Autumn McCraw is a recovery housing and systems-change leader whose work is grounded in lived experience and a deep commitment to creating safer, more equitable pathways to recovery. She serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR), where she works to strengthen recovery housing through standards, advocacy, community engagement, data, and resident-centered practices.

Autumn has spent years working at the intersection of recovery, housing, reentry, human trafficking, and systems change, bringing both personal experience and professional expertise to the work. She is a West Virginia Certification Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) certified PRSS-SUD. She developed and facilitated the WVARR Peer Recovery Coach Academy since 2022. At WVARR, her work has included promoting and advancing lived experience in all spaces, developing systems for collecting and demonstrating recovery housing outcomes, supporting resident rights and grievance processes, advancing recovery housing policy, and helping communities understand the vital role quality recovery residences serve in communities.

Her former service roles include the Board of Directors for Pollen8 Inc, WV Hope in Action Alliance, WV Family of Convicted People and has been involved with the West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force and other organizations working to strengthen recovery and survivor-support systems.

Autumn believes lived experience is not simply a story from the past, it is expertise that can help build better systems for the future. She is passionate about making sure the people most affected by systems have a voice in changing them, and about helping build a West Virginia where recovery, dignity, safety, and opportunity are accessible to everyone.

Outside of her work, Autumn is a mom, a friend, and a proud Appalachian who believes some of the most meaningful work we do is simply showing up for the people we love.

Sheila is Director of Communications and Marketing for First Choice Services (FCS), a West Virginia-based non-profit that operates 15 helplines, most of which focus on behavioral health. She coordinates strategy and creative design for mass media campaigns, social media, and specializes in gaining earned media. Her efforts have resulted in FCS reaching over 100,000 help seekers per year. She enjoys presenting on topics related to mental health resources, problem gambling, and outreach strategies for social services organizations.

She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Social Worker. She is also an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor.

Elizabeth “Liz” Neal, a West Virginia native, lives in Charleston and is in long-term recovery. She is an internationally certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) and a Community Health Worker dedicated to making West Virginia a safer and more inclusive place for all its residents. She also graduated in April 2025 from the University of Charleston with an Associate's degree in Workforce Leadership. 

Currently, Liz serves as the Peers Supervisor at West Virginia Sober Living Solutions, where she leads a team of Peer Recovery Support Specialists and facilitates the PRSS Basics course. With deep roots in the southern coalfields of West Virginia, Liz is passionate about reducing stigma, providing education, and empowering others to overcome challenges.

Her dedication extends to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness and those living with Substance Use Disorder. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Liz is active in her local recovery community. In her free time, Liz cherishes moments spent with her family and children. Her unwavering commitment to helping others and her vibrant presence in her community exemplify her mission to create positive change in the lives of West Virginians.

Deb Harris has served as the Manager of Jobs & Hope West Virginia since 2019, leading a statewide team dedicated to helping West Virginians overcome barriers to employment and build pathways to long-term success. She has extensive experience in workforce development, recovery support, reentry, and cross-agency collaboration, working with partners across the state to connect individuals with education, training, employment, and supportive services. Deb holds a master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education and Evaluation from Marshall University and a bachelor’s degree in Health Science Leadership and Rehabilitation from West Virginia State University.

Dan McCawley is a West Virginia native and a person in long-term recovery who has dedicated his career to strengthening the intersection of public safety, recovery, and community health. A graduate of West Virginia University, he is also an Internationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and Certified Intervention Professional, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to substance use disorder response and recovery-oriented systems of care. Dan serves as a founding board member of the National Peer Recovery Alliance (NPRA) and co-chairs the Recovery Subcommittee for the West Virginia Governor’s Council on Substance Use, Prevention, and Treatment. With decades of operational management experience, he offers a practical, systems-focused perspective that emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement, treatment providers, and community-based recovery supports. Recognized as a leader in the peer recovery field in West Virginia and nationally, Dan has played a key role in shaping best practices, expanding peer recovery programming, and developing training initiatives that provide continuing education for professionals across disciplines. His work focuses on equipping addiction professionals and first responders with effective, trauma-informed approaches to substance use, crisis response, and long-term recovery engagement. Dan is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of WVSL Solutions.

