Leadership

P. Sean Wendell, CPA
Chief Executive Officer

P. Sean Wendell has over 11 years experience in the healthcare industry, with an extensive background in the field of Audit and Healthcare Finance.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Beacon Behavioral Health and as Chief Executive Officer of the company.  Sean received a Bachelors of Business Administration, with specialization in Accounting, from Henderson State University.  Prior to his promotion to CEO he served as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Finance Officer, where he played a major role in finance, business development and the overall operations of the organization.  Prior to joining Beacon, Sean gained valuable knowledge of healthcare management, serving as an auditor specializing in the healthcare industry with one of the nation’s leading Accounting firms. 

Ethan Thompson
VP of Finance

Ethan Thompson serves as VP of Finance for Beacon Behavioral Health.  Ethan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Louisiana State University’s E. J. Ourso College of Business in Baton Rouge.  In his role at Beacon, Ethan oversees company financials reports and budgeting, as well as manages all properties and support departments.  His experience in finance includes work in the Corporate Accounting Division of Bank One’s Dallas operation.  He also worked with a global real estate investment company in Treasury and Cash Management in Atlanta before joining Beacon in 2002.

Steve Kelly, MSW
VP Customer Relations

Steve Kelly serves as VP of Customer Relations for Beacon Behavioral Health, providing overall leadership to the Business Development Department in both Louisiana and Mississippi.  Steve received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge and his Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Entering the behavioral healthcare field in 1989 as a psychiatric technician, he has experience in both in-patient and out-patient settings.  Prior to joining Beacon, Steve served as a social worker on the acute psychiatric unit at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and also served on the COPE crisis assessment team.  He joined Beacon in 2003 in the role of Patient Care Representative in the Business Development Department, receiving the prestigious President’s Club Award for two consecutive years and achieving Circle of Excellence status within the organization. He also served as Area Director of Behavioral Health and Director of Business Development prior to serving in his current role.

Gary Burns, LCSW

Director of Inpatient Customer Relations

Gary Burns, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, serves as the Director of Inpatient Customer Relations, managing territories in Louisiana and Mississippi. Gary earned his Masters Degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge and has over 25 years of Behavioral Healthcare experience with 22 of those years served within the inpatient psychiatric setting. Prior to joining Beacon Behavioral Health, Gary was the Director of Community Education for the Transitions Geriatric Psychiatric Unit at Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge. Gary has also served as the COPE Team Director at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and as the Psychiatric Assessment Team (PAT) Director at Meadow Wood Hospital. 

Melissa Guidry Babin, LCSW, BACS, CHC

VP of Performance Improvement

Melissa Guidry, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, serves as the V.P. of Performance Improvement, providing overall leadership for Performance Improvement for both Beacon's in-patient and out-patient departments.  Melissa earned her Masters Degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and has over 18 years of Behavioral Healthcare experience.  Prior to joining Beacon Behavioral Health, Melissa served as Corporate Director of Clinical Services for Medsouth Management Corporation.  Melissa has also excelled at various roles such as Staff Development Educator, Clinical Director, Clinical Manager, and Social Services Manager through out her career.

Debbie Tullier, CHC

VP of Out-patient Operations

Debbie Tullier, serves as the V.P. of Out-patient Operations, providing overall leadership for all Beacon's out-patient programs in both Louisiana and Mississippi.  Debbie earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University.  Her 26 years of Behavioral Healthcare experience span all age groups both in-patient and out-patient.  Prior to joining Beacon Behavioral Health, Debbie served as the Chief Operations Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer for Med-South Managment Corporation, overseeing their behavioral health division.  Debbie also excelled at various roles such as the Regional Director of Operations for Community Health Services' state-wide Mental Health Rehabilitation programs, and on the Board of the Louisiana Association of Behavioral Healthcare.