The Cold Creek Wellness Center staff are educated professionals who are passionate about and dedicated to treating addiction and mental health issues. We share a vision and embrace a culture where excellence and sincere concern for our client’s recovery flourish. Cold Creek’s industry leading treatment programs are based on decades of experience and research and are delivered by our single greatest asset — our staff.
Dr. John K. Reis, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Reis retired from his career in internal medicine in 2009 after nearly 34 years of private practice. For the past 26 years he has actively worked in the field of Addictionology and drug and alcohol rehab. He was the Medical Director for the ACT, Alcohol Chemical Treatment Center located at Ogden Regional Medical Center. He has also served as the Medical Director of the Adolescent Drug Treatment Center (ADAPT) and is now the Medical Director for Cold Creek Wellness Center. Dr. Reis was instrumental in pioneering new and safer methods for detoxifying patients off of higher doses of methadone. He is one of the only doctors specializing in detoxifying pregnant opiate addicts. He helps these high risk clients carry out safer pregnancies, while minimizing the withdrawal syndromes for their babies. On multiple occasions Dr. Reis was invited to provide addiction education seminars for members of the Ogden Surgical and Medical Society. He enjoys teaching medical and nursing students about addiction, and takes pleasure in helping his patients and their families understand and overcome the disease of addiction.
Melanie Tackett, LSAC, CNDAI
Center Director
Melanie graduated from the University of Utah as Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor in 1993. Before this she completed training in psychology, substance abuse, and eating disorders at Orange Coast College in California. She has a deep personal understanding and appreciation for the effects of addiction on individuals and families. Melanie is a Certified National Drug and Alcohol Interventionist (CDNAI) with the National Association of Drug & Alcohol Interventionists, NADAI. At Cold Creek she has drawn on her more than twenty-four years of addiction treatment experience to develop one of the most comprehensive addiction treatment programs in the Western United States. Her commitment to this industry and professional dedication to helping each person struggling with addiction achieve sobriety are hallmarks of her character and career.
Dr. Robert Simmons, Ph.D., LMFT
Clinical Director
Dr. Simmons has been a Licensed Psychologist since 1971 and a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor since 1973. In 1958 he received his B.S. from Brigham Young University in Mathematics, and Secondary Education. In 1965 He received a Masters in Science Education from University of Utah with an emphasis in Mathematics and Psychology. In 1971 He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Utah with emphasis in Counseling, Psychology and Educational Psychology. Since graduating from college, Dr. Simmons has continued to be heavily involved as a leader and teacher in the academic community. He is currently the Director of Clinical Training at Argosy University. In 2006 he won the Educator of the Year award from the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. He has accumulated depth and breadth of knowledge pertaining to addiction recovery that is second to none in the State of Utah.
Newel Nelson, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Newel started his career in helping those with addictions in the early 90’s, first attending the substance abuse program and then going on to complete his education with a Masters in Social work at the University of Utah. He has been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker since 2003. Through his extensive work in residential settings for the past fifteen years he has developed awareness about how to help individuals and families suffering with addiction. He specializes in a unique understanding of family dynamics, include marital issues, adoption issues and dealing with the loss that occurs in life. Newel understands the importance of honesty as well as having compassion. Newel has a great passion for the outdoors and understands the significance of the experiential side of treatment involving those he has worked with in fun activities such as ropes course, rock climbing and rafting.
Auburn A. Guevara, AMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
In 2005 Auburn received her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from Weber State University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 2009 she graduated with a 3.9 GPA from Argosy University with her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Auburn is Bilingual, she is fluent speaking and writing both English and Spanish. She has extensive experience working to help individuals and families overcome addiction. Auburn is also one of the counselors involved in Cold Creek Wellness Center’s Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) and Family Programs.
Dee Marble, CSAC
Professional Equine Therapist
Dee learned the value of hard work and developed his love for working with horses while growing up on his family’s farm in Idaho. He discovered his passion for helping others overcome personal challenges during his 29 years as a business owner. Throughout his life Dee has constantly sought out opportunities to develop and improve his horsemanship skills. His first professional equestrian training came from working with his father-in-law who has an extensive background working with horses on ranches in Nevada. In 1999, Dee began training with Scott Beck, a prominent equine therapist who has developed equine therapy programs for other Residential Therapy Programs in Utah. Following this he trained with Mike Bridges, a professional horse trainer and clinician. In 2009 Dee graduated from the University of Utah alcohol and drug treatment program as Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. Dee also works as a Substance Abuse Counselor in our Residential and Intensive Outpatient Therapy Programs. His education in Substance Abuse Counseling, specialized training and personal experience have allowed Dee to develop one of the best Equine Therapy programs in the Western United States.
Logan Kotkas
Support Staff Supervisor
Logan trains, oversees and schedules our six member support staff team. He has six years of experience working in the drug treatment industry as a support staff supervisor. He worked for two other residential treatment programs before working for Cold Creek Wellness Center. In 2009 he graduated from the Weber State Police Academy; however, after seeing the devastation effects of addiction in the lives of his friends and family, he is now working towards becoming a licensed substance abuse counselor. When asked why he likes working for Cold Creek he said: “From all of the facilities have worked at Cold Creek Wellness Center is by far the best. The atmosphere and the care you get are extraordinary. All the people here have a genuine care for the clients. The setting here at Cold Creek is comfortable and makes you feel at home. It gives you the chance to get to know your peers and get the attention you need.”
Scott Pryor
Marketing Director
In 2002 Scott graduated from the University of Utah with his Bachelors in Political Science and minors in Business and Public Administration. He has a strong background in organizational management, operations, and customer service. He is responsible for maintaining Cold Creek’s website, managing the medical insurance claims and marketing. Scott has witnessed the effects of addiction in his extended family and the successful results of drug rehab and residential treatment. This has given him a passion for helping individuals and families struggling with addiction to experience the benefits of residential treatment.
Trent Taylor
Chef
As the head Chef for Cold Creek Wellness Center, Trent manages the dining room and food service operations. He enjoys planning and preparing meals that consist of fresh, organic, and natural ingredients and teaching the clients about the culinary arts. He places special emphasis exceeding the expectations of our clients with thoughtful planning, and a passion for diverse and exciting food. Trent’s culinary career started at the age of six while preparing food with his grandmother at family functions. Growing up, he further developed his passion for cooking while working in his mother’s restaurant in Francis, UT. He further honed his cooking skills by working side by side with other renowned chefs in fine dining establishments. His culinary magic has been featured in magazines and his best work has won him awards in several cooking competitions. Trent enjoys working for Cold Creek because this allows him to help others while doing what he loves- creating good healthy food.
Tyler Dallas
Operations Director
In 2001 Tyler graduated from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. He has a strong background in business management and public relations. After several career and life experiences from Wall Street to Main Street and leadership positions in his church Tyler and his partners decided it was time to give back and help those struggling with addiction by opening a comprehensive rehabilitation center. He has experienced the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol on his family and friends and personally understands the powerful changes rehab can facilitate. Tyler also has a passion for community service and currently sits on the non-profit boards of The Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Utah Nonprofits Association, Utah Business Week and the English Skills Learning Center as well as volunteering his time at the United Way, Utah Food Bank and Boys and Girls Club.
