Meet Our Team

Michael Frank is the founder and CEO of Excel Treatment Center and The Milestone House, and he has worked in the recovery field for 23 years. Michael is in long-term recovery himself, and his passion for helping people find recovery is what brought him to this work.

What he enjoys most is helping clients overcome the challenges that come with early recovery. Outside of work, Michael likes reading, working out and taking his dog, Dino, for walks.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

Stephen McNeer is Excel Treatment Center’s Chief Operating Officer and has worked in the field for 11 years. His own recovery, and his involvement in the recovery community, led him to this work.

What Stephen finds most rewarding is watching people get their lives and their families back. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his children and being of service.

“Helping others one day at a time.”

Jodi Weston is the Clinical Director for Excel Treatment Center and Excel Behavioral Health. She has worked in the field for more than 20 years, starting in behavioral health, mental health and substance use case management for adolescents, children and families. That work led her back to graduate school for her MSW with a focus on addiction, and she has worked with co-occurring populations since 2014.

Jodi chose addiction and mental health treatment because she believes in the power of hope, healing and recovery. As Clinical Director and clinical supervisor, she supports both clients on their path toward meaningful change and clinicians as they grow professionally. Her work with clients centers on complex co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, trauma and personality disorders, using an integrative, person-centered and trauma-informed approach that considers each person’s history, strengths and stage of life.

She enjoys working with clients, mentoring and training clinical staff, and watching others grow and change. Away from work, Jodi spends time with her cat, Dexter, runs and works out, and enjoys true crime documentaries, podcasts and books, along with time with friends and family.

“Sometimes the greatest act in healing is simply helping someone feel seen, heard and understood. People may forget what we have said, but will remember how we made them feel.”

Priscilla Ortiz is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor at Excel Treatment Center, with four years in the field. She enjoys supporting individuals, children and families, teaching them new skills that support their growth, and helping them see that their past does not define their future.

Priscilla draws on CBT, DBT, a trauma-informed approach and person-centered therapy. Her favorite part of the work is connecting with clients, learning their stories and supporting their growth. In her free time she enjoys picnics, the beach, reading with her book club, and a good massage or facial.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we are curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Walt Disney

Julianna Lambos, LSW, is a Primary Therapist at Excel Treatment Center with five to six years in the field. She chose this work to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives during some of their most challenging moments, helping them recognize their strengths, build healthier coping skills and develop the confidence and support systems that lasting change requires.

Her clinical focus includes substance use and addiction recovery, co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, emotion regulation, coping skills, trauma-related concerns and strengthening healthy support systems. Julianna uses a person-centered, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, with interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, solution-focused techniques, relapse prevention and psychoeducation.

What she enjoys most is empowering clients as they work toward positive change. Outside of work, Julianna loves spending time with family and friends, cooking, and dog-sitting a Goldendoodle who always keeps her smiling.

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

Tiffany Miller, LSW, is a Primary Therapist at Excel Treatment Center in Dover, NJ. She grew up around addiction and hardship, and she believes everyone facing the same struggles deserves help.

Tiffany’s clinical focus includes mindfulness, DBT, CBT, trauma work and LGBTQ+ affirming care. She loves seeing people thrive, grow and build the connections that help them succeed in recovery. In her free time she enjoys traveling, scenic views, photography, skateboarding, and time with her dog and cat.

“If anyone is magically going to appear and suddenly make your life better, just know that person is always going to be you.” Brianna Pastor

Paul Frabizzio, LSW, is a Primary Therapist at Excel Treatment Center. His own struggles with addiction and combat PTSD inspired him to become a therapist, and he has worked in the field for two years.

Paul focuses on substance use, trauma and PTSD, using person-centered and trauma-focused approaches. He enjoys helping others find their way on their mental health journey and seeing clients find motivation and stick with their routines. Outside of work, Paul spends time with his family and enjoys skydiving, gaming and the shooting range.

“Always assault forward.”

David Kniffin, CADC, is a Primary Therapist at Excel Treatment Center with six years in the field. David is in long-term recovery himself, and his clinical work centers on substance use and 12 Step recovery.

What he enjoys most is seeing someone make that connection or breakthrough. In his free time, David enjoys friends and food.

“One day at a time.”

Maximilian Laurenzi, CADC, ICADC, is an Addiction Counselor at Excel Treatment Center in Dover, NJ, with five years in the field. His personal experience with recovery and a desire to help others brought him to this work.

Max focuses on group therapy and family dynamics and uses Motivational Interviewing. He loves witnessing the successes: families put back together, the hopeless becoming hopeful, and lives saved through treatment and recovery. Outside of work, he likes to cook and grill, play drums, work out, watch movies, and spend time with his daughter and their dog, Luna.

“Don’t quit before the miracle happens.”

Jonathan Tobia, CADC, ICADC, SAP, is a therapist, case manager and DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluator at Excel Treatment Center, with seven years in the field. There was a time when Jonathan was the one seeking help, and his life has changed in ways words cannot fully capture. Today he has the opportunity to help others find their own path to freedom. To him, this is not just a job. It is a privilege to be of service and to help others discover that a better life is possible.

