Jeannie Courtney
CEO/Founder

Jeannie Courtney, CEO has been associated with residential treatment for 11 years. Jeannie designed, developed and facilitated an innovative teen, parent and family program for a facility in Utah. In addition to program development, strategic planning and financial oversight responsibility at Spring Ridge Academy, Jeannie is actively involved in the training, community and academic components of the program. She has assembled a quality staff in her efforts to establish a school and program with strong emphasis on excellence and community. Jeannie's background includes teaching, training and other entrepreneurial endeavors. Courtney received a B.A. in Education from Arizona State University.

Suzanne Courtney
Community Director

Suzie brings a rich history of student life development and management to her position at Spring Ridge Academy. Suzie earned her B.A in Human Development at Prescott College. Her work experience includes a position as Dean of Students in a transitional program in Utah and a Community Supervisor role at Spring Ridge prior to moving into the Community Director position. Suzie has further experience in the fields of child care, therapy and education from her positions at CPS, as well as, experience in adventure education and wilderness therapy. Suzie utilizes her extensive experience in the responsibilities of staff management, student life curriculum design, student discipline and student services.

Susan Coatney
Asst. Admissions Director

Susan has been employed in the therapeutic boarding school environment since 1998. She was formerly the Director of Operations for a similar program located in the State of Arizona where her duties covered a variety of responsibilities from administrative and fiscal management to assisting with admissions. Her diverse experience includes real estate sales and marketing, and more than 15 years of administrative, financial, and human resources management.

Joseph Gubbins
Academic Director

Joe received his B.A. in English from DePaul University and his M.A. in Supervision and Administration from Roosevelt University. He has a wide range of experience in the field of education. Following years of teaching high school English and coaching various sports he moved into Administration where he has been an active partner and participant in school improvement initiatives both at National and State levels.

Mary Hickey
Assistant Head of School / Admissions Director

Mary has been employed in adolescent and family treatment programs since 1996. Prior to joining the Spring Ridge Academy team Mary worked as a senior field instructor for a therapeutic wilderness program and as a teacher and facilitator at a residential treatment center for girls. Mary received her B.A. in Adventure Education and Physical Education from Prescott College and her M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Relations from Northern Arizona University in 2004. Mary’s education and work experience assist her in screening and enrolling appropriate students and in supporting parents through the difficult process of placing their child in a program. Mary is a part of the team that designs, develops and facilitates the adolescent and family program.

Gary Hees
Clinical Director

Gary Hees, Clinical Director, is responsible for the Administration of the Arizona Behavioral Health Services licensure held by Spring Ridge Academy as well as the Mental Health/Clinical aspects of the program. Gary had a successful 23 year career in business before deciding upon a change of career into the field of Behavioral Health. Gary holds an M.A. in Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona and Texas. His background in Behavioral Health includes the treatment of adults, adolescents, children and families as well as the creation, implementation and supervision of programs in the public, private and educational sectors. In addition, Gary has extensive background in the presentation and facilitation of the experiential, personal growth workshops that are an integral part of the holistic approach of Spring Ridge Academy to the healing of our girls and their families. 

Dr. Gayle L. Gregory, MD

Psychiatrist 

Dr. Gregory has been a member of the Medical Staff at West Yavapai Guidance Clinic in Prescott since 2002, where she cares primarily for child and adolescent patients.  She is also a member of the Windhaven Psychiatric Hospital Medical Staff in Prescott Valley.  Prior to her current sites of practice, Dr. Gregory was a Psychiatrist for an adolescent residential treatment center, the Medical Director of a child and adolescent unit, and she maintained a private psychiatry practice in Waco, Texas.  Earning her doctorate of medicine at the University of Illinois, Dr. Gregory went on to complete her child / adolescent psychiatric fellowship as well as her internship and psychiatric residency at the University of California Irvine Medical Center.