Speakers
Speakers
Thursday Opening Keynote – Recovery Ecosystems
The Recovery Ecosystem Index: Building and Strengthening a Recovery Ecosystem
Angela Hagaman, Co-Director, East Tennessee State University Addiction Science Center
Angela Hagaman is a Research Assistant Professor in the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) College of Public Health and serves as Co-Director of the ETSU Addiction Science Center (ASC). In this role she provides support for several studies to include the NIH funded Studies to Advance Recovery Supports (STARS R24DA051973). Dr. Hagaman also serves as Principal Investigator (PI) of the TN Opioid SBIRT project at ETSU and as Co-investigator for the Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research (CHEARR R24DA057632). Dr. Hagaman collaborates on a number of community-based prevention initiatives including the First Tennessee Development District’s Caring Workplace Initiative and the Washington County Sheriff’s Mental Health Task Force. She was also recently awarded pilot funds from the Recovery Research Institute (R24DA051988) with Co-PI Craig Henderson to explore characteristics of recovery community center (RCC) paid and volunteer staff in 5 U.S. sub-regions. Angela received her Doctor of Public Health degree in December of 2021 at ETSU, and she is a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Thursday Afternoon Keynote – Recovery Housing
An Ecosystems Approach to Recovery Housing
Mike Townsend, Recovery Kentucky Program Director at Kentucky Housing Corporation
Mike Townsend serves as Recovery Kentucky Administrator with the Kentucky Housing Corporation. He has worked for the corporation for the past nineteen years. Recovery Kentucky is a statewide initiative to build and operate fourteen 100- bed addiction recovery centers throughout Kentucky for men and women needing long term substance abuse recovery and housing support. The Recovery Kentucky programs are modeled after The Healing Place of Louisville and The Hope Center of Lexington.
Prior to Mr. Townsend’s employment with the Kentucky Housing Corporation, he served as State Director for the Division of Substance Abuse within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for 25 years.
He is a graduate of Centre College and graduate of the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work where he received his Master’s of Science in Social Work.
Tony White, Director of Outreach, Fletcher Group Inc.
Tony has been dedicated to long-term recovery since July 2003. With over 16 years of experience as a Program Director, he has led residential, long-term, peer-led, social model recovery programs in rural eastern Kentucky. Each center, housing at least 100 men, has focused on serving the unhoused, marginally housed, and criminal justice-involved individuals seeking recovery.
As a member of the Fletcher Group, Tony’s expertise in facilitating social reintegration and building recovery capital through the Social Model is pivotal in expanding Recovery Housing across rural communities nationwide.
As Director of Outreach, Tony collaborates with FGI team members to lead tours and virtual presentations, educating groups nationwide on replicating the successful peer-led social model of the Recovery Kentucky centers in rural areas.
He also conducts social model training for national partners, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness and quality of recovery housing in rural and urban communities. Tony’s commitment lies in supporting recovery housing as a critical component of a comprehensive recovery ecosystem, helping residents achieve long-term recovery and independent lives.
Additionally, Tony is serving his second term on the Kentucky State Corrections Commission.
Friday Lunch and Closing Keynote
Inspiring Community Action in Your Recovery Ecosystem
Philip Cooper, CCHW, CPSS, Executive Director of Operation Gateway and Change Agent
Philip Cooper is a Western North Carolina Native, an accomplished reentry expert, and criminal justice reform advocate. He is the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Operation Gateway Inc., whose mission is to decrease recidivism by addressing the social determinants of health of returning citizens. He is the Director of Recovery at the Asheville Dream Center and is the founder of Voices of Affrilachia, which is a state funded initiative that is addressing the behavioral health stigma in the Marginalized Communities of Western North Carolina. He is an MLK Service Award Recipient, the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award Recipient, he is the recipient of the 2024 Recovery Role Model Award for the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow, and Leading with Conviction Fellow with Just Leadership USA. He is an ambassador for Just Economics of WNC and is a Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader at Revol Church. Philip believes that those closest to the problem are the closest to the solution and this is why he is fully committed to teaching people how to leverage their lived experience to change the world.
