Marvin Ventrell, JD
Chief Executive Officer
- Marvin's Bio
Marvin Ventrell became the CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) in 2015, continuing his 30-year career as a practicing lawyer, association director, teacher, and addiction treatment executive. NAATP, founded in 1978, is a professional membership association of addiction treatment providers whose mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and member support services to ensure the equitable availability and highest quality of addiction treatment.
Mr. Ventrell’s career has been devoted to advocating for populations in need and building legal and health care system responses to meet those needs. In addition to serving in executive leadership roles in several national social welfare and justice agencies, he has authored two textbooks on law and social justice, book chapters and professional articles on law, medicine, social services, behavioral health, and addiction treatment and recovery. He is a frequent lecturer at treatment programs, conferences, universities, and agencies throughout the country.
Prior to joining NAATP, Mr. Ventrell served as Program Director at Harmony Foundation and as a consultant to CeDAR at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, both Colorado based addiction treatment programs. He served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has received numerous distinctions including the American Bar Association National Advocacy Award, the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges Meritorious Service to the Children of America Award, the University of Colorado School of Medicine Kempe Award, and the Ashley Innovator Award given for impact in the field of recovery through innovation, commitment, and dynamic thinking. Mr. Ventrell’s focus while leading NAATP has been to secure the place of addiction treatment in health care through the establishment of treatment program professionalism, integrity, and evidence-based efficacy.
Katie Strand, MS, CMP
Chief Operating Officer
- Katie's Bio
Katie Strand (she/her) is the Chief Operating Officer for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). She has a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and has over a decade of experience as a nonprofit operations executive, education provider, office manager, and relationship builder. Katie comes to NAATP from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) after years of overseeing the programs department and restructuring multiple divisions. She is also a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and brings extensive program planning experience.
Katie is North Dakota born and educated, but a Coloradan at heart through her love of the outdoors and an active lifestyle. She and her husband share a passion for world travel that has landed them in forty countries. Katie has traveled, studied, and worked abroad, valuing adaptability, diversity and cross-cultural immersion.
As NAATP’s Chief Operating Officer, Katie is responsible for staff oversight, finances, human resources, annual conference coordination, and everyday operations of the office.
Annie Peters, PhD, LP
Director of Research & Education
- Annie's Bio
Dr. Annie Peters (she/her) joins the NAATP team as Director of Research and Education. Dr. Peters possesses a rare combination of scientific acumen, clinical experience, and a core understanding of the disease of Substance Use Disorder. She will lead the national effort to further understand this disease through scientific research and create treatment solutions for those who suffer from it. Annie Peters, PhD, LP, was formerly the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) of Harmony Foundation, Inc., Colorado’s longest running residential addiction treatment center. As CCO, Dr. Peters directed the delivery of clinical services, including addiction counseling, mental health services, and clinical case management. Dr. Peters earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her clinical interests include integrated care for individuals with addiction and co-occurring disorders, and mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies.
Peter Thomas
Director of Quality Assurance
- Peter's Bio
Peter Thomas (he/him) is the Director of Quality Assurance for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) ensuring the quality of membership and services. Peter has been working in the field since 2011, and has held roles in direct patient care, administration and executive leadership. Prior to accepting a role with NAATP, Peter worked as the Chief Operating Officer for Chapter 5 Counseling Center.
Peter has dedicated much of his time to working with industry representatives and legislators to enhance access to quality behavioral health care in Arizona. He has served as President for the Northern Arizona Recovery Association, (NARA) and co-founded the Arizona Addiction Advocacy Coalition (AAAC). Through these roles Peter assisted in drafting and passage of state legislation protecting addiction treatment consumers while also enhancing the efficacy and reputation of providers.
Zina Rodriguez
MSW, MCAP, CDE
Director of Membership and Marketing
- Zina's Bio
With over 25 years of professional experience, Zina (she/her) has excelled in marketing production at a trade association before transitioning into operational and leadership roles within behavioral healthcare for over 15 years. Her expertise includes launching facilities, guiding teams in clinical programming, licensure, and accreditation. Zina's leadership extends to marketing, business development, and admissions, driving organizational growth. As a thought leader, she specializes in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, co-authoring best practices for the National Association of Treatment Providers. Zina holds various qualifications including social worker, master certified addiction professional, and certified diversity executive. Committed to advocacy, she has served as a past Board Member for the NAATP and she chairs the Brain Love Foundation and serves on the board for Young People in Recovery supporting recovery equity. She holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Rutgers University, having also served as a past adjunct professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Crystal Lybarger
Member Specialist
- Crystal's Bio
Crystal Lybarger is dedicated to advancing health equity and improving access to care. With expertise in building partnerships, fostering engagement, and driving business development, she focuses on ensuring equitable access to high-quality care for individuals facing substance use, mental health, and complex medical needs. Crystal has extensive experience managing partnerships and creating value-driven relationships that support collective goals and drive organizational success. She leverages leadership, advocacy, and strategic planning to build collaborative networks that deliver impactful results.
Previously, she led strategic growth efforts across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic, launching new treatment centers and expanding access to critical healthcare services. Her dedication to service is evident in her volunteer work with organizations like Love on a Mission and United Way. With a foundation in addiction treatment and criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati, Crystal’s core values of intention and servant leadership fuel her passion for improving healthcare access.
Kayla Huett
Program Specialist
- Kayla's Bio
Kayla Huett (she/her) is the Program Specialist at The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). Kayla earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Missouri and has had her photography featured in a number of galleries in the Midwest. She has a strong background in customer service and spent the two years prior to joining NAATP working in public health focused on assisting at-risk populations in the Denver Metro area. Kayla is excited to utilize her experience in program development, customer service, and community health care in her role with The National Association.
Zane Strand
Customer & Speaker Specialist
- Zane's Bio
Zane Strand (he/him) is the Customer & Speaker Specialist at NAATP with a strong focus on customer service. Zane earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Secondary Education Licensure from Metropolitan State University of Denver and taught in several high schools in the Front Range. Born and raised in Montana, Zane’s love of the outdoors drew him to teaching outdoor education and holds several certifications in the field while also coaching high school sports. As an avid world traveler, Zane has explored 30+ countries in 6 continents and traveled the world for a year with his wife Katie. In addition to working as an educator, Zane has worked with other non-profits in customer service and development positions. Zane is excited to bring his vast array of experiences and skills to help The National Associations’ members, partners, and inquirer’s needs.
Mark Dunn
Director of Public Policy
- Mark's Bio
Mark Dunn (he/him) represents NAATP in Washington DC. As policy representative, Mark represents NAATP on Capitol Hill, at the various federal agencies, and with coalition partners. He advises NAATP and the Board on a broad range of public policy issues important to NAATP members. Mark is a partner in Veritas Advisors, a public affairs firm with over 150 years of combined federal government affairs experience.