OUR TEAM
The Runway’s treatment team is here to serve and support you in your recovery journey
CEO
Vechi Mutum
On November 23, 2011, after finding himself homeless and without options, Vechi took an offer to go to an indigent detox in Costa Mesa CA, bringing an end to a 10-year run with Drugs and Alcohol that had destroyed every facet of his life. As a young child, Vechi had dreams of a career in military aviation, but those dreams quickly dwindled away as his family structure fell apart around him. His family dynamic was filled with domestic violence and abuse. Vechis’ father was a recovering alcoholic and his mother was a first generation immigrant desperately trying to feed and support three kids without help. After struggling through high school with Alcohol and Marijuana use, he thought he had finally found his path in 2000 after being accepted to Long Beach Search and Rescue, only to lose that opportunity to an injury that introduced him to prescription opiates. This was the beginning of a terrifying downward spiral into meth addiction, multiple jail terms, and losing everything he had ever worked or hoped for.
When he moved in to a Drug & Alcohol free housing community in 2012, Vechi did what ever he could to stay busy and on track. He helped out around the house with chores, became a house manager, and eventually was appointed director of the community he had joined. Vechi continued to grow in the recovery field, working in admissions and business development while sharing his personal story of recovery at speaking engagements and events across the country. He finds it especially rewarding working with parents, and creating instructional videos how parents can best help their addicted children get to a better place. Vechi is a reminder that our past traumas don’t have to steal our recovery.
For more of Vechi’s story, watch his video.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lisa Osendorf, CADC, MATS
On a very fundamental level, I believe my personal struggle with addiction and recovery is what drives me today. I will never forget where I came from or where I’ve been, how incredibly hard I’ve worked to be the person I am today. For that reason, I respect each person’s own struggle with addiction and the path that we all must navigate to become the person we know we can be in life. I am humbled by my work. I am, at every single moment of my life, aware that I would not be where I am without the immense support and help of those who stepped in when I could not help myself. It is my true goal to pay that forward.
Lisa is our Program Director; she oversees our amazing clinical and operations team to ensure each and every client receives the care they deserve. Lisa has her CADC and MATS certifications.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen, MD
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York, where fifty percent of his rotations were at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. After his residency he worked at Ventura County Medical Centers in an adult out-patient setting and now lives in Orange County, California. Dr. Thankachen provides his services to several inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder facilities in the Orange County area and has over 10 years of practice in the field.
Dr. Thankachen is also involved in professional organizations and societies in good standing including the American Psychiatric Association, Indian Medical Association, and the Karnataka Medical Association
Clinical Director & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Sue Mannos, LMFT
Sue Mannos is the Clinical Director and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at The Runway Recovery. Sue brings expertise in the area of trauma, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders. Since the start of her career in 1994, she has worked with clients in a variety of treatment settings, including detox, residential and intensive outpatient.
Sue has been working primarily with clients in the acute trauma and substance abuse population with a strengths and evidenced based approach. Sue uses a number of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-based therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and relational therapy. She believes that treatment will cultivate an experience of being seen and understood in times of transition, disruption, or struggle and works closely with clients to support the development of strengths and resiliency to live a sober life.
Case Manager
Johnny Pearson, CADCi
Johnny is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor through CCAPP. As a dedicated case manager at The Runway Recovery, he specializes in helping individuals overcome addiction and plan out their recovery journey.
As a person in recovery himself, Johnny brings a wealth of personal experience and passion to his work which allows him to provide guidance to his clients struggling with addiction. He is well-versed in the latest evidence-based practices for addiction treatment and uses his knowledge to help clients achieve long-term recovery. He is a tireless advocate for his clients working hard to help them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles they may encounter.
As a father of two boys, he understands the importance of family and the impact that addiction can have on relationships. He is committed to helping his clients heal and rebuild their relationships with loved ones, as well as providing support and guidance throughout the recovery process.