Sterling Lyman is the founder and President of Triumph Youth Services, which he established in 1998. Raised in Southwest Wyoming and Northern Utah, Sterling, his wife, and their four children still live in the area today. He attended Southern Utah University, where he played football and studied Sociology, Special Education, and Physical Education. Sterling began his career in 1992 as a youth advocate, foster parent, counselor, and law-related education instructor for first-time offenders in the Juvenile Court System. In 1995, he entered the private sector as a program director before founding Triumph Youth Services in 1998.
Passionate about creating quality residential treatment programs for troubled teens, Sterling opened his first center in Toquerville, Utah, in 1999. After seeing significant success, he centralized the programs to focus on smaller, more effective groups.
Sterling is deeply committed to serving youth and is actively involved in various charities. He and his wife, Char, adopted a boy from the program in 2001, completing their family. Sterling’s greatest joy comes from family time, family adventures, and watching his children grow. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, coaching, and spending time outdoors, especially in his favorite place, Alaska.
Sterling attributes his success to his incredible staff, saying, “If you surround yourself with good people, amazing things happen.” His motto, “Work Hard, Play Hard,” reflects his belief in a strong work ethic balanced with enjoying life’s rewards. Sterling remains dedicated to helping youth, finding immense fulfillment in seeing their long-term success.
“The rewards far exceed the disappointments,” he says, “and when you see a youth thriving years later with a family of his own, it reminds you why all the hard work is worth it.”
Bruce Humphries joined Triumph Youth Services in 2001 after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Southern Utah University. With a passion for working with teens, Bruce has held various roles in residential treatment and juvenile probation, gaining extensive experience since 1990. He became a managing partner in 2008 and continues to focus on improving the lives of youth. Bruce’s favorite hobbies include hunting, fishing, and traveling, especially to Alaska, where he finds peace and reflection. He believes in the principle that “they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” guiding his approach to working with at-risk youth.
Tom Filipe has been a key part of Triumph Youth Services since 2001, joining while attending Southern Utah University on a football scholarship. Starting as a part-time Direct Care Staff member, Tom now leads Triumph’s operations and Academy athletics, setting a strong example for both the youth and staff. He holds a double bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice, as well as an Associate of Science Degree from Dixie College. Tom is a Certified Teaching Instructor for the American Red Cross and has received training in Substance Abuse, Aggression Management, Crisis Intervention, Interviewing Techniques, Gang Awareness, and Anger Management.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Tom now resides in Taylorsville, Utah. His approach focuses on addressing root causes and replacing negative behaviors with positive ones. “Triumph Youth Services isn’t a cookie-cutter program,” Tom says. “We pride ourselves on tailoring solutions for each youth. We’re committed to supporting them not only during their time here but for the rest of their lives.”
Tom finds fulfillment in his work: “I love what I do. Every day brings new challenges, and I’m excited to tackle them.” Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and six children. He’s passionate about sports—especially rugby, football, basketball, golf, and weightlifting—and loves playing guitar and cooking.
“I’m making a difference and giving our youth a second chance at life,” says Tom.
Nikki Jones is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and the Clinical Director at Triumph Youth Services. She began her academic journey at the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Family Studies in 2009. Nikki continued her studies at the University of Phoenix, where she completed her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2013. She joined Triumph Youth Services in 2007 as a member of the direct care staff while working on her degrees, and over time, transitioned into the clinical team, ultimately becoming the Clinical Director in 2017.
Nikki is deeply committed to inspiring positive change in the youth served by Triumph. She believes in the immense potential within each individual and is dedicated to helping them make healthy life choices through the supportive programming and treatment provided at Triumph. “What sets Triumph apart is the genuine care and collaboration among everyone involved. We work together to meet the unique needs of each youth.”
With over two decades of experience in residential care, Kenyon Bott has worked with individuals facing a wide range of behavioral health challenges. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Utah in 2011 and is a board-certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Ken has worked in outpatient care, addiction medicine, and medication management for residential programs treating both adolescents and adults with diverse diagnoses, including neurodevelopmental disorders.
Ken and his wife are proud parents of six children, and he enjoys supporting his family in their various pursuits, learning about local history, and playing golf.
“In the study of pigeons, it may be better to understand a pigeon, rather than a flock.” – Author unknown
Bailey Lyman is a Certified Social Worker with a passion for helping adolescents build the skills they need to become proactive, emotionally resilient, and effective adults. Her journey in residential treatment began while completing her undergraduate studies at Utah State University, where she worked as a direct care staff. It was through this early experience that Bailey discovered what kind of therapist she wanted to be: one who supports teenagers in navigating life’s challenges and preparing for a better future.
