|
The Aspiro Leadership Team |
 Chief
Executive Officer - Randy Oakley
Randy grew up in Kansas City,
Missouri where he loved team sports,
journalism, canoeing, and exploring the
Ozark Mountains. After spending a couple of
years in France and Switzerland, Randy began
in 1987 working as a home parent in a
residential treatment facility. Within a
few months, his interest was perked by the
Recreational Program Director who was taking
young men on 20-day wilderness survival
trips. "I saw the students work hard
to improve their life on campus and then I
saw the powerful changes that took place in
the outdoors on these 20 day trips. At
a very young age I could clearly see the
power of working with students in the
outdoors," said Randy.
After some additional
training and work, Randy moved to Maui,
Hawaii for three years where he was the
Chief Operations Officer for a large youth
program. He moved to Utah in 1992 to be the
Program Director of another prominent
residential treatment program.
Throughout Randy's career, his specialty has
been running adventure therapy programs.
"I love seeing the light in students’ eyes
when they have just accomplished something
they didn't think they could. It's
even better when they finally make the
connection that the same principals that
allowed success in the adventure also allow
success in life," said Randy.
Ever since Randy started
working in the industry of "at-risk" teens
and wilderness adventure therapy in 1987, he has
dreamed of founding a state-of-the-art
program to help teenagers in need. Aspiro's
program began as an outgrowth of the vision
of Randy and others, but the program design
effort included researching the experiences
of many teens over the years and hiring a
team of adventure therapy professionals to
become part of the design effort.
With
children ranging from elementary to college
age, Randy and his wife Christina enjoy
traveling in their motor home, staying home
and playing family games and teaching the
kids new things. Randy completed his
college education in youth leadership & recreation management
and is fluent in French. |
Director of Business Development -
Brian Church
Brian Church brings a wealth of
experience to Aspiro’s management team
in the area’s of marketing and
admissions. Brian’s father was one of
three original founders of the SUWS
adolescent program. As such, Brian grew
up in the industry. Soon after
graduating from Brigham Young University
with a degree in Communications-Public
Relations emphasis, Brian became the
admissions director (pre and post
Aspen), and subsequently, the national
Marketing Director for SUWS. Most
recently, Brian was the
Admissions/Marketing Director for a
leading Therapeutic Boarding School.
Brian is fortunate to have a
wonderful wife and four great
children, two boys and two girls. He
loves spending time with his family
and their many different sports and
theater interests. Brian loves to
travel (which is a good interest to
have in his line of work!) Brian
loves all sports, especially golf,
baseball and football… and looks
forward to involvement with Aspiro’s
high adventure activities.
Brian is excited about working in
such a dynamic atmosphere where a
truly unique program has been
created. “I love the flexibility,
the pricing, the scholarships, and
the fact that kids actually enjoy
the program,” said church. “The
program is full of original
thinking, and is not just a “re-run”
of another program. It’s exciting to
be a part of such an outstanding
team of people that get it.”
|
|
Director of Admissions
- Josh Watson, LCSW
Email:
admissions@aspiro-inc.com
(801) 349-2740
Josh has over
six years of experience working with
adolescents and their families. He holds a
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor
in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb
University. He also earned a Master’s Degree
in Social Work from the University of
Georgia. Josh is a Licensed Master of Social
Work in the State of Georgia and a member of
the National Association of Social Workers.
His graduate research focus was in child and
family development, psychiatric assessment
of children, and the integration of
solution-based behavioral approaches into
the public school sector. Josh served for
two years as in internal and field research
analyst for the Great Schools and Families
Research Project funded by the CDC through
the University of Georgia. He also has
experience working for community service
boards, inpatient psychiatric hospitals for
adolescents, and private practice. His
areas of clinical expertise are in
interpersonal relationships, leadership
skills, and resource allocation.
Josh was a
collegiate wrestler and scholarship
recipient. He has been a wrestling coach
and facilitated multiple summer wrestling
camps for adolescents. Josh enjoys the
outdoors, sports (especially wrestling,
skiing, and golf), traveling, politics, and
spending time with his wife and family.
