In addition to being a Licensed Chemical Dependence Counselor (LCDC), Ernest received both his undergraduate degree in Business Management and his master’s degree in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Ernest has worked in the field of Addiction for about 19 years. Working with individuals who struggle with the disease of Addiction and their family members. In 2012, Ernest was awarded The Houston Chapter TAAP counselor of the Year award and in 2015, Ernest was awarded the Elves Smith Counselor of the Year award of Texas. Through the provision of education, relapse prevention, intervention and hands on treatment, and through teams of professionals in the clinical field, community and volunteer opportunities, Ernest has helped design proven treatment programs with successful results.

Ernest also belongs to an amazing men’s organization, The Mankind Project (MKP), that helps men become the best they can be. Ernest’s role in the organization is a Full Leader. As a Full Leader, Ernest help create space for men to transform their lives and find their gold within. Lastly, sports have been a huge part of Ernest’s life as a child and as an adult. Because of the great passion Ernest had for basketball, he accepted a full scholarship to New Mexico State University. After college, Ernest was blessed to be drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) by the Chicago Bulls in 1983. Eventually, Ernest played professional basketball in Brazil for 13 years. While living in Brazil, Ernest learned how to speak Portuguese.