Nanette Zumwalt is currently recognized as one of the top interventionists and an industry expert, both nationally and internationally. Nanette began working in the field of mental health and addiction treatment nearly three decades ago as a direct care technician at inpatient acute psychiatric hospitals. With her vibrant and engaging personality, knowledge, experience, and sincere desire to help those in need, it is no surprise that her career has included various management titles throughout top national therapeutic schools and recovery programs.

Early on in her career, Nanette notes that she developed a specific passion for the “willing but not able” individuals struggling in treatment transitions. In 2002, Nanette began the journey of developing, building, and growing Hired Power. Under her care and leadership, Hired Power has taken the pioneering role in clinically supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults during the high risk and critical transition periods of recovery.

Nanette is a dedicated professional with an intuitive ability to understand the needs within the field of treatment. One example of this is her commitment to holding higher ethical standards and professionalism within the community of direct care staff and companions. Recognizing this need, she partnered with Dr. Judith Landau in 2015, creating the International Recovery Institute. Together they developed a curriculum for an imperative skills training. This curriculum is now recognized by NAADAC and is being reviewed by several other credentialing bodies.

Nanette is well-known as a strong advocate for families struggling with addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders. Her passion for recovery from addiction stems from within her own family. She experienced first-hand the devastation of this insidious disease.

In the most recent decade, Nanette has accepted several national invitations to speak on current trends in the field of addiction and mental health. She has been noted in newspapers and featured in several magazine articles as an industry expert. Nanette has received multiple service awards including an award in 2007 from California Assemblyman Jim Morrissey. She has also been named one of the top 10 interventionists in the country by QuitAlcohol.com.

Nanette holds credentials as an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II Clinical Supervisor (ICADC II-CS), an International Certified Criminal Justice Professional (ICCJP), a Certified Intervention Professional (CIP), Certified ARISE Interventionist (CAI), and is a member of the Association of Intervention Specialists (CCAPP, AIS).

Nanette currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Addiction Treatment Programs (NAATP), she is past board member of Association of Intervention Specialists and is a current member in good standing with a large variety of related organizations.

Away from the office, Nanette enjoys time with her grandbabies, cooking, traveling and exploring new places with her husband Rick and family.

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Dr. Zumwalt’s involvement in Hired Power includes co-creating, with his wife Nanette, the transition care model which Hired Power is currently based on. He has written papers and conducted workshops on bringing recovery home through a professionally developed program such as Hired Power’s. A conversation with Dr. Zumwalt will inevitably lead to how important it is to support the transition from a treatment setting to a supported recovery plan in an individual’s natural environment. He believes, as a whole, the field of substance abuse treatment requires a transitional care model to bridge the gap between teaching recovery and living in recovery.

As a Community College Professor, he taught degree requirements for lifelong learning curriculum through life skills and career counseling courses. He also coached football for several seasons at community colleges, successfully leading his teams into championships. Dr. Zumwalt’s unique background helps bring a professional innovative approach to Hired Power. Through Dr. Zumwalt’s experience as a collegiate and professional athlete, police officer, professor, counselor, coach, and father, he has personally experienced close friends and family that have been dramatically affected by substance abuse. All individuals have the potential for lifelong recovery with the support of the transitional care model. Dr. Zumwalt’s education and professional background include PhD in Psychology, California Board of Psychology Registered Clinical Psychologist #31703, University of California Berkeley Neuropsychology Certificate, and Fielding Graduate University’s Neuropsychology track.

He completed post-doctoral training at Southern California Neuropsychology Group providing therapy and neuropsychological assessments including, Fitness for duty, TBI, workers compensation, and neurodegenerative diseases. He is listed as a California Police Officers Standards and Training pre-employment evaluator. Working as a first responder for over 16 years, Dr. Zumwalt experienced multiple high-risk, traumatic, and chaotic events. His experience and education combined to support a rare insight that sets him apart as a practitioner.

Dr. Zumwalt specializes in Cognitive Behavioral and Brief Therapy, adding neuropsychological perspectives. He sees adult patients for depression, anxiety, trauma, attention and concentration, sports, and executive performance enhancement. He completed his clinical training at Southern California Neuropsychology Group and College Hospital working with acute and chronic mentally ill children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations. Dr. Zumwalt’s career spans 30 years in the field of psychology. He is an avid researcher and always looking for the best way to approach mental health performance enhancement and assessments.

