Our Team

Alan Routhier- Owner

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

-Mahatma Gandhi

A universally known quote, that is often repeated and seldom realized. As CEO of Ignited Minds ABA, I’m working to be the change. What was once a dream, is now becoming a reality with the help of so many allies and advocates and, for them, I am grateful. For the last eleven years, I have been involved with special needs children and adults and, with each passing day, I became increasingly aware of the lack of facilities that cater to individuals with special needs. I am humbled by the creation of Ignited Minds, which will offer ABA Therapy. Ignited Minds is intended to fill a much-needed void for special needs care within Gaston County and surrounding areas.

alan.routhier@ignitedaba.com

Board Certified Behavior Analysts

Ashley Flood, Clinical Director

Hi everyone! I’m Ashley, and I’m originally from Vermont, and lived in Western Massachusetts through college and grad school. I loved my time getting to know the Charlotte area, and experience all that it has to offer! I have worked with people of various disabilities for about 15 years, volunteering with the Special Olympics, working in adaptive sports, and in a residential group home. I became a BCBA in 2019 and have been working with the Autism population and in the ABA field for about 12 years now, and have enjoyed working with young learners through play and creativity. In my free time, I enjoy watching and playing sports, going to concerts/live bands, exploring new restaurants, and hanging out with my pups Nash and Zola.
ashley.flood@ignitedaba.com

Nicholas Smith, BCBA

I’m from central Massachusetts, but excited to relocate to Charlotte. I studied history and classics in undergraduate. I began my work in ABA as a side job, but I was enthralled with behavior analytic philosophy and methodology. This led me to Westfield State University’s ABA program in the fall of 2016. I entered my early professional years treating adolescents and adults, where I discovered much of my professional passion. It excites me to see individuals tackle complex life situations and reach major life goals using behavior analytic strategies. My professional interests are broad but generally include the philosophy of behavior analysis, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), habilitation and vocational training, social skills, organizational behavior management, and behavioral economics. I’m a hardcore New England sports fan. One of my great passions is historical studies. I immensely enjoy reading, watching documentaries, and listening to lectures. I spend a bit too much time playing real-time history strategy games. A little star gazing has entered my nightly repertoire this year.
nicholas.smith@ignitedaba.com

Spencer Rubin, BCBA

"I'm Spencer, and I was born and raised in North Carolina. Over a decade ago I began working with people of all across the autism spectrum through Camp Royall and the Autism Society of North Carolina. I continued to work for individuals with ASD and their families in various roles until I settled on a behavior analytic approach. I received my BCBA in 2020, and began practicing ABA in homes and in clinic settings. I pride myself on taking a fun, energized, and individualized approach to ABA. I spend my free time with my wife & 5 year old daughter, reading, painting, kayaking, playing board games and perusing local pottery. Passionate about art, nature, stories, science and more!"

Spencer.rubin@ignitedaba.com

Amanda Lutz, LPA

I’m Amanda, born and raised in North Carolina. Over a decade ago, following graduating from App State with a degree in psychology, I began working with children with special needs in the school, home, and community settings. A few years later, I went to graduate school for Clinical Psychology. While there, I focused my study on the clinical practice of assessing, diagnosing, and treating children and adults of a wide variety of psychological disorders, as well as completing internships with CReATE (The Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy), a private practice, and Western Carolina’s McKee Assessment and Psychological Services clinic where I completed over 200 assessments and evaluations on children, many with
Autism and other special needs, to diagnose and create treatment plans. I also enjoyed teaching psychology to WCU’s undergraduates. Post-graduation, I transitioned to working with adolescents and adults in a psychotherapy private practice and then treating and working with only first responders for several years before joining Ignited ABA. In my free time, I enjoy weightlifting, doing crafts, and spending time with my husband and my dog Leo.

Amanda.lutz@ignitedaba.com

Kyle Caleca, BCBA

Hello, my name is Kyle Caleca. I spent most of my life in Savannah, GA before moving to the Charlotte area at the end of 2020. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Georgia, where I graduated in 2019. From there, I soon discovered the field of ABA where I decided to pursue a career as a BCBA. I attended Ball State University where I obtained my master's in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA, graduating in 2023. As a new BCBA in 2024, I'm excited to dive into a career in such a special field!

Kyle.caleca@ignitedaba.com

Christin McDonald, BCBA

I'm Christin, and I was born and raised in North Carolina. I graduated undergrad from University of South Carolina as a Public Health major in 2018 and started my first job in ABA the day after I walked across the stage. I was immediately fascinated with the science behind ABA and enjoyed the job so much that I quickly decided to pursue my masters at Arizona State University. I became a BCBA in 2021 and have been working in the field ever since. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog Bentley, hiking, biking, watching/playing sports, baking, and distance running. I have a huge passion for the field of ABA and the amazing kids I get to work with. I consider it an honor to be able to do what I do every single day!

Christin.McDonald@ignitedaba.com

Kaitlin Faassen, BCBA

My name is Kaitlin and I have been in the field for 5 years now. I love spending my free time riding motorcycles, gardening, home improvement projects, spending time with my four fur babies and working out. I am a bonus parent to a beautiful nine year old daughter and one day plan to have more kids.

Kaitlin.faassen@ignitedaba.com

Mia Brown, BCBA

My name's Mia. I moved to North Carolina from Indiana in 2022. I've always had a passion for helping people. That passion is what led me to ABA. In 2019 I earned my master's of science in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale.

Outside of work, I enjoy a lot of things- traveling, outdoor water activities, rollerblading, taking my dog to the park, reading, watching scandalous dating shows, and trying new foods. I recently bought a tennis racket to learn how to play.

I'm excited to work for this growing company and even more excited to serve the families in our community!

Mia.brown@ignitedaba.com

Katie Shirley, BCBA

Kendall Harper, BCBA

Hey, I’m Katie! I’m so excited to be a BCBA here at Ignited Minds. I enjoy coming to work to collaborate with other BCBAs and our RBTs to help our kiddos reach their full potential.

In 2019 I graduated from the University of Charlotte with my bachelors in Special Education and completed 2 years teaching in the adaptive curriculum setting. In 2022 I graduated from Ball State University with my masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. Before becoming a BCBA I worked as an RBT in both the in home and clinic setting. In April 2024 I officially became a BCBA. My favorite part about this field is watching our learners have that “got it” moment!

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 year old son.

I love being a part of the Ignited Minds team and am honored to leave my mark here!

Katie.shirley@ignitedaba.com

Kendall Harper was born and raised in North Carolina. In 2018, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Clemson University (Go Tigers!) and began working in the field of ABA in 2020 by providing direct care services as a Registered Behavior Technician. Within a few months, she was confident that the field of ABA was a field that she could learn, grow, and serve long term as a career. In January of 2023, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University, became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in May of 2023, and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in December of 2023.

Kendall considers herself “very blessed” to have entered a field where she can support and educate therapists, caregivers, as well as collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders of the learners receiving ABA services. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cleaning, organizing, shopping, completing LEGO sets, and spending time with her loved ones.

Kendall.harper@ignitedaba.com