Robert Waggener
CEO
For over 35 years, Rob Waggener has earned a reputation in the behavioral health industry as an innovator, a connecter, and a leader of change. Rob has served in privately held, publicly traded, not-for-profit, for-profit, rural, urban, community-based, facility-centric, large and small organizations committed to serving individuals and families struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and as a distinguished Fellow in the American College of Healthcare, Rob has driven change in individuals and in organizations with a motto to “Keep Your Idealism Practical”. His ability to lead others to balance a passionate desire to serve with fiscal responsibility has helped him drive unprecedented transformation and growth, even in tumultuous times.
Most recently Rob has served Promises Behavioral Health as the Chairman of the Board throughout 2019 until present. Prior to that, Rob served as the Vice President of Addiction Services for Universal Health Services, a global $10 billion hospital and healthcare company. Prior to that he served as the CEO of Foundations Recovery Network, a national multi-site treatment company committed to serving adults and families struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Rob led Foundations for over 12 years through three external mergers and acquisitions, while driving internal growth primarily through organic and de novo channels.
Rob has seen and participated in radical change in the behavioral healthcare industry in his 35 years serving the industry. His purpose in life is to “facilitate connection through service to others”. Rob has been able to live this purpose at both macro levels, leading and changing organizations, and at the micro level, connecting with the individuals that can make change happen.
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Robert Waggener
Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen Frossard, BSN
Chief Marketing Officer
Kathy is a leader in the health care industry, with 30 years of experience. She specializes in all areas of marketing, from business development outreach and start-up to public company growth to digital and traditional marketing. Kathy began her career on the front lines as a nurse at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s health system. She went on to become director of staff development/risk management for Summit Care Corp, LLC. She spent 19 years with HealthStream, where she served in multiples roles, including senior director of client sales. Prior to joining Promises Behavioral Health, she was vice president of marketing and business development for the Foundations Recovery Network. Kathy has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Regents College.
Kathy believes we are all touched by the struggles of those who suffer from mental health issues and addiction and is committed to removing the stigma associated with seeking help. Part of her mission is to meet all people with acceptance, not judgment. In her free time, you may find her in the country with her husband and their Dachshunds, reading, texting with her daughters, and enjoying life.
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Kathleen Frossard, BSN
Chief Marketing Officer
Sam MacMaster, Ph.D.
Corporate Director of Clinical Operations
Sam MacMaster, Ph.D. joins the Promises corporate team as a leader and innovator in the behavioral health field. With over 30 years of experience, Sam brings his wealth of knowledge as he works to guide the Promises’ family of treatment centers in program design and delivery.
Sam began his behavioral health career shortly after his own recovery in 1988, working in a variety of addiction treatment centers for over a decade. During this time, Sam pursued his academic goals, earning a bachelor’s in psychology from Miami University, his master’s of science in social administration at Case Western Reserve University and finally getting his Ph.D. as a doctor in social welfare. Dr. MacMaster was a tenured member of the faculty at the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee in Nashville while also conducting important research on addiction and access to care. He would later move on to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he continues to be engaged in research on behavioral health as a member of the faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. During this time, he also co-founded Journey Pure, which focused on providing accessible and affordable addiction care. Dr. MacMaster has written three books and over seventy academic articles related to addiction and has assisted numerous treatment providers and community-based organizations in the design, development and evaluation of services for substance using populations.
Sam is passionate about the work he does and enjoys helping people. He designs accessible, science-backed programming to aid clients in finding their most authentic selves. Sam knows he’s done his job when clients being to enjoy the process of healing and find a sense of hope and joy in their lives.
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Sam MacMaster, Ph.D.
Corporate Director of Clinical Operations
Patrick Custer
National Director of Alumni
Patrick has almost a decade of experience in behavioral health, as well as the passion that comes from his personal story. After facing his own addiction in early adulthood and finding a new life in recovery, Patrick has dedicated his professional career to helping others discover the freedom he has experienced through his own treatment journey. As part of his commitment to serving the recovery community, he is working toward his licensure for alcohol and drug addiction counseling. Patrick is driven by a desire to be on the front lines of innovative healers bringing about an evolution of positive change in the lives of those brave enough to ask for help.
Patrick is an active volunteer in his community who believes that giving back is more than a hobby, but a privilege. He has served on various fundraising committees, including The American Cancer Society, Renewed (Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee), and the Brentwood YMCA, where he also served on the board and helped start a pilot program for children with special needs. When he’s not advocating for mental health and addiction or serving his community, Patrick can be found taking pictures of his dogs, Sully and Carter, for Instagram.
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Patrick Custer
National Director of Alumni
Lorri Steiner
Interim CFO
Lorri Steiner joined Promises Behavioral Health as Interim CFO in April 2020. Lorri began her career at Ernst and Young and has worked exclusively in the healthcare industry since that time. Prior to joining Promises, she was CFO at Meridian Behavioral Health Systems. Lorri has also served as SVP Financial Operations and Process Improvement at CSHM and at Haven Behavioral Healthcare as well as Corporate Controller at Vanguard Health Systems. Lorri is a certified public accountant who holds an undergraduate degree from Baylor University.
Lorri’s motto is “if I am going to be a geeky accountant, at least let it be in an industry that matters”!
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Lorri Steiner
Interim CFO