Heidi has presented and developed conference workshops for 25+ years. In addition to presenting, she was also teaching faculty for the counseling programs at both WVU and Marshall University Graduate College, from which she recently retired this spring.

Heidi has also co-founded a private practice solely dedicated to offering growth, change, and healing opportunities from the adverse effects of trauma, addiction, and developmental attachment injuries. She is very grateful to be a part of this years FSC Peer Recovery Retreat, and is honored to be of service to those in attendance.

Charles “Chuck” Mullins is the Clinic Director of Huntington Comprehensive Treatment Center and President of the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals. He is an adjunct instructor in Mountwest Community and Technical College’s Addiction Counseling program. Chuck holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bluefield University and Marshall University, respectively. With experience in behavioral health leadership, addiction treatment, and recovery advocacy, he is committed to strengthening services and expanding opportunities for people and families affected by substance use.

Jon Dower was born and raised in Morgantown, WV and is a graduate of West Virginia University. Mr. Dower holds several addiction related certifications including alcohol and drug counselor, certified clinical supervisor, substance abuse professional, certified trauma professional and intervention professional. Mr. Dower current is the Director of Recovery Services for Ascension Recovery Services, an organization that provides turn-key substance use disorder treatment center development and direct SUD services to individuals and families. Jon also works as the Executive Director for West Virginia Sober Living, a 501 (c) 3, non-profit that provides recovery housing across the state of West Virginia, and peer recovery support services at a community-based level. Mr. Dower is an adjunct professor at WVU teach in the department of Counseling. He serves on several SUD related board of directors including President-Elect for the West Virginia Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, as the Treasure for the WV Alliance of Recovery Residents, and on the Governor’s Counsel for Substance Abuse Recovery Committee. Jon is a person in long-term recovery.

Jostin Holmes serves as the Public Health Analyst for West Virginia with the Overdose Response Strategy, a partnership of the CDC Foundation and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. Embedded at the intersection of public health and public safety, he supports statewide overdose data sharing, analyzes and disseminates trend information to inform community response, and promotes prevention interventions across sectors. He came to the role from the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy and more than eight years in behavioral health, including clinical supervision of residential substance use treatment. A person in long-term recovery, he brings both lived and professional experience to the state's overdose response. He holds a master's degree in professional counseling with a specialization in addictions and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).

Kenneth Jordan began his career as a member of the United States Air Force and is now a proud veteran whose commitment to service has continued well beyond his military tenure. He currently serves as the Project Director of the West Virginia Peer Recovery Training Center at Marshall University Research Corporation Center of Excellence for Recovery, where he leads initiatives focused on advancing recovery support education and workforce development across the state.

Kenneth has earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from BridgeValley Community and Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Courts and Legal Studies, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from West Virginia State University. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marshall University, further strengthening his clinical knowledge and ability to support individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.

He is a WVCBAPP-certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist in both substance use disorders (PRSS-SUD) and mental health (PRSS-MH) in West Virginia. In addition, Kenneth is a nationally certified Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor, reflecting his commitment to prevention, education, and early intervention.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Kenneth serves as an board member for the West Virginia Association of Addiction & Prevention Professionals, advisory committee member for both the West Virginia Certification Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals & Re-Path WV, and contributing to the advancement of standards and practices within the addiction & prevention professional field. He is a proud father of two young adult daughters and brings strong leadership grounded in empathy, effective communication, and integrity. His background in behavioral health, recovery support education, and program leadership equips him to lead with purpose, adapt to challenges, and drive meaningful, sustainable outcomes. He is also a dedicated advocate for the recovery community.

Johnna S. Beane has close to three decades of experience and is a seasoned expert in rural health, health policy, and public health. She is currently an Assistant Director of Research Support for the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute where she is supporting the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services with their implementation of the Medicaid Community Engagement program. She previously served as the Director of Community Impact for the WV American Heart Association and spent 20 years in health evaluation and research at West Virginia University’s Institute for Health Policy Research and the West Virginia Rural Health Research Center. She is a WV native and currently lives in Charleston.