Andy leads the Information Technology infrastructure, support operations and strategy across Monarch. As Chief Technology Officer, he is responsible for ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and processes are in place for effective and efficient IT development, technology and implementation.

Andy joined Monarch in 2012, bringing extensive experience leading mission-critical IT and security objectives. He has worked in information technology and security for three decades and has specialized skills in enterprise-wide information security design, network and systems infrastructure oversight. Prior to his appointment at Monarch, Andy held various roles at New Breed Logistics and Food Lion’s corporate headquarters in Salisbury where he gained over 25 years of experience. He also manages the Facilities, Fleet and Real Estate teams and is instrumental in helping Monarch grow in North Carolina and other states.

Monarch’s Senior Vice President of Performance Improvement Amy Boone oversees the agency’s performance improvement efforts including Monarch’s safety program, HIPAA program and medical records, and all lines of insurance, including worker’s comp and general liability.

Before joining Monarch, Amy spent 24 years as a registered nurse and worked in health care risk management and hospital accreditation. She earned her RN degree from Wake Tech Community College and holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Barton College.

As Monarch’s Chief Administrative Officer, Terri has responsibility for Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, Performance Improvement, and Customer Experience. 

She is a 1993 graduate of Appalachian State University, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Media with a Minor in Management. In 1999, Terri was also awarded her National Society of Human Resource Management Certification. This was accomplished by showing competencies in all areas of human resource management including employee relations, risk management, strategic planning and workforce planning. Terri has been employed with Monarch since 1993. She and her husband Matt live in Beech Mountain. 

Britni Eaton, M.S., LCMHC-QS, LCAS, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and certified supervisor and a licensed clinical addictions specialist. She has been employed with Monarch for more than six years, having started as a therapist on an Assertive Community Treatment team (ACTT) in 2015 before being promoted to a team lead position in 2016.

Britni spent three years serving as director of operations for ACTT at Monarch providing clinical and administrative oversight for our seven ACT teams across North Carolina. In this role, Britni worked to ensure that ACTT services were consistently delivered according to evidence-based practice standards to ensure quality of care and maximized efficiency of workflows to increase revenue across the service line.

As vice president of medical services, Britni works closely with Monarch’s Chief Medical Officer and other physician leadership to develop and oversee programs related to the management of physicians and advanced practice providers across Monarch.

Britni holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Loyola University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from High Point University.

Tammy Geis serves as Monarch’s Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer. She leads skilled finance team in managing Monarch’s $100 million budget and ensuring the organization remains fiscally sound.

Tammy has extensive experience directing, developing, implementing, and integrating operational and financial strategies for health care organizations. Most recently, she served as the Chief Operating Officer for AccessOne, a health care, finance and technology company focused on customer-centered payment tools. Prior to that, she served as the Vice President of Finance for Novant Health and as the Vice President of Finance for MedCath, both in Charlotte. Her health care and technology experience will be invaluable as the Medicaid, alternative payment model, and value-based care landscapes continue to change rapidly in North Carolina.

Tammy received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Financial Accountants and an active Certified Public Accountant.

As Vice President of Operations, LTSS, Relena Hair oversees Monarch’s Long-Term Services and Supports day, residential and community-based programs across Central North Carolina. She provides leadership, supervision and support to staff providing direct care across a range of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness.

Melissa Hall, M.B.A., B.S., is Executive Vice President / Chief Operations Officer for Behavioral Health for Monarch. She oversees Monarch’s behavioral health operations statewide, provides clinical and administrative oversight and helps to direct the company’s service expansion strategies.

Melissa has 30 years of experience in the health and human services field, encompassing both intellectual/ developmental disabilities and mental health. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Pfeiffer University. Melissa received her Doctorate in Business Administration at the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

She also completed Leadership Richmond through the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and the N.C. Advancing Strong Leadership Initiative through the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and the University of Delaware.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Melissa moved to North Carolina in 1994. She and her husband, Robby, have two children.

Lyndril Leonard, MA, LCMHC is Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer for Behavioral Health Services for Monarch. She oversees Monarch’s outpatient and enhanced services day-to-day operations statewide. She also helps direct the company’s service expansion strategies.

