Speakers:

Sandy Valentine: RCP-F, CPRS, MSW

Sandy is a person in long-term recovery who is passionate about bringing recovery tools and practice to those seeking and in recovery from substance use disorders, and their families. Before joining RICARES, Sandy led the collegiate recovery program at the University of Connecticut and was awarded the Association of Recovery in Higher Education’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for her efforts. Sandy also brings over 30 years of experience leading operational, learning, and performance consulting teams at The Hartford Financial Services Group.

A Recovery Coach Professional since 2019, Sandy is also the co-host of the Recovery Matters! podcast, a certified facilitator for CCAR’s Recovery Coach Academy and a member of the International Association of Recovery Coach Professionals (IARCP). A graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, Sandy recently earned her master’s in social work degree from the University of Connecticut.

Dave Johnson: MSW, ACSW,CEO, Fletcher Group, Inc.

Over 40 years’ experience in behavioral health in both academic and private sector settings. He has held positions ranging from psychiatric social worker, Professor and Chair of Social Work at Boise State University, Senior Manager in Managed Care for a subsidiary of BCBS of Montana, to Chief Administrative Officer and Professor for Department of Psychiatry Clinical Services at Wayne State University. More recently, Dave directed Anthem’s Medicaid Health Home initiatives in multiple states as well as designed, implemented, and evaluated an integrated care program in primary care/FQHC settings in eight states recognized as a best practice by the Institute for Medicaid Innovation 2016-2017. Dave has provided leadership in program development and evaluation with a specific focus on holistic service models that address physical health, mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health, incorporating patient reported outcomes to inform clinical care.

He currently serves as the CEO for the Fletcher Group, to promote effective practices and public policy to improve health and wellbeing with a specific focus on recovery housing.

Dave holds a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers, School of Social Work.

Robert W. Liles, J.D., M.B.A., M.S.

Mr. Liles’ background is somewhat unique. In addition to a law degree, he holds both an M.B.A. and an M.S. in Health Care Administration. Robert has worked on the provider side (in hospital administration), as a Federal prosecutor and now represents behavior health, sober home and other health care providers and suppliers around the country in connection with Medicare / Medicaid / Private Payor audits and investigations. While working as a Federal prosecutor, Robert was asked to serve as the country’s first National Health Care Fraud Coordinator for the DOJ's Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. In this capacity, he advised Federal prosecutors around the country regarding health care fraud statutes, schemes, investigative tools, privacy concerns, and compliance issues.

Oce Harrison, Ed.D.

Directed the New England ADA Center from 2001–2023. Currently, she manages ADA Special Projects and provides ‘ADA, Addiction, Recovery’ trainings throughout the region and nationally.

Dr. Harrison has presented for the: Opioid Response Network; National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC); Massachusetts Organization for Addiction and Recovery (MOAR); Massachusetts Alcohol and Drug Counselors Association (MAADAC); and in 25 cities and towns on behalf of Learn to Cope.

Oce led the ADA National Network in creating “The ADA, Addiction and Recovery Fact Sheet Series. ” And, published an article in NAADAC’s Magazine on ‘How the ADA Addresses ADA, Addiction and Recovery’ (Spring 2020). https://www.naadac.org/advances-in-addiction-recovery. She recently created an ADA Addiction Recovery Toolkit with the National Hispanic and Latino Addiction Technology Transfer Center.

In 2022, Dr. Harrison received an award from the Massachusetts US Attorney’s Office of Civil Rights for excellence in extensive outreach promoting protections under the ADA to people with opioid use disorders, their families and addiction professionals.

The New England ADA Center continues to hold regular webinars to increase the impact of civil rights for people with addiction recovery, their families, and addiction counselors.

Lee Goldberg: MBA, CIC, BB Insurance Marketing, Inc

BBIMI’s purpose is to provide protection to businesses through a unique process of consultation and education, resulting in customized insurance and risk management

solutions by means of a highly trained and certified staff, advanced technologies, and personalized caring service.

Lee Goldberg is an independent insurance agent with offices in North Carolina and Florida. He focuses exclusively with assisting Behavioral and Mental Healthcare Providers including recovery residences manage their risk and select the appropriate insurance strategy for their business. Lee currently insures about 20,000 beds in 25 states and directly assists FARR (FL), SCARR (SC), VARR (VA), WVARR (WV), PARR (PA), Give Help (OK), WAQRR (WA), CARR (CO) and CTARR (CT) affiliates with insurance.

Orion Tucker (he/him)

Director of DEIB & Development, Health Equity Alliance (HEAL)

Meet Orion, a seasoned advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and health equity. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology, Orion has delved deep into the intersection of identity and policy, culminating in a senior capstone on LGBTQ+ politics at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. With over 10 years of management and leadership roles, his journey is woven with diverse experiences, including roles as a health educator at Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington, IL, and as the Recovery Ready Communities Manager at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness.

Orion's commitment to fostering inclusive spaces is evident in his current position as the Director of DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging) & Development at HEAL. Here, he channels his expertise to empower organizations, educational institutions, and businesses to embrace diversity and create affirming environments. Orion's impact extends beyond consultancy; he is also a Certified Personal Trainer, leveraging his skills in behavior change to meet individuals where they are on their journey to wellness. Passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated, Orion is a beacon of guidance in navigating gender identity within recovery settings.

With a wealth of experience in advocacy, education, and wellness coaching, Orion ensures that everyone, regardless of identity, feels seen, supported, and empowered in their pursuit of health and well-being. Orion’s most recent notable achievement is leading and organizing Bangor Pride, eastern and central Maine’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride parade and festival.

Gretchen Ziemer (she/her)

Sexual Health & Wellness Prevention Supervisor

Over the last 23 years, Gretchen has been an advocate locally, on the state level, & nationally in the domestic violence, sexual violence, and harm reduction fields. Her previous work & her master’s degree were focused on the animal welfare arena. Although very different & individualized, a discernible lack of social justice has been a constant connector in each of those professional fields. In her current position as Supervisor of Sexual Health & Wellness, at the harm reduction organization, Health Equity Alliance, Gretchen provides patient driven, equitable access to STI education, prevention, HIV/HCV testing, and sex worker support. Additionally, she provides Q+, safer sex, and consent-based education to communities and educational institutions. In her personal time, Gretchen spends her time with her partner and loads of creatures on their bucolic homestead.

David M. Sheridan

Executive Director of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences

Dave Sheridan is a co-founder and current Executive Director of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. He is a national speaker and writer with a primary focus on the development and operation of statewide recovery housing systems. In addition to his work at the national level, Dave advises state agencies on the establishment and growth of their recovery housing support and oversight systems. He has been involved in policy development for recovery housing, including model state recovery housing legislation, on medication-assisted recovery, and on fair housing issues and related legislation.

Dave is a person in long-term recovery and has been active in the addiction recovery field since 2005, initially as a board member of a Southern California recovery housing organization. His experience in the field includes management positions for a treatment provider, and he currently serves on the boards of two nonprofit recovery residences. Dave’s professional background is in institutional investment management, where he held executive positions with nationally prominent financial institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley and an MBA from the University of California Berkeley’s Haas Graduate School of Business.