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Meet our Program Facilitator: Joey Porchetta

Posted on May 12, 2021 - 6:30 pm by

Could we get some biographical information from you? Where you’re from, academic history, professional history, experiences in recovery, family life etc?
I was born and raised in Westfield, New Jersey – about 30 miles west of Manhattan. My twin brother Anthony and I are the youngest – technically, I’m older than Anthony by 7 minutes… My sister Alyssa is the “middle child” and my brother Jon is the oldest. Anthony and I attended Seton Hall Preparatory School and I ended up committing to play lacrosse at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

I spent about 3 years at F&M before attending my first treatment center – after lots of ups and downs, I got sober in 2017 and started to put together a nice little life for myself. I began working in the treatment field at Hope for Families – an addiction counseling center in Greenville, SC. I moved from Hope for Families to Pavillon’s outpatient services in Greenville. While working at Pavillon, I met the love of my life, Ashley, and we were married in April 2020.

Ashley took on a promotion at work that allowed us to move anywhere we wanted in North Carolina. After looking up treatment centers in Raleigh and seeing Green Hill’s website, I knew this is where I needed to be. Ashley and I moved to Raleigh in August of 2020 with our dog Oakley to embark on our next adventure!

What precisely does a Program Facilitator do?
A program facilitator essentially lives life alongside our clients – I am a living example of someone who has literally been in their position many times, and came out the otherside. I think that uniquely qualifies me to help them throughout this process. Program facilitators are the boots on the ground. We make sure our guys are doing what needs to be done on a daily basis. From morning meds, to grocery store runs, getting the guys to the office, taking them to recovery meetings, beating them in ping pong – PF’s are in constant contact with our guys and help facilitate all the greatness Green Hill has to offer.

What made you want to work in the substance abuse field?
As someone in recovery, I find a great deal of purpose working in this field. I empathize a lot with our clients. I’m someone who has attended every level of addiction treatment as a client. I think because of my experience, I’m well suited to work in the field. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t know exactly what I want to do yet. I feel like I’m pretty good at working with young adult men who are new in recovery and for now it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.

If you could give a new Program Facilitator one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t take things personally and choose your battles. This is such a relational job, it’s crazy to think that you can really make anyone do anything. At the end of the day, I don’t have the power to change anyone. All I can do is show up every day to work with the best attitude ever and try and positively impact the lives of those around me. Every client is different and I treat them each individually. This allows me to seperate who they are from what they do.

What keeps you coming back day after day?
The laughs, the camaraderie, the shared struggle. Working with young adult men has me laughing nonstop every single day. It’s an interesting juxtaposition – alcoholism and addiction is such a serious deal, but we find levity and fun to get through it together. I would also be remiss if I didn’t say “the process”. When someone young and beat down changes their life, it’s a miracle. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to participate in the transformation process of young adult lives. I keep coming back for the miracles that unfold on a daily basis.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?
We operate on a different level at Green Hill. The disease of addiction is interesting because no one exactly has it figured out. This makes for all sorts of different treatment approaches. Green Hill believes in developing young men who live with profound purpose. I didn’t get sober to just live some mediocre life! Therefore, we ask all of our guys to cast some sort of vision for their life.

We come alongside them in rediscovering their passions and interests and then get them moving towards that goal. This is a concept unlike any other sober living I’ve been to or worked at. The difference at Green Hill is our level of intentionality. Come to Green Hill for one day and you’re liable to see our CFO in the backyard of our house making concrete curbs (true story) to skate on outside. Olympic great Michael Phelps has this concept of “dream, plan, reach”. I think that goes on everyday at Green Hill.

When you’re not at work, what do you do to recharge your batteries?
My mental health is directly related to my physical health. When I’m off work there’s a very high chance that you might see me running or riding my bike around Raleigh. You will also find me on the lacrosse field, coaching varsity high school lacrosse. I find great purpose in coaching lacrosse, a lot like I find great purpose as a PF at Green Hill. Recharging my batteries looks like adventuring with Ashley and Oakley, exploring every inch of the research triangle! I’m a big fan of relationships, and so I try and fill my days off with time spent with people (as best as I can with COVID) because that’s what life is about!

What makes Raleigh a superb environment for young people in recovery?
Raleigh has it all. When I think about environments for people in recovery, I think about this concept of building “recovery capital”. Part of being in recovery is the idea of building “community recovery capital”. What that means is, for recovery to develop, it’s important for a community to have adequate resources to support the growth of one’s recovery. Raleigh has all of those resources. Especially for young adult men trying to get back on track.

We have the educational sector covered with NC State being walking distance from our house and other great institutions close by. The AA and recovery support group scene in Raleigh is thriving and has a heavy “young people” presence. The job market is increasing and projected growth moving forward is looking to be above the national average. Raleigh has got it going on!!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received would probably be to lower my expectations in life. I can knowingly or unknowingly place expectations on everything and everyone in my life. I used to lack awareness of this and it would negatively impact a lot of my experiences. When I became aware of the expectations I was setting, I realized that my expectations were just opportunities for me to be let down at my own expense.

I understand it might be a tall task to “have zero expectations” of others, but I can tell you with confidence that on a day-to-day basis, I have very little expectations of others. I think that because of this, my interactions with others and relationships are much more enjoyable!

What’s the one message you’d like the parents and loved ones of our residents and clients to know?
Your loved ones are in good hands! From the top down, our Green Hill staff is bound together by a common thread: our desire to positively impact the lives of our clients. I see it everyday at work. I hope that the parents and loved ones of our clients know how much we as staff care. We care about your loved ones and want the absolute best for them. I will do everything in my power to help and be of service to them. Also, the TL house is just a good time! We have so much fun on a daily basis.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT JOEY

Favorite movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Favorite book: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Favorite album: The Head and the Heart

Favorite podcast: Crime Junkie

One thing your hometown could be known for: Its quaint downtown – also Whitney Houston is buried there…

Dream vacation: Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Favorite meal: Chicken Marsala

Dream job as a child: I wanted to play shortstop for the New York Yankees.

One thing everybody loves that you secretly hate, and why: Most social media platforms because I get too distracted

Guiltiest pleasure: Really whiny pop-punk music

Meet our Chief of Staff: Michael O’Sullivan

Posted on April 15, 2021 - 9:31 am by

Could we get some biographical information from you? Where you’re from, academic history, professional history, experiences in recovery, family life etc? 