Since 1999, Josh has
worked with "at risk teens". Since
2003 Josh has been a therapist and an
admissions officer for a therapeutic
boarding school. He joins the Aspiro team
with a genuine enthusiasm to make a
difference in the lives of many. “I have
never lived outside of the Southeast.
However, after learning about Aspiro’s
clinical approach and intense adventure
therapy model I made the decision to move
across country,” said Josh. “This
organization is truly a breath of fresh
air.” |
|
 Clinical
Director - Dr. Gordon
Day - Ph.D.
Gordon L. Day, Ph.D. (currently of
Psychological Testing and formerly of Summit
Preparatory School and Outback Therapeutic
Expeditions) has been hired as director of a
newly formed specialty program for
neurologically diverse students. This
specialized student group will specialize in
assessing and treating students with a wide
range of learning and psychological
difficulties, including those in the
pervasive developmental disorder spectrum.
Dr. Day has had a dream to create a
specialty program that makes the rich
assessment and treatment opportunities in
adventure therapy available to students with
more significant learning disorders. Dr. Day
is convinced that Aspiro provides the ideal
foundation for helping these students.
"Aspiro has a strong adventure therapy model
and a track record of helping students in a
safe, respectful manner. It’s the perfect
place to help these students learn and
grow."
|
|
Mike Escalante - Chief
Operations Officer
 As
a teenager, Michael spent his summers
adventure guiding in Yellowstone and
Teton National parks in Wyoming.
In 2003 Mike discovered Wilderness
Therapy, and began working as a guide
for one of the original wilderness
therapy companies in Arizona.
Michael has since worked for three other
youth therapy companies in various
capacities before joining the Aspiro
team in April of 2006.
During his
undergraduate studies, Michael directed a
few international service projects, that
included leading a group of a dozen students
to Guatemala to build houses for widowed
mothers. Michael received his B.A. in
English with an emphasis in rhetorical
writing from Brigham Young University.
Having a variety of
previous work and volunteer experience in
marketing, instructional design, management
and guiding, Michael brings valuable
experience and leadership to the Aspiro
Field Operations. Michael enjoys good
literature, rock climbing, cycling, and
music. Mike is a wilderness first
responder.
|
Janet Robinson -
Chief Executive Assistant
 Janet discovered her passion for
working with youth and their
families over thirteen years ago.
After working in various youth
programs as a youth counselor and a
home parent of 14-18 adolescents
Janet wanted to become more involved
with families. Her work as a Peer
Parent, providing support and
education to parents in one-on-one
situations, increased her desire to
do even more.
Supported by her husband and
children, Janet returned to school
at the University of Utah and
graduated at the top of her class
receiving a Bachelors of Social Work
with an emphasis in child welfare.
Janet continued her work with
families as a Child Protective
Service Worker for the state of Utah
where she ensured the safety of
children by protecting them from
abuse and helped support families in
crisis. She and her husband also
became foster parents and opened
their home to adolescents. Years of
having these struggling teenagers in
her home has given Janet
understanding and empathy for both
parents and youth.
The most important thing to Janet is
her family. She and her husband
Justin have four wonderful children.
She enjoys spending time with them
and being involved in their lives.
She volunteers in their classrooms
and actively participates in the
PTA. She enjoys camping, hiking,
boating and just being with her
family.
Janet is excited to be a part of the
Aspiro team as she understands the
calming and healing powers of
nature. She loves being a part of a
program that builds on the strengths
and accomplishments of the student
to encourage them to make positive
changes in their lives.
|
|
Business Operations - Christina
Oakley
Christina was raised in Chicago and later
moved to San Diego before making her home in
Utah. "Next to taking my own children on
outdoor adventures, the thing I love most is
taking a group of students through the
canyons of Southern Utah. I love seeing
them work as a team as they see some of the
most awesome places on earth," said
Christina.
Christina started working in the industry in
2003, has been a program director of another
"at-risk" youth program in Utah, and
has been a
guide for Aspiro. "Running the
business operations is fun and exciting but
doesn't allow me to be with the students as
much. I miss not being out there like I
used to be!" Christina expressed.
Christina is a member of the original Aspiro
founding team. In addition to the outdoors,
she loves going to the theater, traveling
with her family, volunteering in her
children's classrooms at school, and reading
books.
|
|
|
|