Recovery Ecosystems Panel
Regional Recovery Ecosystems in Action
Lee Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Rescue Mission of Roanoke
Lee Clark is a dedicated leader in the nonprofit sector with a strong commitment to humanitarian causes and community service. Beginning his career in public accounting and transitioning into nonprofit leadership, Lee has made a significant impact on the Roanoke Valley. He first joined the Rescue Mission as a Planned Giving Officer and quickly advanced to leadership roles, eventually serving as CEO.
Under his guidance, the Rescue Mission has expanded its services to meet the growing needs of the community, including enhancing medical services and adding Medical Street Outreach. Lee is also actively involved with the Roanoke Valley Collective Response, where he plays a key role in addressing addiction recovery and homelessness challenges in the region. His involvement in various community organizations and health initiatives further demonstrates his deep commitment to improving the lives of those in the Roanoke Valley.
Nancy Hans, Executive Director, Partnership for Community Wellness (PCW)
Nancy is a transplant from Maryland with a Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland. She spent the first 20 years of her professional career as one of the first certified special education teachers after PL94.142 was passed at the national level in 1976. Her move to the Roanoke Valley in 1999 continued her love of teaching but in the non-profit world and the creation of the first Prevention Council of Roanoke County in 2001 which was initially funded by the Drug Free Community Support grant from ONDCP at the White House. Over the past 23 plus years she has dedicated her life to the mission of education, prevention and solutions. Through collaborative work, she has helped to transition the Prevention Council to become the Partnership for Community Wellness - an organization committed to the healthy development of youth and community. This organization is also one of the founders of the HOPE Initiative at the Bradley Free Clinic (2016) as well as the Roanoke Valley Collective Response (2018). She has served on several other non-profit Boards in the Valley over the years and believes in growing partnerships to help keep families healthy, safe and alive!
She is most proud of her, now 3 adult children, and their spouses. Over the past year she's been blessed with 2 grandchildren. Her passions are friends, traveling and the over 60 plus triathlons she has completed.
Trauma and Crisis Response
Police and Peers
Lata Menon, Chief Executive Officer, First Choice Services
Lata Menon is the CEO of First Choice Services, Inc., a West Virginia non-profit that operates many help and crisis lines for the state, as well as for five other states. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University and Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from West Virginia University.
Lata’s work at First Choice Services focuses on increasing public access to social services, health care, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and other social supports. As a champion of second chance employment, she has prioritized the hire of individuals in recovery, domestic violence survivors, suicide attempt and loss survivors and/or loved ones of those who struggle with addiction or untreated behavioral health issues.
Shawn Schwertfeger, Chief of Police, Wheeling West Virginia Police Department
Shawn Schwertfeger became Wheeling, West Virginia’s 54th Chief of Police in June of 2012. Prior to joining the Wheeling Police Department, Chief Schwertfeger served as a Deputy Chief (Captain) in the Albemarle County, Virginia Police Department, retiring in 2012 after 21 years of service.
During his career in Virginia, he held many assignments including patrol officer, detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Specific assignments included Crimes Against Persons Unit, SWAT operator and commander, Crisis Negotiations Unit operator and commander and Public Information Officer. Specific commands included Patrol Divisions, Community Support Division, and Internal Affairs. He retired with the rank of Bureau Commander and was responsible for 120 personnel and 4 divisions.
Chief Schwertfeger is a strong advocate for continuing professional development and is a graduate of the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, and a 2009 graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is the current board President with the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association and an Executive Board member for Appalachia HIDTA. He previously served on the board of the West Virginia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Sexual Assault Help Center in Wheeling and a Special Wish Ohio Valley.
Treatment and Recovery Support
Carilion Clinic’s Holistic Approach to Treatment
Cheri Hartman, Ph.D., Project Consultant, Virginia ED Bridge Expansion Project, Carilion Clinic, Department of Carilion Mental Health and Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Dr. Cheryl Hartman (Cheri) was a founding member of Roanoke Valley’s Collective Response and the HOPE Initiative, established to address the opioid and addiction epidemic. Cheri obtained her PhD from Temple University in Educational Psychology in 1983. She focused her career on designing programs and securing grant funding to reduce school dropouts, teen pregnancy, obesity, and substance misuse, until her shift into the addiction treatment field. Cheri created Family Service of Roanoke Valley’s Youth Development Department, where she worked 15 years. Cheri organized her first drug use prevention conference in 1985. More recently Cheri co-founded Carilion’s addiction clinic (an office-based opioid treatment or OBOT) with her husband, Dr. David Hartman, as addiction professionals with Carilion and the VA Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Cheri led a fundraising campaign with fellow Kiwanians to build an inclusive 10,000 square foot playground in NW Roanoke. Cheri helped create the Community Youth Program at St. John’s Episcopal Church with a team of parishioners. Cheri initiated the Community Living Club at St. John’s and the construction of Mountain Manor, providing affordable housing for the mentally ill. Today Cheri leads the Virginia ED Bridge Expansion Project – replicating Carilion Clinic’s ED Bridge to Treatment collaborative expediting access to follow up care upon discharge from the ER. To date seven health care systems have joined with Carilion as early implementers of this ED Bridge model Cheri has served on various boards including the United Way of Roanoke Valley, Blue Ridge Behavioral HealthCare and others. A highlight in her life was being named Roanoke City’s Citizen of the Year in 2021.
