Black Horse Health names Ruth Ann Rigby chief strategy officer

Black Horse Health has tapped recovery advocate and behavioral health veteran Ruth Ann Rigby for its top strategy role in Houston. The hire adds nearly 30 years of addiction treatment, program development and recovery leadership as the organization looks to expand referrals, family engagement and its care continuum.

Why it matters: - Black Horse Health is adding a veteran strategist with deep ties across addiction treatment and recovery advocacy. - The hire is designed to support growth, expand referral relationships and strengthen support for families and alumni. - The appointment comes as behavioral health providers compete to widen access, deepen care networks and retain patients in long-term recovery.

What happened: - Black Horse Health named Ruth Ann Rigby, CRS, chief strategy officer. - The Houston-based organization announced the appointment on October 14, 2026. - Rigby brings nearly three decades of experience in addiction treatment, program development and advocacy. - Rigby is a Certified Recovery Specialist and Crisis Navigator with 29 years in long-term recovery. - Rigby has held senior leadership roles at Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, BRC Recovery and J. Flowers Health Institute.

The details: - Rigby’s prior work included building national referral networks. - Rigby also developed family and alumni programs. - Rigby led strategic growth initiatives in previous roles. - At Black Horse Health, Rigby will help guide organizational growth. - Rigby will also expand relationships with referring professionals nationwide. - Rigby will strengthen family and alumni engagement. - Rigby will support continued development of Black Horse Health’s wellness initiatives and continuum of care. - Black Horse Health provides care for substance use disorders, pain recovery, trauma and co-occurring mental health conditions. - The company’s continuum of care includes detoxification, residential treatment, intensive assessment, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programming. - Black Horse Health describes its care as personalized, evidence-based and integrative. - The organization is privately owned and based in Houston, Texas.

Between the lines: - Tonda Chapman, Black Horse Health’s CEO, said Rigby brings strategic leadership, industry relationships and a strong understanding of recovery. - Chapman said Rigby’s values and vision align with the organization’s mission and culture. - Rigby said her recovery journey shaped her focus on helping families navigate treatment options and find hope. - Rigby said every person deserves to be seen as an individual and every family deserves support. - Rigby’s background suggests Black Horse Health is prioritizing both business development and recovery-community credibility in one hire.

What's next: - Rigby is expected to help broaden Black Horse Health’s reach among referring professionals across the country. - The organization is also expected to continue expanding its wellness offerings and care continuum. - BlackHorseHealth.com provides more information.

The bottom line: - Black Horse Health is betting that Rigby’s recovery expertise and national relationships can accelerate growth while reinforcing the organization’s family-centered care model.