Support Services Leadership
Overseen by members of the Senior Leadership team, WestCare Foundation and FitzHouse Enterprises provide shared Support Services to our operational entities with centralized administrative, clinical, compliance, facility, financial, fundraising, governmental, legal, marketing, and technology expertise.
Foundation/FitzHouse VPs
Marc Cannon
VP of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Marc Cannon
Marc Cannon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Marketing, from Pepperdine University. Driven by his faith and a strong hunger for learning, he has spent most of his career in non-profit organizations that focus on meeting the needs of individuals in crisis. He is a self-motivated autodidact with an affinity for problem solving and analysis, with a multi-disciplined background in accounting, financial analysis, and business intelligence.
Marc joined the WestCare family in September of 2013, starting as a Financial Analyst. Within his first year, he built out a fully functioning budget platform within Excel (using VBA and a wide array of formulas), which was used by the accounting department as their primary budgeting tool. Later, after an official budgeting software was employed, he became the lead system administrator. Over the next 10 years he then became a subject matter expert in Excel, Blackbaud, PowerPlan, Paycom, Microsoft Power Platform, and most recently, Questica Budget. He has produced countless process improvements, automations, and workflows, which have helped various departments within WestCare operate at a higher level of efficiency.
In his free time Marc enjoys playing videogames and guitar with his wife and daughter. He has spent many years in service to his local church community as a bible study teacher, and he also enjoys swimming, hiking, and has a passion for cooking.
Kristin Chaffee
Regional Controller
Kristin Chaffee
Kristen Chaffee is the Controller for the Eastern Region of WestCare. She has been an accountant for over 35 years, and 33 of those years as a Controller of non-profit businesses. Since joining WestCare in 2006, Kristen has played an instrumental role in grant writing and accounting, helping WestCare expand services in multiple states and territories. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving improvements and streamlining processes, ensuring optimal financial performance and consistency. She is a trusted advisor within the organization, enabling her to guide financial decision-making and contribute to the long-term success of WestCare.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kristen has been married to her husband, Tony, for more than 30 years. They are the proud parents of their beautiful soul of a daughter, Grace, and their late son, SGT Jack Chaffee, who lost his life in service to our country. WestCare is incredibly grateful for this Gold Star Family and their sacrifice.
Tara Estrada
VP of Human Resources
Tara Estrada
Prior to her appointment as Vice President of Human Resources, Tara built an impressive 18-year career within the HR department at WestCare. She began her journey with WestCare California in April 2006 as a temporary employee supporting HR operations. In January 2007, she transitioned to a full-time role as an HR Assistant, quickly demonstrating her expertise and dedication. Tara advanced to HR Specialist and was later promoted to HR Manager for WestCare California. In 2017, she expanded her responsibilities by taking on the role of HR Manager for WestCare Nevada and WestCare Arizona. Her leadership and commitment led to her promotion to Director of HR for the Western Regions in 2019. By 2022, she assumed the role of Senior Director of HR, overseeing both the HR and Recruiting departments across all regions of WestCare.
Sean Harrigan
VP of IT Infrastructure
Sean Harrigan
Born in Okinawa, Japan, and raised in Rochester, NY, Sean Harrigan has spent his career at the intersection of technology and leadership. Since 1995, he has held various roles in the tech sector, rising from technical and engineering positions to leadership roles across diverse organizations. His father, a technology professional, inspired his early interest in the field, sparking a lifelong passion that has taken him to live and work in Fort Worth, TX, Southern Utah, and Las Vegas.
In 2011, Sean joined WestCare and soon became a driving force behind the organization’s IT transformation. He led the migration of WestCare’s systems to the cloud, a modernization effort that was crucial when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. By implementing remote work technology, Sean ensured WestCare’s continued operations and adaptability during a critical time.
Sean’s leadership style is rooted in the principles of Servant Leadership. He’s quick to credit his team for their collective success and views technology as a force multiplier, leveraging solutions that sit just behind the cutting edge to ensure both reliability and relevance.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Sean is dedicated to community service, working to provide food and supplies to homeless populations wherever he has lived. His commitment to service extends beyond the workplace, reflecting his belief in using technology and leadership for the greater good.
Lisa Jackson
VP of Grant Development
Lisa Jackson
Ms. Jackson possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and holds the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) accreditation. She is the recipient of the President’s Awards from three different agencies, the Grant Professional Association, the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless, and the Grant Professional Certification Institute, and she received the Unsung Hero Award from the Grant Collaborative of Tampa Bay. She previously served 12 years on the board of the Grant Professional Certification Institute, which is responsible for measuring and promoting competency and ethical practices within the field of grantsmanship. As a past board member, she led the effort to professionalize the field and secure the only available accredited certification for grant professionals internationally. Additionally, she is a founding member and past officer of the Grants Collaborative of Tampa Bay.
