Gayden M. Fite, M.Ed., LPC, MHSP, is Director of Clinical Services at Hermitage Hall. A highly accomplished executive and clinician, Ms. Fite has extensive experience in operations and clinical development. Prior to joining Hermitage Hall, she served as clinical director for The Ranch, a mental health-alcohol and drug treatment center in Nunnelly, Tennessee, where she supervised a staff of 30 clinicians and para-professionals. Her clinical work also includes serving as executive director at the Women’s Recovery Center in Xenia, Ohio; the Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma in Richardson, Texas; and, The Bridgeway School & Day Treatment Program in Dallas, TX. She also designed and implemented a national program for dissociative and trauma related disorders at Timberlawn Mental Health System in Dallas and managed the adult psychiatric services at Charter Hospital of Dallas in Plano, Texas. Ms. Fite is a licensed professional counselor in both Tennessee and Texas, a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor in Ohio and an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor. She earned his bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology and research, from Emory University, graduating magna cum laude, and received her master’s degrees in counseling and education from Amberton University and North Georgia University.

Arthur R. (Art) Taylor, M.Ed., Special Education is Chief Operating Officer of Hermitage Hall. As COO, Mr. Taylor is responsible for the overall supervision of the behavioral, educational and recreational departments. He is also responsible for satisfying all criteria mandated by the Tennessee State Department of Education and Special Education. After joining Hermitage Hall in 1993, Mr. Taylor served as a teacher, recreational counselor and resident counselor for six years before assuming his current position. He previously was an educational consultant for three years at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, where he provided services to adolescents in treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, and he served as a special education teacher and behavior specialist at Rock Springs Elementary schools in Middle Tennessee. Mr. Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and master of education, special education, degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He also has a special education professional teacher certification.

Christopher T. (Chris) Leonard is Chief Financial Officer of Hermitage Hall. Mr. Leonard brings years of experience as a public accountant, financial analyst and corporate accountant to his position. Between 1999 and 2005, he was a senior staff accountant for a CPA firm in Jacksonville, Florida, an accountant for LifeTrust America Inc., in Franklin, Tennessee, and a financial analyst for Tractor Supply Co. in Brentwood, Tennessee. In 2005, Mr. Leonard joined Universal Health Services, parent company of Hermitage Hall, as a senior staff accountant in Nashville and was promoted to regional financial manager in 2007. He was named CFO of Hermitage Hall in April of 2008. Mr. Leonard has served in the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserve since 1988 and currently is Leading Chief Petty Officer/RIA Staff Chief, responsible for managing and directing the career development program for five units with 150 personnel. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Florida and his master of business administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

Shatonya (Tonya) Crayton, M.S., NCC, LPC-MHSP, is Director of Admissions at Hermitage Hall. Her duties include coordinating all admissions into the facility and coordinating and communicating the disposition of each client with Service Advocates. She conducts marketing ventures in conjunction with the KidLink National Placement Network. Ms. Crayton came to Hermitage Hall in 2004 as a clinical therapist and also served as Utilization Review Coordinator before being named to head the admissions department in 2006. She previously served as a family counselor at Youth Villages in Nashville where she provided therapeutic services and crisis support for families. Ms. Crayton is a National Certified Counselor in the areas of childhood and adolescence, clinical mental health, corrections/offenders, sexual abuse recovery and mental health/agency counseling by the National Board for Certified Counselors. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider designation in the state of Tennessee where she applies mental health and human development principles in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated disorders that interfere with their mental health. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social and rehabilitation services and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Pamela I (Pam) Trent, M.A., PHR, is Director of Human Resources of Hermitage Hall. Ms. Trent is responsible for all employee relations at Hermitage Hall, including staff training, new hire orientation and all aspects of benefits. From 1989 to 1997, she worked in various roles at CitiFinancial in Baltimore and from 1997 to 1999 was human resources administrator at Hechinger/HQ/Builders Square in Baltimore. Prior to joining Hermitage Hall, Ms. Trent was customer account executive at Comcast in Nashville, where among other things she handled special projects and assisted in training new technicians. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business education from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in business management and human resources from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Ms. Trent also has a professional human resources certification.