Steve Fracasso

  • Over five years sobriety
  • Active member and sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Business experience in sales and logistics
  • Lifelong Wadsworth resident and University of Akron Graduate

Lynn Smith, MSW, CRC

  • Over 36 years of experience in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation which includes vocational assessment, counseling, training, job analyses, job development and job placement.
  • Work experience includes:
    • Group counseling of recovering members to foster independence and sober lifestyles.
    • Job coaching to assist individuals on the job to learn and maintain employment.
    • Vocational expert testimony (current job) to provide review of work history and testify about other work options available.

Dan Bell, LPCC

  • Crisis Intervention Clinician at Oriana House, Inc. 2010 to present, specializing in trauma-focused therapy for PTSD/SUD clients.
  • University of Notre Dame – 1982; Kent State University Masters (1990) and Educational Specialist (2010) in Community Counseling.
  • Coleman Health Services; Responding to people experiencing psychiatric emergencies 2012 to present.
  • Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor by MHFA-USA and National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.
  • Ohio Employee Ownership Center, 1987-2007, organizational development, ownership culture training, grant writing, bookkeeping.
  • Kent State University: MA Political Science, 1987, MBA, 2002.
  • Founder of TECHO, Hispanic community land trust, Akron 1989-1993.
  • Holy Cross Lay Associate Missionary, Chile 1982-84.

Jason Speight

  • Over 19 years sobriety
  • Alcoholics Anonymous meeting leader and group founder, Heart 4 the City, Akron
  • Former Residential Supervisor, IBH Recovery, Akron (5 years)
  • Former manager of multiple recovery homes (2 years)
  • Advisor for a number of organizations including Green Drug Task Force

Rob Buza

  • Over nine years of sobriety
  • Meeting leader and current treasurer of his Alcoholics Anonymous home group, the Broad Highway Group
  • Team leader for Appalachian Service Project volunteer program
  • 35 years experience in law enforcement; retired as Detective Sergeant in 2013

Matt Gillespie       

  • Over 20 years of active recovery from Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorder
  • Over five years of Recovery Treatment Field Experience
  • First Probation Officer/CPRS in Ohio
  • Employed by Portage County treatment courts (HOPE RISE and STAR)

Santo Costanzo

  • Founder, Francis House
  • Ignatian Spirituality Project Retreat Facilitator  (5 years)
  • Business experience (over 39 years; retired)

Board Member “Emeritus”

Becky Paris, LCDC III

  • Leads Opiate Response Team for a leading Recovery Services organization covering Medina County
  • Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III
  • Advocate for local recovery and mental health initiatives

Jonathan Irving

  • Over seven years sobriety
  • Full-time student University of Akron – social work major
  • Ignatian Spirituality Project Retreat Facilitator and Witness (5 years)
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Leader, Choices Community House, Akron

Joan Stenger, LPCC-S, LICDC

  • Lead Counselor, Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program, leading Northeast Ohio drug & alcohol rehabilitation treatment center

  • Former Mental Health & Addiction Intensive Outpatient Care, St.Thomas Hospital
  • Specialty areas: addiction and trauma

Randy Pierpoint

  • Over 4 years sobriety
  • Certified Peer Recovery Coach for a leading recovery services organization covering Medina County.
  • Previous Founder/Owner/Operator of Pathway to Serenity sober living in Akron.
  • Board Member for Hope Recovery Community in Medina.

John Ropar, PhD, PCC-S

  • Former Director, John Carroll University Counseling Center (16 years)
  • Private psychology practice (31 years)
  • Specialty areas: mood disorders (anxiety, depression), relationship & family challenges, substance abuse & dependence, and the interaction of spirituality with mental health
  • Spiritual Director  (12 years)
  • Ignatian Spirituality Project, Akron Men’s Coordinator and Retreat Facilitator (7 years)