Bailey takes a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to care, with a strong belief that real connection brings true change. She prioritizes building authentic, trust-based relationships with the youth she serves, creating a safe space for growth, accountability, and emotional development.
Bailey is committed to equipping adolescents with practical tools for managing emotions, building healthy relationships, and making positive choices. Her work is grounded in empathy and a deep respect for the individuality of each young person.
Outside of work, Bailey proudly embraces her “nerd” side. She enjoys playing video games with her husband, diving into new TV shows, and getting lost in a good book.
Bradley Francis is a Licensed Certified Social Worker with a passion for working with young men to build the skills they need to become leaders.
Dan is deeply committed to helping youth make meaningful changes in their lives early, understanding that success is achieved before they transition into adulthood. With extensive experience working in the Criminal Forensic Units at the Utah State Hospital, he brings valuable insight into the importance of intervention during these formative years.
A proud father of five and grandfather of four, Dan finds joy in spending time with his family. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, writing, hiking, and watching movies and sports.
LeRoy started at Triumph thinking it would be temporary, but he fell in love with it and has been here since 2019.
LeRoy was born and raised in Brigham City. He tried moving away a few times but always came back to family. He has four kids and four grandkids. They are everything to him. And because family is so important to him, he pours into the youth at Triumph so they can return to a healthy family relationship.
With over 25 years of experience in the at-risk youth industry, Brenda has spent the last 13 years as a vital part of the Triumph family. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Recreational Therapy, which reflects her deep commitment to the success of the youth she serves.
Originally from California, Brenda moved to Utah when she began working with at-risk youth, and she quickly discovered her true passion. Though she does not have children of her own, Brenda has dedicated her career to making a difference in the lives of young people, finding great fulfillment in her role.
Michelle became a part of the Triumph team in 2012, bringing with her extensive administrative experience in both higher education and non-profit organizations. She has a strong background in business operations, accounting, and program planning, all of which contribute to her impactful role at Triumph Youth Services.
Outside of work, Michelle values quality time with her family and enjoys reading, hiking, and river rafting. She has a passion for exploring unique restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores, and she loves to travel, with favorite destinations including Alaska, Cusco, Stuttgart, Linz, Vienna, and Greece.
Tonya lives in Brigham City with her husband and has 4 children and 4 grandchildren. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has received training, earning certificates in Child Psychology and issues related to At-Risk Youth. She has worked with children and youth for over 25 years. One of her favorite jobs was working for Cache Valley School District, where she mentored Title VI Native American youth, helping them navigate life, develop self-advocacy skills, improve relationships, and increase graduation and retention rates.
Tonya and her husband owned and operated a drug and alcohol rehabilitation group home for teenage boys, and she fell in love with seeing the progress that could be made in these young men’s lives with proper therapy, believing in themselves, and realizing that others believe in them also. One of her favorite quotes is from Theodore Roosevelt: “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”
In her spare time, she enjoys attending sporting events (especially her grandsons’ games), shopping, going to lunch, and just about anything else that is outdoors or involves her family.
Mady is the newest member of the office team. She joins us from our Direct Care Team so she already benefits from understanding our program and entire team.
Hey there! I’m Marina Martinez, I was born and raised here in Brigham City, UT. I met my husband when he moved here from TX in 2008. We have three little girls, and a doggy named Kaia. I juggle a lot of roles in life, but no matter what I’m doing, I bring the same three things to the table: family, faith, and love.
Let’s start with family.
They’re everything to me. My people keep me grounded, keep me laughing, and—let’s be real—they keep me humble too. Whether it’s Sunday dinners, spontaneous
amusement park trips, or just group chats full of memes, family is at the heart of who I am.
Then there’s faith—the quiet strength that guides me through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s a big part of how I show up every day—with purpose, with gratitude, and with an open heart.
And last but definitely not least: love. Not the sappy kind (okay, sometimes the sappy kind), but the kind that shows up in the way I connect with people, the passion I bring to my work, and the joy I find in the little things.
So that’s me—Marina Martinez. Full of energy, always growing, and forever focused on what matters most. Thanks for stopping by—let’s make great things happen together!
Hi! My name is Osotonu Tanielu-Samani, a dedicated professional with strong roots in East Palo Alto, California. A proud alumnus of Notre Dame, I competed at the Division 1 level in rugby, where I developed the discipline, teamwork, and resilience that continue to guide my leadership today. Now at Triumph, I am deeply committed to creating real, lasting change. I bring a strong sense of purpose to my work, driven by a genuine desire to see the boys I work with thrive and reach their full potential. As a family man, I also value integrity, growth, and building a future that empowers the next generation.
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