The administrative staff of Taos Behavioral Health is a dedicated, skilled and hard-working group of Taoseños. They’re the ones who run the agency behind the scenes and like our clinicians, they are committed to making a difference.
Simon Torrez, Chief Executive Officer
Simon Torrez joined Taos Behavioral Health as the business manager. He took over the CEO role in September 2013. He is a homegrown Taoseño with smarts from his years as a business manager and the heart of a dedicated family man. He is delighted to be helping build nonviolence skills in Taos.
LisaAnn Torrez, Human Resources/Credentialing Specialist
Lisa is from Albuquerque NM. She relocated to Taos with her husband, who was born and raised in Taos, to raise their children 15 years ago. She has been married to Simon Torrez for 23 years and they have 4 children whom they devote their time to. Lisa Graduated from UNM Albuquerque in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Business Management and has been the Credentialing Specialist for Taos Behavioral Health since 2015.
Juanita Cohn, Director of Operations
Juanita was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. She graduated from Taos High School and she attended college in Albuquerque. She graduated from The University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management. From there, she moved home and immersed herself in her parent’s family-owned businesses where she learned the ins and outs of business management and customer service. Juanita made the jump to join Taos Behavioral Health in May, 2020.
Michael Gallegos, Albuquerque Operations Manager Michael was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was raised in Taos, NM. He graduated from Taos High School in 2014. Michael has been working for Taos Behavioral Health on and off since starting high school in 2012. He worked around varsity football and track schedules while in school at the Familia y Mundo program. Michael took time off to study at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, as well as to enlist in the US Army. He deployed to the Korean Peninsula as part of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division in 2018. During this time, he obtained the rank of Sergeant. Michael is still actively serving in the armed forces now as a Behavioral Health Non-Commissioned Officer based out of Albuquerque. Michael enjoys giving back through his work in the community that raised him. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, playing and watching sports, and working on cars.
Leanne Etzel, Billing Supervis0r
Leanne joined Taos Behavioral Health in April of 2019 as a Billing Specialist and is now the Billing Supervisor. Leanne was born and raised in Taos and graduated from Taos High School in 2002. In 2014 she joined the Taos County Ambulance billing department where she acquired her certification in Medical Billing and Coding. Outside of work Leanne spends her free time with her husband and four children as well as coaching Xtreme Allstar Cheer, Middle School Cheer and High School Cheer.
Andrea Vigil, Operations Assistant
Andrea joined the Taos Behavioral Health team in October of 2020. Andrea was born and raised in Taos. She graduated from Taos High School in 2006 and later graduated from ITT Technical Institute with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. Andrea worked for US Bank for 9 years and decided on a career change joining our team as a Billing Specialist and later switching roles to Operations Assistant. Andrea is a dedicated wife and mother to her four children, outside of work she loves spending time with her family.
Roberta Romero, Billing Specialist Roberta joined Taos Behavioral Health in November 2020, after working 8 years for Kit Carson Electric in the billing department. Roberta was born in El Paso, TX but was raised in Taos. She graduated from Taos High School in 2002. Roberta has deep family roots here in our Taos community and in our neighboring village of Questa, both where she has family that she loves and cherishes. Outside of work Roberta loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her 4 beautiful children and husband.
Annette Cardenas, Administrative Assistant Annette was born in Denver, Colorado and was raised in Taos since the age of 11. Annette graduated from Taos High School and worked at Cid’s Food Market for 18 years and later at Hillcrest Bank for 8 years. Annette joined the Taos Behavioral Health team in August 2021. Outside of work Annette enjoys spending time with her Husband, family and her pets Oreo and Daisy.
Jamie Acosta, Billing Specialist Jamie was born and raised in Taos, NM. She graduated from Taos High School in 1998. Jamie was a cosmetologist for 21 years and owned her own salon for 13 years. Jamie decided she needed a change and joined Taos Behavioral Health in July 2021 as an intake specialist and has now joined our billing department. Outside of work Jamie enjoy’s spending time with her husband, 4 kids and her grandson.
