Senior Management Team

Our Senior Management Team is made up of leading experts with extensive experience in transforming the lives of troubled young men. They have the education, dedication, and compassion to make Timber Ridge School the unique place that it is.

Dr. John Lamanna, our Executive Director, has been serving Timber Ridge School for nearly 35 years. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor, National Board Certified Counselor, and has a Doctorate in Personnel Services from Virginia Tech. Dr. Lamanna is motivated by the successes of the boys in their care, such as this story, shared by a supervisor following a student's discharge: "The boy's father had tears in his eyes. He wouldn't take a handshake, but wanted a hug. He thanked us for saving his son's life." Outside of his passion for Timber Ridge School, Dr. Lamanna enjoys travel, gardening, and volunteerism.

Our Director of Educational Services, Ms. Jennie Johnson, has been with Timber Ridge School for almost 15 years. She received her MA in Special Education and a MS in Education and School Administration. Ms. Johnson says her fondest memories are always "dancing, clapping, and celebrating the boys' accomplishments as they find success in school." When she has spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading, and working with her dog on scent tracking.

Ms. Cindy Largent-Hill has been with Timber Ridge School for four years and is our Director of Admissions, Out-of-State. As a Licensed Social Worker with a MA in Counseling, she likes that part of her job is improving the system of care for children. Ms. Largent-Hill enjoys all of the ceremonies and events at Timber Ridge that recognize the hard work of the students and promote a family-like atmosphere. Outside of work, she is interested in reading, playing the piano, and being outdoors.

Ms. Robbie Marchant has been our Director of Financial Services for three years. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Princeton University and her MBA from the University of Missouri Kansas City. A reader and painter in her free time, Ms. Marchant says, "the staff at Timber Ridge are so positive and dedicated that I know I am part of something great."

Our Director of Development for nearly 15 years, Mr. Troy Newbraugh is a Certified Fundraising Executive with a Bachelor's Degree from Davis & Elkins College. He is a sports fanatic and enjoys building relationships with the donors who make Timber Ridge School's work possible. Mr. Newbraugh also takes great pleasure in seeing all the ways that the young men benefit from the new facilities and programs that are made possible by generous donors.

Mr. Jeff Phillips is our Director of Admissions for Virginia, also directing community based services. He has been with Timber Ridge more than 25 years. His position allows him to meet the young men and their families at the very beginning of treatment and watch all the positive changes made along the way. As the former Director of Residential Services, he has seen so many transformations, including "former students becoming fathers, broken families healing, and our young men learning to connect with their communities with a greater purpose in life." With a MA in Counseling, Mr. Phillips is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor. His hobbies are pet therapy, music, mountain biking, and golf.

The staff gave Andrew the tools to work on his own needs, and since we knew what those tools were, we could help our son from home. We accomplished this success in partnership with the staff at Timber Ridge. - Parent

Mr. Melvin Thomas has been with the Timber Ridge School for over 35 years. As the Director of Administrative Services, he enjoys having an impact on the hiring of all staff entrusted to care for our students. In addition, Mr. Thomas oversees the Dietary and Maintenance departments. Mr. Thomas has a Master of Education in Special Education, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, and is certified and licensed by the VDOE as a Principal, Supervisor of Special Education, and Assistant Superintendent. In his spare time, he likes fly fishing, landscaping, and racquetball. "During the many ceremonies I have attended, I am always moved by the adults who tear up, mirroring the powerful accomplishments that we've facilitated during the students' tenure."

Ms. Karen Tompkins, our Director of Quality Assurance, has been with Timber Ridge for over five years. With a Masters in Education and a Post Graduate Professional License in Special Education, she loves our high school graduation ceremony and watching the caps being thrown in the air as the boys successfully complete their education. In her free time, Ms. Tompkins enjoys walking, hiking, and cooking.

With 25 years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Ken Weigand has been with Timber Ridge for close to 15 years and is our Director of Clinical Services. With a Doctorate of Psychology from Indiana State University, he likes having a direct impact on teenagers and their families. Dr. Weigand says that "talking to former students reassures me that we made a positive difference by connecting with them and planting the seeds at a time when they really needed it." He enjoys golf, outdoor photography, traveling, and movies.

Mr. Vic Williams is our Director of Residential Services and has been with Timber Ridge for over 30 years. He has served in many capacities within our program and is motivated every day to change the lives of our students. One of his major goals is to help students achieve a happy and productive life. "I get the best feeling when former students contact our school thanking us for our help." He has a Masters of Education in Professional Studies and is a Board Certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor. His hobbies include music, basketball, football, and golf.