This week's Industry Spotlight is Bill Anderson. Bill currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for MARR, Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences. MARR differentiates themselves by using their 45 years of experience and longevity of staff as the cornerstone of their commitment to care.
Bill is a huge advocate for Recovery from Substance Use Disorder and has helped countless individuals and families find their path to healing and recovery. Bill is a true hero and is known as one of the "good ones" in this industry.
Bill, we are grateful for all you do and are honored to have you as this week's spotlight!
- MEET BILL
Bill began his career in 1994 at the Cobb County Children's Center, where he provided social work services for elementary and middle schools. He then worked for the Department of Family and Children Services of Fulton County. From there Bill, served as a senior service technician at the Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton Community Service Board Beacon Place, a Day Treatment facility that specializes in treating mental illness and dual diagnosis. Bill went on to serve as the social worker for the Piedmont Learning Center which is an alternative school in the Forsyth County School System.
It was in May of 1999, that Bill joined MARR for the first time! Bill joined MARR as a Residential Case Manager for the Intensive Residential Program treating drug and alcohol addiction, overseeing 16 patients in Residential Intensive setting, and overseeing 24 patients in Extended Recovery Residence setting. During his time at MARR, Bill became a Participating Clinician in Atlanta Recovering Professionals group, working with governing boards for dentists, doctors, pilots, nurses, and ministers. He also became a Primary Counselor for MARR's Intensive Residential Program, focused on treating drug and alcohol addiction. Ultimately being named as Director of Admissions for MARR in 2008. Then in 2012, Bill was tapped to become MARR's Director of Business Development.
In 2014, Bill decided to shift gears when he was asked to become the Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery Center. After serving as CEO at Blue Ridge for 1 year he was asked to become the Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Tucson, a treatment center in Arizona. There Bill was responsible for the overall operation and management of Sierra Tucson and managed day-to-day operations of the treatment center. He led the senior management team and ensured Sierra Tucson’s national reputation for program excellence, quality control, and high level of customer service was preserved and enhanced through personal participation in professional, business, and healthcare forums and conferences.
In 2016, Bill came back home to Georgia where he became the Chief Executive Officer at Lakeview Behavioral Health where he was responsible for overall operation and management of Lakeview Behavioral Health and managed day-to-day operations of the treatment center.
It all came full circle when, in 2019, Bill was tapped as Chief Executive Officer for MARR, Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences, where he currently serves. Bill is leading the team at MARR and doing an amazing job!
In addition to his passion for helping those in need of recovery from Substance Abuse, Bill is deeply devoted to his youth program in his church, Mckendree UMC. Since 2004, Bill has been involved in various levels of the youth program including Assistant Youth Director, Youth Director, and volunteer. Also, for over 9 years, Bill has been involved with the Confirmation Class which guides young teenagers as they make the decision to join his church. Bill has a passion and love for helping young people on their spiritual journey.
Bill is dedicated to his beautiful family and they share a passion for travel. Bill is the videographer for their family trips. Some of his most memorable family trips are to Orlando, San Diego, Grand Canyon, London, Paris, and Ireland.
Bill has had several professional speaking engagements as listed below:
“Enabling, Rescuing, and Controlling” MARR’s 3-day and 1-day workshops for Family Members 1.5-hour presentation, ongoing “How to Handle Holiday Stress” CDC Atlanta, GA. 2009 2-hour presentation for staff at CDC “Conditioning Response During Drug Addiction” CDC Atlanta, GA. 2008 1.5-hour presentation for Staff at CDC “How to Manage Difficult Teenage Behavior” Cumming United Methodist Church Spring of 2001 6-week seminar for parents Cumming, GA “Drug Addiction in Teenagers” One-day seminar for 9th, 10th and 11th Grade Students 2001-2005 South Forsyth High School, GA “Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction” One-day seminar for high school students in an alternative school setting April 2006 Forsyth Academy High School, GA “How to Spot Drug Use in Teenagers” Seminar for Teachers and Counselors Fall of 2003 Central Forsyth Middle School and Central Forsyth High School, GA Bill's Publications include:
“Enabling: It’s not just for families,” Addiction Professional. September/October 2013, Vol. 11, no. 5. Pp.18-19.
