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)