I’m originally from Long Island, New York where I lived until college. I’m the eldest of four (1 younger brother and 2 younger sisters) and we are still close. After high school at an all-boys school I came down to North Carolina for school at Duke.

I had been drinking throughout high school and was suffering from untreated anxiety and depression. Slowly, I began withdrawing from my social and academic life. By the end of my freshman year, Duke had asked me to complete treatment or else I would not be allowed back at school. 

I remained in New York during the fall semester of 2014. During my semester off, I entered treatment and began working for Phoenix House, a substance use treatment center. Recovery transformed my life and I felt called to share that gift with others.

Returning to school in 2015, I majored in psychology, with the eventual goal of becoming a mental health counselor. I moved into a transitional living program as a condition of continuing my academic career at Duke. I learned how difficult the transition back into school can be and how important mentorship can be. 

After graduating in 2017, I began working with Green Hill.  I feel that we are providing the kind of service I needed to young men who are in the same boat I was in. Even with grad school now on my horizon, I hope I will always remain part of the Green Hill community. 

What precisely does the Chief of Staff at Green Hill do?

I wear a bunch of hats, but my primary responsibilities are to carry out the policies and decisions of the executive leadership team. For instance, I have been taking the lead on our policy initiatives on community engagement, environmental impact, and personnel development. I am also involved with our HR, insurance contracting, regulatory compliance, and developing new lines of service such as coaching and our medical practice. 

My second major role is as head of Green Hill’s Coaching Service. I draft and update our curriculum and have designed and implemented our program.

What made you want to work in the substance abuse field?

At the time of writing, I have been in recovery for almost seven years. I went to treatment at 19 and needed to live in a transitional program when I finally returned to school. I’m thrilled to work for an organization that offers the same opportunity to others that I had.

Since you’ve worked in several roles at Green Hill including Program Facilitator, what piece of advice would you give an aspiring professional?

I stayed curious, asked questions and slowly built up more responsibility over time. I found a mentor at Green Hill who encouraged me to step outside my box and start exploring other areas of the company. 

What keeps you coming back day after day?

At the risk of sounding corny again, our clients. Seeing the transformation in our clients is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever been a part of. Knowing that we are helping bright young men reach their potential is an incredible gift.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

Having been a client at a transitional living facility, I can say that Green Hill is one of the best programs in the country. The staff cares deeply about client success and building a culture of support and hope throughout our community. Everyone, from our CEO to our academic advisors build direct relationships with clients and participate in community events. Everyone in the organization works with a professional mentor and uses those lessons to inform their client interactions. 

When you’re not at work, what do you do to recharge your batteries?

I love to walk and listen to audiobooks. The weather in North Carolina is usually mild and I can walk for miles and reflect. I’m also a runner, and the many trails in the area offer a useful escape. Finally, I try to make time for coffee with friends on my days off and in the evenings. 

What makes Raleigh a superb environment for young people in recovery?

Raleigh has so many universities and industry leading companies that the area has become a magnet for young adults in recent years. As a result of this large influx, the number of young people in recovery in the area is relatively high.  As a result, Raleigh has seen the growth of a vibrant and dynamic community for young people in recovery.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was to always search for ways to contribute in a situation, not just where I could benefit. That service mindset has opened doors and allowed me to become a dependable and valued member of Green Hill.

What’s the one message you’d like the parents and loved ones of our residents and clients to know?

I have worked, visited, and been a client at many transitional living programs. I can say that the team at Green Hill is unequivocally the best I have ever seen. From top to bottom we have hardworking, empathetic, and brilliant people who put their energy fully into client success. If I had to imagine a dream team for a young adult substance abuse treatment program, I would take the team at Green Hill in a heartbeat. 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MICHAEL

Undergraduate school: Duke University

Favorite movie: Blade-Runner 2049

Favorite book: Hyperion

Favorite album: Lateralus by Tool

Dream vacation: I’d love to visit India and South East Asia

Favorite spot in Raleigh:  NC Museum of Art

Favorite meal: Pot roast and noodles 

Dream job as a child: I wanted to be an astrophysicist and invent faster than light travel.

One object you couldn’t live without, and why: I couldn’t live without shower speakers. Listening to music in the bathroom is amazing.

One thing everybody loves that you secretly hate, and why: I don’t like hotdogs, sausages, or bacon. I can’t explain it, just never liked the taste. 

Guiltiest pleasure: I will blast Hansen, the Backstreet Boys, and NSync all day long.

Meet our Clinical Outreach Director: Marcus Shumate

Posted on March 29, 2021 - 12:59 pm by

Could we get some biographical information from you? Where you’re from, academic history, professional history, experiences in recovery, family life etc?

I was born and raised in Nashville, NC. It’s a small town in Eastern NC. I went to a small liberal arts University called Gardner-Webb University where I majored in Psychology and Religious Studies with an emphasis in Philosophy. I returned there to get my Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. I came from a family that hadn’t previously had anyone graduate from college so my dad put a pretty big emphasis on getting my brother and me through school.

What made you want to work in a) the clinical field generally and b) substance abuse specifically? And what made you decide to change your focus to working in Outreach?

Honestly, I grew up around a lot of heavy and problematic substance use and had no interest in working in the field of substance abuse. It felt “too close to home.” However, as I was set to graduate from my Master’s program, I got an offer to interview for a case manager position at a residential program and I had no other offers available to me. I knew that I liked to have food on the table and had no real prospects for how I was going to make that happen so I figured I’d take the job until something else opened up and, well…I ended up loving it.

Around about eight years into my clinical career I had become involved in some outreach efforts and found that I enjoyed the challenge of finding ways to best represent the ideals and practices of the program. This felt invigorating for me and opened up challenges that I hadn’t previously experienced. Additionally, I started to recognize that I had developed artificial constraints in my head about what I could and couldn’t do and switching to Outreach fulltime gave me a way to challenge those.

The other reason I changed my focus to Outreach was it gave me a chance to join the Green Hill team and I believe I’d be hard pressed to find another environment that relished it’s team members questioning assumed constraints as much as Green Hill does.

