Meet Our Board
Cherrice Peters-Tanksley
Board Member
Cherrice has dedicated her life to helping those who are seeking or are in recovery from any mind-altering substance. She works in the behavioral field health assisting those struggling with substance use disorder and/or related mental health issues. Cherrice is in long-term recovery and is a member of the Peer Support Coalition of Florida, the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse & Prevention, the Recovery Advocacy Project, a Hope Ambassador for Metropolitan Ministries, and a member of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.
Crystal Medley
Board Member
Crystal Medley is currently a student at St. Petersburg College and obtained her Certification in Addiction Studies in December 2021. She works in the behavioral health field as a Clinical Navigator helping to connect people with services during their time of need and is a certified Peer Support Specialist. In addition, she currently serves as a volunteer with the Peer Support Network of Tampa Bay. Crystal is a person in long-term recovery and works to encourage people to recover out loud.
John DeLisa
Board Member
John is a person in long term recovery from substance use disorder and other mental health challenges. His career highlights include: Founding Programs Director for Recovery Connections of Central Florida, Lead Developer of Referral Out and Peer Alumni Programming for Advanced Recovery Systems, and Co-Founder of the Collegiate Recovery Community at The University of Central Florida. John is thrilled and honored to be a part of the Recovery Epicenter Foundation Board.
Patti Smith
Board Member
Patti is a person in long term recovery since 2014, when she finally stopped the internal battle, looked in the mirror and asked for help. She is a retired PA who has practiced in many areas of medicine and surgery. Her passion and mission now are to continue advocating for those seeking recovery and the rewards this lifestyle can bring using her lived experience.
Greg Hicks
Board Member
Greg is a person in long term recovery who was born and raised in Pasco County and is
dedicated to improving and supporting his local community. He does this through Recovery
Epicenter Foundation and his human services background to provide the support that he
feels his community needs. Greg runs The R.O.P.E Center in Hudson, FL and . He and his
wife are the proud parents of 2 children and have a beautiful granddaughter. Greg is a
registered Clinical Social Worker and completing his MCAP Certification.
Amanda Marker
Board Member
Amanda Marker is the Director of Business Development for Windmoor Healthcare and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has worked in behavioral health for 14 years. Amanda moved to Clearwater from Seattle in spring of 2022 and has been in her current role advocating for mental health and substance use treatment, sharing resources, connecting people to care, and fighting to end the stigma of mental health and substance use disorders.
Amanda is not only professionally connected to the recovery community, she is also in recovery.
Dominic Gefsrud
Board Member
Dominic strives to be a conduit of change and a beacon of hope to those struggling with substance abuse and mental health conditions. As part of community outreach in the addiction field, co-founder of an intervention and sober transport company, he brings a great passion to his role of helping those faced with addiction. Dominic has more than eight years of clean time..
Josh Dirschel
Board Member
Josh's Bio Coming Soon
Russel Harmon
Board Member
Russell K Harmon (Russ), is a USMC Veteran who has more than 30 years of uninterrupted abstinence from mind altering substances. He has experience with multiple Recovery Communities throughout the United States. Although Russ is new to the nonprofit world, he feels his recovery-first approach can be helpful to those looking to achieve their goals.
Ann Nance McManus, PA-C, MCS
Board Member
Ann, also known as Nance, has a wealth of lived experience that enables her to empathize and value the recovery process. She has served as a Physician Assistant in Pinellas County for the past 14 years and has received comprehensive training in medication use to facilitate recovery. Her passion is to aid individuals in locating the necessary resources and support to bring about significant life transformations.
Christine Cook
Board Member
Chris is a friend to the Recovery Community. She has been in the banking industry since 1987. She has been a Board Member of Recovery Epicenter Foundation almost from its inception and is very passionate about giving back to the recovery community by offering Financial Seminars and Financial advice. Recently she has taken on the role of Treasurer and hopes to be as involved as possible. Chris also is very involved with the Central Pinellas Chamber, and is currently on their board as well. When not working, she enjoys running, spinning and spending time with her Husband of 7 years and 2 Children.
Jason Gwalthney
Board Member
Jason has been in long-term recovery since July 25, 2018. Based on his extensive work within the recovery community, he was asked to serve on the Recovery Epicenter Foundation Board of Directors. Jason serves as the Ambassador of Hope for Survivors of Addiction and recently earned his Certified Event Interventionist designation.
Lauren Hermann
Board Member
Lauren graduated from the University of Florida and has worked in the behavioral health field for several years. She has volunteered with the Recovery Epicenter Foundation since 2019 as an Overdose Prevention Coordinator. As a person in long-term recovery, Lauren is excited to serve on the Board of Directors for an organization that accepts all pathways of recovery.
Ann Nance McManus, PA-C, MCS
Board Member
Ann, also known as Nance, has a wealth of lived experience that enables her to empathize and value the recovery process. She has served as a Physician Assistant in Pinellas County for the past 14 years and has received comprehensive training in medication use to facilitate recovery. Her passion is to aid individuals in locating the necessary resources and support to bring about significant life transformations.