Clinical Advisor
Dr. Amanda Shumow is the founder of Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, one of the nation’s leading programs for teens and families struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. With more than 20 years of experience creating and leading innovative treatment models, she has become a trusted voice in the recovery field.
At Elk Ridge Recovery, Dr. Shumow serves as Clinical Advisor, guiding the program’s philosophy and supporting the clinical team. She brings her expertise in evidence-based practices and family-centered care to help shape Elk Ridge into a place where adults can heal, grow, and reconnect. Her leadership ensures that Elk Ridge blends clinical excellence with Montana’s natural, restorative environment.
Operations Advisor
Nicholas Mortimer is the founder of Omni Recovery in Thousand Oaks, California, and has more than 15 years of experience working in the treatment field. Over the course of his career, he has specialized in building strong operational systems that allow programs to deliver consistent, high-quality care.
At Elk Ridge Recovery, Nicholas serves as Operations Advisor, helping guide the infrastructure, compliance, and day-to-day systems that support the clinical mission. His steady leadership and deep industry knowledge ensure that Elk Ridge operates with efficiency, accountability, and a clear focus on client success.
Chief Executive Officer
Josh Lazie brings over 20 years of leadership in the treatment industry to his role as CEO of Elk Ridge Recovery. He has previously served as Founder/CEO of Sea Change Recovery in Santa Monica and as CEO of Executive Outcomes Recovery Services, as well as co-founding Bend Recovery Collective. His experience building and leading programs across the country has given him a deep understanding of what it takes to create treatment centers that are both clinically strong and truly client-centered.
In addition to his professional expertise, Josh draws from his personal journey of nearly two decades in sobriety. His background in horsemanship, jiu jitsu, music, and outdoor pursuits reflects the holistic lifestyle he encourages at Elk Ridge Recovery—where healing is supported by connection, movement, and Montana’s natural beauty. Josh’s leadership is rooted in empathy, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals and families find lasting recovery.
Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Director
Samantha Romero, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Montana and California with more than a decade of experience across the full continuum of care—medical detox, residential treatment, and aftercare. She has led and delivered care in adolescent inpatient settings and brings additional expertise from memory-care environments, integrating trauma-informed practice with family systems work to support durable outcomes. Samantha’s clinical approach blends evidence-based interventions (CBT, DBT-informed skills, motivational interviewing) with compassionate, strengths-based care.
Now based in Montana, Samantha is helping build a medically supervised detox and inpatient treatment program focused on access, safety, and measurable results. She partners closely with community stakeholders and payers to align high-quality clinical services with local needs, ensuring a seamless, person-centered path from stabilization to long-term recovery.
Founder/CMO
Dylan Romero is a behavioral healthcare operator and growth strategist with 10 years of experience spanning program development, digital marketing, and direct payer negotiations. As the founder of Transparent Strategies Inc. (est. 2019), he has partnered with treatment centers across the U.S. to strengthen admissions pipelines, optimize marketing ROI, and build strategic relationships with Unions, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Tribal Health partners, and other payers. Dylan’s work sits at the intersection of mission and execution—translating community needs and clinical excellence into sustainable, scalable operations.
After more than three years planning a Montana-based medical detox and inpatient treatment facility, Dylan and his wife, Samantha Romero, relocated from Southern California to the Treasure State to build a life and practice rooted in service. Together, they are assembling a high-caliber team, cultivating payer partnerships, and engaging local stakeholders to expand access to evidence-based care for Montana communities.