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With more than 15 years of experience driving innovation in mental health and substance use treatment, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and visionary leadership to Hired Power.

As the former Chief Operating Officer at PCH Treatment Center, Scott led transformative initiatives that expanded programs, streamlined operations, and significantly improved client outcomes. His work has consistently resulted in long-term, positive change—not only for the individuals and families served; but also for the organizations he has guided.

Scott’s expertise in business development, admissions, and operational leadership positions him as a key force in shaping the future of behavioral healthcare. His ability to build and scale effective programs, optimize systems, and foster high-performing teams underscores his commitment to excellence and innovation.

Scott’s early service in the U.S. Army instilled in him the discipline, adaptability, and leadership skills that continue to shape his approach to complex challenges. His calm under pressure and strategic clarity are vital contributions to the Hired Power culture.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Scott is deeply devoted to his family and is passionate about supporting service members and fellow veterans. His commitment to service—both in and outside the workplace—reflects the core values of Hired Power: compassion, integrity, and unwavering support for families navigating life’s most challenging moments.

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Marni Luther joined the Hired Power team as the Intake Manager in 2018. Being the first point of contact for potential clients and families is the perfect place for Marni with over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health and addiction field. Marni brings a depth of expertise, understanding, and compassion that allows families to trust and engage in the services being recommended to actively begin and maintain the recovery process.

Marni began her career in the healthcare service industry working at a local inpatient psychiatric and addiction treatment hospital in 1988. She continued her passion for working with clients and families facing the pain and destruction related to addiction and mental health representing many of the nation’s top treatment programs. In 2012 Marni transferred her focus from direct client and family support services to indirect resources in the medical software industry. Marni worked in the behavioral health EHR (electronic health record) solutions division of several organizations before being drawn back to her true calling of serving families.

Marni’s personal commitment began at an early age as the youngest member of a family that faced the pain and struggles related to addiction and mental health in their own home. These early influences allowed for her personal commitment to providing reality based solutions. Marni currently resides in Orange County CA with her husband and daughter. With both of her sons now UCLA graduates and her daughter in her high school years, Marni is excited to continually bring her energy, expertise and passion to the Hired Power team and recovery community.

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Poppy Carmelo, ICADC, is an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor. A 15-year veteran in the field of behavioral health, Poppy is excited to join Hired Power as the Director of Client Services. She brings experience in direct client care services, employee management, licensing, accreditation, and performance improvement. Poppy’s healthcare organization roles range from Case Manager and Program Director to Executive Director and Corporate Director of Quality and Compliance. She also brings over 10 years of experience from her roles in the hotel and hospitality industry, which includes coaching and managing teams.

As an addiction and trauma specialist, Poppy regularly attends and facilitates national training sessions that showcase new trends in the field of recovery, wellness, client care services, and healing arts. She has committed her life to being a healer of the heart, mind, body, and soul. Poppy’s experiences growing up in a fire family informs the work she does with responders and their families with a familiarity and shared understanding that is priceless. Her passion is to touch the hearts of those she encounters and teach them how to create their life more consciously. Poppy demonstrates her journey through her understanding that every thought, word, or action shifts the energy and can create a new way of being.

In addition to her educational background in addiction and trauma, Poppy’s recent fields of study include training and certifications in various healing concentrations, such as Life Coaching, Compassion Fatigue and Mindfulness and Meditation. As a Northern California native, she enjoys a good Netflix binge, but can also be found grounding herself deep in the heart of nature. Her hobbies include hiking, river walks and finding new places in nature. Poppy is committed to creating and sharing an open forum for compassion and healing one human experience at a time – meet Poppy and you will understand.

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Deidre Fitzpatrick is our Operations Consultant at Hired Power. In this role, she works closely with the leadership team to continue growing and developing the services Hired Power can offer through her skills and knowledge of addiction and behavioral health from a nursing perspective.

Deidre joins Hired Power with over 7 years of nursing experience, working in addiction and behavioral health. Deidre served as a nurse manager of an adult locked psychiatric unit, a chemical dependency unit, and an outpatient chemical dependency program. Prior to managing these departments, Deidre worked as a bedside nurse in both locked psychiatric units and chemical dependency units.

Deidre expressed her enthusiasm “I am blessed to have the opportunity to work beside Nanette Zumwalt, in a field that I am so passionate about. The reputation that comes with Hired Power is one to be admired and I am so happy to be a part of the team.”

