call center development. Jim has a degree in Education and has been a certified alcohol and drug counselor and a graduate of Johnson Institute of Intervention.

Eloise DeJoria

Founder

Texas native Eloise DeJoria is an owner of The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare in partnership with her son Justin Harvey and recovery expert Jim Walker. Having seen the transformation of recovery in friends and loved ones, Eloise has been an ardent supporter of holistic healing programs for more than 30 years. She uses her philanthropy and platform to ensure that more people have access to recovery. A film and television actress, Eloise also contributes to the arts through organizations like Paramount Theater, The Austin Film Society, and Girls Impact the World Film Festival. Through global and local efforts, Eloise is committed to helping people lead healthy and fulfilled lives.

GET TO KNOW:

Dan Ptak

My journey with The Arbor began in December 2016, during what I can only describe as a divine intervention. Like many who arrive at treatment, I didn’t walk through the front doors because life was going particularly well. What I found, however, was a community of people who cared enough to challenge me, hold me accountable, and guide me through the often uncomfortable process of rebuilding a life.

That experience fundamentally changed my understanding of addiction, recovery, and ultimately leadership itself. It taught me that the real struggle with alcoholism and addiction begins not when we stop using substances, but when we start learning how to live without them. It taught me that addiction is neither a moral failing nor a permanent identity, but an opportunity to take full responsibility for our past, present, and future. Most importantly, it taught me that meaningful and lasting change cannot be achieved through compliance alone. Recovery requires connection, humility, accountability, and a willingness to continuously examine and rebuild ourselves.

After finding recovery, I took what could generously be described as a “career pivot” from washing limousines to working in behavioral health. I began my professional journey at The Arbor managing one of our sober living homes while also working as a Behavioral Health Technician. From there, I had the privilege of serving in admissions, business development, admissions leadership, and executive operations before being named Executive Director in January 2024.

Today, I oversee the operational and strategic direction of The Arbor. My approach to leadership is deeply informed by the same principles that sustain recovery: clarity, accountability, humility, continuous self-examination, and a willingness to do difficult things when they need to be done. I believe that exceptional treatment programs are not built through slogans or good intentions, but through disciplined execution, empowered teams, and an unwavering commitment to the people we serve.

I am incredibly proud that The Arbor has grown into one of the most established and respected residential treatment programs in Texas. More importantly, I am proud that we continue to operate according to the same principles that changed my own life nearly a decade ago. In many ways, I remain one of The Arbor’s greatest success stories, and I consider it a profound privilege to carry its mission forward every day.

I currently live in Georgetown, Texas, with my beautiful wife and daughter. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I remain a devoted Green Bay Packers fan and proudly display my single share of Packers stock as evidence that I am, technically speaking, an NFL owner. In my spare time, I continue pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a professional soccer player, though recent developments have relegated me to the considerably less prestigious Old Man’s Soccer Association of Round Rock.

Kris Gonzalez

M.S., TRI, ESMHL

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Kris has over 20 years of experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy and over ten years of experience in equine-assisted services and therapies. She has worked with children and adults with disabilities, at-risk youth, children in foster care, abused children, veterans, parolees, and the homeless. Kris joined The Arbor in 2012 under the mentorship of Mary Lynn Szymandera, LCDC, CEIP, founder of The Arbor’s equine program. Kris is a therapeutic riding instructor (TRI) and equine specialist in mental health and learning (ESMHL) certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH International). She has received training from the EAGALA (Equine- Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and Natural Lifemanship™. Kris oversees the care and well-being of The Arbor horses and facilitates weekly one-on-one equine therapy sessions and weekly gender-specific group equine sessions for The Arbor clients. She also facilitates equine therapy for The Arbor’s monthly family program.

Brian Samford

PhD, LMFT, LCDC

Executive Director

I started the journey of recovery in 1990 upon entering a treatment program. At that time, my life was completely out of control and full of pain. During my first week of treatment, I was assigned a counselor who assisted me in changing life paths. I do not remember much of what he told me, but I do remember something much more valuable. He demonstrated the highest levels of love and concern for this stranger that presented in front of him. His compassion so impacted me that I decided to be a counselor just like him once I became stable in life.

My first job in mental health was in 1991 at Vernon State Hospital as a nursing tech. I also began studying to become a chemical dependency counselor at the time. I learned a tremendous amount from both endeavors. In 1994, I received a scholarship at Texas Tech University in the Center for the Study of Addiction. The program was for students who had a history of addiction and demonstrated a strong commitment to recovery. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 1996. I achieved a master’s degree in 1996 and was eventually able to complete a doctorate degree in 2006 in Marriage and Family Therapy. My initial intent was to stop at the undergraduate degree. What led to continued study was the desire to become more proficient in working with families. I had some challenging experiences early on while working with families.

I became a licensed chemical dependency counselor in 1997 and a marriage and family therapist in 2001. Over the years, I have worked in a variety of capacities, including, but not limited to, counselor, therapist, clinical director, executive director, and owner. Facilities of work included Vernon State Hospital, Lubbock State School, Lubbock MHMR, Southwest Institute for Addictive Diseases, John T. Montford Psychiatric Unit, DePaul Center, Starlite Recovery Center, and Creekview Counseling. I am currently honored with being the executive director at The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare. Much of my career has been focused on creating more effective methods for treating persons struggling with addiction and mental health issues. I have also focused on creating supportive ethical work environments that allow employees to feel part of something special.