Executive Team

1144 West 3300 South
South Salt Lake, UT 84119
(801) 433-2900

Executive Team

James Bailey, M.Ed., M.H.A.
Chief Executive Officer
James Bailey, the CEO of Cottonwood Treatment Center, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. He began his career over 15 years ago as a Mental Health Worker and quickly advanced to become the Assistant Administrator for an 88 bed facility in Utah. After 7 years as the Assistant Administrator, James was transferred to Hawaii to become the Administrator of a highly specialized residential treatment facility.

After 5 years as the Administrator, James was offered the position of Chief Executive Officer of Cottonwood Treatment Center. When his schedule permits it, James enjoys writing, golfing, snowboarding, surfing and fishing.

Linda Rhees, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Director
As a Co-Founder of Cottonwood, Linda has been able to realize her dream of creating a therapeutic environment where unique programs are designed to fit unique individuals. As Cottonwood's director of clinical and therapeutic services, she works for the world in which she wants to live. She received her masters of Social Work of the University of Utah and her undergraduate degree in Education and Early Childhood at Utah State University. Linda brings 15 years experience as a clinician and 9 years as an educator.

She has been the clinical director of a variety of residential programs, including Developmentally Delayed/Intellectually Challenged, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Conduct Disorder/Mental Health, and Sexual Trauma issues.Additionally, she worked as the clinical director of several outpatient programs including the Rape Recovery Center of Utah. She is a former chair of Utah's Domestic Violence Task Force and assisted in establishing legislation regarding domestic violence within the state of Utah. She has a private practice and is a consultant for the Utah's awarded correction program serving the state's prison, jails and half-way houses and day-reporting systems. She loves music and plays the guitar. In her free time you will find her hiking, fishing and exploring the beautiful Utah landscape with her family.

Sam LaTorre
Director of Nursing
A Registered Nurse (RN), Sam LaTorre, BSN is a certified psychiatric nurse with over ten years of experience working with adolescents with a variety of diagnosis and behavior issues. With specialization in staff training and milieu management, Sam has developed and implemented level systems and resident programs that have greatly contributed to the success of youth. His priority is to ensure that our teens are provided with the best possible environment for change and growth, equip them with the skills needed for success, and assist them to realize their potential.

Shannon Cross, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Program Director
Shannon Cross, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, graduated from Tulane University in December of 1995 with her Masters in Social Work. Some of her responsibilities as Clinical Program Director include individual, family and group therapy as well as assisting with referral development. She has experience as a school social worker and has worked with adolescents and young adults in residential treatment for 12 years. She has extensive experience working with adolescents who have various mental health diagnoses.

Over the last four years she has become actively involved in developing and creating residential programming for individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She has participated in building State Systems for Individuals with An FASD for the last three years. She believes in tailoring the program to help each resident be successful. She places a lot of effort into discharge planning to help ensure a positive transition back to their home state, with the hope that Cottonwood will be their last placement at that level of care.

Dale Keller, A.P.R.N.
Nurse Practitioner
Dale Keller, M.S., A.P.R.N. – Is a National Certified Psychiatric NP graduating in 2002 from the University of Utah. His education includes a B.S. in Psychology and Nursing. Mr. Keller has experience working with adolescent and young adults in residential settings over a sixteen year period. He has a psychotropic prescriptive practice in the state of Utah and has clinical training as a psychodynamic therapist with work in object relations.

Zoë Robbins, A.P.R.N
Nurse Practitioner - Intern
Zoë Robbins, A.P.R.N. – Intern is a recent graduate of the University of Utah Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. In addition to her advanced degree she has worked as a psychiatric nurse for the Veterans Administration and maintains a position as Clinical Student Nurse Supervisor for both the Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah. In her free time she enjoys working with several nonprofit organizations including Himalayan Healers and Medicines Global for which she is the medical consultant.

This responsibility has taken her on medical missions to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Zoë enjoys her responsibilities of psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual and group therapy and prides herself in her close relationships with each and every resident at Cottonwood Treatment Center.

Ross Poore, Ed.D., M.S.
Principal
Ross has been an educator for 37 years. He served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal in Davis County School District. He opened Northridge High School in Layton, Utah and later served as principal of Viewmont High School in Bountiful, Utah. He served for four years as policy coordinator, ADA coordinator and compliance officer for Davis School District. He completed a Master of Science Degree in Educational Psychology, an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Utah.

He spent the past year as a counselor at Clearfield Field Job Corps Center. He is a life long resident of Utah. He has two sons, one grandson. He has been married to Christina Peters for the past 38 years. He is completing a book on his family history, loves to fly fish and spend time at the family cabin in the Uinta Mountains.