Breakout Session Theme: Recovery Ecosystem
Community Approach to Developing a Recovery Ecosystem
Noelle Bissell, M.D., Health Director, New River Health District, Virginia Department of Health
Noelle has been the director of the New River Health District, which encompasses the counties of Floyd, Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles, as well as the city of Radford in southwest Virginia, since February, 2017. She is also the medical consultant for Cumberland Plateau (counties of Buchanan, Tazewell, Dickenson and Russell); and Lenowisco (counties of Lee, Scott and Wise, and the city of Norton) Health Districts. The health department is focusing on collaboration with other safety net providers to ensure access to services for our most vulnerable populations, and is currently working as part of a regional effort to address the substance use and overdose crisis.
Noelle was born and raised in the Baltimore area. She received her B.S. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her M.D. from University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is board certified in internal medicine. She served 4 years in the United States Navy as a flight surgeon. Prior to public health, Noelle practiced inpatient and outpatient medicine as well as college health. She is married and has four children. Noelle and her family have lived in the New River Valley for 21 years and currently reside in Blacksburg.
Cindy Newman, MPH, MSED, Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, Abatement Resource Coordinator/Southwest Virginia
I hold a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in public health from Liberty University.
I currently work with the OAA to provide outreach and education to localities regarding the OAA grant process. My prior experience includes working with individuals with substance use disorders as the SUD coordinator for the community service boards in region 3c, harm reduction coordinator and population health coordinator with the Virginia Department of Health. Prior to entering the public health profession, I taught for 14 years in the Virginia public school system. Overall, I have 23 years of experience working with community service boards, local health districts, and the public school system.
Beth O'Connor, M.Ed., Executive Director, Virginia Rural Health Association
Beth O’Connor, M. Ed. has worked as the Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Health Association since 2005. She was the National Rural Health Association President in 2022 and has also served on NRHA’s State Association Council, Rural Health Policy Congress, Government Affairs committee, Global Health Committee and Diversity Task Force. She has been appointed to state-level boards by three different governors: the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, the Virginia Census Commission, and the Virginia Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her published works include "We Were Already in Trouble before the Pandemic Started," in Masks, Misinformation, and Making Do, Ohio University Press, 2022 and “LGBTQIA+ Health in Rural America” policy position paper, National Rural Health Association, 2022.
Breakout Session Theme: Trauma and Crisis Response
Harm Reduction and ODMAP
Emma Driscoll, Virginia Public Health Analyst, Overdose Response Strategy, CDC Foundation
Emma Driscoll is the Public Health Analyst in Virginia for the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) program, a public health and public safety partnership. Emma is passionate about supporting communities in drawing on their unique strengths and resilience to prevent overdoses. Emma first entered the field working in substance use disorder treatment on the behavioral health side. She is a master trainer for Virginia's Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program, REVIVE!. In addition to her education in substance use disorder counseling, she has a MS in Public Health Education and Promotion from Marymount University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®).
Jostin Holmes, Treatment and Recovery Program Manager, West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy
Jostin Holmes assumed the role of Continuum of Care Policies Manager at the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy in February 2022. Prior to joining the OCDP, Jostin served as a Substance Abuse Therapist in various capacities throughout West Virginia. His professional journey encompasses roles as an Inpatient Treatment Supervisor at a prominent comprehensive behavioral health center in the state, as well as an Outpatient Services Director for Recovery Residences, where he spearheaded the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment methodologies in startup programs.
