Our Team

Marco Merida serves as President at Guardian Recovery, bringing extensive experience in building efficient operations that support growth while maintaining quality care. With expertise in strategy, operations, and systems implementation, Marco develops initiatives that create stable infrastructure while preserving Guardian Recovery’s core values and client satisfaction. He excels at cultivating high-performing teams that deliver excellence in addiction and mental health treatment services. Marco holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina and a BSBA from Georgetown University. His compassionate leadership style and dedication to innovation enable Guardian Recovery to fulfill its mission of providing hope and healing to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Marco is committed to ensuring each client receives exceptional care on their journey to long-term recovery.

Ross Donahue, LCSW, MCAP, CRRA, serves as Chief Administrative Officer at Guardian Recovery with over 13 years of experience in substance misuse and mental health treatment. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master’s Level Certified Addictions Professional, Ross specializes in developing efficient systems and improving interdepartmental collaboration that enhances both client care and organizational effectiveness. His expertise spans all levels of care and diverse client demographics, making him invaluable to our team. Ross holds degrees in Addiction Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, and Health Administration. He is passionate about how administrative excellence directly impacts the client recovery journey, believing that well-structured support systems are essential to healing. Ross is committed to creating environments where clients receive compassionate, effective care and staff are empowered to provide exceptional service.

Dr. Tamer Wassef, MD, CDS, ADM, ADP, is the Chief Medical Officer at Guardian Recovery. Along with his extensive history within the organization, Dr. Wassef has more than 15 years of experience in treating mental illness and addiction and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). He also holds three board certifications from ABPN: General Psychiatry and Neurology, Addiction Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. Following an early education at the Cairo Educational University Hospital and various psychiatry residency programs and fellowships, Dr. Wassef completed his fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Guardian Recovery, he served as the Medical Director of several programs, including an acute inpatient psychiatry unit and medical detox unit at Christ Hospital, Jersey City, where he was also the acting chair for the Psychiatry Department.

Justin Williams serves as Chief Financial Officer for all Guardian Recovery locations, where he strategically designs and implements business plans to support organizational growth. With degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Maryland, RH Smith School of Business, Justin brings 10 years of valuable operations expertise to our executive team. His diverse background spans public accounting, IT, legal, and healthcare industries, providing a comprehensive perspective to Guardian’s financial stewardship. Justin is deeply committed to ensuring operational excellence that directly supports our mission of providing hope and healing to individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.

Keesha Scott is the Co-Founder and National Care Director for Guardian Recovery’s Adolescent Program. In 2008, she helped her husband Josh establish Guardian Recovery, laying the groundwork for the life-changing services the organization provides today. With a Master’s degree in Psychology and over 15 years of professional experience—plus more than two decades of sobriety—Keesha has dedicated her life to helping women and young people overcome the challenges of addiction and mental health issues. When her own teenage daughter began to struggle, Keesha recognized a significant lack of local resources for families like hers. Motivated to create a solution, she developed Guardian Recovery’s Adolescent Program, fueled by her desire to provide compassionate support, education, and hope to teens and their families nationwide. Keesha’s commitment continues to shape Guardian Recovery’s approach, ensuring every young person and family can find the care and guidance they need.

DJ Prince serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Guardian Recovery, bringing a wealth of experience from his tenure at various addiction treatment centers where he spearheaded marketing initiatives. Over recent years, he has carved out a niche for himself as a recognized authority in addiction treatment marketing, mastering platforms like Google Ads, SEO, and social media. DJ holds an MBA from the Warrington College of Business, University of Florida, further solidifying his expertise in the field.

Ryan Newman serves as Vice President of Admissions at Guardian Recovery, bringing valuable experience from his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he completed two combat deployments. Since joining the behavioral healthcare industry in 2016, Ryan has developed expertise in connecting clients with treatment options that best address their unique needs. His personal journey through recovery provides him with exceptional insight into the challenges clients face. As a frontline member of the admissions team, Ryan skillfully evaluates each individual’s situation to ensure placement in the most appropriate treatment program. He approaches his role with the compassion and understanding that comes from both professional training and lived experience, dedicated to being the crucial first step in each client’s journey toward healing and lasting recovery.

Jessica Moretti, Vice President of Human Resources at Guardian Recovery, brings her comprehensive background in psychology and business to support our mission of hope and healing. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business, Jessica joined our team in 2015 before advancing to her current leadership role in 2016. She expertly manages our human resources functions while fostering a compassionate workplace culture that enhances our ability to serve clients. Jessica is dedicated to ensuring our staff receive the support they need to deliver exceptional care to individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, believing that organizational excellence directly translates to improved client outcomes and lasting recovery.

Ross Bacon serves as the Vice President of Business Development at Guardian Recovery, where he leverages his extensive leadership experience to expand access to substance use and mental health treatment nationwide. Throughout his career, Ross has excelled at building and guiding high-performing teams dedicated to connecting people with life-changing recovery resources. Under his strategic direction, Guardian Recovery has significantly expanded its reach while maintaining a person-centered approach. Ross is deeply committed to Guardian’s mission of offering hope and healing, believing that compassionate leadership directly translates to more individuals finding their path to lasting recovery and wellness.

Kenny Silver, CRSS, serves as the Chief Program Officer Guardian Recovery team, bringing over a decade of experience in addiction treatment since 2011. Following his personal recovery journey beginning in 2010, Kenny developed specialized expertise in program development, addiction within family systems, and community outreach. He works closely with clinical, medical, 12-Step, and care team departments to ensure comprehensive treatment approaches for clients. Kenny’s unique perspective combines professional knowledge with personal recovery experience, allowing him to connect authentically with clients and their families. He finds profound fulfillment in witnessing individuals transform through the recovery process and remains committed to Guardian Recovery’s mission of providing compassionate, effective care that guides clients toward lasting health, hope, and healing.

Mike Rocks serves as Vice President of Planning and Licensure at Guardian Recovery Network with over 14 years of healthcare management experience. After initially joining as Program Director of Boca Detox Center, he quickly advanced to overseeing compliance with State and Joint Commission standards across all facilities. His expertise spans Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health, IDD and Autism services, and Juvenile Justice programs across multiple states. Mike holds Six Sigma Healthcare certification and Addiction Services certifications through the Florida State Certification Board. His dedication to operational excellence and quality assurance reflects his passion for creating environments where individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders can find hope and begin their journey to recovery.