EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ron Springel recently retired from medical practice and now engages full-time as a recovery advocate. Formerly a member of the MARR Board of Directors, and Program Manager from 2019-2021, he now serves as the Executive Director for the group.

A long-time advocate of people in recovery from substance use disorder, Dr. Springel has worked with local, state and federal governments to increase opportunities for people with a substance use disorder to achieve contented recovery. He has served as a methadone treatment director, inpatient treatment medical director as well as participated in numerous state and local committees.

His involvement with Recovery Residences dates to 1987 when he opened the first Oxford House in eastern Washington State.

ron@mainerecoveryresidences.com

PROGRAM MANAGER

Madison was born and raised in Massachusetts. After multiple attempts at seeking treatment for alcohol and opiate use disorders, she came to Maine in 2018.

Madison dedicated the first two years of her recovery to managing a women’s recovery residence in Portland. She is passionate about helping others who share the same struggles, as she recognizes how important these experiences were to her in her recovery. Madison started with MARR as a Grievance Facilitator in 2021, transitioned to Assistant Program Manager in 2022, and then got promoted to Program Manager in 2023.

Madison is still involved in her free time with the community of recovery residences that helped her along her journey. She also enjoys playing recreational softball all year, going to fun restaurants with her fiancé Mike, and taking care of her dog Coco. Madison considers Portland home now.

madison@mainerecoveryresidences.com

ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER

Originally from Southeast Massachusetts, Jessica experienced a decade-long struggle with substance abuse. She came to Maine in 2018 after numerous attempts to sustain her sobriety.

Jessica spent her first year in Portland managing a women’s recovery residence, an experience she attributes to the quality of life she has found. She embraced the recovery and volunteer community here in Maine and continues to do so.

She enjoys staying active in the recovery community, volunteering for her local food rescue, and hiking any trail she can find! Jessica lives in Gray with her husband and her dog!

Jessica started with MARR in 2023 and is passionate about spreading hope, opportunity, and advocacy on a wider scale!

jessica@mainerecoveryresidences.com

SPECIAL PROGRAMS MANAGER

Peter Rosasco hails from New Jersey and has been involved in harm reduction since the age of 18. This early commitment to the field has shaped his approach to supporting those on their recovery journey.

Joining the MARR team as the Special Programs Manager on July 1st, 2023, Peter works diligently to contribute to programs that address the needs of the recovery community. In parallel with his role at MARR, he is pursuing an associate degree in IT and cybersecurity, aiming to bring a technological perspective to recovery advocacy.

Outside of work, Peter values the time he spends in Auburn with his fiancé. As he continues on his professional path, his dedication to the recovery community remains at the forefront of his efforts.

peter@mainerecoveryresidences.com

PRESIDENT

Scott is a man in long term recovery who got into recovery residence housing as a means to help men and women getting out of jail and prison who want recovery with little or no means.

The idea came to him as he volunteered in the jail in Bangor and the prison in Charleston.

He owns and operates “Fresh Start” which has 7 houses that have opened since October 2018 with more in the works.

He operated a business in Bangor from 1992-2010 which gave him the ability to work with different agencies to help get Fresh Start Opened.

He is a lifelong resident of Bangor with four adult children and several grandchildren.

VICE PRESIDENT

Kerry MacDonald is the Executive Director at Pine Tree Recovery Center and owner of Beacon Sober Living and The Plymouth House Women’s Extended Care programs.

Kerry has worked in the addiction and mental health field for over a decade and has an extensive professional background in clinical nutrition, management and health care.

Additionally, she has opened six women’s recovery residences in the Greater Portland recovery community, two of which were for non-profit organizations. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Portland Recovery Community Center.

Kerry is in long term recovery and is passionate about helping others.

SECRETARY

Joshua came to Portland Maine in November of 2017 to begin his journey. Having been involved with a recovery residence for some time, he became an Assistant Manager for the 12-step based program Portland Sober Living.

In early 2019, he became the Senior House Manager, and began his affiliation with MARR as a meeting leader. Joshua started getting involved in various MARR Committees and Sub-Committees throughout 2019 and 2020. In late 2020, Joshua was nominated and appointed to the Board as the Affiliate Liaison to the Board of Directors.

“To those struggling in any capacity, stay patient and keep looking forward. You will soon discover your path to serenity.”

TREASURER

Mike practices law at Bernstein Shur and has been a trial litigator and construction lawyer since 1997, after graduating from the University of Maine School of law (1996) and serving as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert Clifford of the Maine Supreme Court.

Mike is a frequent lecturer and speaker on construction law and litigation topics and practices in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Mike lives in Scarborough with his wife, Luana, and has four adult children.

When not working, Mike likes to run, bike, swim, and play golf, and spend as much time with family and friends as humanly possible.