What precisely does a Clinical Outreach Director do?

I view the role of a Clinical Outreach Director as being able to distill complicated ideas into readily graspable concepts and narratives that can help others figure out if our program is a good fit for them or their clients. I also view it as my job to make sure we have healthy relationships with various resources and that I can translate what they do and what we do for different people.

What keeps you coming to work back day after day?

The culture of Green Hill is what keeps me coming back. It’s a culture from the top down that prioritizes personal and professional growth and operates off the sincerely held belief that cultivating this sort of culture will impact and challenge our clients. Getting to be a part of that sort of culture is invigorating for me and feels like we are continuing to build something that can be transformative.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

I think I run the risk of sounding like a broken record, but it’s our culture. Our leadership team has frequent conversations about cultivating a vibrant and growth-oriented culture amongst ourselves. It’s our sincere belief that if we foster this amongst ourselves and create a system by which that becomes the norm all the way down to our most frontline staff, then we can create a healing environment full of cues that are constantly pulling our clients in the right direction.

What’s the one message you’d like the parents and loved ones of our residents and clients to know?

I’d want them to know that growth comes from failure. We have a saying amongst ourselves that we want to create an environment where it’s ok for our clients to “skin their knees without cracking their heads.” When dealing with substance use disorders and mental health struggles it’s easy to forget that part of young adulthood is failing and absorbing the lessons from those failures.

I think back to when I was in my late teens and early twenties and I’m sometimes surprised I am still alive. The funny thing is, I think most of us are like that regardless of our relationship with substances and somehow that truth gets lost on us when substance use disorders and mental health come into play.

We hear you are an avid Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai practitioner. How does your martial arts practice impact your life, your approach to things, your perspective, etc.?

You’ve probably heard that because, in typical fashion to anyone that trains this stuff, it is like one of the four topics that occupies most of my mental space and talking. When you train this stuff you become a zealot and talk about it all the time in the hopes that some other obsessed person will hear your siren call and come to exchange techniques and stories.

One of the reasons I continue to train is because it intimidates me. It’s physically grueling and I never walk into the gym without a flash of anxiety. I’ve been involved in a lot of martial arts over the years and when I first started training things like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai weren’t readily available in most places. As such, most martial arts had a playacting quality to them in which one person initiates a prescribed technique and the other person responds with a scripted technique. It leads to a sense of confidence that all but the most delusional feel is a bit hollow.

When you step on to the mats to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai, there are no self-deceptions that can abide. It’s a combat sport where you are actively trying to best your training partner. Any delusions you may have are immediately brought into contact with reality and the better practitioner often wins the match. If you get lucky, you know that you got lucky. It’s remarkably vulnerable and exposed and it never ceases to make me anxious.

You know what? I need that in my life. It gives me something that lets me constantly be mindful of my own insecurities and recognize them as automatic and transient. This practice gives me the opportunity to generalize it into every other area of my life.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

This is a good one. I am not entirely sure, but I’ll cheat the question and try to marry two pieces together. First piece of advice: don’t take yourself too seriously. Second Piece of advice: don’t marry yourself to your ideas. I feel comfortable with these two pieces of advice being married, because I think they’re pretty similar. I think the world is a remarkably complicated place and requires mental models that are fluid and ever evolving. I also think that’s what is fun about living. It’s a constant process of evolution that will be happening with your willingness or not. We can engage with that process with a sense of curiosity and playfulness or have tightly bound fists that stay clinched until our departing breaths.

I’m not the best at applying this, but I find that when I am able to abide in it a bit I tend to feel lighter, more balanced, and think more clearly.

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

It’s not a memory per se, but an impression. I was at my first yearly leadership team meeting and had this overwhelming impression of how dedicated the team and organization was to personal and professional growth. It left me intimated and excited. I think it would be entirely too easy for me to be a part of many organizations and be able to float by, but I don’t think that’s remotely possible for me on our team and it’s intimidating in all the right ways.

When you’re not at work, what do you do to recharge your batteries?

It could be any number of things, but it’s usually a combination of training Jiu Jitsu, cooking, meditation, time with friends, and being outdoors. Also, I love to watch football and could lay comatose on the couch for entirely too long watching games I only have a passing interest in if I am not careful.

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day would likely look pretty simple. First, I’d wake up, make some coffee, and get the dogs up and fed. From there, my next move would be to sit on the couch and drink my coffee with the dogs, and then meditate.

Next I’d do a light workout, probably go to Jiu Jitsu and spar with teammates. Having worked up an appetite I’d head home and get into the kitchen and start cooking with my lovely wife. When I’m cooking I love to either listen to music or have some sort of sporting event on in the background. After eating, I’d get back to where I started, on the couch chilling with the dogs… or a friend, until I head to bed. That’d be a good day!

What makes Raleigh a superb environment for young people in recovery?

It’s a city that is full of play and opportunities to build a life. In my past job I was a referring clinician and noticed that a lot of programs were based in really cool cities and places that our clients could go to for aftercare, but couldn’t do much besides play in those places. It was always tough for them to start building a career or exploring interests that were more broad.

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

Find something to work at that you will fail at and don’t take yourself too seriously.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MARCUS

Undergraduate School: Gardner-Webb University

Desert Island movie: Easy. Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Book: East of Eden

Favorite Album: Jason Isabell’s South Eastern, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, anything Sam Cooke

Favorite Podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience, Your Mom’s House, Making Sense, and the Knowledge Project.

What’s One Thing Your Hometown Could Be Known For: George’s BBQ Sauce

Dream Vacation: Backpacking around Thailand.

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Transfer Co. Food Hall

Dream job as a child: Chef or Fireman.

Guiltiest pleasure: Peanut Butter. I could eat an entire jar in a sitting.

Meet our Admissions & Outreach Coordinator: Megan King

Posted on January 8, 2021 - 4:27 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

Hi! My name is Megan King and I am the Admissions and Outreach Coordinator for Green Hill. I graduated in 2019 with a Communications Degree with a Public Relations concentration and an International Studies Degree with a Middle Eastern Studies Degree. I was recently admitted to George Mason’s MSW program which I will start Spring 2021.