His clinical focus includes substance use assessment, co-occurring mental health concerns, relapse prevention, return-to-duty evaluations for safety-sensitive employees, and individualized treatment planning aligned with ASAM criteria. He also provides specialized oversight for DOT-regulated employees, ensuring compliance, safety and appropriate clinical recommendations within federal guidelines. Jonathan uses Motivational Interviewing, CBT and DBT.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his wife and two children, along with their French bulldog and cat.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Carl Jung

Nicholette Donoghue, APN, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric APN on Excel Treatment Center’s medical staff. She worked as a registered nurse on a detox unit for five years before becoming an APN two years ago.

Nicholette chose psychiatric and addiction care because of the way mental health and substance use intersect. She is passionate about understanding what is behind a patient’s symptoms and behaviors, and about caring for the whole person rather than simply a diagnosis. Her approach combines psychiatric medication management with trauma-informed care, including EMDR when clinically appropriate.

She values the chance to build therapeutic relationships and watch patients make meaningful changes in their lives. In her free time, Nicholette enjoys time with her three children, cooking and gardening.

“If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Natashia Johnson, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric APN at Excel Treatment Center. As a registered nurse, she saw how often mental health shapes a person’s overall health and recovery, and she wanted to address that part of care more directly. Psychiatry lets her build meaningful relationships with patients, understand what is contributing to their symptoms, and help them find treatment that improves their quality of life.

Many patients arrive during a very challenging time, and Natashia finds it rewarding to watch them become more stable, gain insight and start rebuilding their lives. Substance use treatment lets her combine psychiatric medication management with the therapeutic side of care and get to know each person beyond their diagnosis. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking for friends and family, her Bengal kitten, and music festivals.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Maya Angelou

Scott Messina is Excel Treatment Center’s Director of Business Development, with 26 years in the field. He believes everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life, regardless of where they have been or what they have been through. If his work helps even one person or family find a path forward, he knows it truly matters.

Scott enjoys helping people who are struggling with mental health or substance use and connecting them with the help and resources they need. He also appreciates that no two days are the same. Scott is married with two adult children, is a professional musician on the side, and plays pickleball.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” The Beatles

Chris Di Iorio, CPRS, is a Treatment Advocate on Excel Treatment Center’s outreach team, with seven years in the field. When Chris was in active addiction, someone answered the phone for him. Now he gets to be the one who helps others who are struggling.

He uses Motivational Interviewing and loves seeing the hope in people who find their recovery. In his free time, Chris enjoys friends, concerts and the many recovery activities in the community.

“Once you stop trying to become the right you, you become the real you.”

Rebecca Dwyer is Excel Treatment Center’s Operations Manager, with almost 10 years in the field. She chose this work because she enjoys helping people, and her favorite parts of the job are her coworkers and helping clients. Outside of work, Rebecca loves spending time with her daughters.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Maya Angelou

Nico Rossi is the Alumni Coordinator for Excel Treatment Center and The Milestone House, where he talks with clients as peer support. What he enjoys most is the connections he makes. In his free time, Nico enjoys the gym, the beach, and time with friends and family.

“If you want a firmer grasp on life, loosen your grip.” Alan Watts

Savanna Cappello is an Administrative Assistant at Excel Treatment Center, with two and a half years in the field. Mental health and substance use have had a significant impact on her family, giving her a personal understanding of how challenging these struggles can be and how much compassion and the right support matter. She wants everyone she works with to feel heard, respected and supported throughout their recovery.

Savanna enjoys getting to know each person, hearing their stories and supporting them along the way. She also loves the team she works with: the work is serious, but they always find time to laugh, and they are always pranking each other. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family and her dogs, being outdoors and the simple things in life.

Kenneth Eccher is a Driver and Behavioral Health Technician for Excel Treatment Center and The Milestone House, with two years in the field. He chose this work to give back to The Milestone House, and he most enjoys interacting with the residents. In his free time, Kenneth plays golf.

“Let go and let God.”

Eric Jurovitsky is the Director of Admissions for Excel Treatment Center, Excel Behavioral Health and Nirvana Recovery Centers, with 17 years in the field. After entering recovery in 2008, Eric went back to college to find a field that would let him be of service. He studied international affairs and worked in the NGO sector for several years, and through his travels and relationships, this field found him. He found his niche right away and has not looked back.

What he enjoys most is training new admissions coordinators and seeing them get their first admission. After hours of back and forth with someone who is not sure they want help, the coordinator knows they just helped save a life, even if the client does not know it yet. Outside of work, Eric loves traveling and Phish concerts.

“You can’t get to where you’re going without walking away from where you were.” Winnie the Pooh

Rebecca Carney is the Admissions Supervisor at Excel Treatment Center. She enjoys encouraging clients to find their own pathways to recovery and learning new approaches from each client and their needs. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys hiking and being with family.

“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens.” Aldous Huxley

Ara Kouyoumdjian, CPRS, is an Admissions Coordinator at Excel Treatment Center with five years in the field. Ara is an Excel alumnus, and the staff have become like family. What Ara enjoys most is seeing people recover and become miracles. In free time, Ara enjoys hanging out with the kids.

“When the substance goes and a person works recovery, wonderful things happen. Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise.”

Grzegorz Kociubinski is an Admissions Coordinator at Excel Treatment Center. He chose this field because he enjoys helping people, and he values making even the slightest difference in someone getting help, along with the fact that every day is different. Outside of work, Grzegorz enjoys cooking, exercise and his cat.