Plugged In Recovery Team
Our team
Executive Team
Wade Muhlhauser
Founder / CEO
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Wade Muhlhauser, the founder of Plugged In Recovery, has a deeply personal connection to addiction and recovery. Once a great student and talented baseball player, Wade's life took a difficult turn when his minor issue with addiction quickly escalated, impacting his work and relationships.
Scott Zielinski
CxO
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Scott brings over 20 years of leadership experience in creating, growing, and scaling businesses. Known for building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence across technology and investment sectors, he now applies this expertise at Plugged In Recovery. There, Scott is focused on expanding access to high-quality addiction recovery services and creating pathways for sustainable growth.
Dezarae Gonzales
COO
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Dezarae serves as the Chief Operations Officer of Plugged In Recovery, bringing passion, leadership, and lived experience to the heart of the organization. With over five years in recovery and extensive experience in the behavioral health field, Dezarae leads with a hands-on, people-first approach. She oversees operations across residential treatment, outpatient services, and a network of sober living homes, ensuring clients receive compassionate, high-quality care at every stage. Her commitment to ethical leadership, compliance, and innovation continues to elevate Plugged In's mission of providing meaningful recovery opportunities for individuals and families across Arizona.
Lena Moses
CGO
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Lena Moses holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education, with a background in child development, community relations, training, and coaching. She is passionate about neurodiversity inclusion, recovery, and the transformative power of understanding psychology. Lena is committed to fostering growth and development within organizations, empowering teams and individuals to reach their potential. Based in Arizona, she enjoys life with her two daughters and three rescue dogs and finds joy in storytelling through theater, music, and poetry.
Our team
Clinical Team
Heath McVicker
Outpatient Manager
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With nearly a decade of experience in substance-use treatment, Heath McVicker leads Plugged In Recovery with a deep passion for helping individuals rebuild their lives. Having worked across every level of care, he understands the challenges of both clients and staff and strives to cultivate a program that balances structure with empathy. His mission is to ensure each person who walks through Plugged In's doors feels supported, valued, and inspired to grow.
Jonah Kanavel
Residential Manager
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Jonah Kanavel serves as the Residential Manager at Plugged In Recovery. With over eight years of personal sobriety and seven years of professional experience in the addiction and mental health field, Jonah brings deep empathy, insight, and dedication to his role. He is passionate about guiding individuals through their mental health and substance abuse journeys and is committed to creating a supportive, structured environment where lasting healing can take place.
Brianna Perone
Director of Outpatient Services
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Brianna Perone serves as the Director of Outpatient Services at Plugged In Recovery, bringing over eight years of experience in the behavioral health field and nine years in personal recovery. Her career began as a Behavioral Health Technician and evolved through roles in case management and operations, giving her a well-rounded perspective on client care and program development. With a deep passion for helping others, Brianna blends her professional expertise and personal recovery journey to lead with compassion, integrity, and purpose. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment for individuals seeking recovery from addiction and mental health challenges.
Kelli Evans
Residential Director
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As a Residential Director with several years of experience in the recovery and treatment field, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to my work. I am in long-term recovery myself, and my journey has shaped the way I lead, support, and advocate for the individuals in my care. Having faced the challenges of addiction—including the painful struggle of navigating child custody during my lowest points—I understand firsthand the strength it takes to rebuild a life. Today, I'm grateful to use my experience to help others find hope, stability, and sobriety. I am passionate about creating a safe, structured, and compassionate environment where residents feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. My goal is to lead with empathy, integrity, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone.
Darren Lee
Clinical Director, M.A., LPC
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With more than 20 years in behavioral health, Darren Lee is a licensed clinical director known for strengthening programs, teams, and client outcomes across outpatient and residential care. His work includes developing trauma-informed treatment models, leading organizational improvements, and mentoring clinicians at every level, blending strategic vision with a deeply relational leadership style.
Steven Locnikar
Medical Director, DO
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Certified in Otolaryngology. Dr. Steven Locnikar was one of the most successful reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons in the state of Arizona throughout the 1990s into early 2000. However, he developed a substance addiction that ultimately consumed his personal and professional life during that time. Ironically, after successfully completing extensive inpatient drug and alcohol treatment, he returned to the practice of medicine and chose to dedicate the remainder of his personal and professional life to the treatment of others suffering from similar addictions. This unique blend of personal experience and extensive medical/surgical knowledge has allowed him to provide his patients with the best in cutting-edge medical addiction treatment in a compassionate and empathetic environment which is immediately evident upon his first encounter.