I am from Rockville, Maryland where I spent the first 10 years of my life and I was absolutely devastated when we picked up and moved to Garner, North Carolina. I remember on my first day at my new elementary school I came home sobbing to my mom because everyone kept calling me “y’all” and I thought kids were just refusing to learn my name. My mom laughed so hard trying to explain that y’all is a word I would have to get comfortable with.

We’ve been living in Garner ever since and when I got to high school I really debated on whether I would go to college in North Carolina or if I wanted to go home to Maryland, but I took a tour of Meredith College and fell in love. At the time I was planning to be a teacher and as you can tell from my degrees I did not end up as a teacher.

Around the middle of my sophomore year, I realized being a teacher is not my passion so I made the impulsive decision to drop out of the program and switch my degrees completely. Always trust your gut.

My professional history is short as Green Hill is my first professional job, but prior to working here, I was the Operations Manager for a mission-based women’s and gift boutique and the communication intern at the Garner Chamber of Commerce. Both previous work experiences have shaped me immensely.

While I don’t have any personal experience with recovery, I have witnessed the process through different family members. Family is arguably the most important thing to me; they are the non-negotiables of my life. I have a younger sister and she is my absolute best friend, my mom is my guiding light and whether she will admit it or not, the biggest supporter of my dreams and my dad shares my tenderness and appreciation for the beauty/uniqueness of the hard journey of life. They have individually supported my decision to go to grad school to earn my MSW, become an LCSW, and then start my dream career as a therapist. 

What precisely does an Admissions & Outreach Coordinator do?

The Admissions and Outreach coordinator is one of the first people potential clients will talk to. As part of my job I handle all incoming calls and inquiries, and then work with the rest of the Admissions team to assist potential clients or families to get the information they need or access to additional resources. This includes helping people join our program, and or in some cases referring people to other partners or resources if they are in need of something different than what we can offer.

I spend a lot of time talking with parents about Green Hill and doing the behind the scenes paperwork that help guys join and get started in our program.

What drew you to working at Green Hill specifically, and the recovery field in general?

I am on track to earn my LCSW so I wanted some exposure to the clinical world outside of my own therapist’s office. I had a friend refer me to Tripp and after doing some research on Green Hill and what the company offers, I became increasingly interested with the substance use recovery field. I still have a lot to learn about clinical work, recovery, and the treatment field, but so far I am fascinated with the different facets and modalities involved. 

Who has had the largest impact on your personal and/or professional development?

The person that has had the largest impact on my personal development is one of my best friends, Viana. She challenges me to think critically while encouraging me to be my truest self.

As for my professional development, I think that every previous employer has had a large hand in shaping my professional development. Between challenging me and helping me sharpen my strengths these people have seen me grow and guided me through professional development. 

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

My hometown can be known for taking the longest to win the Stanley Cup and making every hockey season more frustrating than the last.

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day looks like sleeping until 10 am because any earlier is a sin and any later is a waste of a day. Then I will drink some coffee on my back porch and read whichever book I’m on this week for a while. After that, I would go pick up another coffee on my way to go do some shopping. Then I’d love to get in a walk with my dog before picking up some Thai (or Indian) for dinner and closing off the night with some cookies and cream ice cream and “The Devil Wears Prada”. I rarely get to be alone, so I like to relish in solitude when I can. 

What’s one message you wish our clients and residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

You are capable of far more than you will ever know! Trust your gut, and put your mental well-being first. 

Quick Facts about Megan

Undergraduate school: Meredith College

Graduate school: George Mason – MSW (attending)

Desert Island movie: Devil Wears Prada or any Jordan Peele Film

Favorite Book: The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

Favorite Album: California Baby! By Lukka

High School Superlative: Most Dramatic

Dream Vacation: Croatia – Mama Mia style

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: I could sit at Dorthia Dix for hours.

Favorite meal: Chicken Tikka Masala with a side of hot naan

Dream job as a child: Started out as “Stop sign”. I meant “crossing guard” but let’s just say my parents are super proud of how far I’ve come.

Meet Our Clinical Director: Matt O’Connor

Posted on November 30, 2020 - 5:05 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I grew up in a small town in New York called Silver Creek, about 45 minutes south of Buffalo, on a 75-acre farm. A little known fact is the majority of Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly comes from my neck of the woods. Some of my fondest memories growing up were when the whole 2,500 people, one-stoplight town, smelled like grapes.  

That being said, I didn’t feel like I fit the mold of country living, and after graduation moved to New York City and then Long Island for Undergraduate studies. At 19 I was introduced to mindfulness meditation, which has played an important role in my life. After being involved in a meditation group and having an awesome therapist, I shifted my focus from being a history teacher to psychology.  My therapist also recommended that I look into this little college in Boulder, CO that focuses on mindfulness-based psychology and counseling. After working in crisis intervention for 4 years in Buffalo NY, I felt like I hit a ceiling in my ability to help and made the decision to go to graduate school.  

At this point, mindfulness and meditation came back into my life and led me on a path of self-awareness and discovery that shapes much of my clinical practice currently. Through my own personal journey of self-exploration and recovery, I realized that we all have our stories and experiences that shape the person we are in this moment. With this understanding, I believe that by working in the present moment with client’s we are also helping heal the past.  

Moving forward I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings along the continuum of care for substance use disorder. I believe all of these varied experiences have shaped my approach at Green Hill. Working on a grant at UNC introduced me to collegiate recovery which really altered my approach to treating young adults, specifically around the importance of fun and self-efficacy in the recovery process.

From here I moved to Fellowship Hall, a large residential program, where I was given the opportunity to help develop their young adult programming. Throughout my journey, I have always been a firm believer in the healing power of nature and being outside (I’m a big rock climber and hiker). I transitioned into Wilderness therapy where I ran a SUD group for adolescents; I loved it. I kept feeling the pull to return to working with the population that I am most passionate about, which is young adults. This led to joining Green Hill, which I will talk a bit more about below.

What made you want to work in a) the clinical field generally and b) substance abuse specifically?

I was always drawn to the idea of helping people even at a young age: especially after the moment I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete at my size (I’m a small guy).  Initially, the idea was to teach but shifted to clinical work by a recommendation from my therapist at the time.

