Fotu did his Doctoral Studies at the University of Utah. He received his Master’s of Social Work Degree from Brigham Young University of Utah. He is a Board Member and Clinical Certifier for the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA). Fotu overseas all the clinical and operations services for Ashcreek Academy and Sedona Sky Academies
Fotu is a talented clinician who brings a great spirit of collaboration, innovation and Clinical Sophistication to both academies. Fotu has extensive experience in providing therapy to adolescents, families and couples as well as training staff and developing effective programming. Before joining Ashcreek and Sedona, Fotu has worked in positions including, but not limited, as an Executive Director, Clinical Director, Clinical supervisor, Clinical consultant, adjunct professor and board member for various non-profits.
Fotu’s clinical expertise, education and unique cultural background has allowed him to develop programs designed to quickly identify systemic dis-functions within all systems, identify strengths and creatively implement solutions that are specific to each system. He expertly weaves differing modalities together with creativity and fun, which allow our students, families and staff to re-establish healthier relationships across systems.
Janette obtained her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science with an emphasis in psychology from Utah Valley University and continued to earn her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Phoenix. Janette has almost two decades in experience from working in residential and educational settings as a direct-care staff, live-in group home manager, residential supervisor, program director, teacher, and a school counselor.
Janette has also served on and chaired different boards and committees focused on ensuring quality care for adolescents who are placed outside their homes. She loves spending her spare time outdoors with her friends and family. Being passionate about traveling and experiencing different cultures, Janette has spent time in over thirty-five different countries throughout North and South America, Europe, and Africa for recreation and service opportunities.
Kris has worked in the industry over the past decade in a couple different capacities. She started as a live-in parent at a treatment center for adolescent females, alongside her husband- Dave. She loved working in mental health and quickly found that she really enjoyed helping families heal. After working in the home for 4 years, she then moved on to working in admissions and doing outreach with professionals.
Kris has been doing admissions and business development for the past several years and has really enjoyed helping families feel comfortable and accepted, allowing them to do the work that is needed. Kris was raised with four brothers, two older and two younger– and despite all that, still loves working with young men!
Kris was awarded two Gold Presidential Service Awards for her work helping high school students find their passions, through the Americorps Program. She also produced and developed a Diversity Education curriculum and presented it in elementary schools across Utah for two years. Kris was a founding member and Vice President of the Southern Program Collaborative that includes all programs in the South Eastern region of NATSAP. Kris serves on the Evolving Women board as well, and enjoys spreading the message of empowering women.
Kris enjoys photography, the outdoors (water of any kind), traveling and seeing new things; but most of all being with her husband, three daughters, and two dogs.
Ray received his Master of Social Work Degree and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree from Brigham Young University. His is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. While working towards his bachelor’s degree in Psychology he took an internship at the Utah County Juvenile Detention center, Slate Canyon. This was the beginning of his professional path towards helping wayward teens. Over the next few years he worked as a direct care staff at various programs and his University rugby coach convinced him to become a full-time therapist.
Ray loves being active, so he uses an experiential client centered, systems approach to therapy. He combines this with CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness techniques. Ray is also a Crossfit® Level 1 Coach and is working towards a second master’s degree in Sports Performance and Conditioning. He specializes in experiential therapy and finds innovative ways to combine physical fitness with therapeutic approaches.
Ray moved to America from New Zealand in 2008 to play rugby for BYU (National Champions 09,12,13,14,15). He and his wife Cara enjoy being outdoors, eating pizza, and seeing new places. They try to get back to Cara’s home state of Alaska as much as possible to visit her family, have outdoor adventures, and fishing.
Russell began his career in teen behavioral health in 2012. Prior to that he has spent over 10 years in a voluntary counseling capacity working with professional counselors at LDS Family Services in Phoenix and Flagstaff Arizona. This work required a wide array of interventions with adults and teens which included family relations, marriage, finance, depression and identity/self worth counseling. Russell graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix Arizona where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. He spent 24 years working in the healthcare industry specializing in third party administration, health care provider networking, insurance payouts and pharmacy perscription distribution. Russell was born and raised in Southern Utah and Southern Nevada. Following graduation from high school, he went on to an apprenticeship in a family owned masonry business. Russell left for a short time to serve a mission for his church in Ireland, and upon his return he became a partner in the family masonry business. In 1984 Russell and his wife decided to make a career change. With their two children, they moved to Phoenix Arizona and enrolled at DeVry Institute of Technology. On graduation Russell was hired by a healthcare company to work in their in their IT department. He held various positions and upon his departure was the Director of Product Development. Russell has spent most of his non-professional life working with young people in many capacities, ranging from Boy Scouts to coaching Little League sports and club baseball teams. Russell found that assisting people and helping them overcome personal challenges to be a very rewarding experience. He and his wife were fortunate to know the Prince family and team up with them to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Russell and his wife Tina have five children (4 boys 1 girl) and seven grandchildren (6 boys 1 girl). We know boys.
Tina has been an integral member of the Ash Creek Academy team from the beginning as the Human Resource Director. Tina received her A.B.A. degree at Yavapai College in Northern Arizona. Upon completion of her degree, she worked 11 years for a local accounting firm. Tina also performed tax work for clients of Jackson/Hewitt. Tina has also worked independently for several clients handling their small business accounting. She also served as City Treasurer for a local municipality. Tina is the mother of 5 children, 4 boys and 1 daughter and 6 grandsons (she love boys!) and a granddaughter.
