This is a  staff list for Utah Boys Ranch in West Jordan, UT (a/k/a West Ridge Academy and Girls Town)

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Utah Boys Ranch.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Utah Boys Ranch, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Utah Boys Ranch, please contact info@heal-online.org if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

Please don’t place your loved one in Utah Boys Ranch/West Ridge Academy/Girls Town and rescue them if they are there now.

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
Kenneth R. Allen Executive Director  
James H. McMaster Director of Events  
Jared S. Hamner Admissions Hamner worked for Franklin Quest (a/k/a FranklinCovey owned by Hyrum W. Smith.  See www.heal-online.org/utah.htm for why this affiliation is a serious concern.
John Stohlton Director of Promotions  
Paul Keene Director of Academics Keene has been with the program since 1992. 
Daniel E. Griffiths CFO  
Paul D. Watson CIO  
Guy Hardcastle Director of Business Development The West Ridge Academy website states that he has worked for over a decade in the industry, but, does not indicate which programs he has worked with/for.
Amy Whittaker Clinical Director Whittaker formerly worked as the Director of Juvenile Probation in Fremont County, Idaho.  Hmmm...  Kickbacks for placement in privately-run programs may be an issue to investigate.  It seems to be a trend these days...
Michael L. Ruoho Asst. Clinical Director for Girls Campus Ruoho has been with the program since 1987. 
Jacob Gibson Clinical Assistant Gibson has been with the program since 2004.
Frank M. Rees Clinical Psychologist Clinical Director at the Utah State Prison, instructor--Utah Department of Corrections Training Academy   Lane McCotter, the former Head of Utah's Prison System was behind the torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib.
Jeff Murdock Seminar Instructor Murdock has been with the program since 1987.
John M. Ogden Clinical Assistant  
Carrie Carter Clinical Staff Has worked at multiple unnamed facilities according to West Ridge Academy website.  Carter no longer appears to work for this program.
Jalene Hansen Clinical Staff Hansen has been with the program since 2006 and worked "in the field" prior to that.  No facility named on site.  Hansen no longer appears to work for this program.
Lori Bagley Therapist Formerly worked at Idaho Youth Ranch. 
Eric K. Allred LMFT Earned degree from bogus University of Phoenix.  Also, has been with the program for 18 years.  Check out www.heal-online.org/utah.htm for more information on the Allred polygamist sect in Utah.  (AUB)
Rachel Lyons Staff Formerly worked for the evidently corrupt Division of Child and Family Services.  See www.heal-online.org/utah.htm.
Erin Shepherd Staff  
Dan Ontiveros Staff Ontiveros no longer appears to work for this program.
Ludmil Manov Psychiatrist Originally from Bulgaria. 
Lynn Smith Admissions Specialist Lynn placed one of her own children in the program at West Ridge Academy. After experiencing the program as a parent Lynn then came to work for WRA.
Brian Jackson Asst Principal/Girls Town Jackson no longer appears to work for this program.
Paul Evans Teacher Also, FLDS missionary.  See www.heal-online.org/utah.htm for important information on Utah.  Evans no longer appears to work for this program.
Sandra Hirschi Teacher  
Lisa Moeller Teacher Moeller has been with the program since 1992.
Stacey Leak Teacher Leak has been with the program since 2006.
Christopher Woods Music Instructor Woods has been with the program since 2003.
Mark Gardner Staff  
Stephen Porter Staff  
Matthew Edvik Staff Edvik has been with the program for 8 years according their website (January 11th, 2010)  Edvik no longer appears to work for this program.
Wendy Richman Girls Campus Admin. Richman has been with the program since 2006.  Richman no longer appears to work for this program.
Alta Swarnes Weekend Supervisor Swarnes no longer appears to work for this program.
Natalie Keefer Staff  
Mike Moffet Staff  
Jay Honey Staff  
Jenny Allen Staff Allen no longer appears to work for this program.
Anna Memmott Staff Memmott no longer appears to work for this program.
Wendy Ballard Parent Liaison Go-between that denies contact between parents and children.  Ballard has been with the program for 9 years according to their website (January 11th, 2010)
Russ Kruse System Admin.  
John Webb Recreation Director  
Eli (Stephen) Kerr Staff  
Utah Boys Ranch/West Ridge Academy/Girls Town is also associated with:

"Other facilities you mention that are owned by West Ridge Academy (which you may not be aware of). Aspiro, CALO, and one other program are at least partially owned by Proficio Management (proficiomgt.com), a for-profit subsidiary of West Ridge Academy." --Survivor Reported on January 12th, 2010.

It appears Utah Girls Town has been integrated into West Ridge Academy and/or no longer exists by name.  West Ridge Academy appears to have merged Utah Boys Ranch and Utah Girls Town into one program known as West Ridge Academy.  West Ridge Academy does not provide copies of the program details or their enrollment materials to the public.  However, we heartily recommend families review www.heal-online.org/utah.htm and www.heal-online.org/aspiroinc.htm (Aspiro contract review--Aspiro is connected to West Ridge Academy and likely uses the same or similar language in their contract(s)/materials). 

 

 *(Utah Boys Ranch/West Ridge Academy/Girls Town, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)

 Last Updated: January 12th, 2012

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