Chief Executive Officer - Randy Oakley

Randy grew up in Kansas City, Missouri where he loved team sports, journalism, canoeing, and exploring the Ozark Mountains.  After spending a couple of years in France and Switzerland, Randy began in 1987 working as a home parent in a residential treatment facility.  Within a few months, his interest was perked by the Recreational Program Director who was taking young men on 20-day wilderness survival trips.  "I saw the students work hard to improve their life on campus and then I saw the powerful changes that took place in the outdoors on these 20 day trips.  At a very young age I could clearly see the power of working with students in the outdoors," said Randy. 

After some additional training and work, Randy moved to Maui, Hawaii for three years where he was the Chief Operations Officer for a large youth program. He moved to Utah in 1992 to be the Program Director of another prominent residential treatment program.  Throughout Randy's career, his specialty has been running adventure therapy programs.  "I love seeing the light in students’ eyes when they have just accomplished something they didn't think they could," said Randy.

Ever since Randy started working in the industry of "at-risk" teens and adventure therapy in 1987, he has dreamed of founding a state-of-the-art program to help teenagers in need.  Aspiro's program began as an outgrowth of the vision of Randy and others, but the program design effort included researching the experiences of many teens over the years and hiring a team of adventure therapy professionals to become part of the design effort.

With children ranging from elementary to college age, Randy and his wife Christina enjoy traveling in their motor home, staying home and playing family games and teaching the kids new things.  Randy completed his college education in youth leadership & recreation management and is fluent in French. 

Business Operations - Christina Oakley

Christina was raised in Chicago and later moved to San Diego before making her home in Utah.  "Next to taking my own children on outdoor adventures, the thing I love most is taking a group of students through the canyons of Southern Utah.  I love seeing them work as a team as they see some of the most awesome places on earth," said Christina. 

Christina started working in the industry in 2003, has been a program director of another "at-risk" youth program in Utah, and has been a guide for Aspiro.  "Running the business operations is fun and exciting but doesn't allow me to be with the students as much.  I miss not being out there like I used to be!" Christina expressed.

Christina is a member of the original Aspiro founding team.  In addition to the outdoors, she loves going to the theater, traveling with her family, volunteering in her children's classrooms at school, and reading books. 

Director of Clinical Services - Justin Robinson, LCSW

Justin worked in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico before returning to his roots in the mountains of Utah.  Justin started working with families and at-risk youth in 1994.  Justin joined the Aspiro Team so he could use his passion for recreation, experiential learning, and therapy to better the lives of youth and their families. 

With a BS in Recreational Therapy and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah, Justin has worked in numerous other programs in leadership and key management positions.  The father of four children, Justin and his wife Janet love the outdoors, skiing, and taking family vacations.

Director of Admissions - Josh Watson, LCSW

Email:  jwatson@aspiro-inc.com  (801) 979-6308

Josh has over six years of experience working with adolescents and their families.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Josh is a Licensed Master of Social Work in the State of Georgia and a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  His graduate research focus was in child and family development, psychiatric assessment of children, and the integration of solution-based behavioral approaches into the public school sector.  Josh served for two years as in internal and field research analyst for the Great Schools and Families Research Project funded by the CDC through the University of Georgia.  He also has experience working for community service boards, inpatient psychiatric hospitals for adolescents, and private practice.  His areas of clinical expertise are in interpersonal relationships, leadership skills, and resource allocation.   

Josh was a collegiate wrestler and scholarship recipient.  He has been a wrestling coach and facilitated multiple summer wrestling camps for adolescents.  Josh enjoys the outdoors, sports (especially wrestling, skiing, and golf), traveling, politics, and spending time with his wife and family. 

Since 1999, Josh has worked with "at risk teens".  Since 2003 Josh has been a therapist and an admissions officer for a therapeutic boarding school.  He joins the Aspiro team with a genuine enthusiasm to make a difference in the lives of many.  “I have never lived outside of the Southeast.  However, after learning about Aspiro’s clinical approach and intense adventure therapy model I made the decision to move across country,” said Josh. “This organization is truly a breath of fresh air.”