Lyndril joined Monarch in October 2013 as the Clinical Operations Director in the Partners Managed Care Organization (MCO) catchment area and served as the Vice President of Enhanced Services prior to moving into her current role. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Belmont Abbey College, and a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Webster University. As a North Carolina licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC), Lyndril has experience working with children, adolescents and adults. She has more than two decades of experience working in the field of mental health, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities. She has worked in various capacities at different levels within the mental health care system including outpatient private practice, residential group homes, community-based services, case management, and psychiatric outpatient clinics.

Lyndril lives in Lake Wylie, S.C., with her husband Cotye and their son, Cotye Jr.

Anna Yon Marshall serves as Monarch’s Vice President of Care Management, I/DD and Tailored Plan. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of Monarch’s statewide care management services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) provided through North Carolina’s Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans.

Anna has more than 30 years of experience working with individuals, families and organizations supporting people with mental illness, substance use disorders, I/DD and TBI. She has coordinated supports for children with significant medical needs living in intermediate care facilities (ICFs) and spent more than 15 years designing and implementing a care coordination model for individuals with I/DD in a waiver setting for Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

In addition, she designed a regional model to work with community and public organizations, consumer and family advisory committees (CFAC’s) and county officials in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) in their communities. She also designed a referral platform using SAMSHA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness model. Most recently at Cardinal, Anna served as Senior Change Manager.

Blake Martin, MHA, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Blake leads the development of Monarch’s strategic vision for advancement in the health care sector. He partners with Monarch’s President and CEO Dr. Peggy Terhune, executive leadership, the Board of Directors and invested stakeholders to create the framework for the strategic growth of current services and programs and targeted expansion in the future.

With nearly 15 years of industry experience, Blake is directly responsible for identifying and developing strategic opportunities and maintaining relationships with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, statewide local management entities and managed care organizations (LME/MCOs), social services agencies, licensing agencies and the people and families Monarch supports, among other key stakeholders.

Blake also current serves as a member of Board of Trustees at Pfeiffer University.

Education & Certification

Dr. Robert James McHale, M.D., M.S. has been Medical Director of Monarch since July 2010. He provides supervision and oversight for the behavioral health services of Monarch. In addition, he works with people of all ages dealing with mental illness and substance abuse concerns. He has a special interest in intellectual disabilities and general medical conditions of the people we serve.

Dr. McHale earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology at Saint Louis University, a Masters of Science Degree in Biology at University of Missouri – St. Louis, and his Medical Degree from Saint George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Kansas – Wichita, School of Medicine. He was named Chief Resident during his training. He has been Study Physician and Sub-Investigator at the Clinical Research Institute in Kansas, involved with research concerning Depression, Psychotropic medications and drug – drug interactions of medications. Prior to entering into medical school, Dr. McHale worked as a biochemist at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and has been a co-author of over 30 scientific publications and abstracts. He was also involved in research and study of Sleep Disorders at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry – Sleep Disorders Center. He has given numerous lectures and presentations on mental illness and believes education is a hallmark for quality of care for all the people with serve in our communities.

Dr. McHale was awarded Excellence In Service Award from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), The Laurie Coyner Award: Excellence For Psychiatric Inpatient Care at University of Kansas, Saint Louis University Undergraduate Research Award. He is a Member of several Professional Associations; American Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, North Carolina Psychiatric Association, North Carolina Medical Society, Kansas Psychiatric Society, Collaborative Family Health Care Association. Dr. McHale recently has been recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. He received his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine from the American Board of Preventative Medicine.

 Robert and his wife Amy are the proud parents of a son named Thomas.

Christy oversees major clinical and administrative operations as well as developing and ensuring the implementation of new and existing programs and services for Monarch statewide.

She has been employed by Monarch for over 20 years and previously served as Vice President of Operations for Long-Term Services and Supports for the western region of North Carolina. Christy has worked in the field of mental health and human services for more than two decades in both direct support and administration, and helped lead Monarch’s residential, vocational and community services in supporting, educating and empowering people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to choose and achieve what is important to them.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Gardner-Webb University and completed her Master of Health Administration degree at Pfeiffer University. She is a graduate of the N.C. Advancing Strong Leadership Initiative through the North Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council and the University of Delaware and she is a Master Trainer for “Getting It Right.”