Jostin holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Licensed Professional Counseling from Liberty University, underlining his robust academic background and qualifications in the field. Additionally, Jostin is actively pursuing his Doctorate in Psychology, furthering his commitment to academic and professional growth. With extensive experience in the treatment of substance use and trauma-related disorders, Jostin brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his current role, where he plays a pivotal role in formulating and executing policies aimed at addressing substance abuse challenges in West Virginia.
Yolanda Sowards, Public Health Analyst, Overdose Response Strategy, CDC Foundation, supporting West Virginia
Yolanda Sowards assumed the role of West Virginia Public Health Analyst with the Overdose
Response Strategy (ORS) in March 2017. Prior to joining the ORS, as a licensed Registered Professional Nurse, Yolanda served as the Hospital Preparedness Program Director for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Center for Threat Preparedness. Her professional journey also encompassed roles as a medical/surgical unit nurse, as well as the Director of Student Health Services at Fairmont State University.
Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairmont State University and a Master of Science in Safety Management from West Virginia University. She currently sits within the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) where she leverages the collaboration and national networking resources of the ORS to assist ODCP in their mission to save the lives of West Virginians affected by the current drug crisis.
Alex Watkins, Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition
Alex got into public health through a love of holistic medicine. She has 10+ years of experience in small business, healthcare and non-profit management, always prioritizing the wellbeing of the people most impacted and following the best-available evidence. During her time at the Virginia Department of Health, she developed a data sharing program for community partners involved in Substance Use and Addiction work, training and support for local EMS in trauma-informed response to ODs and connecting to local resources, and an OD Spike Response Plan with 12 community partners {and growing}. She is currently the Director of Roanoke Operations for Virginia Harm Reduction, overseeing grants, people and mayhem. In the words of Margaret Meade, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Breakout Session Theme: Treatment and Recovery Support
Harm Reduction and Recovery Courts: Paving New Roads for Healing
Justin Jordan, Ph.D., LPC, LSATP, Assistant Professor of Counseling at Longwood University
Courtney Zongrone, Ph.D., LPC, Director of Counseling, University of Lynchburg
Dr. Courtney Zongrone is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Board Approved LPC Supervisor in the state of Virginia. Dr. Zongrone received both her bachelor’s degree (‘14) and master degree (‘17) from University of Lynchburg, and conferred her Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Tech (‘22). Currently, Dr. Zongrone serves as the Director of Counseling at University of Lynchburg. Along with serving the college student population, Dr. Zongrone’s clinical area of interest is working with addiction-related disorders, and more specifically within the mandated treatment context. She spent the majority of her clinical training and professional counseling career serving clients in community mental health settings in inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment care settings. Dr. Zongrone continues to advance the work of addiction treatment by engaging in related professional organizations such as Virginia Association of Addiction Counselors (VAAC) and the Virginia Recovery Coalition (VRC).
Breakout Session Theme: Treatment and Recovery Support
Embracing Faith in the Recovery Ecosystem
Stephen DiMarzio, Director of Recovery, The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, Inc.
My name is Stephen DiMarzio MA, CCTP, CCLC, BCBC, BCMHP and I am the Director of Recovery at The Roanoke Rescue Mission. The Way Forward Program at the mission is a long term 12-15 month residential Holistic/faith-based recovery program for men and women seeking transformation in their “Living Recovery”. My family and I relocated to Virginia from South Florida eight years ago, as I followed God’s calling to re-enter ministry working with individual living with SUD and MH. In South Florida I worked for 16 years opening treatment centers on the East and West Coast, while having a full-time Faith-based individual practice that served individuals, families and couples. I am a pastor, a therapist, a father and a husband living his life through My Savior.
My personal story of addiction and MH began at age 12 as an alcoholic/addict; leading to a long early adulthood of addiction and severe barriers to life. By God’s grace I have celebrated more than 25 years in my sobriety and “Living Recovery” seeking to support others on their journey. Through a individualized/person-centered approach our current program integrates both evidence-based and Biblically based recovery education in a practical setting. We offer more than 40 different classes, community integration and transitional/vocational support to our individuals.
Leigh Stover, Communications and CARA Grant Coordinator, Partnership for Community Wellness
Leigh manages communications and grants for the Partnership for Community Wellness, an organization that serves the health and well-being of all people through research, education and human connection. She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Radford University and her Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and The Center for Social Impact Strategy. Her career journey has created experience with print and online media, public relations, recreation services, higher education programming and event organization. She is a strong believer in the power of community, creativity and connection.
