Wickenburg, Ariz., September 4, 2007 - Gatehouse Academy is pleased to announce that Bill Whitmire has been promoted to Program Director. A long time resident of Arizona, Bill joined the Gatehouse Academy team in 2001. Bill brings to the program a wealth of knowledge, including experience working in alternative school settings, creating and administering computer based curricula, managing computer labs, and the creation of special education programs. He has also worked as a Special Education consultant with an emphasis in language and math related learning disabilities.

What attracted Bill to Gatehouse Academy was the focus on the 12 Step Recovery program coupled with a realistic program that addresses life skills and the educational needs of young people. Even more valuable is the fact that Bill found recovery when he, himself, was a young adult at the age of 19. With over 20 years in recovery, Bill can relate particularly well to the experiences and struggles of Gatehouse Academy’s young adults. He brings real life enthusiasm and passion that is based on his own experience. Around the campus, it is not uncommon to hear residents refer to Bill as “The Michael Jordan of Recovery” or “Bill W” (after Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholic’s Anonymous).

Bill started with Gatehouse Academy as a teacher in the Education Department and was promoted to Education Director shortly afterward. His role as Education Director included coaching students in the core subject areas and developing individualized academic plans. Additionally, Bill provided training in the utilization of technology to improve instruction and was also the campus coordinator of computer technology. In 2005, Bill moved into the Residential area as Residential Director, directing and supporting residents in their day to day affairs.

Bill’s new responsibilities include overseeing Gatehouse Academy’s Main Property Program in Wickenburg, AZ and the Extended Campus Programs in Fort Edward, NY and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Away from Gatehouse, Bill enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and tennis, and participating in recovery related seminars and meetings.