I was actually hesitant to work in the substance abuse field; being a person in recovery I think gave me a distorted belief about what this looked like. The world really had different plans however and I found myself working with individuals seeking recovery my entire career. The ability to define and look at what it means to me to be a therapist in recovery has been a journey in and of itself.  Now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything different.  

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

There are two things that really stand out to me about Green Hill: the first is our organization’s commitment to its values which informs all of the decisions we make. This in itself is not unique, but I believe the fact that individually we share similar values to the organizations keeps us aligned and making decisions in a way that always considers our client’s best interests first.

The second being our holistic approach to the recovery process. We approach the recovery process not only as an internal process but also as helping our guys externally build a life that continues to reinforce their commitment to recovery. I believe that some of the most influential experiences our guys can have are those that help them understand that recovery is not just about sacrifice but being able to fully engage with the world: going to school, concerts, dating, etc. 

What’s the one message you’d like the parents and loved ones of our residents to know?

I really believe the recovery process is a family journey. It requires everyone involved to do their own personal work for the change to fully manifest. So in short I think it’s important for families to know they may be working as hard as our client’s in this process.  

What makes Raleigh a superb environment for young people in recovery?

The amount of young people  in recovery is one side of it. The other being the access to education and career opportunities in the triangle really open a lot of doors for young adults.

What does your ideal day look like?

A day that involves me climbing on rocks and being outside with my dogs and family is an ideal day. 

Who has had the largest influence on your personal/professional development, and why?

I really feel like I learn through others so the majority of people I run into are teachers to me in some way. If I had to pick one it’s my wife. Our personalities are actually quite different but her capacity to be organized and efficient is a marvel to me. 

Quick Facts about Matt

Favorite movie: E.T

Favorite book: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Favorite album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J.Cole

Favorite podcast: Ear Hussle or The Black Tapes

Talent show skill: Dribbling a soccer ball

Mountains or beaches: Mountains

Guiltiest pleasure: Right now, Call of Duty

One object you couldn’t live without, and why: Climbing shoes – can always find something to climb.

One thing everybody loves that you secretly hate, and why: Onions. It’s not a secret for me. They taste bad.

Dream job as a child: Besides professional athlete, a History Teacher

Meet Our Executive Director: Nick Slovak

Posted on October 27, 2020 - 4:03 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I grew up in Long Island, New York. My parents divorced when I was young, and even though I grew up in the city, I always gravitated towards the outdoors. When I was 15, my family endured some significant struggles and my drug use really escalated as a result. I was in a pretty severe downward spiral, got kicked out of school and ended up at Summit Achievement, a wilderness program in Maine. This was a transformational experience for me; the Summit program was truly phenomenal. 

Things really turned around for me when I moved from the wilderness program into the Deck House School, a small boarding school located in Edgecomb, Maine. The structure provided really gave me some much-needed guidance, and their focus on experiential education engaged me in a way that I’d found difficult beforehand. At Deck House, they provided an individualized program that met me where I was at, and I appreciated that. 

Although my experience in wilderness and boarding school provided me a platform to begin addressing my trauma and anxiety, I found myself once more falling into the spiral of substance use. I returned to a residential treatment program and began a life abstinent of drugs and alcohol. After leaving treatment, both my family and I knew that I was going to need additional structure and support, and so I attended an extended-care sober living program. I really grew up in that program, and later went on to work at that same program for six years. 

After finishing my degree, I began working at the Council of International Educational Exchange as a Support Coordinator, where I was involved in program development and the safety and security for over 30,000 students from all over the globe. It was during my time working for the Council that Green Hill CEO Tripp Johnson approached me about joining his team.

What made you want to join the Green Hill team?

I found myself aligned with Tripp’s vision for Green Hill, specifically the academically-oriented way the program was designed. I can easily identify with our client population, as I personally struggled to get back on my feet scholastically after my time in treatment. Green Hill provides tools like academic consultancy and dedicated Intensive Outpatient time to academic goals as part its model. I firmly believe I would have benefitted from the Green Hill Model of treatment had it been available to me at that crucial point in my recovery journey.

This is just one of the many things that attracted me to join Green Hill, but it really stands out in my memory.

How did your own experiences in Transitional Living guide you to work in substance abuse?

I’ll be the first to admit that when I arrived in treatment, I wasn’t totally sold on the idea of lifelong recovery through participation in outside groups. What did eventually click for me was the strong community I developed at my extended-care sober living program.

A life of abstinence from drugs and alcohol seemed remote and abstract, but the bond that I built with those guys in that house is still a big part of my life today. I still find myself encouraging and being encouraged by the men I lived with, and that’s an experience I want available to all of our residents here.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

I think our curriculum is what makes Green Hill so unique. We’re constantly reaching out to experts to enhance our program offerings, and staff members like Academic and Career Counselor Hayat Shawwa help ground us with reasonable and experience-based input. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Hanging up on the wall in my wilderness therapist’s office was the phrase “Be here now.” At the time, I really couldn’t wrap my head around it, but within the last few years it’s been crucial to my personal development. There will always be worries and pitfalls, and they do need to be mitigated, but it’s essential to put things in perspective in order to remain effective. 

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

Without a doubt our Joint Commission Accreditation. I just loved how our team came together to focus on compliance and to ensure sure we provided the safest program available. It was a similar spirit to when the pandemic began; instead of focusing on the factors against us, we all jumped into together to make Green Hill happy and healthy.

What does your ideal day look like?

My ideal day would be waking up abroad, preferably a country in Asia, and to be living on the water. I’d drink some coffee and read in bed and then get up and explore. I love to travel – there’s something deeply thrilling about wandering in a strange land with no itinerary or set schedule. I’d spend all my time getting lost, finding the best food, seeing what exciting adventures I stumble upon and of course, taking lots of pictures.

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

Success is not always linear. I didn’t necessarily get this whole thing on the first try, but even my failures were rich experiences I could learn from and walk away from wiser.