Danielle Villanova
Director of Nursing, RN, BSN
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As the Director of Nursing, Danielle Villanova is devoted to delivering high-quality, person-centered care to individuals in recovery. She brings strong clinical leadership, trauma-informed practice, and a heartfelt passion for supporting clients as they stabilize, heal, and rebuild their lives. Danielle works closely with the nursing team and collaborates with therapists and medical providers to support whole-person care. Her dedication to excellence helps create a safe, respectful, and hopeful environment where clients feel supported throughout their recovery journey.
Kevin Harvey
Primary Outpatient Therapist, MS
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Kevin is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in clinical settings. With a background that spans roles as a counselor, therapist, and advisor, Kevin has dedicated his career to helping individuals navigate life's challenges. His compassionate approach and ability to connect with people from all walks of life have been key in fostering trust and facilitating meaningful change. Kevin's expertise and empathetic nature make him a trusted guide for those seeking support and growth.
Laura Zsako
Primary Residential Therapist
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Laura is a therapist with a deep passion for mental health, healing, and recovery. She believes in creating a safe, supportive space where individuals can work through challenges, rediscover their strengths, and reclaim their lives. Whether you're navigating trauma, addiction, or emotional overwhelm, she walks alongside you with compassion, structure, and hope. When she's not in the therapy room, you'll often find her mountain climbing with her husband, grounded in nature and adventure — a reminder of the strength and balance we all strive for, inside and out.
Haley Ackert
Behavioral Health Paraprofessional
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Haley is in recovery herself and has long been passionate about helping others on their journey. Her lived experience fuels her compassion, and she brings heart and hope to every client interaction.
Nate Evans
Group Facilitator
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Nathan is a proud Arizona native with five years of sobriety and a deep-rooted passion for recovery. As a dedicated mental health advocate, he actively participates in community service and volunteer work, using his own journey to inspire and support others. Nathan brings compassion, relatability, and lived experience to every group he facilitates. Outside of work, he's a full-time father to his three-year-old daughter, who is the heart of his world and his greatest motivation.
Suzanne Fernandez
Lead BHT
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Suzanne has a deep passion for recovery and a strong belief in the power of building a solid foundation for lasting sobriety. She carries a heartfelt compassion for those still suffering and is committed to helping others reclaim their lives. She thrives in the moments of early recovery – the "Aha" moments – where clarity sparks change and hope begins to return. One of the greatest gifts of her work is witnessing love and life come back into someone's eyes. Being part of that transformation is both an honor and a calling to Suzanne.
Charles Fenigstein
Outpatient Therapist
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Chuck Fenigstein brings over 40 years of experience facilitating healing, growth, and development across diverse populations, from adolescents and individuals in recovery to professional athletes and executives. Drawing on his background as a CEO, Clinical Director, Therapist, and Teacher, he specializes in Mindfulness, Meditation, Spiritual Counseling, and value-centered personal transformation. A lifelong practitioner of Meditation, Martial Arts, Yoga, and Tai Chi, Chuck blends holistic and evidence-based approaches to help people realign with their true selves. His integrative work is rooted in disciplined training, lived experience, and a deep commitment to living a balanced and purposeful life.
Irene Curry
Psychiatric Nurse Practioner
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Irene is a dual board-certified Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing holistic, compassionate, and client-centered care. She specializes in supporting individuals facing complex mental health conditions, addiction, and recovery. Irene's practice is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based, and integrative approaches, with a strong commitment to helping clients heal, rebuild, and achieve lasting well-being.
Ben Ochoa
Case Manager
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Ben joined Plugged In Recovery as a full-time Group Facilitator, bringing a strong foundation of lived experience and compassion to the outpatient program. His firsthand understanding of recovery allows him to connect deeply with clients, create a safe space for growth, and guide them through meaningful therapeutic work.
Our team
Programming Team
Lexi Bailey
Director of Client Care & Alumni
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With over four years of dedicated experience in the behavioral health field, Lexi has worked in various treatment facilities, supporting clients through every stage of their recovery journey. Throughout this time, she has developed a deep passion for helping individuals find hope and healing. Lexi is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives. She believes in meeting clients where they are and providing compassionate, individualized care that addresses the unique needs of each person.
