Our Team

Tommy Hathorn

Owner/CEO

Tommy wants to guide those struggling with addiction toward the life he believes they were meant to live. He does this by creating first-rate treatment programs for individuals that others have deemed hopeless. The quality of the recovery program is paramount; Tommy will not settle for second best. The programs he envisions always have the long-term success of the client as the first priority. He achieves the success of the program by continually raising the bar of excellence. With years of experience as an Executive Director, Tommy has broadened his scope of work to include involvement in program licensing, credentialing and fundraising. There is no end goal for Tommy, his passion and desire to provide quality treatment options is a lifetime commitment.

Chantal Lessard

Business Development Director

Chantal has an unmatched compassion for people in early recovery. Being surrounded by a supportive community when she struggled taught Chantal what it takes to get through what is often a very uncomfortable experience. She loves being a part of someone’s decision to get sober and remains deeply invested in their journey through treatment and beyond. Chantal has served in a variety of positions until discovering what she is truly gifted at; Business Development. She is still extremely active in her own recovery and passionately carries the message of hope.

Ryan Roberts

Community Outreach Coordinator

Ryan is not only a long time member of the Pacific Beach recovery community but also a Boardwalk alumni himself. Ryan struggled with addiction for over 10 years and experienced many failed attempts to get sober. After attending Boardwalk Recovery in 2019 and completely surrendering his power, he has been able to finally maintain lasting sobriety. Because of his own struggles, Ryan’s passion lies in helping other men experience what he feels so fortunate in experiencing himself. He believes in recovery, community and his Boardwalk family! He will likely be your first point of contact if you make the call and he will be excited to help you become a part of our community.

JJ Wood

Director of Operations

JJ is a San Diego native and has been a member of the San Diego recovery community since 2014. JJ has been working in operations since 2015 and is in his element creating a safe place for guys to get sober and participate closely in each individual’s journey. JJ has helped countless men and has an unparalleled passion for his job, his recovery and his faith.

Dale Bellavance

Operations Manager

Dale is an experienced Operations Manager in the addiction recovery field, known for his steady leadership and commitment to compassionate care. He oversees daily operations, staff coordination, and compliance to ensure a safe, supportive environment for clients and team members. Dale is passionate about helping individuals rebuild their lives and brings structure, integrity, and empathy to every aspect of his work.

Jimmy Pitt

Provider Liaison

Jimmy has been an active member of San Diego’s recovery community and a dedicated team member at Boardwalk Recovery since 2020. As a proud alumni of the program, he draws from his own 10-year battle with addiction to support others on their path to lasting sobriety. His passion lies in guiding individuals in early recovery toward building meaningful, sober lives.

Eileen Castro, LMFT

Clinical Director

Eileen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been a part of Boardwalk since 2022. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University and has experience working with addiction, co-occurring disorders, and acute psychiatric care. Eileen completed her practicum at API, where she was later hired as Lead Addictive Disorders Counselor, supporting clients through detox and recovery. Her approach is rooted in a humanistic approach with a focus on present-moment awareness, personal responsibility, and experiential healing. She is EMDR trained, trained as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, and Trained as a Level 1 Brainspotter. Eileen also draws from IFS, CBT, DBT, ACT, and other evidence-based practices to help clients develop insight, build coping tools, and live more authentic, values-driven lives.

Brian Hodgson, AMFT

Clinician

Brian is an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT) with expertise in assessing and treating substance addiction, marital and family conflict, mood, thought, behavior, and personality disorders. He has extensive experience working with culturally diverse adult populations utilizing evidence-based practices within a multi-disciplinary team of mental health service providers. Brian has worked at all levels of care for the treatment of severe substance addictions and mental health problems that include residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient care. His treatment approach is highly compassionate, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based. He utilizes evidenced-based treatments that include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR for Trauma Recovery, and Family Systems. Brian promotes personal transformations in recovery for living a values-based, enriched, and meaningful life.

Parker Coss, AMFT, APCC

Clinician

Parker holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from National University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. He is registered in California as both an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), where he supports individuals on their path to healing and growth.

Parker’s clinical focus includes substance use, co-occurring disorders, and trauma related disorders. With a strong interest in how mental health and performance intersect, Parker brings a unique perspective to individuals navigating recovery while also coping with identity, pressure, and life transitions. His therapeutic style is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practices. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a strengths-based, client-centered approach, Parker creates a supportive space where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and build meaningful, lasting change.

