Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder services, has promoted Ben Middleton to regional chief executive officer for its Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina operations. Middleton succeeds Robert Vero, EdD, who retired from the organization after 40 years of service.

A substance use treatment provider by training, Middleton has worked for Centerstone and its legacy organization since 1985 and previously held the positions of regional chief operating officer, vice president for core services and director of substance use programming, among others. As regional CEO, Middleton will lead every aspect of the region's operations. In addition to his new role, Middleton also serves as the executive sponsor for Centerstone's Black & Brown Professionals Network (BBPN), one of Centerstone's employee resource groups working to promote diversity, equity and inclusion across the health system.

Middleton earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala., and a master's in clinical psychology from Alabama A&M University.