Team

The individuals who make up the Turning Point Foundation from the Board of Directors to the therapists, counselors, volunteers, senior residents and staff are dedicated to providing a safe, secure, substance–free and loving environment for all of our residents.

David Vieau
President & C.E.O.

Mr. Vieau’s extensive business background combined with his personal story of recovery led to the founding of the Turning Point Foundation in 2002. Under his direction, The Turning Point has evolved into a nationally recognized extended care program for men. He has pioneered innovative approaches and developed programs specifically for young men that have changed the way the industry approaches transitional living.

In 2002 he, with the collective support of our board of directors, launched what turned out to be a four year court battle with the State of Connecticut and the federal government. His courageous and relentless pursuit to provide better treatment for recovering individuals culminated with a landmark legal victory. As a result, the laws governing extended care facilities have been amended to protect individuals in recovery.

His educational background includes a Liberal Arts education from Harvard University and professional experience includes; Drug and Alcohol Consultant to Fairfield University, President of Creative Collectibles, Inc. and National Sales Manager for American Biophysics.

He enjoys spending time with his four year old daughter Alexis, is an aspiring musician, and an avid golfer. David is the oldest of three siblings and is the son to David Vieau Sr. an active board member for the foundation.

Albert Samaras
Vice President

Mr. Samaras is responsible for coordinating the business strategy and marketing direction for the Turning Point Foundation. Additionally, he oversees admissions, outreach and is involved in long-term organizational planning. With his own recovery experience, he brings a strong commitment to helping men rebuild their lives and succeed as contributing members of society.

Over a successful 15 year career, Mr. Samaras has held a variety of business development, management and marketing positions for leading providers of information technology for the healthcare industry. He holds a bachelors degree in Management Information Systems from Central Connecticut State University.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Cecelia and children, Erica and Joshua. He also enjoys practicing mixed martial arts and is involved with a number of charitable and volunteer organizations.

John Palmer, BSW
Program Director

As Program Director, Mr. Palmer makes sure every resident at Turning Point is getting the support and direction they need to grow and become a productive, caring individual that is not only an asset to society, but to the family that cares about him. He believes in a resident–centered approach in helping both the individual and family members understand how to build a strong foundation in recovery. He facilitates a practical path to rebuilding lives using the tools that the resident and his family already possess.

Throughout his 30 year career, Mr. Palmer has held a variety of leadership positions with national and international organizations. His own personal experience with recovery along with a strong desire to help young men achieve their goals brought him to Turning Point in 2009. He graduated with a degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University in 1979.

In his spare time, you will find him actively involved in the greater New Haven recovery community and spending time with his two sons, Zachary and Spencer.

J. Craig Allen, M.D.
Psychiatrist

J. Craig Allen, M.D. conducts psychiatric evaluations and provides medication management for Turning Point residents suffering with co–occurring disorders. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit in 1989. Dr. Allen began his internship and combined General Psychiatry–Child Psychiatry Fellowship at the New England Medical Center–Tufts University Medical School Program in Boston and completed it in 1994 at the Harvard University Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital Program. Dr. Allen served as Director of Psychiatric and Family Services at Franciscan Children's Hospital in Brighton, Mass., from 1995 to 2003. He then relocated to become Unit Chief at Riverview Hospital for Children and Youth in Middletown, Conn. Dr. Allen has taught medical students, interns and residents in the capacity of Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard University Medical School (1994–2003) and Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Yale University Medical School (2003–2005).

In addition to providing direct care services to Turning Point residents, he is Chief Medical Officer for Rushford Center, one of Connecticut's leading providers of addiction and mental health treatment programs for children, teens and adults.

Michael Bower, Ed. D.
Therapist

Dr. Bower has had a wide range of experience in counseling and education with 35 years of experience as a psychologist, high school principle, and university instructor. Most recently, he was Director of the Yale Psychiatric Educational Outreach Project which coordinates psychiatry residents teaching emotional literacy topics to middle school students. He also has a successful private practice located in Guilford, CT which focuses exclusively on the unique needs of adolescent males and young men. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and holds degrees from Tufts, Boston and Harvard Universities.

Luke Gilleran, LADC, NCC, CCDP
Therapist

With over 20 years of experience in addiction therapy, Mr. Gilleran has overseen programs ranging from psychiatric hospitals to inpatient and outpatient chemical dependency treatment programs for both adults and adolescents. He is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and was one of first therapists in Connecticut to earn the states Co–Occurring Disorder Professional (COD) certification, which is granted to therapists uniquely qualified to treat clients with co–occurring disorders.

Over his career, he has served as Director of the Mid–Fairfield County Regional Action Council, has treated patients at a 40–bed dual diagnosis, inner–city residential treatment program, and been lead clinician at the detoxification unit at Greenwich Hospital. He is also actively involved in giving back to the community, serving on the board of directors for a number of youth programs and committing his time and expertise to a broad range of charitable organizations.

His work in addiction was the subject of an article in Counseling Today Magazine, and he is a published author, having written a chapter on treating addiction in the 2005 edition of the book, Critical Incidents in Counseling, published by the American Counseling Association.

Jessica Hamilton, LCSW
Therapist

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years experience in the behavioral health field, Mrs. Hamilton has provided both direct care and clinical leadership for some of Connecticut's largest providers of addiction and co-occurring disorders treatment. As a clinician, she has provided services in a variety of settings, including acute psychiatric hospitals for adults and children and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment services. As Clinical Director of Liberations Programs Bridgeport Services, Mrs. Hamilton was responsible for the quality and delivery of clinical services for the adult outpatient program, admission and diagnostic assessment program, and the supervised transitional living program. Additionally, she provided oversight of research studies for Yale University and The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Most recently, she served as the Clinical Program Manager for Rushford Center where she was responsible for implementing evidence based practices and overall service delivery for the adult addiction and co-occurring intensive outpatient and relapse prevention programs. Jessica received her master's degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University and has a successful private psychotherapy practice in Fairfield, CT.

Diana Clark, JD., MACP
Family Therapist

Ms. Clark collaborates with Turning Point to aid and educate the family members of our residents. Recognizing that family members often live in a constant state of stress and anxiety, Ms. Clark authored and facilitates the workshop: Family Healing Strategies, which provides participants with tools they need to become or remain healthy. As both a specialist in addiction and family systems, she is a recognized force of clear speech, logic and loving acceptance – moving families to engage in behaviors which aid in the recovery process.

With a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School in 1997, Ms. Clark has been employed as a therapist, interventionist and consultant addressing issues of addiction and chemical dependence. Prior to her work in the field of psychology, she was a practicing Labor and Employment Attorney advising employers about the need for clear, compassionate and enforceable policies.

Program and Administrative Staff
Rick D'Angelo, CPA Life Coach, Financial Planner
Ed Doyle Program Coordinator – Phase I
Brendan Paul Program Coordinator – Phase II
Quintin Ford Program Coordinator – Phase III
David Martinez Program Coordinator
Rich Volpe Program Coordinator
Brett Tiberio Executive Assistant
Richard Barnes Operations Manager
Mike Catanzaro Community Manager
Meghan Fitzpatrick Regional Outreach
Matthew Vidal Head Chef
Thomas Dougherty Chef’s Assistance
Josh Wright Maintenance Manager