PATHWAYS - Key Persons
Aaron has been working in youth ministry and mentoring teens since 2016. Using his personal story of crime, drugs, depression, and failure, he empowers youth to overcome challenges and walk in their purpose. Aaron did not have positive role models for guidance and advice, so his personal experience now drives his passion for teaching, leading, and guiding students while speaking life over them. Aaron graduated from the Atlanta School of Ministry in 2018 with a Certificate of Completion and is a Licensed Pastor. He currently resides in Marietta, GA with his beautiful wife Mikaela and their two sons Isaiah and Joshua.
Job Titles:
- Board Secretary - Pathways2Life, Marketing and Operations
- Marketing / Operations, One Johns Creek Program Director, Certified Prevention SPecialist
Alyse has over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications and brings a diverse resume to assist and propel Pathways2Life to the next level operationally. She was a partner and Vice President of Sales at a small local agency and more recently has provided her skills to other organizations as a contract employee. Alyse lives in Johns Creek with her husband of 20+ years, Greg. Her daughter Sydney attends Georgia Southern and her son Austen attends the University of Georgia.
Carol is a former Sales Manager for the Hospitality Industry and is currently managing a household that includes twin 14-year olds, three adult stepsons, two daughter in-laws and three grandchildren. She has served as chair of many committees at Perimeter Christian School and has also been an active room parent and volunteer in the school. She is an active member of PPPerimeter Church and has led and is currently a part of Women's discipleship. She lives in Duluth with her Husband Keith and is excited to be a part of the Pathways2Life Board and organization.
Job Titles:
- Retired, Healthcare Industry
Over the past 30 years, David has held key executive positions with businesses focused on the management and delivery of healthcare services to the nation's largest payers. He served as chairman and CEO of Healthcare Solutions, a leading healthcare services company providing technology-based healthcare solutions to the nation's largest payers in the property and casualty market. David served as President of AdvancePCS, the nation's largest pharmacy benefit manager and health services company, and as a Director and Executive Vice President of the predecessor company, Advance Paradigm, Inc. He also served as Executive Vice President of United Healthcare, a leading health plan and managed healthcare services company. Prior to United Healthcare, David served as President of The Prudential's Southeastern Healthcare Division and led the healthcare industry's early development and adoption of broad-based managed healthcare programs. George serves on the board of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the only national organization dedicated to preventing the legalization and commercialization of the recreational use of marijuana. He currently lives in the Johns Creek area and has 4 children.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Certified Prevention Specialist
Erin has over 12 years of experience engaging with teens in youth ministry and educational environments. She is passionate about guiding students along their search for significance by encouraging them to value themselves and others. Using her own journey through depression and anxiety, Erin is a champion for students' mental and emotional health. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Religious Studies and is certified in Student Leader Training. She and her husband Travis have two dogs together, Tucker and Bramble.
Frank's professional career has varied from an Associate Editor of a regional travel magazine in Michigan to corporate life as Director of Marketing, Burger King Corporation. And since 1986, Owner/Operator of Sabo Ventures, Inc., which operated a group of Burger King restaurants in Atlanta/Athens. Frank retired August 2015 and over the years he has served both local and international nonprofit ministries as a board member/volunteer serving international youth in need and often at risk. Currently, Frank serves as a Board member, advisor and volunteer to several Atlanta faith-based ministries including Ambassadors for Christ International, City of Refuge, Love Beyond Walls, Pathways2Life and 7 Bridges to Recovery. Frank resides in the Peachtree Corners area with Connie, his wife of 43 years. He has two adult daughters, Chelsea and Taylor.
Job Titles:
- Program Development and Recovery Coach
Jeff has been investing in teens and young adults, since 2004, with a deep desire to be a light in dark places. As a person in long-term recovery, Jeff has had first-hand experience with much of the same pain and struggles today's teens face in their search for pleasure, acceptance, and relief. Jeff utilizes his lived experience and his gifts as a passionate communicator to naturally connect with young people. Jeff has a Bachelor of Theology, 3 Coaching Certifications in Life and Recovery Coaching, and numerous other training and personal development credits. He and his wife Carrie have 2 children and live in Peachtree Corners, GA. In his "off-time," Jeff is a voice actor, handyman, and sports enthusiast.
