Meet the team.
Our Staff
Jamie Lebish, CADC, MHRT, CRMA
Founder / Executive Director
Jamie's vision is to offer a peaceful one-stop alternative for people in early recovery needing a safe non-judgemental place in which to recover from substance use disorder. He has now brought The Ranch from a dream to reality. Jamie is Ranch director of the program. He brings with him; 24 years of recovery experience, 12 years clinical experience as a licensed counselor (CADC) and his experience as a certified recovery coach, to The Andersson Ranch and The Shiller Ranch....More to come.
Katherine Anderson-Caldwell
Co-founder / Director of Advancement and operations
Katherine's generous initial Financial support has enabled The Ranch to become a reality. As Director of Advancement/Operations- she helps to ensure the near and long-term position and stability of the organization.
As Operations director, katherine oversees HR and payroll. Katherine also maintains all facilities-She also designed and furnished Andersson Ranch and Shiller Ranch. Come by for a tour to see what she has accomplished.
Dr. Gust Stringos, DO
Interim Medical Director
Gust has been a family practice physician in Skowhegan for decades. He is the Medical Director for Redington-Fairview General Hospital. A member of ASAM, he has been treating individuals for substance use for many years.
Board of Directors
Robert Porter, LADC, CCS, MHRT-C, GCPH
Board Chairperson
Rob serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for El Rancho de la Vida. He brings lived experience in recovery alongside more than 15 years of leadership and direct service experience within behavioral health, substance use disorder, and justice-involved systems. Robert currently serves as a Substance Use Disorder Program Manager with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health, where he leads statewide initiatives focused on overdose prevention, jail-based medication for opioid use disorder, and treatment and recovery courts.
Grounded in recovery-oriented, person-centered values, Robert is deeply committed to advancing compassionate systems of care that promote dignity, equity, and long-term recovery. His background includes clinical licensure, statewide program and contract management, cross-sector collaboration, and governance experience. As Chair, he is focused on strengthening board leadership, supporting organizational sustainability, and ensuring El Rancho de la Vida continues to be a place of healing, connection, and hope.
Jamie Lebish
Executive Director & Founder
Jamie Lebish is executive director and founder of El Rancho De La Vida. He is also a professional guitar and bass player and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, proud father and grandfather. Jamie has been a performing and recording musician since the age of 13, playing guitar and/or bass from small clubs to 18,000 seat arenas.
Jamie found a hometown, in Portland, Maine in 2000. He earned his Associate degree in Mental Health and Human Services in December 2013, and he then earned his Bachelor degree in Mental Health And Human Services with a minor in Addiction Sciences. Awarded; December 29th 2016.
Jamie has been a professional musician for over 50 years. He started playing paid gigs at age 13 for Junior and High School dances, by age 16 he was playing concerts, nightclubs and functions in CT., NYC and Vermont. He is a music teacher, stage performer, touring and recording artist, ASCAP songwriter, lyricist, producer and will always play out and record, until the day he drops.
He graduated from The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. in 1984 and previously attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA from 1977-1979. At which point he spent 10+ years touring the U.S.
He also booked his band, Fairfield Station to tour Europe for The D.o.D. in 1993-1994. He then settled in Westport, CT. for a while before moving to Portland, Maine in 2000, now residing in Skowhegan, Maine with his Fiance and their dog, Lexi.
Jamie has been enjoying playing jazz on fretless/fretted bass with Ocean Sol Jazz, and is playing guitar, writing and recording original music with his music partner, Jeff Grinnell ASCAP publishers - Lebish And Grinnell Music.
Jamie is an experienced IOP, Inpatient and residential substance use disorder group facilitator, and 1:1 SUD Counselor. Jamie is incorporating his years of experience as a person in long term recovery for 23+ years, as a platform to help understand human beings suffering from addictions and co-occurring disorders. Jamie counsels using Motivational Interviewing techniques and strengths/reality based therapy for assessing, counseling, forming and implementing a personalized holistic biopsychosocial treatment plan.
As of March 2020 - Jamie is executive director and founder of a nonprofit residential treatment facility and MARR certified level IV recovery residence at El Rancho De La Vida -located in Hinckley, Maine.
Jamie utilizes his 12+ years of clinical experience to help him to help others in early recovery. His passion lies in his residents' growth and seeing them flourish in their own recovery. A gift.
Nathan Timmins
Board Treasurer
Nate has been in public accounting since 2005 as a business consultant and tax advisor. Outside of the office Nate can be found playing baseball or golf with his son, and if you don’t find him there, he's relaxing near Maine’s beautiful Belgrade Lakes.
Katherine Anderson-Caldwell
Co-founder
Our Partners
We appreciate the support of these organizations. Without their partnership, we would not be able to do what we do. Are you interested in partnering with us? Contact us and let us know.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is comprised of a
diverse array of stakeholders who volunteer to provide essential advice
and feedback to the Board of Directors. Members share their professional
skills, expertise, and knowledge all in an effort to help our
organization in its ongoing planning and operation. The Advisory Board
provides critical steering and insight into positioning our organization
for sustainability, particularly in planning and executing its
near-term and long-term strategic plans. Advisors also provide valuable research and data to help with these goals.
If you are interested in joining our Advisory Board, please contact us.
Nathan Cermelj
Nathan is Director of Business Development at Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine.
Tia St. Pierre, RN, ASM
Tia is a Medical-Surgical Nurse
at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center and an Occupational Health Nurse
for ABB Technologies, Inc.