Lee Clark, CEO, The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, Inc. (Moderator)
Lee Clark is a dedicated leader in the nonprofit sector with a strong commitment to humanitarian causes and community service. Beginning his career in public accounting and transitioning into nonprofit leadership, Lee has made a significant impact on the Roanoke Valley. He first joined the Rescue Mission as a Planned Giving Officer and quickly advanced to leadership roles, eventually serving as CEO.
Under his guidance, the Rescue Mission has expanded its services to meet the growing needs of the community, including enhancing medical services and adding Medical Street Outreach. Lee is also actively involved with the Roanoke Valley Collective Response, where he plays a key role in addressing addiction recovery and homelessness challenges in the region. His involvement in various community organizations and health initiatives further demonstrates his deep commitment to improving the lives of those in the Roanoke Valley.
Breakout Session Theme: Trauma and Crisis Response
Regional Approaches to Harm Reduction and Recovery
Linda Austin, Executive Director at Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition for Prevention, Treatment & Recovery (ASAC)
Tammy Bise, Program Coordinator, Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program, Virginia Department of Health
Tammy Bise is the Program Coordinator of Reviving Appalachia, a comprehensive harm reduction program at the Virginia Department of Health’s Mount Rogers Health District. Reviving Appalachia offers peer support services, a syringe exchange program, rapid testing, comprehensive wrap-around services, and linkages to treatment. Tammy received her Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Psychology at Radford University, and her Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling and Human Development at Lindsay Wilson College. Tammy has a total of 14 years of experience working with individuals who have severe mental health and substance use conditions. She has experience providing services in residential treatment, crisis stabilization, community mental health, crisis counseling, and outpatient counseling at a private practice. Tammy began her career in Harm Reduction during the summer of 2020. Since that time, she has spearheaded initiatives to strengthen the efficacy of, and support for, comprehensive harm reduction throughout the Mount Rogers Health District. She oversaw the development of Reviving Appalachia’s peer program, ASPIRE. Tammy has become a fierce advocate for change and regularly works with community partners to amplify advocacy and reduce the negative impact of stigma towards individuals who use substances. Tammy has found a true passion in Harm Reduction, and aims to continue efforts to strengthen support for harm reduction programming throughout Virginia.
Sherriff B.C. “Chip” Shuler, Smyth County, Virginia
Michelle Ward, Coordinator, Smyth County Recovery Court
Michelle Ward is a dedicated professional with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology, serving as the Program Coordinator for the Smyth County Recovery Court since its inception in 2017. With 30 years of experience in both the criminal justice and counseling fields, Michelle expertly combines her extensive knowledge to provide accountability, structure, and unwavering support to individuals on their recovery journeys. Her passion for promoting positive change empowers participants to reclaim their lives and reintegrate into society with confidence.
Nancy Hans, Executive Director, Partnership for Community Wellness (PCW) (Moderator)
Nancy is a transplant from Maryland with a Masters of Education from Loyola University Maryland. She spent the first 20 years of her professional career as one of the first certified special education teachers after PL94.142 was passed at the national level in 1976. Her move to the Roanoke Valley in 1999 continued her love of teaching but in the non-profit world and the creation of the first Prevention Council of Roanoke County in 2001 which was initially funded by the Drug Free Community Support grant from ONDCP at the White House. Over the past 23 plus years she has dedicated her life to the mission of education, prevention and solutions. Through collaborative work, she has helped to transition the Prevention Council to become the Partnership for Community Wellness - an organization committed to the healthy development of youth and community. This organization is also one of the founders of the HOPE Initiative at the Bradley Free Clinic (2016) as well as the Roanoke Valley Collective Response (2018). She has served on several other non-profit Boards in the Valley over the years and believes in growing partnerships to help keep families healthy, safe and alive!
She is most proud of her, now 3 adult children, and their spouses. Over the past year she's been blessed with 2 grandchildren. Her passions are friends, traveling and the over 60 plus triathlons she has completed.
