Team

Prior to the launch of Alpha 180™, Bob Ferguson has served as founder and CEO of Jaywalker Lodge since 2004. Jaywalker Lodge is an extended care residential treatment and recovery community for men located in Carbondale, CO. Before that, Bob served for over 10 years in senior management positions at a number of the leading treatment providers in the addiction & recovery field including: Jaywalker Lodge, Promises Treatment Centers, Crossroads Antigua, and the Hazelden Foundation.

In addition, Bob has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) since 2011. He is currently beginning his second two-year term on the Executive Committee, serving as Secretary for the NAATP Board. Bob also serves as Chairman of the Board for A Way Out, an Aspen-based 501c3 providing crisis referrals and treatment scholarships for families and residents in Western Colorado.

Bob divides his time between Austin, TX and his home in Snowmass Village where he lives with his wife and two college-aged kids. When he’s not at Alpha 180, Bob stays busy as a grateful participant in his own recovery from addiction, which began – one day at a time – on Feb. 12, 1992.

My name is Nico Doorn and I serve as the Executive Director at Alpha 180. I was born in the Netherlands, but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina before finding recovery in Nashville, Tennessee. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Human Development Studies with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have a decade of experience working with young adults in recovery from substance use and mental health from residential treatment, recovery residences, and collegiate recovery programs in both client care and business roles. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, running and playing disc golf.

Wes’s experience in recovery began in October 2005. After going to a treatment program, he got involved with a recovery community and began to rebuild his life. He acquired his Bachelor degree from Schreiner University in Kerrville. Wes enjoyed college and the inspirational environment it provided. He moved to Austin to attend Texas State University and graduated with his Master of Business Administration. He has worked in the addiction treatment field in both direct care and operations roles, and has a passion for helping individuals in recovery improve their lives. Wes lives in Austin with his wife Veronica. He enjoys reading, hiking, and building things.

My name is Jake Acosta, and I serve as a Primary Therapist at Alpha 180. I was born and raised in San Antonio Texas where I grew up to find myself in a spiral of addiction. I found recovery in Kerrville Texas, and it was there that I was told about the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities at Texas Tech University. I decided to give college another try and completed both my bachelors and master’s degrees at Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas and I now call Austin my home. I am passionate about recovery and providing a platform for those in recovery to flourish! In my free time, I love to cook, spend time with my family and friends, and watch true crime shows.

My name is Cassidy Conway, and I serve as a Primary Therapist at Alpha 180. I was born in raised in Delaware, outside of Philadelphia. I received my Master’s in Professional Counseling at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My time in Charlotte led me to working in collegiate recovery where I began to focus my professional work around young adult recovery. I am passionate about being a part of a community that empowers you to step out of your comfort zone and grow into one’s self as a young person in recovery. I recently moved to the Austin area and am enjoying exploring all the food, music, nature and fun Texas has to offer. I am, and always will be, a Philadelphia Eagles fan so I am adjusting to being in Dallas territory.

My name is Amanda Allard, and I am a Master of Art Therapy student intern, completing coursework at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. I’m a “Navy Brat,” and so where I’m from is always difficult to answer, but I consider Gainesville, Florida my home. I am also an adjunct faculty member in the History Department at Austin Community College. I’ve been teaching history to all ages since 2007. I’m obviously passionate about art, in life and healing. You can find me outside in my free time, adventuring with my daughter, cycling, playing disc golf, gardening, paddle boarding, and sun worshipping.

Katie is from Arkansas but has called Austin home since 2010. She is in long-term recovery, having gotten sober as a young adult, as well as having worked in the addiction treatment field since 2011. Katie completed the Board Registered Interventionist, Certified Interventionist Professional, and Peer Recovery Support Specialist trainings and certification processes. She has worked at multiple treatment facilities over the years in various capacities, including interventionist, discharge coordinator, case manager, admissions, business relations, and as Director of Recovery Service. Katie loves learning new skills that enable her to be more helpful to those struggling with addiction. She is passionate about helping people through their recovery journey. She believes recovery is possible and that building recovery capital is key along with having a spiritual experience.

My name is Bryan West and I serve as the Residential Technician at Alpha 180. I was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and found recovery in Austin in 2017. I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and am currently pursuing my master’s in social work at Texas State. I have three years of experience working in residential treatment and transitional services. I have a passion for research, specifically emotional intelligence in regard to its relationship with addiction. In my free time I enjoy working out, hiking, and camping.

My name is Mac Breedlove and I serve as a Resident Advisor for Alpha 180. I was born in Russia and was adopted, alongside my sister, when I was 4. I am from Austin, Texas but discovered my sobriety in Southern California. My journey has led me back to Texas after 5 wonderful years in California in hopes of furthering my education. In the meantime, I have been sharing my experience and helping those in treatment, just like the many people who supported me on my road to recovery. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends or spending time with family.

My name is Will Hennessey and I serve as a House Manager at Alpha 180. I’m originally from New York, New York, but reside in Austin, Texas as a student now. I am currently a student at Austin Community College studying Psychology and have applied to The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edwards University in their Social Work programs. I got my start in recovery working as a Server but was drawn to Alpha 180 to serve others. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, outdoor activities, Italian food and reading good books with coffee

My name is Becca Doorn and I serve as an Operations Coordinator at Alpha 180. I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but moved to Austin in high school. I attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned my BA in History. I gained nearly 10 years of experience in corporate accounting and decided that I wanted to change courses in my career and was called to Alpha 180. In my free time, I enjoy working out, cleaning, playing with my cute kids and spending time with my husband and our extended family.

My name is Andrew Warren and I serve as the Outreach and Admissions Coordinator at Alpha 180. I was born in California and grew up in Southern California. I am currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Human Dimensions of Organizations and minoring in Business. I previously worked in direct client care at Alpha 180, but found my true passion was working with families and developing the program. In my free time, I love playing golf, running and watching shows on HBO.

Lauren is founder and owner of Boutique Educational Services. After getting her masters degree in special education from The University of Texas at Austin, Lauren taught Special Education in AISD, where she helped coordinate the work of teachers, paraprofessionals, and related personnel in order to meet the individual needs of Special Education students. During that time she designed and implemented Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and attended Academic Language Therapy training, a systematic dyslexia remediation program. In addition to teaching, Lauren has experience consulting with program directors in private and independent schools, helping them develop best practice methods when identifying and accommodating students.

Currently, Lauren specializes in helping families prioritize next steps when their child is struggling emotionally, academically, or behaviorally. Lauren’s practice focuses on school avoidant children, particularly those struggling with debilitating anxiety and other related mental health challenges. Lauren is humbled by her own three vivacious daughters, and has a deep appreciation for the parenting experience. Lauren loves reading aloud to her girls, walking her dog, and cooking with her husband. She serves on the board at All Saints’ Episcopal Day School and Generation SERVE and is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. Lauren also represents children’s best interests in family law cases as a Guardian Ad Litem in Travis County.