Nayeli Knuth
Regional Controller
Nayeli Knuth
Jeannie Lewis
VP of Accreditation and Clinical Integrity
Jeannie Lewis
Jeannie is the VP for WestCare Foundation. In this role, Jeannie is responsible for providing oversight to the Training Department, Spiritual Care Chaplaincy Services, and Accreditation. The training department provides LMS, in-person, and webinar training for each WestCare subsidiary and develops an annual training plan along with their leadership. Chaplaincy Services are primarily provided in GCFL and Nevada at this time and the delivery of an educational program that focuses on spirituality. Accreditation focuses on preparing our subsidiaries for CARF Accreditation surveys, developing policies and procedures, and providing training on the accreditation process. In addition, Jeannie tracks issues that arise from surveys to help WestCare as an organization address larger issues that are not state-specific – this is the clinical integrity piece of her job description.
Prior to assuming the VP position, Jeannie was the Area Director for WestCare Georgia and Program Director for GulfCoast Florida. In these positions she was responsible for operational oversight of a variety of programs in each location. In 2017, she became the Director of Accreditation and subsequently, the VP. Jeannie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL) and a certified Addictions Counselor in GA and has been licensed and certified since 1997. Jeannie has worked at many levels of SUD/BH services including counselor, Clinical Director, and Program Director of a TC, detox, prevention/intervention, supervised 2 independent living programs in Georgia, is a Certified HIV Counselor, outpatient, and drug court counselor.
Jeannie received her BA in Psychology and Urban Planning from the University of Tampa, Florida in 1981 and obtained her MS in Mental Health Counseling in 1997 from Nova Southeastern University, Florida. She also became a Certified Addictions Professional in Florida during that same time and eventually transferred that credential to Georgia upon her move to this state.
Josh Lopez
VP of Insurance
Josh Lopez
Diane Ludens
VP of Software Development
Diane Ludens
Diane Ludens is the Vice President of Software Development at WestCare Foundation in Henderson, Nevada, where she leads the strategic direction of the organization’s technology initiatives. With a focus on innovation and operational efficiency, Diane oversees the development of all proprietary software, including WestCare’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Her leadership extends to managing the application support desk, programming team, project management, web development, and DevOps operations.
Diane’s journey with WestCare began in 2004 as a software developer, where she spearheaded the creation of the WestCare Intranet and the Clinical Data System—core technologies that continue to shape the organization’s success. She was appointed Director of Software Development in 2017 and ascended to Vice President in 2023, solidifying her pivotal role in driving technological transformation across the foundation.
With over two decades of experience, Diane has developed enterprise-level software solutions across diverse industries, including accounting, real estate, and social services. Her background also includes years as a contractor, where she designed and delivered custom websites for a broad array of businesses.
Diane holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Mathematics from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Angela Mangum
VP of Revenue Cycle Management
Angela Mangum
John Nunley
VP of Corrections and Criminal Justice Business Development
John Nunley
Dr. Frank Scafidi
Senior Scientist of Evaluation and Outcomes
Dr. Frank Scafidi
Frank A. Scafidi, Ph.D. is the Senior Scientist of Evaluation and Outcomes for WestCare. Dr. Scafidi is responsible for overseeing all evaluation and research activities throughout WestCare, assisting with the implementation of newly awarded programs, assisting the regions with conducting SWOTs and developing annual strategic plans and performance improvement work plans. Dr. Scafidi has a team consisting of an Evaluation and CQI Coordinator, 7 Directors of Research and Evaluation, and numerous Research Assistants throughout WestCare.
Dr. Scafidi earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology in 1983 from Loyola University in Chicago. In 1984, he received his Master’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and in 1988 received a combined doctoral degree in Applied Developmental and Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami.
Dr. Scafidi has more than 35 years of progressively increasing responsibilities in clinical, program, administrative, research, and evaluation practices. Dr. Scafidi began his career in the behavioral health field in 1989 as a Senior Instructor as Case Western Reserve in Ohio. In 1989, Dr. Scafidi became a Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at the University of Miami. While at the University of Miami, Dr. Scafidi also was the Director of a Mother-Infant Drug Treatment Program and the Co-Director of the Touch Research Institute. In 1993, Dr. Scafidi became the Director of Evaluation for The Village South in Miami, a 501(c) (3) non-profit drug treatment organization. While at The Village South, Dr. Scafidi held several titles including Senior Clinical Officer and Chief Clinical Officer. In 2003, The Village South became a subsidiary of WestCare Foundation, and Dr. Scafidi became the National Director of Research and Evaluation. In 2014, Dr. Scafidi became a Senior Vice President and the Chief Clinical Officer for WestCare Foundation. In 2017, Dr. Scafidi became the Senior Scientist of Evaluation and Outcomes for WestCare. Dr. Scafidi also was an Adjunct Professor at the Florida International University, teaching Substance Abuse Counseling and providing Practicum supervision to students seeking a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.