Ganesh Acharya

CEO

Mr. Acharya has been in the healthcare industry for over fifteen years. He started
his career as a healthcare analyst for Arizona’s Medicaid Program. Mr. Acharya
worked as a consultant for a firm that specialized in executive-level strategy
development for large public hospitals and health plans and operated as a senior-level executive for General Acute Care and Acute Psychiatric Hospitals. Today, Mr. Acharya sits on the Board of Directors for three healthcare companies that are attacking the opioid epidemic through different treatment avenues. In addition, he works with clients to help them achieve their mergers and acquisition strategies and improve their operational efficiencies. Mr. Acharya holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and a Master of Health Sector Management with an emphasis in Healthcare Finance from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He is also a Fellow of the American.

Anand Manohara

COO

Mr. Manohara has worked in a hospital setting for over six years. Initially, he started in the accounting department as an analyst. Deciding to pursue a more operational based role in the hospital, Mr. Manohara was promoted to Associate Administrator. He assisted clinical and non-clinical departments with day-to-day operations and project management. He worked closely with the Human Resource Department to emphasize compliance and recruitment, especially physician recruitment. Mr. Manohara became the Chief Operations Officer overseeing the daily operations of the hospital and its associated outpatient clinics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management Information Systems from the University of Pacific.

Roger Monzon

CFO

Mr. Monzon is a seasoned financial professional. He has extensive experience in the banking sector working for major national financial institutions. In addition, Mr. Monzon was Chief Financial Officer for a small hospital network in Central California, responsible for the management duties of the accounting, financial, and revenue cycle departments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Gilbert LaRoque

Executive Director, CADC II

As the Executive Director of Bakersfield Recovery Services (BRS), Gilbert LaRoque provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and program development for all BRS facilities and staff. With nearly seven years of experience working with BRS in multiple capacities, he began his tenure as a substance abuse counselor before advancing into leadership roles. His dedication to client-centered care, operational excellence, and community engagement ensures that BRS continues to provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment.
Gilbert holds a degree in Drug and Alcohol Studies from California State University, Bakersfield Extended Education, which equips him with the clinical expertise and knowledge necessary for effective leadership in the field. His background includes extensive training in substance use disorder counseling, case management, and the 12 core functions of client care, ensuring that BRS programs uphold the highest standards of treatment and recovery support.  Gilbert enjoys staying current with the clients and is always checking in on all the facilities. BRS believes in Client Centered Care. As Executive Director, he and the dedicated team at BRS are deeply committed to fostering community partnerships that empower individuals on their journey to recovery. Recognizing the importance of developing essential life skills, BRS strives to support both men and women as they navigate the complexities of rehabilitation and personal growth.

Andrew Laird

Director of Operations, AMFT/APCC

Andrew attended graduate school at Pepperdine University and received his MA in Clinical Psychology in 2023. He has over five years of experience working in the substance use disorder (SUD) field in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He specializes in treating individuals with co-occurring disorders, group therapy, crisis intervention, family education, and navigating the complexities of working with perinatal populations. He has helped clients discover purpose in their lives and overcome addiction by utilizing a pragmatic approach to therapeutic interactions, as opposed to complex theoretical models.
Andrew has a multidisciplinary professional background with experience in medical technology sales, startups, and the nonprofit sector. He excels at leadership development, client retention strategies, internal relations, grant writing, and project management. Andrew works closely with the executive team and ensures that the BRS footprint continues to grow and has a meaningful impact in the community.

Alma Castro

Director of Quality

Alma Castro has thirty-five years of experience in healthcare, ranging from Skilled Nursing, Acute Rehabilitation, and Acute Care to Mental Health. She received her nursing training at Mt. Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles, California. Her passion has always been providing excellent patient care, this led her from bedside care to Case Management and now to working in the Quality Improvement Department. She strives to support the treatment team to ensure all staff have the assistance needed to provide excellent care. When she is not living in regulation books and websites, her other passion is being of service to her family, loved ones and the community.

Michael Bowers

.

Mr. Bowers is a progressive, well-known, and respected visionary with the capacity to provide communication strategies and direction for the business’ various platforms. He has over 10 years of professional experience formulating advanced concepts and solutions that demand a high degree of creativity, innovation, technological expertise, and ingenuity. Mr. Bowers is newly appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Bakersfield and is currently the Director of Public Relations and Business Development for Centric Healthcare in Bakersfield, CA. He is a progressive thinker who has served on many boards and community campaigns in Kern County.