Quick facts about Nick

Undergraduate school: University of Southern Maine

Favorite movie: Apocalypse Now

Favorite book: The Mayflower by Nathan Philbrick or A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite album: Stadium Arcadium by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Favorite Podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour

Dream vacation spot: Sri Lanka

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: The Green Way

Favorite meal: Chicken Parmesan

Dream job as a child: President of the United States

Meet Our Primary Therapist: Casey Miller

Posted on September 14, 2020 - 5:34 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I’m from the Swamplands of Central Florida: Gainesville. Growing up in a college town, academia and the collegiate spirit were as present as the humidity or the mosquitoes. My dad was an administrator at the University of Florida, my mom went to graduate school there when I was a child, and my brother completed undergrad there when I was in high school. The culture and availability of academia to me were great privileges.

I spent the first 27 years of my life in Gainesville, and completed my undergraduate education in spurts at Santa Fe College and subsequently the University of Florida, studying Religion and English Literature with a focus on queer theory. After struggling in school as a teen, I ended up graduating summa cum laude from UF. However, like so many other liberal arts majors before me, I followed the legacy of working in the service industry after college as a cook and server.

I dabbled in teaching here and there. I had some volunteer gigs, but mostly, I was stagnating. It was during this time that I had my own experience with problematic substance use and subsequently found a recovery path. Confidence bolstered, I moved up to North Carolina to pursue my MSW at UNC-Chapel Hill and had my first internship at Green Hill. And now I’m back.

When I entered graduate school, I didn’t anticipate working in the substance use treatment field, but as our Clinical Director Matt O’Connor once told me, sometimes we don’t get to choose what we’re great at. Looking back, I can see how my experiences prepared me for just this role.

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

What constantly impresses me about Green Hill is the way compassion and humanity permeate every level of the organization. There is never a point where care for our clients and staff are not at the center of decision making, especially when those decisions are hard. For example, I have seen our directors spend countless hours supporting client families even after their official time in our program. At the end of the day, everyone here shows up as a full person.

What keeps you coming back day after day?

This job is fun! There is truly no better feeling than watching someone get in touch with themself and start the process of growth. That and playing basketball with the clients…and our Program Coordinator, Jay Bylund. There are too many things to name.

What was your dream job as a kid, and why?

I wanted to be an architect, which, in retrospect, is madness. I would have cried everyday in architect school. I’m crying right now even thinking about being in architect school. Not to mention I can’t read a map or put together IKEA furniture correctly. I’m glad I’m a therapist.

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

This is less a single memory, but my favorite moments are from group therapy sessions. This is where the work that clients are doing truly shines. It’s amazing to see our guys support each other and show up as their true selves.

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

There is this kind of underground artist named Tom Petty who grew up in Gainesville and started his career there. He had some modest hits, such as “Free Fallin’”, “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” and “American Girl.” You may have heard of him. 

What does your ideal day look like?

I wake up and eat some carrot cake with cream cheese icing for breakfast. Full pot of coffee already made for me by my friendly robot assistant. I go for a walk with a french bulldog. We’ve never met before. We become fast friends. His name is Pierre. He introduces me to his other friends, which include a lion and a bear who are nice. Solid friends. I return home and find that someone has installed a sparkling water tap in my house. How delightful and refreshing. I play some basketball with my friends, tend to my beautiful garden, and relax with my partner by a mossy rocky river. Returning to the rustic farmhouse that I own with no mortgage, my friends are there and we have a dance party. Today was a good day. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? How has that advice affected your day-to-day?

To go to community college! I had some serious growing to do after high school and I had to re-learn why I liked learning in the first place. Having the freedom to work and go to school at my own pace prepared me to crave knowledge and skill in a way that I could not have achieved otherwise.

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

It’s okay to not be okay. In fact, what we think of as “okay” is all relative and kind of made up anyways. Feel what you feel. It’s okay if it sucks or if it rocks. It’s all okay.

Quick facts about Casey

Undergraduate school: Santa Fe College & University of Florida

Graduate school: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Favorite book: The Watchmen

Favorite album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel

Favorite podcast: On Being with Krista Tippett

Dream Vacation: China

Top Karaoke Song Choice: Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Durham

Favorite meal: Medium rare burger with American cheese

Favorite house activity: Reading

Meet Our Program Coordinator: Jay Bylund

Posted on August 23, 2020 - 6:57 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc?

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and relocated to Weddington, North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, when I was ten years old. I played lots of sports growing up but ended up finding a passion for lacrosse and played year-round through high school. When I wasn’t playing lacrosse or partying, I spent my time playing ultimate frisbee, disc golf, guitar and going to see live music. 

I developed an addiction to painkillers after several sports-related injuries and quickly became dependent on them. I was a highly functioning addict and managed to graduate high school with a 4.5 GPA. I attended North Carolina State for 5 years until I was expelled as a consequence of my behavior and struggles with substance abuse. 

My journey towards recovery started shortly after with my first stay at an inpatient rehab in Palm Springs, CA. I managed to stay clean for a short period of time after that, but spent the next 5 years going in and out of various levels of treatment, eventually moving to even more dangerous forms of substance abuse. After a very serious hospitalization caused by my addiction, my family cut all ties with me. I found my way to a long-term residential treatment program for the homeless called The Healing Transitions of Wake County. I stayed at Healing Transitions for 15 months to complete their program and then pretty much started from scratch.

Since then, I have built a joyous and purposeful life for myself full of fun and supportive people, including the family I mentioned earlier. I joined the Green Hill team during its infancy and pride myself both on helping build it into what it is today and the bold direction it’s moving into the future. In my free time, I enjoy taking trips to the beach, travelling to see my favorite band (Phish), playing darts, disc golf, and socializing with friends.

The most important parts of my recovery are service work and maintaining my physical and mental health. I visit my former treatment facility on a weekly basis to volunteer and help other men in recovery. 

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

Green Hill stands out for one reason: we genuinely take a vested interest in each one of our clients, as opposed to treating them as just another dollar sign. Our small, tight-knit staff and the work culture that surrounds it helps us support our residents to be their best.

What keeps you coming back day after day?

Knowing that I will most likely have fun at work and that I will have the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. 

If you could give a new Program Coordinator one piece of advice, what would it be?

No matter how hard you try, you can’t make someone change. You can only give them the tools they need. The rest is up to them. 

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

I’ve always been fond of our Holiday work parties. It’s fun to have everyone in the company in one place and watch their personalities come to life. The white elephant gift exchange never disappoints.

What’s one thing your hometown could be known for, and why?