Shannon Scott
Executive Chef
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Shannon serves as the Executive Chef at Plugged In Recovery, bringing decades of experience in the culinary arts. Throughout her career, she has cooked for a wide range of individuals—from world-renowned musicians and professional athletes to former U.S. Presidents and first responders. Her work has taken her from large-scale events like WMPO and ESPN to disaster relief efforts during hurricanes and programs supporting women and children experiencing homelessness. Now, at Plugged In, Shannon finds deep purpose in nourishing individuals on their path to recovery. She considers it an honor to be part of each resident's journey and continues to be inspired by the community she serves.
Lauren Cortes
Hollistic Wellness Instructor
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Lauren is the heart of our holistic program at Plugged In. Specializing in the mind-body-spirit connection, she helps residents understand themselves at a deeper level. Through yoga, sound healing, and Human Design, Lauren guides individuals to reconnect with the truth of who they are — helping them release old patterns, connect past experiences to present challenges, and cultivate lasting fulfillment in relationships and life.
Ann Wilson
Equine Therapy, LPC-MSC
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Ann Wilson, LPC, MSC graduated from the University of Phoenix where she earned her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ann specializes in PTSD and has psychotherapeutic trainings that include EMDR by the EMDRIA institute, Equine Assisted EMDR (Equilateral™) by Dragonfly International, Structural Dissociation Theory integrated with Equine Psychotherapy, ASIST applied suicide intervention skills training. She is passionate about helping her clients and bringing awareness to mental health, she found a great way to combine that passion with her lifetime love of horses. She rides and competes in Dressage, enjoys swimming, Pilates, and spending time with her family. Ann Wilson is a board certified clinical supervisor.
Our team
Administrative Team
Greg Bravo
Director of People, Program & Culture
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Greg Bravo began his Behavioral Health career in 2009 and brings strong experience in programming, marketing, leadership, and client-centered recovery. He integrates 12-Step principles into his work to support meaningful client progress. Greg is known for improving program quality, strengthening teams, and enhancing the overall client experience. In his current role, he continues to guide staff and clients toward positive, long-term success
Fabiana Osnato
Director of Human Resources, Associate of Arts
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Going on 7 years in human resources, Fabi has a genuine passion for people. She focuses on boosting employee engagement through leadership initiatives in order to create a positive culture that encourages growth and loyalty. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, playing soccer, and practicing yoga.
James Currier
Clinical Compliance Coordinator
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James brings nearly a decade of experience in the behavioral health field, including five years in executive leadership. With a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a personal journey in recovery, he combines clinical knowledge with lived experience to lead compassionate, client-centered care. His work is grounded in a strong focus on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making, helping programs grow while upholding the highest standards of quality. James is dedicated to building systems that drive lasting change for both clients and the programs that support them.
Monica Schumann
Office Manager
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Monica Schumann is a dedicated Office Manager at Plugged In Recovery, where she brings a compassionate, client-centered approach to supporting individuals on their recovery journey. As someone in recovery herself, Monica understands the challenges and triumphs firsthand and uses that insight to build meaningful connections with the clients she serves. Her passion for helping others and commitment to personalized care make her a trusted advocate and integral part of the Plugged In team
Eric Parra
Operations x Specialist
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Eric Parra serves as a powerhouse Operations x Specialist, supporting a wide range of business functions with precision and adaptability. A true go-to resource, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and a solutions-driven mindset to every project. Whether optimizing workflows or stepping in during high-pressure moments, he's the dependable backbone that keeps operations moving forward.
Brittany Zielinski
Director of Billing & Administrative Operations
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As the Billing and Administrative Director at Plugged In Recovery, Brittany Zielinski keeps the heart of the organization running efficiently and effectively. She oversees insurance claims, revenue-cycle processes, staff support, and daily operational needs. With a strong background in HR, payroll, QuickBooks, and medical assisting, Brittany understands both the people and the systems that drive the organization. Her ability to problem-solve, stay organized, and communicate clearly makes her an essential leader and a trusted resource within the company.
ROAD TO RECOVERY STARTS HERE
How to Get Started
Our admissions process is simple, confidential, and compassionate.
We’ll guide you every step of the way.
Initial call with client and/or loved one.
Insurance verification. We accept most insurance.
Pre-assessment for clinical approval.
Scheduling and intake. Same-day intake available.
Ready to start your journey?
Talk to us
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