Parker is passionate about helping people find resilience and purpose in their recovery journey and believes in meeting clients exactly where they are—with respect, authenticity, and hope.

Connor Angelini, AMFT, APCC

Clinician

Connor Angelini is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelors in Behavioral Neuroscience, she bridges the gap between research-based insight and human connection. Her background in neuroscience deepens her understanding of addiction and mental health, allowing her to meet clients with both clinical precision and genuine compassion.

Connor’s personal journey in recovery, which began in 2020, sparked a profound calling to help others find hope and balance in their integration of mind, body, and spirit. Her lived experience informs her work with warmth, authenticity, and a practical lens on healing.
She integrates evidence-based practice with kindness and curiosity, creating space for clients to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Aaron Burns, CADC-II

AOD COUNSELOR

Aaron believes strongly in the holistic transformation of mind, body, and soul, emphasizing finding a true passion for life. Since 2015, Aaron has provided counseling services for substance use disorders. Aaron graduated from the Alcohol and Other Drug Services program at San Diego City College and has a background in cognitive-behavioral therapy, family dynamics, and 12 Step counseling.

Aaron struggled with addiction for over 20 years. Since getting sober in 2015, he has dedicated his life to helping others find freedom from the bondage of addiction. Aaron’s strengths come from his ability to identify with the hardships of addiction and show clients that life is possible if they are willing to do the work to achieve it. To further help those suffering from addiction, Aaron co-owns and oversees daily operations at California Coastal Sober Living. He is a consistent figure of guidance and support for his residents. Aaron is attentive, conscientious, and committed to building a foundation on which others can build a life of sobriety. Restoration of self, family, and discovering purpose in life are instrumental in Aaron’s path of transformation, and he strives daily to help others light their own path.

Claire Mathena,  SUDRC

AOD COUNSELOR

Claire is a dedicated substance use disorder counselor with over 3.5 years of experience supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. She holds an Associate in Behavioral Sciences – Alcohol and Other Drug Studies from San Diego City College, a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness from Rasmussen University, and recently completed a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at National University. Claire is registered through CADTP and is in the process of becoming an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.

With over six years of personal recovery experience, Claire brings deep empathy and a humanistic, solution-focused approach to her work. She values authenticity, connection, and helping clients build lives rooted in purpose and personal growth. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she is committed to providing inclusive, culturally responsive care. Claire also integrates her passion for exercise and holistic well-being into her counseling, believing that healing is most powerful when the whole person is honored.

Dylan Brunson, SUDRC

AOD COUNSELOR

Dylan is a third generation San Diegan with strong roots in the San Diego recovery community. He is a certified substance use disorder counselor and serves as a case manager. Dylan received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and is currently working towards a master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation counseling with an emphasis on co-occurring disorders at San Diego State University.

Dylan takes a person-centered approach to his work with individuals. He believes that when the individual is provided the proper empowerment they can tap into their own inner resources to retake control over their life and achieve their goals. When working with people, Dylan encourages self-actualization, helping the individual to strive towards reaching their full potential. Dylan utilizes evidenced-based treatment approaches such as motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral techniques to encourage individuals to challenge their unproductive thought processes and behavior patterns. He recognizes the importance of incorporating physical exercise into the recovery process to heal and strengthen the body as well as incorporating spirituality to foster growth in that facet of the recovery process as well.

Ana LaBrake, CADC-I

Admin

Ana has been a part of both the clinical and administrative teams at Boardwalk Recovery Center since 2021, working to create a safe, supportive environment for everyone who comes through the doors. As someone in long-term recovery herself, Ana understands the courage it takes to seek help and the power of community in the healing process. Whether working directly with clients or keeping the behind-the-scenes operations running, Ana is dedicated to helping others find the same hope and freedom she has experienced.

Elizabeth Hoban, SUDRC

Admin

Elizabeth has several years of experience in the behavioral health field, supporting clients across both residential and outpatient settings. She has served in a variety of roles, including admissions, intake, and peer support, bringing compassion and insight to every step of the treatment process. In addition to working directly with clients, Elizabeth helps coordinate administrative efforts that support the team and streamline daily operations. Her passion for helping others—rooted in her own lived experience with addiction and mental health—allows her to offer empathetic, informed care to those beginning their recovery journey.