Breakout Session Theme: Research Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned - Polysubstance Abuse
Allison Tegge, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, Addiction Recovery Research Center, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Breakout Session Theme: Recovery Housing
Trends in Recovery Housing
Joyce Bronson, CPRS, Director of Admissions, The McShin Foundation
Joyce Bronson is a person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and currently serves as the Director of Admissions at The McShin Foundation. Joyce came from a military family and lived in many different places growing up until landing in Hopewell, Virginia. Joyce went on to secure a job at Verizon where she cultivated a successful career in sales while raising a family. Joyce is a proud mother, and self-named "best friend" to her son's 2-year-old daughter. After finding recovery in her own life, Joyce eventually became a part of The McShin Foundation family, where she now spreads her passion for recovery by connecting people with SUD to the services that they need. As a part of her position, Joyce also travels the state and builds relationships with people and addiction service providers, to help strengthen the recovery movement and expand access to recovery resources. Joyce has a strong faith in God, anchoring her through every aspect of life that provides her with a deep sense of peace and purpose. When she is not at work you can find Joyce at an amusement park with her family, travelling, and hiking.
Jillian Fox, Director, Mid Atlantic, CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing)
Jillian Fox is an experienced professional with over fifteen years of diverse experience in the housing and homelessness fields. As Director with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Jillian leads efforts to advance supportive housing opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic region (VA, MD, DC, and DE). In this role, she works with organizations and communities to increase investment, improve policies and practices, and advance multi-sector approaches to meeting the housing and services needs for individuals and families with children. Prior to joining CSH in 2015, she served as Deputy Director for the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, where she led the organization’s technical assistance and support to local communities and participated in statewide advocacy and policy efforts. She also worked for a Virginia based nonprofit housing developer and owner of over 6,000 units of affordable rental housing throughout the southeast.
Breakout Session Theme: Recovery Housing
Regional Approaches to Recovery Housing
Robert de Triquet, Director of RCO Division, The Virginia Association of Recovery Residences
Robert de Triquet found recovery in 2016 and sustained it by living in a recovery residence. He enjoyed the living environment of the recovery residence and the shared aspirations ofcamaraderie within. He later worked as a Director of the Men’s Program overseeing 8 men’s recovery residences spanning over three years. This dedication and love for the recovery residence led him to be hired at the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) in 2020 where he currently works today helping recovery residence operators achieve certification. In 2022 he became a 72 hour PRS ToT for DBHDS. He enjoys the outdoors, fishing, and photography.
Matthew Conner, CPRS, Assistant Director, The Virginia Association of Recovery Residences
Matthew is a person in recovery from Substance Use Disorder and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Director for the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR). Prior to VARR, Matthew worked at The McShin Foundation, a non-profit Recovery Community Organization (RCO) located in Richmond, Virginia. Through his own personal experience, as well as his professional experience, Matthew believes in the life-saving, positive impact that recovery housing and peer support have on one’s personal recovery journey from substance use disorder. Additionally, in his work with VARR, Matthew champions the use of the REC-CAP and recovery capital science; he has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications related to recovery housing and recovery capital. He finds joy in running, strength training, watching Liverpool FC and spending time with family.
David Moore, PhD, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, TAP Pathway Home Program Director
Christine Wright, Co-founder and Executive Director, Four Truths Recovery
Breakout Session Theme: Research Lessons Learned
Delay Discounting in Recovery: An Overview
Jeff Stein, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Jeff Stein, PhD is an assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, where he also serves as an associate director of the Center for Health Behaviors Research. Dr. Stein’s research examines how delay, uncertainty, and effort influence health-related decision-making. The goal of this research is to develop effective and scalable behavioral interventions to improve public health and reduce health disparities. Current areas of focus include substance use and recovery, harm reduction, obesity, and cancer prevention.
Recovery Workforce
Renovated Workplaces: Designing and Building Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Kit Roberts, NBC-HWC, Owner, A Renovated Life, LLC, Recovery Friendly Workplaces Consultant
Kit Roberts, NBC-HWC, is the Director of Recovery Friendly Workplace Programs at WCI in Asheville, NC, and serves as a Recovery Advisor for Recovery Friendly NC. She is a published author, speaker, consultant, and Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. As the owner of “A Renovated Life,” a coaching and consulting business, Kit specializes in guiding organizations to cultivate work environments that reduce stigma around substance use disorder and support individuals in recovery. Her extensive experience spans human resources roles in federally qualified health centers, major healthcare systems, non-profits, and academic institutions.
