“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, Awakens.” Carl Jung

 

At OUR PLACE in our Hearts we care.
We encourage the Man to become much more...
more than he ever imagined...or DARED!

 

WE TEACH, GUIDE,  ENCOURAGE, WALK, TALK AND SMILE WITH an open heart.
OUR STAFF IS A SPECIAL group of people with diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicity and beliefs..who have found their niche in life.  Hard working...all with the need to leave their imprint in the world.  Visionaries, out of the box thinkers, unafraid of challenge.  Free Spirits with the understanding that at any given point the leader is the one with the best solution to the problem at hand. We have taken a vow, an attitude, that no matter how difficult the client might be, we will not abandon him.  That includes sending him to another level of care and accepting him back into the program to finish what we started.

 

 

Lou Agudo

CEO/Owner

Thank you for taking a moment to get to know a bit about OUR PLACE and our
commitment to recovery.  With Almost 30 years in recovery, the life I have been given is a blessing and a gift.  My life experience, and diverse educational background has afforded me the skill to work with individuals as they realize their immense potential, self-confidence and self-worth.  I have been on this journey believing and knowing that a life filled with the promise of happiness in sobriety is possible and that individuals can successfully navigate life’s challenges.  Achieving and maintaining long term sobriety requires a new life perspective, one that empowers you to heal with the acceptance, enlightenment and compassion of other human beings.  You will walk a path that you have never walked before because we believe you can.  I KNOW it works...I have been there.  Take the leap of faith and allow us to guide and mentor you through early sobriety...you have nothing more to lose and infinite wisdom and knowledge to gain.

Good luck and see you at OUR PLACE.

 

Salima Patel
Program Director
The field of addiction has been purposeful and meaningful for me for a multitude of reasons, personally and professionally. Having been in the field of addiction treatment for over a decade, I have found my work to be rewarding and gratifying. I have worked in several elite dual-diagnosis facilities in South Florida. My career began working with women with eating disorders. Some years later I began treating addicts and alcoholics struggling with chemical addiction, co-occurring disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar and other Axis-II diagnoses. My personal philosophy on addiction treatment focuses on empowering individuals to attain personal and professional goals to build self-esteem. I want all my clients to  become productive and fulfilled members of society and the universe.  Having received a BA in Psychology and an MS in Counseling and Psychotherapy, I am continuing my academic endeavors towards a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in addiction medicine. As program director of Our Place, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to incorporate my personal and professional experiences into helping addicted individuals.

 

Donna M. Zappin 

Director of Housing/Owner
When you, your son, husband, brother, loved one  come to OUR PLACE, it is my pleasure and goal to make the time spent here a pleasant one. 
Hotel management  is my background and with that comes the ability to make those who stay at OUR PLACE be graced with hospitality and comfort. We have created  a caring, community atmosphere and a warm environment where residents can relax and discover all the things they need to understand about themselves.  
This is not my only responsibility and it has become clear that  my role is that of “Mom”.  I have four grown children and foster children.   I am very happy to accept the position of the nurturer.  I have an understanding and sincere compassion for those who struggle with addiction.
  My heart is moved every time I meet a new resident.  I wish for them a brand new start for their life. I wish for their families that they will return to the man they used to be before their addiction took over.  My heart rejoices when they succeed and aches when they stumble.  I open my heart...because I care.

 

 

Edmund K. Lackner

CFO/owner

He is a diversified executive whose career encompasses President, Vice President and CFO with businesses from $25 million to $600 million in annual sales. He has a wide range of experience in manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retail for medical devices, data communications, automotive electric components, automotive glass, packaging equipment, and injection molding businesses.

 

Mr. Lackner held senior management positions with NCR Corporation, Ex-Cell-o Corporation, (now Textron), Libby- Owens-Ford, Tokai RikaU.S.A., (a Toyota Motor Company), Althin Medical, Inc., Racal Datacom, and Powersports, Inc.

 

Ed is an MBA with a discipline in Accounting and Finance with over 25 years of experience in finance, management, accounting and tax. 

 

 

Michael Landon
Director of Operations 
Michael has an MBA from the University of Memphis and has held positions in operations management for 10 years. After working passionately in this field for companies like Kellogg, DuPont and JCIT, Michael started to take a close look in 2004 at the impact addiction had on himself and his family. After careful consideration, he decided to enter the field of addiction recovery utilizing his work and real life experiences. While his work in the corporate sector proved lucrative, Michael has found the rewards of working with addicts and alcoholics truly fulfilling and as he describes “helping others helps me and gives my life purpose.” In his spare time, Michael enjoys fixing anything mechanical, scuba diving and most of all... jumping out of airplanes! His diverse life experience lends itself well to working with recovering addicts and alcoholics and he has been an asset to Our Place.