Job Titles:
- Breif Intervention Specialist, CACI, NDTR
Kate's personal struggles with drugs, alcohol, disordered eating, and mental health led her in and out of treatment since age 14. Kate has been in recovery since January 2015 and she has dedicated her life to serving others and helping young people find a fulfilling and joyful way to live. She is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Level 1 (CACI), and has been working in adolescent and young adult substance abuse treatment since 2016. She also has an Associates in Dietetics and is a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR). She is continuing her education and working towards a Bachelor's degree in Human Services at Purdue University Global. Kate is married to her wonderful husband, Dewayne.
Keith has over 35 years of experience managing and directing the Manufacturer's Representative Firm of Compton Sales Inc. He is a member of and currently active in the National Home Builders Association, MANA, Former State President of NADRA and other industry trade associations. He is a former Deacon at Johns Creek Baptist Church and chaired many committees within the church body. He is an active Elder at Perimeter Church and involved in the Parent Connect ministry. Keith lives in Duluth with his wife Carol and has five children and three grandchildren.
Kendal has a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion. She has worked for the Athens Community Council on Aging and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs. As a student in the North Fulton school system, Kendal reflects on her own experiences to enable her to meet other students where they are and remind them that they are not alone. She is passionate about educating students and empowering them to face difficult decisions that will ultimately help them grow into physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy adults. Kendal and her husband, Slade live in Cumming, GA.
Job Titles:
- Counselor and Coach for Parents
Since finishing her Master's in Social Work, Kim has been counseling and coaching students and their families for over 17 years. She has a passion for helping students and parents understand their identity and walk in the fullness of life. Prior to joining Pathways2Life, she worked with many different populations including, battered women, migrant farmworkers, those with chronic mental illness, foster children, and adolescents placed on a psychiatric unit. She also toured with a national ministry called Secret Keeper Girl, which focuses on helping tween girls understand their identity and worth related to their purity. Kim and Ryan jointly developed curriculum for the Pathways2Life support group and the Leadership Development Training Program. Kim lives in Cumming, GA and she has 2 grown children, Morgan and Christian.
Kimberly Walsh has 34 years of experience in the behavioral health field with experience in direct service, clinical practice, non-profit management, and state government administration. She has a Master's Degree in both Social Work and Public Administration and a Certification in Educational Leadership. Kim is currently a Technical Expert Lead (TEL)/Consultant for JBS International, Inc. leading federal opioid and substance use project implementation across the country. Prior to joining the JBS Team she worked as the Deputy Commissioner overseeing state mental health, substance abuse and intellectual and developmental disabilities systems of care in West Virginia. Throughout Kim's career, she has held various roles and administratively responsible positions, has worked extensively to address the opioid epidemic, with homeless and housing initiatives, public school systems and social work services, residential treatment (youth and adult), Tribal services coordination, victim services, justice initiatives and crisis and emergency disaster response efforts and has been an adjunct undergraduate and graduate professor for the past 12 years. Kim lives in Alpharetta with her husband, Gerry, and teenaged children, Daelyn and Cayden.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, CADC, Certified Prevention Specialist
Ryan has been working in the prevention and early intervention field for over 15 years where his own recovery fuels his passion to walk alongside youth and young adults. He is charged with leading the organization by giving visionary oversight, fundraising, and program development. He also works alongside the strategic leadership team to oversee the operations and support the delivery staff as they serve students, families, schools, and the community. Ryan is a vocal community advocate building strategic partnerships while organizing a coordinated effort to establish a Growth-Oriented System of Care. Ryan currently lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Pamela and their two boys, Josiah and Asa.
Job Titles:
- Prevention and Recovery Specialist
Stella has worked with people from a variety of ages, cultures, and backgrounds engaging around emotional, relational, and social topics. She worked in refugee camps overseas helping people heal from trauma and led small groups of young adult women processing their stories, experiences, and passions. Stella leverages her own story of struggle to discover her worth and identity due to abuse and coping with substance addiction. Through this journey, Stella learned about addiction and how to break free from the bondage using brain science and the power of rewiring to form new neuropathways. She now knows and is passionate about sharing the benefits of skills-based teaching, processing emotions, relationships, and developing new habits with students. Stella's teaching is motivated by the realization that she could have benefitted from the topics she now teaches. She is married to Elijah, and they live in Atlanta with their two beautiful daughters, Elani-Selah and Hadassah Shalom.
Job Titles:
- Board Chair - CEO, NexGen
Tim has over 30 years of experience in the business community. He has held several executive level positions with P&L responsibilities and strategic direction. He currently serves as President and CEO of a national company providing services to utility and energy companies. He lives with his wife of 25 years in Alpharetta, Georgia.