Trimeridian's CusterCare treatment program was founded in 1997. Douglas Stickney, President and CEO, recognized the pathological gambling treatment market was fragmented and underdeveloped. A number of nationally recognized experts were spread across the country working in a variety of treatment settings. Trimeridian brought these experts together, and created the state-of-the-art treatment programs for pathological gambling.

FOUNDING PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Michael Brubaker, CAC, NCGC
An international lecturer and noted author, his book on recovery from compulsive gambling, Deadly Odds, is now in its third printing. His work as an interventionist takes him to every state in the nation and Canada. He has served the Boards of State and the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Joanna Franklin, MS, NCGC
Currently serves as Trimeridian's Director of Network Development and Training, was the past Executive Vice President of the National Council on Problem Gambling and chairs the Certification Committee. She has served as a consultant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Pentagon. As an exceptional trainer for the National Council on Problem Gambling, she travels the world from New York to New Zealand to assist councils with state-of-the-art literature, research, and clinical training.

Robert Hunter, Ph.D.
A principal in Problem Gambling Consultants, Inc., he worked closely with Robert Custer, M.D., in developing awareness, treatment strategies, effective clinical programs, and support groups for pathological gamblers. He also serves the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Richard Rosenthal, M.D.
A board-certified psychiatrist, noted researcher, lecturer, and clinician, Dr. Rosenthal has been involved in the treatment of pathological gamblers for the past 16 years. He was the Founder and first President of the California Council on Compulsive Gambling and served as the Director of the Gambling Treatment Program at CPC Westwood Hospital. Dr. Rosenthal also serves on the Board of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Loreen Rugle, Ph.D.
Dr. Rugle serves as Director of Clinical Services/Chief Clinical Officer for Trimeridian's Custer Gambling Treatment Center. She has served as the Deputy Director of the Veterans Addiction Recovery Center at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brecksville, Ohio. An in-demand speaker, she has over 16 years of clinical and administrative experience in pathological gambling and has published numerous articles in national and international professional journals. A noted researcher, she has been responsible for creating the largest database of psychological and behavioral statistics on pathological gamblers and treatment outcomes. She also serves on the Board of the National Council on Problem Gambling and supervises counselors in training for their national certifications.

Mitzi Schlichter, B.A.
Co-founder of Trimeridian and ex-spouse of a compulsive gambler; Mitzi has been an outspoken advocate for families and family issues. She has a long history of involvement with Gam-Anon, and the National Council on Problem Gambling. She has testified before the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and is a Board Member of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling and the Indiana Mental Health Association.