Where a lot of the Panthers reside.

What does your ideal day look like?

Assuming this day is a weekend, I’d like to wake up around 10 and go for a 3 mile run followed by some weight lifting. After that, I’d want to go eat brunch with my girlfriend at one of our favorite spots – Tazza Kitchen. Later on, we head to the pool with some friends and cook dinner. Later in the evening, we would head over to the pool hall to shoot some darts and then come home to binge-watch shows on Netflix. 

How has your family impacted the way you approach your life in recovery?

The best thing my family ever did for my recovery was push me away so that I could no longer manipulate or lie to them. I’m sure it was hard for them, but it was what needed to happen for me to take responsibility for my own life. 

What’s one message you wish our residents at Green Hill would always take with them?

I have two, but I think they’re equally important. First, don’t let your past define you. And second, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Quick Facts about Jay

Undergraduate school: North Carolina State University – in progress

Desert Island movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Favorite book: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 

Favorite album: Live Phish Volume 17 – Portland, Oregon 7/15/98

Dream vacation: Thailand

Top karaoke song choice: Debra by Beck

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Cedar Hills Disc Golf course

Favorite meal: Sushi

Dream job as a child: Rockstar

Favorite Green Hill activity: Beach Volleyball

Meet Our Primary Therapist: Emily Trapp

Posted on July 21, 2020 - 8:28 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical info from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

Originally, I was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, however, shortly after we moved to Williamsport, PA, which is where I would say my childhood took place. I have lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and several places around North Carolina, everywhere from the Outer Banks to Raleigh. 

I grew up in a very medically inclined family. Both of my parents were Physician’s Assistants. As a kid, I watched Discovery Health for hours on end and some of my favorite toys included a medical cart with all the accessories. Growing up, I fell in love with animals, and always imagined being a veterinarian. I ended up going to North Carolina State University for the undecided track, but was really shooting for vet school. 

In my first year, I spent a day shadowing a large animal vet. I ended up realizing that though I thoroughly enjoyed the job, it didn’t seem right for a long-term career. In one of my classes, we had a project in which we had to interview someone in a career that interested us. Aware that being a Veterinarian was now out, I decided to interview a psychologist. Often in my life, I found myself offering my ear to friends and was always the one people called when in crisis, so I thought, why not give it a shot? One conversation and I was sold. I transitioned to a psychology degree and started focusing on working with at-risk youth.

Following graduation, I (like a lot of people) found myself having a difficult time. I felt like I lost my path. I did, however, know that I always felt safe in school, so with the encouragement of my mother, I started applying to any psychology-related programs in the area. I applied to Eastern Carolina University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program, where I was accepted. During my time in graduate school, one of the faculty picked up on my interest in at-risk youth and addiction and connected me with the Walter B. Jones Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center. I completely fell in love with the work there and found that finally, I was finding my path again. 

I ended up doing my internship at Walter B. Jones while completing my program and thesis. While completing my LCASA I continued to work at Walter B. Jones, but really felt called to return to Raleigh. I initially took a position at Triangle Springs as a therapist before finding a home at Green Hill Recovery. 

What made you want to work in a) the clinical field generally and b) substance abuse specifically? 

I decided to get into clinical work after deciding taking care of animals all day was not what I wanted to do professionally. I get enough of taking care of animals at home! I started my graduate program with no specific focus but always had an underlying drive to work with at-risk adolescents. Interestingly enough, I began with a fascination in teen pregnancy and worked my way into addiction.  

I tell everyone, “I wish I had a cool story but I really don’t.” I did have enough self-awareness to know I would need some guidance, and I created a great relationship with one of the faculty, who listened to my interests and continued to encourage me to work with Walter B. Jones. 

From there, I not only loved what I was doing and what I was learning, but I truly valued the relationship between my internship supervisor and what he taught me. Mr. Tart was one role model that I will hold close to my heart forever. Throughout my time at Walter B. Jones, I found that it was less about what I was teaching the patients than what they were teaching me. 

What do you believe makes Green Hill stand out in its field, and why?

Green Hill is truly, like I mentioned earlier, home. I have never worked with an entire team that cares so deeply and passionately about not only what they do, but those they work with. I think that’s what makes it so special. Treatment and therapy all begin with the relationships one builds with those they are working with. 

I believe our team is so in-tune with not only what our vision is as a program, but with what our client’s vision is for their future. We have such a unique team of people ranging from academic consultants to therapists to creativity to businesspeople. Somehow, we manage to use our strengths to come together to create a safe and encouraging place for our clients to dive into their own self-efficacy. 

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

Absolutely our very first Iron Chef challenge at the Transitional Living house. This was one of the first activities we wanted to do during the coronavirus pandemic, and it ended up being fun for everyone.

Somehow, I was voted as a chef (not proud to admit it, but I totally used the “I have a session” excuse to try to get out of it). It was the ‘Apocalypse version’, so our recipes for the Iron Chef challenge included things like spam, ramen noodles, pasta, beef jerky, etc.

It was rough, but our guys were so creative and there ended up being some dishes that were actually delicious. 

What makes Raleigh an ideal environment for young people in recovery?

Raleigh is an amazing place that encompasses everything any young adult, especially one in recovery, could desire. I love that you can easily access both the beaches and mountains. Raleigh is host to many wonderful colleges that encourage young adults to keep shooting for the moon. Raleigh also offers so many community life options, it allows people to find their own community. 

What does your ideal day look like?

Anything outside! Ideally, it would be sunny and 75. I would wake up early and head to the barn to ride my horse, Mikey. I’d give him all the sour patch kids his little (big) heart desires before heading home to get ready for the beach. A perfect day for me is a day at the beach with family, friends and a good book before having a big communal dinner and talking about all the embarrassing moments from childhood. 

Can you name one female role model you have, and what that person has had such an impact?

In my personal life, I would absolutely have to say my mother. As a single mother in the medical field, she has shown me what being an independent, caring, driven woman means. 

Additionally, from the time I was a child, I have always admired surfer Bethany Hamilton. I’ve admired her for her worth ethic, passion, drive, ambition and courageous demeanor. She is a person who has not let her circumstances compromise her ability to work toward her dreams. She has proved time and time again that with some effort and courage, anything is possible. One of the main reasons why I admire her is that even as one of the best, she has been vulnerable enough to share about her experiences of loss, defeat and difficulty.