MEMBER

Jonathan Sahrbeck was born and raised in Cumberland County. Before being elected Cumberland County District Attorney in 2018, Jonathan had an extensive prosecution career in both Maine and Massachusetts. He has called for more prevention and education to fight the opioid epidemic and substance use disorder, a renewed emphasis on stopping domestic violence, elder and child abuse and human trafficking, while also taking a closer look at new programs to help victims, reduce defendant recidivism, and increase diversion from the criminal justice system. Jonathan is passionate about working with community partners on addressing mental health issues and substance use disorder, and educating the public about the effects of adverse childhood experiences and trauma. He is also extremely supportive of the recovery community, specifically helping to find people treatment and reducing stigma.

MEMBER

Catharine MacLaren, Ph.D., LCSW, CEAP has been a licensed counselor for many years and serves as Vice President of Talent & Diversity in Human Resources for Northern Light Health.

She is also an adjunct instructor for Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies.

Catharine is a Past President of the Board of Directors of the Human Resources Association of Southern Maine (HRASM).

MEMBER

Steve has served as the Executive Director for Enso Recovery since 2017. He also holds credentials as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and a Certified Intervention Professional. He is also certified in “Deep Memory Processing” regression therapy and is a Reiki Master Teacher.

Steve has been in the field of substance abuse and mental health treatment since the late 1990’s. His experience with in-patient, out-patient, detoxification, long & short term care with multiple demographics have provided him with the necessary tools to work with any population facing the struggles of mental health and addiction. Steve has held positions on several boards of directors for various non-profit organizations.

In his free time, Steve enjoys riding (and customizing) his Harley Davidson. He also enjoys fly-fishing, camping, and hiking the Appalachian Trail. Steve lives in the Sebago Lake Region with his wife, Jennifer and their three children.

MEMBER

Deputy Chief Small began his law enforcement career at the Berwick Police Department in 2001 where he worked as a patrol officer, civil rights officer, D.A.R.E. officer, and school resource officer. In 2008, he was hired by the Sanford Police Department. While in Sanford, he has worked in the patrol division and was a detective for eight years in the criminal investigation division, and was a certified cellular forensic examiner for the department.

In 2019 Eric was specially assigned to coordinate an agency response to the City’s increasing unhoused population. Identifying the need for dedicated resources to address substance use disorder, homelessness and persons in crisis, he established the police department’s full-time Mental Health Unit. This unit has now grown to include two uniformed officers, a Substance use Clinician, and a Mental Health First Responder, dedicated to connecting community members in need with appropriate resources. Eric is a trained addiction recovery coach, and coach trainer through Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery. He is dedicated to reducing stigma associated with substance use disorder in the law enforcement community, having taught classes in the subject matter at Two Bridges Jail and the York County Sheriff's Office.

In 2021 Eric was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police where he continues his work as a recovery ally. Eric is a member of the Southern Maine Special Response Team where he served as lead crisis negotiator, and is currently an administrative support officer. He has been an instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy since 2003 and holds an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from Southern Maine Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Maine at Farmington.

Eric serves as a member of the Maine Recovery Council where he and fourteen other members with diverse experience support the people of Maine by directing the disbursement of funds within the Maine Recovery Fund for specific uses throughout the state to address the opioid crisis. He hopes to help get this much needed funding into the hands of those doing the incredible work in the recovery community to help as many Mainers as possible.

MEMBER

Description goJames Lebish Jamie Lebish is executive director and founder of El Rancho De La Vida. He is also a professional guitar and bass player and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, proud father and grandfather. Jamie has been a performing and recording musician since the age of 13, playing guitar and/or bass from small clubs to 18,000 seat arenas. Jamie found a hometown, in Portland, Maine in 2000. He earned his Associate degree in Mental Health and Human Services in December 2013, and he then earned his Bachelor degree in Mental Health And Human Services with a minor in Addiction Sciences. Awarded; December 29th 2016 Jamie is an experienced IOP, Inpatient and residential substance use disorder group facilitator, and 1:1 SUD Counselor. Jamie is incorporating his years of experience as a person in long term recovery for 23+ years, as a platform to help understand human beings suffering from addictions and co-occurring disorders. Jamie is executive director and founder of Andersson Ranch- a non profit SUD residential treatment facility and MARR certified Level IV recovery residence and Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence a MARR level III recovery residence for Men and women at El Rancho De La Vida -located in Hinckley, Maine. Andersson Ranch and Shiller Ranch are equal opportunity employers and SUD providers-we are always LGBTQ+ friendly. Jamie utilizes his 12+ years of SUD clinical experience to help him to help others in early recovery. His passion lies in his residents' growth and seeing them flourish in their own recovery. A gift.es here

MEMBER

Evan Gleason is an Account Executive with Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency Company, in Portland, ME. Evan’s professional focus has been on social service organizations, healthcare, substance abuse recovery, and non-profit entities. With risk management as an area of expertise, Evan is dedicated to helping those in recovery find safe places to seek help and community. He is also in long-term recovery himself. Evan lives in Topsham with his wife, his son, and two cats.