Before transitioning to the nursing field of addiction and behavioral health, Deidre worked in the education field as a preschool teacher. Deidre obtained her Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development and then went on to get her Masters in Nursing Leadership and Education.

Deidre grew up in Orange County, CA where she currently resides with her husband and three children. Deidre’s passions include spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, party planning, crafting, gardening, and cooking.

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For the past 32 years, Mr. Owens has specialized in the field of addiction treatment for the entertainment, legal and medical communities.

In 1999, Harold was hired by the MusiCares Foundation, the charity arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences also known as the (GRAMMY Organization) as the Senior Director of the MusiCares/MAP Fund, where he was responsible for the implementation of all aspects of its addiction recovery program, including treatment services, outreach, case management and provider contracts.

He is also a frequent moderator and panelist at a number of music and entertainment industry conferences that address the problems of addiction.

In 2001 and again in 2006, Harold received Official Certificates of Commendation from Mayors’ James Hahn and Antonio Villaraigosa for Outstanding Service to the City of Los Angeles in the field of Addiction Recovery.

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Henry Emerson brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to his work in behavioral health. His journey began with his own experience in treatment and recovery as a young adult, which later evolved into roles as a sober companion and mentor for adolescents and young adults navigating complex mental health and substance use disorders. These formative years working directly with clients gave Henry a firsthand understanding of the transitional challenges individuals often face in recovery—fueling his commitment to supporting others through these critical and vulnerable periods.

Determined to transform lived experience into clinical expertise, Henry pursued his education while in recovery, ultimately graduating from UCLA with a degree in Psychology. During his academic tenure, he engaged in research on stress, family systems, and substance use—areas that directly inform his client-centered approach today. This academic foundation, paired with his real-world experience, has strengthened his ability to provide care that is both evidence-based and deeply empathetic.

As a Case Manager, Henry is recognized for his calm, compassionate demeanor and his ability to build trust and connection with clients and families alike. He collaborates closely with therapists, treatment providers, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated and individualized care. In his current role as Monitoring Case Manager, he provides structure, accountability, and oversight of drug testing protocols, ensuring consistency and clarity in outpatient and post-treatment environments.

Outside of his professional life, Henry enjoys exploring Southern California, listening to classic rock, and following European soccer.

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Monique Edwards is a Business Consultant, A BottomLine Business Services Inc. CEO and Entrepreneur. She is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, Elite Status, Entrepreneur since 2000, and officer of several companies.

Monique assisted her first Client in 2001 and is proud to say they remain a client to this day. She found she was able to organize and put policies and procedures in place to assist the owner move forward in compliance with state and federal laws while assisting the company to grow and flourish. She takes great pride in assisting her clients to reach their business goals and take their company to the next level of growth and prosperity. When she’s not assisting her clients Monique loves spending time with her children and family, playing board games, going motorcycle riding in the desert, reading, or playing with her two dachshunds Brody and Daisy.

What sets Monique apart from other business consultants is that she loves what she does! “I believe ABC’s continued success is based on integrity, reliability and being an asset to our Clients by providing business solutions that bring them “Peace of Mind” because they know they can depend on us”

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Norton Smith joined the Hired Power team in 2012 after retiring from a professional career and spending several years as a primary caretaker for his wife. Norton’s professional focus is attending conferences and workshops where he could share the Hired Power Mission. Norton had a passion for people and enjoys walking the conference halls, attending the workshops, and having the opportunity to speak with like-minded professionals in the field of addiction and recovery. Norton was a family man and enjoys life spending time with his 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

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Tracy Waters joined the Hired Power team in 2012 in the role of client support services. Tracy’s personal life journey took her on travels around the world, visiting and experiencing over 80 countries and cultures. She served as a lead Purser for Virgin America, training people in service excellence, exemplifying the highest customer service and communication skills.

Tracy’s vast skills and experiences provided her with an exceptional awareness of individuals and families and their unique needs during difficult times. In 2014 Tracy was promoted to Client Services Manager and was the consistent daily support in the Hired Power office. Most days you could hear Tracy talking with clients and families as she assisted them in identifying the needs and services best suited to their individual life circumstances.

Ms. Waters is a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) and personally experienced the effects of substance abuse and addiction within her own family. She had so much empathy and compassion for both clients and family members struggling with both the disease and the recovery process. Tracy was the warm and supportive voice on the other end of the line for everyone who called Hired Power.

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