It is with both heartfelt gratitude and bittersweet emotions that we announce the retirement of Tim Knettler, our esteemed Consulting Executive Director and a true legend in the DBT-LBC™ community.
Tim’s expertise in certification was pivotal in establishing DBT-LBC™ in 2013 as the only non-profit DBT certification entity approved by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Since then, Tim has been a driving force behind every aspect of our organization’s growth, challenges, and successes. His leadership has strengthened our day-to-day operations, expanded our impact, and advanced the mission Dr. Linehan, and her colleagues, set forth over a decade ago.
Tim’s commitment to excellence and adherence to evidence-based treatment has been a hallmark of his leadership. His guidance has allowed us to continue providing hope to those struggling while ensuring that the organization remains focused on its mission and values. Tim’s leadership style, marked by integrity, transparency, and collaboration, has been truly exceptional.
Beyond his professional role, Tim has been a mentor, a collaborator, and a trusted supporter. He has always been ready to listen and offer wise feedback, and I am personally forever grateful for his guidance during my time as President. Words cannot express how deeply we will miss his contributions to DBT-LBC™.
While we will certainly miss Tim’s leadership, support, and mentorship, we are excited for the next chapter in his life. We wish Tim and his wife nothing but joy as he embarks on this new phase.
Although Tim will no longer be at the helm of DBT-LBC™, his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we move forward. We remain committed to carrying out the vision and values he has instilled in us, and we will share more details about the succession plan in the coming weeks.
Passing the Baton to Kristy Gatica as Interim Executive Director
In the meantime, I am thrilled to announce that Kristy Gatica will serve as our Interim Executive Director. Kristy joined DBT-LBC™ in 2016 as a part-time staff member and, since then, has grown within the organization. Over the past 9 years, her dedication to DBT-LBC™ has been unwavering, and she has played an integral role in nearly every facet of our organization. Her deep knowledge and commitment to our mission make her the ideal person to lead us during this transition.
We are confident that Kristy will guide us through this period, ensuring that we stay focused on our continued growth and the work we do to fulfill our mission. Please join me in offering your full support to Kristy as she takes on this important role. We are excited for what lies ahead under her leadership.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to Tim for his years of exceptional service and leadership and offer congratulations to Kristy on her new role within the organization. Tim’s impact on DBT-LBC™ will be felt for years to come, and we are excited for the future with Kristy at the helm during this important transition.
With Gratitude to all,
Dr. Kimberly Vay
President, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™
