JON DOWER ICADC, CCS, CIP, SAP | Executive Director
Jon Dower was born and raised in Morgantown, WV, and completed a master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from West Virginia University. Mr. Dower holds several addiction-related certifications, including alcohol and drug counselor, clinical supervisor, substance abuse professional, and intervention professional. Additionally, he is a nationally certified counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor. Jon serves as the Executive Director for West Virginia Sober Living. Mr. Dower is also 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. Mr. Dower is an adjunct professor at WVU teaching in the College of Applied Human Sciences. He serves on several SUD-related organizations’ boards of directors, including the Governor’s task force on Substance Misuse and Prevention as the Chair of the Recovery Subcommittee. Jon is a person in long-term recovery.
DAN MCCAWLEY | Director of Operations
Dan is a West Virginia native and a person in long-term recovery. He is an internationally certified peer recovery support specialist and certified interventionist, giving him a well-rounded perspective on substance use disorder care. Dan is a founding board member of the National Peer Recovery Alliance (NPRA) and sits on the Central Appalachian Peer Partnership (CAPP) Advisory Council for the Studies to Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network. He brings decades of operational management to the team and enjoys the challenges of various operations. Dan is a leader in the peer community in WV and nationwide. His insight into best practices in peer recovery has led him to develop peer recovery training for continuing education in West Virginia and beyond.
KRISTA WHITE | Director of Recovery Housing & Intern Coordinator
Krista was raised in Cowen, WV and is currently a student at West Virginia University. Ms. White serves as our Director of Recovery Housing & Intern Coordinator, and Charleston staff manager. She is the mother to her daughter Brittany, and now a grandmother. Krista managed a 16-bed halfway house, and a 10 apartment complex women and children’s residence in Charleston WV, for women struggling with substance use disorders. She is now a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, certified naloxone trainer, is active in her recovery community, and participates in various initiatives to improve substance use disorder services across our state. Krista is also a person in long term recovery.
JOE MYTRO, B.S., PR | Business Services Manager
Joe is a certified recovery coach and peer mentor specialist in West Virginia. He graduated from Mountain State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Prior to joining Ascension Recovery Services, Joe worked at a 28-day inpatient treatment facility in West Virginia and has run multiple sober living homes in the state. He is the Men’s Program Director for the West Virginia Sober Living house in Morgantown, West Virginia. He is father to three children, Jonah, Amber and Autumn and grandfather to three young boys, Tatum, Hawkin and Maximus. Joe is also a person in long-term recovery.
CHRIS ARTHURS | Mental Health Counselor
Chris Arthurs was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia; he holds a master’s degree in Clinical
Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from West Virginia University. Chris has years of
experience working with individuals with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health
conditions. He focuses on working with vulnerable, marginalized, and stigmatized populations regardless
of their socioeconomic status. Additionally, Chris has completed education on substance use disorder and
is pursuing advanced alcohol and drug counselor certification. Mr. Arthurs’s goals include becoming an
impactful advocate for the recovery movement. Chris has training in multiple modalities, including
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational
Interviewing, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Solution Focused Brief Interventions (SFBI).
Chris also identifies as a person in long-term recovery.
TEISHA PRIM | PEERS Supervisor
Teisha is a Morgantown native and well known in the local recovery community. Teisha has overcome many obstacles in her life. Today she is a certified PRSS, an incredibly hard worker, and an even better mother. She is active in the local recovery community and has a passion and talent for helping those struggling with SUD. Teisha is currently working in a residential treatment facility, helping women navigate their journeys in recovery. She has worked with the Mon County Quick Response Team and engaged herself in outreach at local community centers.
ELIZABETH FARR | PEERS Supervisor
Elizabeth Farr is from Lester, WV, and a person in long term recovery. She was our first program participant in Charleston & now works with us as a Recovery Coach in our Charleston location. She is currently working towards her Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification. She is deeply passionate about helping persons experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. She enjoys spending time with her mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and uncle. She is active in the local recovery community and is a wonderful example of all the gifts recovery can give.
GREG HOLCOMB | Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Greg is a West Virginia native, wonderful father, and well known in the WV recovery community. He spent some time working in the medical field but decided he wanted a change of scenery and crash landed into the WVSL family. Greg has over a decade in recovery and much to offer anyone curious about what recovery looks like. He is currently employed as a PRC and works directly with the community, getting to know and willing to help anyone he comes across.
CRAIG HARSH | PEERS Manager
Craig is a Morgantown, WV native and person in long-term recovery. He is a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS). Craig brings with him experience from a variety of jobs, from customer service and hospitality, to providing care for people with developmental disorders and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). He was an active volunteer at a local drop-in center and has been an active participant in community engagement events both in his personal time and at work. When he is not working, he spends his time working on his own recovery, exploring and expanding his music collection, and hunting his next favorite cup of coffee.
GEROD BUCKHALTER | Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Gerod Buckhalter is a person in long term recovery and was the first recipient of deep brain stimulation for addiction treatment in the United States. Gerod has been awarded a Global Challenge coin (highest possible honor) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. He is currently working towards his Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification. Gerod helps set up treatment plans with residents and assists the Men’s program director as needed. In his free time, he enjoys exercising and playing men’s softball. He is a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a Nittany Lion at heart.
ERIK LINK | Sober Living House Manager
Bio Coming Soon
ALLEN YOUNG | Sober Living House Manager/Peer Recovery Coach
Allen Young is the house manager of 206 Spruce Street in Morgantown, West Virginia and a full-time essential employee at Mon Health Medical Center. Allen is a person in long term recovery and working to complete his Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification. He is extremely passionate about helping others achieve long term sobriety and hopes to fulfill his dream of working in the field of recovery full time. In his spare time, you can find Allen building models, watching the Cleveland Browns, or spending time with his family.