Kit holds a degree in Communication Arts from Appalachian State University and is deeply committed to helping others thrive both professionally and personally. As a certified professional life coach, she offers group and individual coaching to assist clients on their journey toward authenticity. Her keynote speeches are known for their ability to inspire and motivate audiences to build lives that are happy, healthy, and whole.
Kit is married and has a son currently serving in the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Unit. She believes that life is most fulfilling when shared with loved ones, filled with laughter, accompanied by a loyal dog, and complemented by a never-ending supply of dark chocolate.
Breakout Session Theme: Jobs in Recovery
Regional Workforce Development and Recovery
Morgan Romeo, Executive Director, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board
Marty Holliday, Executive Director at New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area
Breakout Session Theme: Recovery Courts
Lessons Learned from Starting a New Recovery Court
Letitia Hawkins- Beatty, Division Director Adult and Family Services, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
Leigh Lively, Recovery Court Coordinator, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
Chad Simmons, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
Breakout Session Theme: Integration of Peer Services
Katie Askren, PhD, LPC, LSATP, NCC, ACS, Regional Clinical Supervisor, Virginia Comprehensive Treatment Center
Kat Heredia, RPRS, Community Recovery Coordinator, SOAR Local Lead, Piedmont Community Services
I found my recovery in Yuma, AZ in 2007. I was facing significant legal issues along with barriers to employment and housing, but I was greeted with open arms by a small group of women who called themselves “Peers”. I took my first Peer training in 2008 and started working as a PRS in 2010. I worked at a peer run community drop-in center that operated recovery residences and a café. After more than two years I transitioned into a variety of roles including outreach, and peer driven pilot programs. Becoming a Behavioral Health Technician in 2015, I moved into completing intake assessments, brief intervention assessments and treatment planning. In 2018 I made the move to Virginia and joined Piedmont Community Services as the Crisis Stabilization Resource Specialist. As much as I enjoyed this job, I was excited at the opportunity to get back into peer-based work. Since 2020 I have moved into the Community Recovery Coordinator position that supports 5 peer specific run teams across all 3 of our Counties, with the CSB employing over 30 PRS staff to date. I train 2 PRS courses per year, I am the SOAR Local lead for 5 Counties and act as the Site Manager for Recovery Corps members at our CSB. My goal is to ensure that every individual who walks in seeking help gets treated with the dignity that they deserve.
Daniel Cox, RPRS, DBHDS PRS Trainer, Conflict Resolution Facilitator, Recovery Housing Coordinator
Danny Cox is a person in long-term recovery who has found his passion and purpose in understanding and supporting others with his lived and living experience. Danny is a survivor and in recovery from sexual abuse, violent physical trauma and PTSD. He spent decades homeless often living on the streets or cycling in and out of institutions. The trauma Danny experienced with countless community resource providers led him to several moments of clarity and ultimately a fundamental transformation into the person he is today. Danny is a registered and certified peer recovery specialist (RPRS) in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as a trained facilitator of Conflict Resolution for Recovery. He is an authorized DBHDS peer recovery specialist trainer, using his unique perspective to train the next generation of peer specialists in the state. Danny has a broad understanding of individuals who are neurodivergent including their comprehension and communication styles and utilizes this to serve people who are often misunderstood and fall through the cracks of services when they experience neurodivergence as a co-occurring condition with other behavioral health diagnoses. Danny is a sponsored residential provider for an individual living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Danny currently serves as the Conflict Resolution Facilitator and Recovery Housing Coordinator at Anderson Treatment.
Breakout Session Theme: Jobs in Recovery
Economic Revitalization Through Substance Use Disorder Treatmen
Dana Cronkhite, MSW, Economic Development Director, Dickenson County Virginia
Dana Cronkhite serves as the Director of Economic Development for Dickenson County and has recently been appointed Executive Director of the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority. A proud native of Dickenson County, Dana returned to her roots with her husband and daughter following her husband's retirement from the Marine Corps.
Dana holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of New England. Her professional background includes extensive experience in operations, business development, and marketing within the behavioral health field.
Deeply committed to the region, Dana views economic development as a crucial aspect of community well being in the 21st century. She is passionate about advocacy and empowerment as essential drivers of economic growth in Southwest Virginia and is dedicated to contributing to the well-being of Dickenson County's citizens.
