To discuss your treatment options call 877-505-4673 anytime.

Gateway Unites Leaders Devoted to Substance Abuse Treatment

Board of Directors

Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment is governed by a Board of Directors whose distinguished members are visionary leaders recruited from corporate, government and social service agencies. The group leverages their experience in all phases of operations for the betterment of the individuals that Gateway Foundation serves.


Executive Leadership

Gateway's executive management is a team of seasoned professionals with in-depth experience in substance abuse treatment and in their respective field.

Michael J. Darcy
President and CEO

Michael J. DarcyMr. Darcy began his career in 1967 working in New York's Greenwich Village as an outreach worker helping teens and young adults who were abusing alcohol and other drugs find their way out of addiction. In 1969, he was asked to come to Chicago to work at Gateway Foundation, one of 6 new drug treatment initiatives funded by the Illinois Department of Mental Health and organized under the auspices of the University of Chicago's Department of Psychiatry.

In 1985, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Darcy President and CEO after serving in the positions of Treatment Center Director, Area Director, Program Director and Executive Director reporting to the President. Mr. Darcy received his undergraduate degree, concentrating in Social Work, from Chicago's Roosevelt University and his Master of Management (MBA) from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Business.

Gateway Foundation Executive Management Team:

  • Nick Gantes, Vice President, Community Services Division, 2000
  • Mike Giniger, Vice President, Corrections Division, 1994
  • Martha Yount, Vice President, Human Resources, 1994
  • George Vargas, Vice President, Finance, 1996
  • Dan Molitor, Vice President, Information Services, 1998

Gateway's executive management has established a culture where best practices are sought out and adopted for treatment programs, individuals and their families are treated with dignity and compassion and employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally.


Clinical Services Leadership

Dr. Phil Welches, PhD
Clinical Director

Dr. Phil Welches, PhDGateway Clinical Director Dr. Phil Welches, PhD joined Gateway Foundation in 2003 and directs clinical services at all Gateway Treatment Centers. Dr. Welches is a licensed clinical psychologist and a registered dual-disorders professional.

With more than 30 years of substance abuse treatment experience, Dr. Welches has extensive knowledge and experience in treating substance abuse and dual-diagnosed/co-occurring disorders. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, Illinois Psychological Association and Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

Prior to Gateway, Dr. Welches was Director of Psychology at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center as well as Director at Interventions Corporation substance abuse treatment centers.


Executive Director Team

The main focus of each Executive Director at Gateway Treatment Centers is to ensure that the best possible customer service and client care is experienced by individuals in treatment, as well as by their families. Gateway's Executive Directors are tenured in many aspects of substance abuse treatment, enabling their employees to develop innovative programs that adapt to the needs of the individuals they serve.

For additional information about Gateway Foundation substance abuse treatment, call 877-505-HOPE (877-505-4673).