Quick facts about Emily

Undergraduate school: NC State University, GO PACK! 

Graduate school: East Carolina University, GO PIRATES!  

Desert island movie: Cast Away 

Favorite book: Hmmm, the childhood book is probably Because of Winn Dixie. My tearjerker would have to be The Art of Racing in the Rain. 

Favorite podcast: Up and Vanished or Cold or Yoga Girl: Conversations from the Heart. 

Favorite sports team: ECU Pirates 

Favorite spot to visit in Raleigh: Umstead Park, I love to take my dog for walks there. 

Dream job as a child: Probably an orthopedist for a while before wanting to be a veterinarian.

Meet Our Outpatient Director: Brandon Robinson

Posted on June 7, 2020 - 6:02 pm by

Could we get some brief biographical information from you? Hometown, previous experience, education, etc.?

I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan but spent most of my childhood years between Ann Arbor and Valparaiso, Indiana.  I come from a family of hard working, blue-collar people, most of whom were employed in the motor industries surrounding the Detroit area.  Activities such as drinking alcohol, using drugs, gambling, and domestic violence were normalized in both my family and my neighborhood. Growing up, I aspired to play baseball and spent most of my time on the field, but as my high school social life picked up, so did my poor decision making.  I found myself in a lot of legal trouble as a minor, which was compounded with maladaptive coping skills, such as use of alcohol and other drugs.  

My only way out was to find people I could trust and confide in, and along the way I decided to move back to Michigan for college.  I completed an undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University in 2001 and landed at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC for my postgraduate studies, earning a Master’s degree in 2005.  Prior to my postgraduate studies I was working with adjudicated youth in a juvenile home and then in a group home with boys with histories of sex offenses.  

After earning the Master’s degree, which had a specific focus and training on addiction counseling, I was able to hone in on adolescents and families with primary substance abuse and behavioral issues.  After a couple of years providing counseling at a wilderness program in Pittsboro, NC, I started working with youth and their families performing in-home services.  At this point I was offered a position to clinically supervise and develop an outpatient substance abuse program for adults.  

In 2006, I married my domestic partner and in 2007 we headed out west.  We landed in Monterey, CA where I pursued a position with a residential facility for adults with primary addiction use disorders.  There, I learned an immense amount of information related to the medical model of addiction, as well as had constant exposure to 12-step recovery.  While there, the opioid epidemic was really starting to take flight and we dealt with many high risk cases that were not only addiction focused, but also demanded attention from a public health perspective.  I quickly became well versed in Medication Assisted Treatment and the value of this ancillary pathway to recovery, along with the advantages of harm reduction in addiction treatment.  

Upon my return to North Carolina, my wife and I had one child, and soon had another in 2011.  We returned to North Carolina from the west coast in 2010 and have resided in the northern part of Raleigh since that time.  Over the past 10 years I have been helping to start up Intensive Outpatient Programs in the Wake County area, and most significantly, I was the clinical director for Wake County’s Adult Drug Court for 7 years.  By happenstance, I was granted the opportunity to meet some folks at Green Hill and about 6 months later found myself in a position to consider coming aboard. My initial role was to help develop a new outpatient treatment program for the Raleigh area residents, and I am now helping to lead the clinical team at Green Hill as well as manage and further develop our Community Program.

What attracted you to working with young adults with substance abuse issues in the first place?

When I entered the clinical service field, I felt it would be a natural fit for me to work with youth since I wasn’t far removed from being one, and it was ridiculously easy for me to empathize with their stories and chaotic lifestyles.

What do you believe makes the Green Hill Outpatient Program stand out in its field, and why?

I have never heard of a program with such an intense focus on a certain demographic, and in this case a target population that many people, including clinicians, find too challenging to influence. Green Hill embraces this and provides opportunities for young males to experience fun, peer connection, and self-efficacy in early recovery from substances.

What is your proudest accomplishment? What about that accomplishment specifically makes it stand out against others in your life?

I feel I helped change the face of a nationally recognized program in North Carolina, Wake County’s Adult Drug Court program.  I was able to educate, support, and change the operations of how judges, jails, and probation officers approach the legal ramifications of someone experiencing an addiction disorder in the criminal system in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

Who has had the largest impact on your personal/professional development?

There are some colleagues I could name but I truly think I have been shaped more by the various clients I have worked with.  Also, my mother, a young single woman, was a newspaper editor and I spent a lot of time in the newsroom as a child, constantly exposed to drama, coffee, cigarettes, and deadlines. I shouldn’t fail to mention the impact she has had on my work ethic as well as inspiring me to pursue a career that I truly enjoy.

What’s one memory you’ll always take with you from your time here in Green Hill?

It has been a rather short tenure to this point, but my best recent memory is the impact of COVID-19 and the clinical considerations we have had to make in lieu of this public health crisis.  Transitioning from 3-hour in-person meetings to telehealth meetings for that same length of time seemed daunting and almost impossible, but our team came together and made the best of the situation.  An immediate result was the consistent attendance of the same clients 3 days per week, 3 hours per day!

If you could take one colleague on a road trip, who would it be, why that person and where would you go?

Probably (Development Director) Jake Summers. I feel he would be up for anything on a whim, and would make the best of the situation. I could definitely see us scaling a mountain or something like that outdoors.

What does your ideal day look like?

Ahh, I love this question. Any ideal day would definitely start with a big breakfast with the family quickly followed by nine holes on the golf course. After that, if I still have the energy,  I’d probably join the wife and kids on a hike, hit a Tigers game, and then enjoy dinner out at a restaurant, preferably a Mexican place.

What’s one message you wish our community program participants at Green Hill would always take with them?

Stay true to your values, and if your values change, do it with integrity.

Quick Facts about Brandon

Undergraduate school:  Western Michigan University

Graduate school:  East Carolina University

Favorite movie:   Over the Top

Favorite album:  Led Zeppelin II or The Chronic

Favorite sports team:  Detroit anything, but really the Detroit Tigers

Top Karaoke Song Choice:  Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot

Ideal lunch:  Italian Sub

Dream job as a child: Play shortstop for Detroit Tigers

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