Birch Tree Communities names new CEO, promotes two others

Behavioral health provider Birch Tree Communities, Inc., announced Dr. Brad Holloway as its new CEO. He replaces Jack Keathley, who retired.

Holloway has served in a variety of community mental health roles since 1984. He also has taught as an Associate Professor at Arkansas State University and an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

He is recognized as an expert in crisis intervention and has served as a disaster mental health responder for many local, state, and national disasters, including leading a clinical team at the Pentagon following 911 and responding to many school shootings in Arkansas and across the country.

“I look forward to making a difference in the lives of our members. My passion has always been in providing hope to the underserved, and I am committed to providing the ongoing quality of care that our members deserve. I am excited and honored to be leading the team at Birch Tree Communities and to play a role in helping to carry out the mission for years to come,” Holloway said.

Turner James has been selected as the new Chief Operations Officer.

James is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Arkansas and has been with Birch Tree Communities since January of 2008. Before being named COO, James was the director of operations at Birch Tree’s Conway and Clinton branches. He worked his way up through the ranks at Birch Tree Communities and has served as a case manager/recovery advocate, social work intern, primary therapist, and branch director.

“I have a strong desire to make a positive difference in the lives of people who live with a mental illness, and I want to see an end to the stigma associated with SMI. I want our members to have chances they wouldn’t normally have, and I want them to live a life full of choices, independence, and joy. I want to be able to educate and communicate our mission at Birch Tree Communities to the public, so that there is a better understanding of what we do. The more I can personally educate people on the purpose of this great organization, I believe the stigma will eventually be erased,” James said.

Christie Owen has been selected as the new Chief Clinical Officer. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Arkansas and has been with Birch Tree Communities since 1997. She is the most tenured clinician in the company.

Before being named CCO, Owen served as the director of branch operations at the Benton Town branch and at the Hope House, which is Birch Tree’s only locked facility.

“I have worked with Birch more than half my life and truly believe in the mission of Birch Tree Communities, Inc. We serve one of the most overlooked and underserved populations in behavioral health and within the community in general. My goal is to continue to advocate for services to help our members and to ensure we provide quality service so that every member we serve has a satisfying life in the community,” Owen said.