She is married, has one daughter, and lives in Albemarle.

Laurie Weaver is Monarch’s Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy builds and maintains brand awareness and loyalty and oversees Monarch’s marketing, communications, community engagement and philanthropic fundraising initiatives. She manages a team of creative and engaged professionals who raise awareness and understanding of the people, programs, services and mission of Monarch.

Laurie joined Monarch in 2013 as the Director of Grants and Foundation Relations and moved into the role of Senior Director of Philanthropy. During her tenure in fundraising at Monarch, she successfully secured the organization’s first private, six-figure grant, Monarch’s first facility naming gift and the organizations first multi-million dollar, multi-year federal grant.

Prior to joining Monarch, she held marketing, communications and program management roles with Our State magazine and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She holds a Master of Science degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

As the Vice President for Business Development, Jerel is responsible for working closely with the Executive Leadership Team to execute our strategic business plans, review contracts and represent Monarch to secure new partnerships. She came to Monarch from the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), a non-profit startup organization where she was responsible for the training and expansion of programming in 16 states. During her five-year tenure, NICA experienced a 35% annual growth and increased access to programming across 31 states.

Prior to her work with NICA, Jerel worked in special education and student services administration for three diverse school systems representing urban, suburban and rural communities. She began her career as a social worker in a therapeutic day school and then moved to a public school setting to serve as the case manager for gang-involved youth in need of special education services. She eventually served as the Director of Student Services for the Geneva School District in Geneva, Illinois.

Jerel received a master’s degree in Social Work from George Williams College of Social Work in Aurora, Illinois and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. She currently resides in Chapel Hill with her husband Ryan and two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys advocating for more trails and green spaces in her community and experiencing the outdoors, riding bikes and exploring nature with her family.

Dr. Peggy Terhune has been CEO of Monarch since June 1995. Under Peggy’s leadership as President/CEO, Monarch has implemented evidence-based and best practices in all areas, has successfully added numerous services, enhanced community integration, improved customer satisfaction, reduced turnover, and has effectively developed programs to serve consumers with multiple disabilities. She has grown the company significantly and diligently pursues her methodology to incorporate continuous improvement within the organization. Peggy is a strong advocate for people with disabilities and has presented often at conferences and technical workshops, particularly on emerging practices that are used at Monarch.

Peggy has served as an advocate for people with disabilities for more than 40 years and has presented often at conferences and technical workshops, particularly on emerging practices that are used at Monarch. She is a founding board member of the North Carolina Providers Council and past president of the National Conference of Executives of the Arc. Additionally, Peggy was appointed to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Waiver Advisory Committee (DWAC) and has been appointed twice to the N.C. Commission on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. She is also a board member of the N.C. Council of Developmental Disabilities, also appointed twice by the Governor. Peggy is a past member and officer of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Carolina and former member of the Benchmarks’ Board of Trustees.

Peggy is the recipient of numerous regional and national leadership awards. In 2016, she was the first-ever recipient of the Distinguished Professional Award in Diversity and Cultural Competency by the National Conference of Executives (NCE) of The Arc. In 2017, she was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Excellence Award from i2i, a health care leadership organization in North Carolina. In 2020, she was awarded the Champion award by the National Conference of Addiction Disorders. In 2020, she was also awarded the highest honor a North Carolina citizen can receive when she received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the state and its people.

Peggy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Indiana University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked with and advocated for people with disabilities for more than 40 years. Her competencies include a wide range of clinical and administrative skills and she is culturally competent.

In addition to her career, Peggy is mother to seven adult children, grandmother to ten and wife to Bob. For more than twenty years, the couple has fostered children with and without disabilities.  A servant leader, Peggy continues to provide community service in many ways. For fun, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at Wingate University in the doctoral program for Occupational Therapy and at Pfeiffer University in the masters’ program for Occupational Therapy. In her spare time, she enjoys needlepoint, knitting, reading and traveling.

