Key Staff & Board of Directors
Executive Team
Jared Sanford, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
360 397 8246 ext 30484
Jared Sanford joined Lifeline Connections in October 2012 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Jared has worked in many different capacities within the behavioral health field where he began his career as a Substance Abuse Counselor. He has held progressively responsible positions ranging from Clinical Supervisor to Regional Director and now CEO.
Jared holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He has a passion for recovery because he has witnessed the destructive nature of addiction. Jared believes that recovery is possible and happens every day!
Brandy Branch, LMHC, SUDP
Chief Clinical Officer
360 397 8246 ext 30534
Brandy serves as the Chief Clinical Officer of all Lifeline Connections clinical programs including in-patient residential, intensive outpatient, outpatient, mental health and drug court. Brandy has worked in the substance use and mental health field for over 20 years including working with patients experiencing co-occurring disorders through case management, group counseling, and education. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has counseled and assessed deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Brandy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and Associate of Science, Sign Language Interpretation at Portland Community College. She earned her Master’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in Deafness from Western Oregon University. Brandy started with Lifeline Connections in 2001 as a staff member in the Residential Unit. She has had increasing progressive positions leading to her current position as Chief Clinical Officer.
Joe Foster, MBA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer
360 397 8246 ext 30554
As the Chief Financial Officer, Joe has oversight of the agencies facilities, equipment and financial activities. Joe joined Lifeline after seven years at Concordia University, Portland OR where he played key roles including Director of Operations & Data Management, Director of Accounts Receivable and most recently Business Systems Analyst.
He began his professional career as the Director of Finance & Operations at Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, Santa Barbara, CA after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA. Joe earned his MBA with an emphasis in Operation Management from Concordia University, Portland, OR. Joe is also certified as a Management Accountant.
Remi Smith, MSW, MBA
Chief Quality Officer
360 397 8246 ext 30297
Remi Smith joined Lifeline Connections in May, 2019 and serves as the Chief Quality Officer. Remi has over thirteen years in Non Profit leadership, eight of which as a Quality Director. In addition, she has over 11 years in law enforcement.
Remi began her career in behavioral health in in-patient residential psychiatric services for children and adolescents, then transitioned into adult behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment. Remi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs from WSU/ Vancouver, her Master’s degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University and her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Portland.
Management Team
Arianna Kee, LMHC, SUDP
Deputy Clinical Officer
360 690-3069 ext 30403
Maria Calvert, BS, SUDP
Program Director
Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Services
360 397 8246 ext 30542
Phillip Muir, BS, SUDP
Program Director
Substance Use Disorder Residential Services
360 397 8246 ext 30411
Amber Martin, RN
Program Director
Withdrawal Management Services
360.397.8246 ext 30216
Kaylee Collins, LPN
Program Director
Medication Assisted Treatment Services
360 397 8246 ext 30483
Pat Upshaw, BA, SUDP
Program Director
Therapeutic Specialty Courts
Outpatient Services
360.397.8246 ext 30473
Jessica Hall, PHR
Human Resources Director
360 397 8246 ext 30495
Jeri Mortimore, CFRE
Development Director
360 397 8246 ext 30548
Dan Jass, MA, LMFT
Program Director, Interim
Mental Health Services
360.397.8246 ext 30229
Dan Jass, MA, LMFT
Program Director
Child & Youth Services
360.397.8246 ext 30229
Brianna Dalton, LMHC
Program Director
Community Based Treatment Services
360.397.8246 ext 31206
Carolyn Mason, MS, SUDP
Regional Program Director
North Sound Region
360.397.8246 ext 33012
Kim Nuesse, BS, SUDP
Program Director
Women’s Recovery Center
360.397.8246 ext 31306
Kara Seibert, LICSWA
Program Director
Crisis Stabilization Services
360.397.8246 ext 31204
Liana Hategan, MD
Medical Director
Board Certified Psychiatry and Neurology
Board Certified Forensic Psychiatry
Board Certified Addiction Medicine
The Board of Directors
President:
Matt Lee – Opsahl/Dawson Certified Public Accountants
Vice President:
Edie Blakley – Clark College Career Services
Treasurer:
Brian MacKenzie – Gunn MacKenzie Law Firm
Secretary:
Kasandra Early – Self Employed Business Contractor
Director:
Ginger Schmidt – Riverview Bank
Director:
Rusty Williams – IGI Resources
Director:
Harry White – Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors
Director:
Dr. Robert Poole – Retired Psychologist
The Sobering Services Unit Advisory Board
Chair: Kathy McNicholas – Vancouver Police Department
Vice Chair: Marc Muhr – Clark County EMS
Member: Peggy Sheehan – Vancouver City
Crisis Stabilization Advisory Board
Chair: John Horch, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Vice-Chair: Brittany Davis, Amerigroup
Member: Jeffrey Hite – Beacon Health Options
Member: Dave Kester – PeaceHealth
Member: Marc Muhr – Clark County EMS
Member: Chiara Caballero – NAMI SW WA
Member: Brad Berry – CVAB (Consumer Voices are Born)
Member: Victor Garcia, Peace Health
Member: Cathy Doriot, Ridgefield Police Department
Member: Kris DeVore, CRESA
Member: Kathy McNicholas, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Member: Daniel Smith, Community Health Plan of Washington
Member: Ana Sifuentes, YWCA Clark County
Member: Estefania Tran, RN
Member: Kori Basquez, Community Services Northwest
Member: Julie Walker, CRESA
Member: Jim Hagar, Port of Vancouver
Recovery Resource Advisory Board
Chair: Keith Wells
Vice Chair: Randy Strutz
Member: Bill San Nicolas
Member: John Dyer
Member: Julie Jo Cole
Member: Lyn Anderson
Member: Orvie Wake
Member: Tim Ranger