Before joining the ARC, Bryan worked with adolescents on an inpatient basis in Rockford, Illinois, where he was born and raised. Recently, Bryan has accepted the position of Assistant Clinical Coordinator for Outpatient Services. In this position, he will supervise other counselors as they work with clients in an outpatient setting. He is looking forward to developing his supervisory skills while also working on his Master's Degree in Human Development Counseling.

Bryan is convinced of the importance of education, as witnessed by all his credentials, beginning with his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Western Illinois University. Furthermore, he is also a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor as well as a Mental Illness Substance Abuse Counselor. Bryan is currently pursuing his certification as a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor.

While his education is a high priority, Bryan also enjoys working in the field and welcomes the opportunity for continued learning in all venues. He looks forward to the challenges that his current position will present him as well as working with the diverse backgrounds of the other ARC team members.

Lou Wright currently serves as the Coordinator of Resource Development with the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery (IIAR) at Proctor Hospital and Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. She joined the IIAR staff in 1994 working as a part-time Program Assistant on third shift while maintaining full-time status at college. Upon receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1996 from Bradley University, she accepted the full-time counselor position on the Adult Unit. After several years as a Certified Addictions Counselor, she moved into the Corporate Services Clinician position where she was able to incorporate past years of sales and marketing experience with her skills and knowledge in addictions. Lou found this position to be a very stimulating, high-geared position aimed at educating community-based programs, businesses, schools and corporate accounts about multiple addictions.

In August, Lou graduated with a Master's Degree in Health Service Administration from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, which allows her to utilize the administrative skills she has developed, along with her leadership ability to enhance and amplify the business resources viable to the IIAR. Lou enjoys this position, which gives her the opportunity to market the IIAR at a national level through exhibiting and presenting at national and regional conferences. She thrives on the challenges and diversity of her current position and dedicates herself to being a part of the IIAR team.

Lou's history with Proctor actually began in 1984 when she entered into treatment. With a new start in life and a feeling of indebtedness to Proctor for her spirit of recovery, she vowed to give back to others what she felt was so freely given to her. After many years of aspiring to work in the addiction field, she finally made the decision to close down a successful business she both owned and operated in order to pursue the formal education she needed to work in addictions. Providing support, guidance and enthusiasm in favor of change for the addicted client and family members has always been a propelling force in her counseling career and in her marketing relationships. She says, "To know that our service is Number 1, and I am living confirmation that it works, makes my job in resource development go smoothly." Lou coordinates all the public speaking requests, supervisory training, in-service and development of training workshops for the professional community.

Never one to sit idly by while others work, Lou currently serves as an external Employee Assistant Professional for a local corporation, on the board of directors for the Illinois Valley Mental Health Association; Women's Health Center Advisory Board at Proctor Hospital and is Co-Chairman for the Mental Health Forum. Other organizations she has been involved in for several years are the Peoria Business Academy Program, as a mentor, and the Soroptimist International, as a member.

Lou feels that these organizations keep her connection with the community strong, which is advantageous for any professional.

Lou also enjoys golf, racquetball and is an accomplished artist. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Certified Compulsive Gambler Counselor, Preventionist and Certified Employee Assistant Professional. Her diversified background in marketing, sales and addictions, along with her professional, academic and personal goals integrate well into the ever-changing healthcare field as it continues to emerge and revolve around strong marketing strategies needed to sustain a viable, comprehensive treatment facility in the healthcare arena.