Ana Liza Cisneros-Howard is a behavioral health therapist based in Albemarle. In addition to providing individual therapy for children, teens and adults, she facilitates three therapeutic adult groups and co-facilitates one Dialectical Behavior Therapy group for adults weekly.

During the school year, she provides school-based therapy in several schools in Stanly County several mornings per week.

She began her career in mental health at Monarch in 2009 after earning a Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina. Cisneros-Howard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is currently receiving supervision to become a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS).
Cisneros-Howard became a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) in 2014, an area focused on treating children who experience trauma through play therapy. She is also trained to work with adults who have experienced trauma. Cisneros-Howard has worked on an Intensive In-Home Team and a Day Treatment Team both focused on children and their families.

Cisneros-Howard lives in Charlotte with her husband and their Maltese dog named London.

Amanda Matthews is a psychologist for Monarch actively supporting, educating, and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

She has presented at numerous professional conferences, most recently including both the 2014 Spring and Fall North Carolina Training, Instruction, Development, and Education (NC TIDE) Conferences, the 2013 National Adolescent Perpetration Network (NAPN) International Conference, and the 2012 Spring North Carolina Juvenile Services Association (NCJSA) Conference.

Matthews graduated Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College, with a B.S., with Honors, in Psychological and Brain Sciences. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Notre Dame.

She is also a board member of the North Carolina Association for the Management and Treatment of Sexual Offenders (NCAMTSO).

Education & Certification

Dr. Robert James McHale, M.D., M.S. has been Medical Director of Monarch since July 2010. He provides supervision and oversight for the behavioral health services of Monarch. In addition, he works with people of all ages dealing with mental illness and substance abuse concerns. He has a special interest in intellectual disabilities and general medical conditions of the people we serve.

Dr. McHale earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology at Saint Louis University, a Masters of Science Degree in Biology at University of Missouri – St. Louis, and his Medical Degree from Saint George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Kansas – Wichita, School of Medicine. He was named Chief Resident during his training. He has been Study Physician and Sub-Investigator at the Clinical Research Institute in Kansas, involved with research concerning Depression, Psychotropic medications and drug – drug interactions of medications. Prior to entering into medical school, Dr. McHale worked as a biochemist at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and has been a co-author of over 30 scientific publications and abstracts. He was also involved in research and study of Sleep Disorders at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry – Sleep Disorders Center. He has given numerous lectures and presentations on mental illness and believes education is a hallmark for quality of care for all the people with serve in our communities.

Dr. McHale was awarded Excellence In Service Award from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), The Laurie Coyner Award: Excellence For Psychiatric Inpatient Care at University of Kansas, Saint Louis University Undergraduate Research Award. He is a Member of several Professional Associations; American Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, North Carolina Psychiatric Association, North Carolina Medical Society, Kansas Psychiatric Society, Collaborative Family Health Care Association. Dr. McHale recently has been recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. He received his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine from the American Board of Preventative Medicine.

 Robert and his wife Amy are the proud parents of a son named Thomas.

Mary Beth Young is the Assertive Community Treatment Team Lead (ACTT) for Davidson and Rowan counties, which involves supervising a team of multi-disciplinary professionals who support individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in their homes and in the community.

Young worked for Monarch from 2007 to 2010 as a Clinical Program Manager and then a therapist. In 2008, Monarch honored her with the Eula B. Cranford Professional of the Year Award. She returned to Monarch in 2016 to serve in her current role.

For the first half of her career, she worked with children and adolescents who experienced trauma and displayed severe emotional and behavioral issues. Since then, she has focused on being an administrator and working with individuals who have complex clinical issues. Her volunteer experience includes training caregivers in Senegal, Ukraine, and Haiti on how to work with young people who have experienced trauma.

Young’s areas of expertise include trauma, working with individuals who demonstrate complex clinical issues, and serving as an administrator. She has written two chapters published in the book “Healing for Hurting Hearts: A Handbook for Counseling Children and Youth in Crisis”; one titled Basic Counseling Skills and the other Healing Through Focused Play.

Young earned a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for 21 years. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.