PRESS RELEASE – March 27th, 2008
For more information contact:
Catherine Godwin at (405) 412-9267

Catalyst Behavioral Services, Inc. Announces the Retirement of Dan McCullough, Executive Director
since 1975

Catalyst Behavior Services, Inc., a leading provider of drug and alcohol recovery services for the greater Oklahoma City area, announced that Dan McCullough, MAT, LPC, NCC, Catalyst’s Executive Director of 33 years has left the organization retiring on March 7th, 2008. Mr. McCullough will remain as an advisor for approximately six months.

Mr. McCullough has been with Catalyst (formerly Drug Recovery, Inc.) since 1973. He began as a volunteer counselor in 1973 and was hired as the Executive Director in 1975. Under his leadership a two person operation grew to an organization that now employs 86 and counsels approximately 900 individuals daily. Under Mr. McCullough’s leadership, Catalyst Behavioral Services developed the court diversion program (a forerunner to the current drug court system) and opened an adult residential treatment facility, a halfway house, sober living facilities, an outpatient care program for chemically dependent men and women who were also HIV positive, and an adolescent residential treatment facility. Mr. McCullough is also Past-President of Oklahoma Substance Abuse Services Alliance (OSASA), and Past President of Oklahoma Chemical Abuse Program Directors Association (CAPDA).

Mr. McCullough has received the Oklahoma Association for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (OAADA) Award for “Outstanding Contribution in the Treatment of Chemical Addictions” and the Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Efforts for the Drug and Alcohol Policy Board, and he has been honored for Outstanding Service by the Oklahoma Substance Abuse Services Alliance (OSASA). Catalyst was recently recognized for 33 years of service by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at their annual state wide convention.

Mr. McCullough also serves on various committees and boards across the state involved in mental health services, the criminal justice system, and the treatment and prevention of substance abuse.

Justin Jones, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, commented “Mr. McCullough has been the cornerstone for ensuring quality services and resources in the areas of substance abuse treatment and offender reintegration.”

Caletta McPherson, Deputy Commissioner for substance abuse services at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services stated "Dan McCullough is one of the founding fathers of substance abuse recovery treatment in Oklahoma City. Over his 33 years of service to the community, he has helped thousands of people overcome their addiction to drugs and alcohol, and steered them toward a better, more productive way of life.” "Certainly, we will miss Dan's day-to-day involvement in the field of substance abuse, but wish him the best in his retirement, knowing that his many accomplishments will live on through the lives of those he has touched."

Mike Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Catalyst Behavioral Services said “I have had the pleasure of working with Dan for 24 years. During that time he helped me realize the depth of the human condition. He is one of the most genuine and caring people I’ve ever known. He guided with a steady hand and was a stabilizing force through his moderate and congenial dealings with people. Dan always made sure that not only his organization’s needs were met but also everyone else’s involved were as well. Although he will be sorely missed, his lifetime service has left an influence in the substance abuse treatment field that will have a positive effect for many years”.

Joe Palmer, Chairman of the Board, Catalyst Behavioral Services and CEO of Worksite Benefit Plans, Inc. stated “Several years ago, Dan McCullough approached me about becoming a board member of Catalyst (DRI at that time). Dan took me on a tour of the organization and I was hooked. I was impressed by the positive, upbeat attitude of the employees. This is always a direct reflection of management and I believe Dan’s leadership shines through. He has been an asset to Catalyst that will be hard to replace. We will sadly miss Dan, and speaking for the board and employees of Catalyst, we wish he and his family the very best and thank him for his 33 years of service.”

“I am grateful for my time with some of the most talented, caring, and courageous people…people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and those who chose a career of helping people find freedom from addiction. People who know how important programs like Catalyst really are, are the ones who’ve had to deal with their own addiction to alcohol or other drugs, or with someone in their family. It’s the most important social issue in our lifetime, and cuts across every social and economic boundary. I look forward to seeing Catalyst continue to grow and provide services for many years to come.” Dan McCullough