Keith Liles Recipient of NAADAC's Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year Award

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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Keith H.Liles, BA, LCDC, ADCII, ICADC, was awarded the Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to leadership and legislative efforts on behalf of the addiction profession by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, at the NAADAC/ TAAP (Texas Association of Addiction Professionals) annual conference in Corpus Christi, TX, on July 8, 2005.

"It is indeed an amazing thing, to be awarded such a prestigious honor for something that I love to do so much. By recognizing me, NAADAC touched my heart deeply, and in turn, spotlighted the incredible accomplishments of the Houston Chapter of TAAP as well as the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals of which I proudly represent. My offering of leadership and legislative advocacy is a true gift of service, and one I intend to continue to share as long as there are those who suffer from the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction," said Liles.

The Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year Award was created in 1979 by Jay Lewis, former editor and publisher of The Alcoholism Report, and peers, to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the advancement of the addiction counseling profession.

Keith H. Liles, BA, LCDC, ADC II, ICADC, is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and business and honors graduate of the University of Houston's School of Addiction Studies. Liles enjoyed a 12-year career in the banking industry before embarking on his heart mission of chemical dependency counseling. He has blazed the path as counselor, instructor, clinical supervisor, youth mentor, legislative advocate, executive manager and professional leader on the local, state and national levels. Liles joined The Right Step eight years ago as a part time weekend staff technician and today is the Director of Clinical Services for the Houston Region of TRS Behavioral Care, Inc.

Liles was introduced to TAAP and NAADAC as a student and launched an impressive ten-year commitment of volunteerism that has showcased his leadership, team building and organizational skills, along with his vision and creative approaches to enhance current projects or spearhead new ones. Keith has received accolades that include Houston TAAP Counselor of the Year, Houston TAAP Member of the Year, Jim Keesy Spectrum Conference Volunteer of the Year, Houston TAAP Addiction Professional of the Year and, most recently, the Terry Hale Texas Addiction Professional of the Year.