Ideal Option is run by physicians who are double Board Certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine.
Tim Kilgallon | Chief Executive Officer
Tim joined Ideal Option at the beginning of 2019, bringing more than 30 years of experience leading a half dozen businesses. Tim’s record includes serving as CEO of Free & Clear and building the company into the nation’s largest provider of tobacco cessation programs and services to employers, health plans and state governments (now Alere Wellbeing, an Optum Subsidiary). As an entrepreneur, business executive and board member, Tim has consistently sought opportunities that optimize human health and wellbeing. He received a BA from Boston College in Economics and Philosophy, and a JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Dr. Jeff Allgaier | President
Jeff is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Ideal Option. His primary focus is on our clinical practice and ensuring that all IO practitioners are providing evidence-based addiction medicine treatment. His dedication to helping people impacted by the opioid epidemic is the driving force behind IO’s growth. Jeff is double board certified in addiction and emergency medicine. He attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and his Emergency Medicine Residency was at Maricopa Medical Center.
Dr. Ken Egli | Medical Director
Ken co-founded Ideal Option with Dr. Jeff Allgaier in response to the opioid crisis in their community. He has over 15 years of emergency medicine experience and is double board certified in addiction and emergency medicine. He currently serves as a medical director focusing on many areas of our practice. Ken attended Saba University, School of Medicine and his residency was at UT Huston, Herman Hospital.
Sandy Becker | Chief Financial Officer/ Executive Vice President
Prior to joining Ideal Option in January 2019, Sandy served in the chief financial and operational positions at WellAir, Mazlo, Free & Clear, Applied Discovery and Pointshare. Prior to those assignments, he was co-founder and Managing Member at Compass Capital Advisors LLC, where he was responsible for assisting clients in determining strategic directions to support their efforts to raise capital and negotiating with potential investors and lenders. Sandy had a successful 14-year career with the Seattle office of Moss Adams, where he became a partner. Sandy received a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
Lane Savitch | Vice President, Community Development
Lane joined Ideal Option in January of 2019 as VP Community Development after retiring from Kadlec Regional Medical Center as its CEO. Lane has over 40 years of healthcare executive management and leadership experience and is enthusiastic about working with the Ideal Option team to develop important community connections as we continue to grow and mature as an organization. He believes that an important component of our success will be a result of developing, maintaining and growing community relationships with key stakeholders such as healthcare, law enforcement and local elected officials.
Sharen Ross | Vice President, Marketing
As VP of Marketing, Sharen is responsible for marketing strategy, branding and communications for Ideal Option. Sharen has 18+ years of experience launching, managing and scaling B2B and B2C products and services in the health and wellness industry, in addition to building and managing marketing teams from the ground up. Sharen has a B.A. in Marketing Communications and Japanese from La Trobe University and completed M.B.A. coursework in Marketing at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
Evans Roth | Vice President, Technology
As VP Technology, Evans is responsible for Ideal Option’s overall technical infrastructure, software platform and reporting. Evans has over 30 years of experience developing and executing technology strategies, including 15 years in leadership positions at multiple healthcare companies. He has also held technical, product, sales and business leadership positions at Netscape Communications, Oracle Corporation, and IBM. Evans earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Cornell University and a M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
Bryce Kelly | Vice President, Operations
As Vice President of Operations, Bryce is committed to driving IO’s growth and to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. Bryce joined Ideal Option in August 2013 as a medical assistant and office manager helping Drs. Allgaier and Egli to establish the foundation of the business. As IO rapidly grew, Bryce increasingly was tasked with building, and leading, the teams and infrastructure required to deliver our services.
Ashley Brighton | Vice President, Compliance
As Vice President of Compliance, Ashley is responsible for our federal, state and payer regulatory compliance. Compliance matters are overarching, so Ashley works closely with all departments (a perk for Ashley as she deeply respects and appreciates IO’s people and unique culture). Ashley earned a B.A.S. in Healthcare Administration and holds certifications in compliance, coding, and auditing.
Christy Zbiegien | Vice President, Contact Center Operations
As VP of Contact Center Operations, Christy is responsible for ensuring an excellent customer experience while continually improving processes and creating efficiencies that support both our team and customers. Christy has 25 years’ experience in contact center and coaching operations working in wellness/health care settings with the goal of improving people’s lives. Christy has a B.S. in Community Health Education from Western Washington University.
Kern Maresca | Vice President, Finance & Accounting
Prior to joining Ideal Option, Kern held senior finance positions at WellAir, Arivale, and Alere Wellbeing. Kern has also held positions as the Chief Operating Officer of POP! Multimedia, Finance & Operations for the Atrieva Corporation, and Corporate Controller for Virtual I-O. Kern holds a B.A. in Political Science from Whitman College and a M.B.A from Washington University in St. Louis.
Yuki Yang | Vice President, Continuous Improvement
As VP of Continuous Improvement, Yuki is responsible for identifying ways, companywide, to impact more lives, more efficiently by optimizing processes. She has over 20+ years applying best practices to help execute continuous improvement initiatives and leading account management teams serving the healthcare and technology industries. Yuki has a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University.
Mike Gaulke | Vice President, Laboratory Services
As VP of Laboratory Services, Mike is responsible for Ideal Option’s overall laboratory operations. Mike has 30 years’ experience working in and leading physician, hospital, and regional reference laboratories, most recently as General Manager of TriCities Laboratory. He is skilled in Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Laboratory Management, Laboratory Equipment and Healthcare Management. In his spare time, Mike is a volunteer chaplain at the Benton County Jail. He also Mike received his B.S. in Biology and Medical Technology Certification from Central Washington University, and is MT(ASCP) certified. holds a Masters’ Degree in Health System Management from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Dr. Shawna Laursen | Medical Director, Provider Leadership
In her new role as Medical Director, Provider Leadership, Shawna has migrated her practice from Emergency Medicine to Addiction Medicine. Her career has also included full spectrum family medicine, hospital medicine, academic teaching to medical students and residents, and practiced in varied environments. At Ideal Option, Shawna is responsible for leading, shaping, supporting and growing our vital provider team as we provide compassionate, effective and individualized care to our patients
Dr. Kirk Brownell | Medical Director, Provider Education
As Medical Director, Provider Education, Kirk is responsible for new Provider Training, Provider Portal, Ideal Option Standards of Awesome, Graduate Medical Education (Medical, Physician Assistant Students, Nurse Practitioner Students and Medical residents), New and continuing Patient Handouts, and de-escalation training. He joins Ideal Option with over 30 years in the medical field.
Wendy Manthei | Director, Operations
As Operations Director, Wendy focuses on clinic flow, standardizing processes, and the daily schedule. She also oversees the nurse care team and prescription team. Before Wendy came to Ideal Option, she was an Emergency Department nurse for 10 years and a flight nurse for 2 years. She attended nursing school at Columbia Community College and earned her bachelor’s degree through WGU.
Skyler Glatt | Director, Special Projects
As Director of Special Projects, Skyler is responsible for the Opioid Treatment Network grants, mental health offerings, jail programs and other community outreach projects. Skyler has experience with chemical dependency counseling, grant writing, grant implementation, setting up e-prescribing systems, and project management. Skyler earned a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University and a Master’s of Social Work degree from Walla Walla University.
Penny Bell | Director, Ideal Balance
Penny is the Director for Ideal Balance which provides co-located Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counseling services to Ideal Option patients within Washington State. Penny has 21 years of experience in SUD outpatient counseling and 11 years of experience as an administrator of SUD services. She obtained her Counseling Registration in 1998 and her Chemical Dependency Professional Certification in April of 2007.