Team

I was born and raised in Long Island, New York, where I studied Liberal Arts at Suffolk County Community College. After years of struggling with drugs and alcohol, I relocated to Port St. Lucie, Florida, in June of 2013 and have been sober ever since. My personal journey led me to begin working in the substance abuse and mental health treatment field in 2014, where I quickly discovered both a passion and a purpose in helping others on their path to recovery.

Throughout the years, I have held many roles within the facility, each providing valuable experience and perspective that contribute to my current position as Executive Director. With both lived experience and professional knowledge, I remain committed to ensuring that clients receive the support, compassion, and guidance they need to build lasting recovery.

Three facts about me:

• I enjoy being outdoors
• I’m an amateur professional wildlife photographer (@salzoomsin)
• I love spending time with my family

I was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina. I studied at East Carolina University, majoring in Communications and Public Relations, before relocating to Florida in 2016. I ultimately entered into the substance abuse and mental health treatment field in 2018 as an intake coordinator. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various roles including admissions coordinator, clinical liaison, case management, and digital marketing. These diverse experiences have led me to my current role as Admissions Director, where I am committed to ensuring each client’s first steps toward recovery are met with compassion, clarity, and support.

Three facts about me:

• I’m a huge born and bred Duke Basketball fan
• I had my first child, a daughter, in January 2025 and she is my entire world
• I’m a huge reader and books are my favorite way to “escape”

I have worked in the field of substance use disorder for over a decade. I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Florida for my personal recovery 14 years ago. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Indian River State College in 2019 and received a master’s degree in advanced clinical social work Practice from Saint Leo University in 2024. I am passionate about providing a safe, ethical, and accepting therapeutic environment. I recognize that much of the world’s problems could be solved through empathetic mental health care and I feel driven to help in any way possible.

Three facts about me:

• I love dogs
• Cell phone noises are my biggest pet peeve
• My spirit animal is the polar bear

I began working in the substance abuse and mental health field in 2017, driven by a deep personal connection to the work. As someone who has faced and overcome addiction myself, I bring both professional knowledge and lived experience to my role—something I believe is a powerful asset in helping others on their journey to recovery. I earned my degree in Criminal Justice from Indian River State College in 2021, and I will graduate in 2026 with my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Central Florida. My passion for this field stems from the impact others had on my life, and it’s my mission to now offer that same support and hope to those who need it most.

Three facts about me:

• I was born and raised in South Philadelphia
• I have a strong hatred towards vegetables, ranch, and mayonnaise
• I love theme parks

Hi, I’m Gary Bach. I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1994 with a degree in Criminal Justice. I began my career in education, teaching high school algebra and coaching football and baseball before joining the Florida Highway Patrol in 1998 as a state trooper. After facing my own battle with pain medication addiction, I transitioned into the recovery field, where I have worked for the past 15 years. Starting as a primary therapist, I now serve as a clinical lead, a role I deeply value. Helping individuals rebuild their lives from addiction has become my true calling. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and our two young children. I also have a passion for dad jokes, the Dallas Cowboys, and my favorite band Imagine Dragons.

I am deeply passionate about walking alongside others as they rediscover themselves and build fulfilling, meaningful lives. Guided by my faith, I believe wholeheartedly that recovery is not only possible, but can also be joyful, freeing, and deeply rewarding. As someone in recovery myself, I bring lived experience along with compassion, grace, and understanding to the work that I do. I strive to create a supportive space where others feel seen, encouraged, and empowered in their journey. My role as alumni coordinator gives me the opportunity to connect with our clients on a personal level and support them throughout their time at Foundations and also as they navigate their lives in sobriety.

Three facts about me:

• I’m originally from Jacksonville, FL
• I’m a proud mother of three sons
• The beach is my favorite place to be