Dr. C.J. Davis named CEO of Centerstone, ushering in next era of national growth and innovation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Centerstone, the nation’s largest nonprofit behavioral health organization, announced that behavioral health executive and licensed psychologist Dr. C.J. Davis has been named chief executive officer, following the organization’s transformational affiliation with Brightli earlier this year. The leadership transition positions Centerstone for continued national expansion, innovation and increased access to behavioral health care across the country.

Former CEO David C. Guth Jr. will transition to the role of CEO Emeritus as part of a planned retirement process through 2027.

The announcement follows the successful 2025 affiliation between Tennessee-based Centerstone and Missouri-based Brightli, creating one of the nation’s largest behavioral health organizations with a physical presence across nine states and a nationwide footprint through its Military Services division.

Davis brings more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health leadership, clinical operations and organizational growth. Prior to the affiliation, he served as CEO of Brightli from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as president and CEO of Burrell Behavioral Health and earlier as CEO of Four County Counseling Center in Indiana.

“We have an opportunity to help reshape how behavioral health care is delivered in America,” Davis said. “Too many individuals and families still struggle to access care when and where they need it. Centerstone is uniquely positioned to expand access, strengthen clinical excellence and build innovative solutions that improve lives at a national scale.”

Under Davis’ leadership, Centerstone will continue focusing on expanding access to care, strengthening workforce development, advancing technology-enabled services and growing its impact in communities nationwide.

“Behavioral health is one of the defining healthcare challenges of our time,” Davis said. “Our responsibility is to build a system of care that is more accessible, more connected and more responsive to the needs of the people we serve.”

After more than three decades leading Centerstone, Guth will continue supporting the organization during the transition period as CEO Emeritus.

“After working alongside C.J. throughout this affiliation and integration, I have tremendous confidence in his leadership and in the future of Centerstone,” Guth said. “He understands both the complexity of behavioral health care and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision. He is an innovative and compassionate leader who will continue moving this organization forward.”

Guth joined the organization in 1988, when Centerstone, then known as the Dede Wallace Center, operated six locations in the Nashville area with approximately 100 employees and annual revenue of $3 million. Since becoming CEO in 1991, Guth helped transform Centerstone into one of the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health organizations through strategic growth, mergers, research initiatives and expanded access to care.

Today, Centerstone employs more than 10,000 team members across 360 locations nationwide, providing mental health care, addiction treatment and supportive services for people of all ages.

The leadership announcement comes during the 77th observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, as demand for behavioral health services continues to grow nationwide.

“I’m deeply honored to lead this organization into its next chapter,” Davis said. “What makes Centerstone special is its commitment to innovation, compassion and meeting people where they are. We have an opportunity to help strengthen behavioral health care in communities across the country, and that work has never been more important.”