Wes Rider, BSW
Wes Rider graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from East Carolina University in 1993. He has worked with the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services since 2004. As a member of the Division’s Community Empowerment and Engagement Team, Wes maintains a commitment to support the voice and perspective of people who are consumers and family members, in the ongoing design, implementation and evaluation of the public behavioral healthcare system in North Carolina.
Delton Russell, CPSS
Delton is a Member Engagement Specialist with a specialty in Substance Use Disorders and is a person in long term recovery himself from both substance use and mental health. He is also a N.C. certified Peer Support Specialist as well as a certified Peer Support trainer a certified QPR (Question Persuade Refer) trainer and certified WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) facilitator. Delton serves as an individual advocate with members by helping them navigate the behavioral healthcare system and also serves as a systems advocate by promoting Peer Support and Substance Use services. Delton also serves as the PASAPA Liaison (Piedmont Area Substance Abuse Providers Association). He strives to maintain open, effective communication and collaboration among providers and stakeholders in the Piedmont Region.
Michael McGuire, LCSW, LCAS, LMFT, CCS, MINT
Michael McGuire is employed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work as a Clinical Assistant Professor, the Director of the Substance Use and Addiction Specialty program, and lead trainer for a state-funded workforce development initiative. He is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Clinical Addictions Specialist, and is a credentialed supervisor and MINT Trainer. Michael offers training and implementation consultation on evidence-based practices with a particular focus on motivational interviewing, SBIRT, and family systems. Additional areas of interest include adolescent and family development, problematic substance use and addiction, experiential learning, military-involved families, Feedback Informed Treatment, clinical supervision, ethics, and workforce development.
Ret. Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero
Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero retired after serving 16 1⁄2 years in the US Army National Guard, serving full-time Active-Duty Operational Support primarily in her home state of New Mexico. Today, she is an activist for veterans’ causes and has had a significant role in passing legislation related to military sexual assault and veterans’ mental health. Crystal obtained four Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), held various positions, and successfully ran many programs like the DoD Innovative Readiness Training Program throughout her military career, beginning in logistics and later transferring to a Public Affairs Detachment. She then transitioned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Specialist. There she helped run operations and was activated for the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts in 2003 and Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Ike. Concurrently, she served with the New Mexico Counter Narcotics Task Force serving as the Finance and Executive assistant to the commander. In her final years in the military, she was a Senior Human Resources Specialist, Platoon Sergeant, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, member of the Safety Council, National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Program Evaluation team member, and the Joint Substance Abuse Program Coordinator for the State of New Mexico where she ran the drug testing program for all National Guard service members.
Ret. Major General Gregg F. Martin, PhD
Major General Gregg F. Martin, PhD, US Army (Ret.) is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor, thriver, and warrior, and a retired two-star general. A former president of the National Defense University, commandant of the Army War College, and commander of Fort Leonard Wood, he is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point, MIT (two master’s and a PhD), and both the Army and Naval war colleges. He unknowingly lived most of his life on the bipolar spectrum, which largely enhanced his performance as a leader, until it went too high and ended his career, threw him into crisis, and led to his hospitalization. Now in his eighth year of bipolar recovery, he is an author, speaker, and ardent mental health advocate, who lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He has three sons, two of whom live with bipolar disorder – an artist and a poet/Special Forces veteran – while the third son is an Army Special Forces officer. Gregg’s life mission now is sharing his bipolar story to help stop the stigma, promote recovery, and save lives. His new book, “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”, is available on Amazon, and co-published by the Naval Institute Press (Jack Clancy’s first publisher), and the Association of the US Army. For more information, visit www.bipolargeneral.com.
Ryan Curran, M.Ed.
Ryan Curran is an experienced instructional designer and technologist with a 20-year track record in the military and financial sectors. He has a M.Ed. in Instructional Design & Development from George Mason University and specializes in change and project management, along with creating immersive digital learning experiences. Currently, he enhances the NCCPSS Program at UNC with his expertise and approachability. As a service-connected Coast Guard veteran and former defense contractor, Ryan offers a unique perspective and dedication, enriching his contributions to the field.
Patty Schaeffer, CPSS
Patty Schaeffer has been a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist since 2011, a PSS Certified Trainer for two state approved curriculums, Advanced Level Facilitator of the Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)©, and an instructor of seven other wellness curriculums. She has been active with the PSS Workgroup since 2019. Patty is a Qualified Professional able to aid state agencies, organizations, and providers of Behavioral Health with delivery of services to those in need. Patty is an active member of multiple community collaboratives and organizations. Patty is a representative from Western NC State CFAC, Partners CFAC and a member of the Leadership Fellow Academy First Cohort. In 2016 she became the Executive Director of WellSurgent, a peer owned and peer-run NP. She has received recognition in her own community and other parts of the state with the attitude of "There is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people and the services they may receive…they are all the same, Love all, Serve all."
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