Vanessa Keeton, ARC’s VP of Marketing
Vanessa Keeton serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). She oversees the media, communications, transportation, intake, community and hospital liaison teams, and Casey’s Law advocates. Through her shared experience, Vanessa strives daily to share hope with the hopeless and help people access quality addiction treatment.
As ARC's first client in December 2010, Vanessa has helped lead multiple departments across the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, a degree she obtained during her recovery.
Vanessa's husband, James, is also in recovery. They live in Louisa, Kentucky, with their twelve-year-old son, Jacob. They are committed to helping others to overcome addiction and trauma and know that if someone has breath in their lungs, they can heal and live an abundant life.
Breakout Session Theme: Research Lessons Learned
International Quit and Recovery Network
Daniel Cabral, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Dr. Daniel Cabral is a postdoctoral researcher in the Addiction Recovery Research Center at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Dr. Cabral received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, where he studied the effects of physical exercise interventions for individuals with substance use disorders. Dr. Cabral completed his doctoral degree in Kinesiology at Auburn University where his primary focuses were motor learning and performance, as well as sports psychology. Currently, Dr. Cabral has been focused on studying how health behaviors (exercise and proper nutrition) can mitigate the negative effects of substance use and therefore benefit addiction recovery. Overall, his research has shown that engaging in exercise positively impacts cognitive and brain function in patients under treatment for substance use disorders and that maintaining a healthy body weight may help reduce stress and anxiety levels in this population. Dr. Cabral continues to focus on these aspects to understand how to leverage these health behaviors to facilitate the recovery journey.
Rafaela Fontes, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Rafaela M. Fontes, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Addiction Recovery Research Center at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion where she is completing her training in behavior economics of substance use, with an emphasis on Reinforcer Pathology. Dr. Fontes received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in (2013) from the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil. She received her master’s (2015) and PhD (2018) in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Brasília in Brazil. Dr. Fontes also received a second PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis (2022) from Utah State University. Dr. Fontes has extensive experience in both basic and applied research with human and non-human subjects. Her primary research interests include quantitative models of choice and decision-making between healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Specifically, her work has focused on understanding how individuals trade off different consequences when choosing between options.
Tony Nist, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Anthony Nist, PhD has been a postdoctoral associate in the Addiction Recovery Research center at the Fralin Biomedical Research institute at Virginia Tech Carilion since October, 2023. Anthony received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2016. There, he studied the basics of the experimental analysis of behavior and the discounting of delayed and socially-mediated outcomes in both humans and non-humans. Anthony then completed his doctoral degree in Experimental Psychology at Utah State University in 2023. His primary focuses in graduate school were theoretical perspectives on learning, behavioral pharmacology, and translational evaluations of basic factors that may impact decision-making processes such as extinction, punishment, and alternative sources of reinforcement.
Fatima Quddos, Graduate Research Assistant, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion
Fatima Quddos is a dedicated graduate student in her fourth year of the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health program at Virginia Tech, working under the mentorship of Dr. Warren K. Bickel. Her research focuses on exploring the possible role of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications, approved for diabetes and weight loss, in reducing alcohol use and dependence. Her recent work investigates Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and the potential efficacy of GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP agonists in reducing alcohol consumption, employing both social media text analysis and a remote study with participants with AUD. An in-lab study investigating underlying mechanisms is currently in progress. Further, she is also interested in how individuals' perceptions of future proximity affect their recovery progress.
Breakout Session Theme: From Crisis to Career
Pending
Christine Wright, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Bradley Free Clinic
Jimmy McMahan, Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor, HOPE Initiative
James McMahan is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor at Bradley Free Clinic, where he has been the team lead for the past five years. With nine years of personal recovery experience, James brings a profound level of understanding, compassion, and expertise to his role. His personal journey through recovery fuels his passion for assisting others in overcoming substance use challenges, making him a trusted and inspirational figure for both his peers and participants.
James provides peer support, supervision, and mentorship, helping individuals navigate the often complex path to recovery. He leverages his own experiences to connect with participants on a deeper level, fostering an environment of trust, empathy, and mutual respect. James is an active advocate for recovery awareness and education. He frequently participates in community outreach programs and workshops, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and recovery.
When he is not at the clinic, James enjoys live music, fishing, and traveling, as it allows him to explore new cultures, meet diverse people, and gain fresh perspectives.