Mark C. Upright J.D., M.B.A.

President, CEO
Attorney at Law

Mark Upright came to Eliada in 2002 to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.  Prior to his tenure at Eliada, Mr. Upright accumulated over twenty years of treatment and educational services to children.  He began his career in protective services, foster care, and an educator in a private school setting.  He was the Chief Financial Officer for Tabor Children Services for eleven years and then the Vice President of Administration with The Association for Independent Growth; both premier non-profits providing services in and around the City of Philadelphia.

In addition to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer at Eliada, Mr. Upright has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina - Asheville and has a Law Practice that provides assistance in the areas of Family Law, Wills and Estates and Non-Profit Business Services.

Education / Accomplishments:
B.S. Psychology / East Stroudsburg University, PA
B.S. Accounting / DeSales University, PA
MBA in Health Care Administration / DeSales University, PA
Juris Doctor/ Rutgers School of Law, NJ
Membership, American Bar Association / NC Bar Association / 28th Judicial District Bar

Service to Our Community:
Volunteer Attorney / Mountain Area Volunteer Lawyer's Program
Vice President of the Children and Family Services Association of North Carolina
Chair, Policy Committee for Children and Family Services Association of North Carolina

Dr. Stephen Kiratzis

Psychiatrist, Medical Director
Dr. Kiratzis comes to Eliada with a wealth of clinical and research experience. A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Kiratzis has studied, trained, and practiced across the country.

Education / Accomplishments:
M.D. University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama; B.A. Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

His postdoctoral training included residency at the University of Vermont School of Medicine and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at New York University. Dr. Kiratzis holds licensures in Alabama, North Carolina, and New York, and is certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners. His clinical experience includes work as a consulting psychiatrist for Smoky Mountain Center, Grandfather Home for Children, Stone Mountain School, and Asheville School, among others.

Marie Jensen

Chief Operations Officer
Marie Jensen, a native of Wisconsin, has been with Eliada for over 15 years. Marie came to Eliada in 1991 as our Residential Director and served as Quality Improvement Director from 1998 to 2002, before advancing to COO.

Education / Accomplishments:
Master in Child and Youth Care Administration; Former President of National Association of Peer Group Agencies; state awards for Excellence in Support Services and Excellence in Management from Child and Family Services Association of NC; Participant in International Residential Exchange Program with England, North Carolina and South Carolina in 1990.  Workshop presenter at International Child Conference in Scotland, 1992.

Rebecca Williams

Chief Financial Officer
Becky Williams is a native of Memphis, TN.  She joined Eliada in 2002 as Comptroller with thirty years experience in accounting. 

Education / Accomplishments: 
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Illinois; Certification in Supervisory / Management Skills, Asheville-Buncombe Community Technical College;

Service to Our Community: 
Previously enjoyed serving as Cubmaster and Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 108!

Michelle M. Robinson

Director of Development
Michelle Robinson, originally from South Carolina, joined Eliada in 2004.  Michelle previously served as Deputy Director and Sponsorship Manager for Save the Children, Southeast Area Office.

Education / Accomplishments: 
Master of Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina; Bachelor of Criminal Justice; University of South Carolina; Certificate in Non-Profit Management, Duke University; 2003 Graduate of Leadership Asheville.

Service to Our Community: 
Volunteer Troop Leader, Girl Scouts; previously served on the board of Helpmate of Madison County; United Way of Asheville / Buncombe County, Core Volunteer, Community Assessment Committee, Citizen Review Board.

T. Lindsay Joines

Quality Compliance & Improvement/Crisis Management Officer
T. Lindsay Joines came to Eliada in December of 2000 as the Director of Residential Services and Training.In January of 2006 he became the Quality Compliance & Improvement/Crisis Management Officer with responsibility for rule compliance, Medicaid audits, investigations, COA, and CQI.  Prior to coming to Eliada Lindsay had significant experience working with a variety of client populations in both non-secure and secure settings.

Education/Accomplishments
BA in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Magna cum Laude; Masters in Divinity, Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem, PA; Ordained Moravian Minister, Moravian Church of America, Southern Province; 4 times certified by the Teaching-Family Association; Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, 1978.

Service to Our Community
Volunteer, American Red Cross (13 years)
Volunteer, Boy Scouts of America (10 years)

Tracey A. McCrain

Director of Child Development Services
Tracey joined Eliada in 1989 as a staff member in Residential Treatment.  She served for 10 years before moving to Child Development.

Education / Accomplishments: 
BA in Psychology from Dowling College; Level III Early Childhood Director Credentials; 2005 Director of the Year.

Service to Our Community: 
Member, Buncombe County Research and Referral Committee; Buncombe County Kindergarten Readiness Committee; Buncombe County More at Four Committee.

Laura Elliot

Director of Enhanced Services
Before moving to Asheville, Laura helped open a transitional housing facility, Project Homestart, in Chapel Hill, NC, for families working toward maintaining independent housing. Laura has now been at Eliada for six years. She has served as a Case Manager and Program Manager for Level 3 treatment, as the first Program Manager of our Level 4 Treatment program, Lions Cottage, then as the residential director, and now as the Director of Enhanced Services.

Education / Accomplishments:
Laura graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She began her career in Human Services in Washington DC through an internship program sponsored by the National Cathedral. After graduating from this program, Laura worked as a Residential Counselor and Administrator at the Brush Ranch School near Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The school served students from across the country with severe learning disabilities.

Service to Our Community: 
Laura is very active in serving Eliada's athletic teams.

Dennis Hawley

Human Resources Director
A recent transplant from Virginia, Dennis has worked for over 20 years in human resources, primarily in not-for-profit hospitals, ranging from small rural hospitals to large urban teaching facilities.

Education/Accomplishments:
Graduate of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; Bachelor of Arts, Government. Member, Society of Human Resources Management; Certified in VA as a general mediator.

Service to Our Community:
As a newcomer, Dennis is excited to learn about the opportunities for involvement about the opportunities for involvement in community affairs, and is especially active in volunteering for animal welfare organizations.