Inductees

Congressman Hal Rogers Award

Following 34 years as a teacher, career counselor and administrative coordinator, Nancy Hale retired from public education in 2012 and joined Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education) as Co-Program Director for the UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps) Program. In February 2015, she was named UNITE’s third President and CEO.

Ms. Hale currently serves on the advisory boards for the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit and National Recovery Month Planning Partners. In addition, she is a member of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Substance Abuse Advisory Council and the Southeast Kentucky Advisory Council for Volunteers of America. Deeply involved in her community, Ms. Hale has served as an Executive Board Member and volunteer with the Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition for the last 16 years and volunteered for 28 years with the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association.

Jay Davidson Award

Dr. Burns M. Brady served as a family doctor in the south end of Louisville for 25 years. In 1992, he left private practice to develop and lead the Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation. He traveled extensively throughout Kentucky helping hundreds of doctors get treatment for their disease of chemical dependency.

Additionally, Dr. Brady was the co-founder and medical director of the award-winning Healing Place addiction recovery center in Louisville. He also volunteered extensively in men’s prisons, using the Recovery Dynamics format to assist inmates in substance abuse programs.

Dr. Brady shared his own life of recovery freely and traveled throughout the United States and across the world sharing the power of recovery. As a result, he touched thousands of lives, and his footprint on this world was immeasurable.

Second Chance Employer of the Year Award

In addition to being a model supportive employer, Logan Aluminum is heavily involved in local and statewide initiatives that give the recovery community a voice and advocate for fair-chance employment. Their commitment to attending local events and willingness to speak on the successes and opportunities to increase fair chance hiring efforts have inspired local officials to support efforts to reduce the stigma involved in hiring individuals in recovery.

Logan Aluminum is a champion of the Workforce Recovery Program and attended the very first Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Fair Chance Academy. They were also instrumental in helping the Kentucky Chamber develop the framework for Senate Bill 191 in 2020 — which provides businesses certain liability protections when hiring individuals in recovery through the Kentucky Transformational Employment Program.

Special Honor

Jeff Whitehead served as Executive Director of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) for over two decades and recently retired in March 2023, capping off a 31-year career in workforce development.

During his tenure with EKCEP, Whitehead oversaw the creation of innovative workforce programs that have succeeded with the help of pivotal partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies along with Eastern Kentucky employers, trainers, and economic developers that effectively pooled resources and expertise to advance and expand the regional workforce.

Some of those programs include Teleworks USA, which since 2015 has connected more than 4,300 people with legitimate remote-work jobs; the Strategic Initiative for Transformational Employment (SITE), which provides support for individuals in recovery as they re-enter the workforce; and the EKY FLOOD program.

Jay Davidson Award

Charlotte Wethington became a recovery advocate following the 2002 overdose death of her son, Casey. Her second retirement was in 2015 after serving 10 years as Recovery Advocate for Transitions, Inc., an agency providing treatment and related services for families with substance use disorders. She now serves part-time as a recovery advocate for Addiction Recovery Care.

As Casey's mom, she initiated a Kentucky state law known as "Casey's Law", (KRS 222.430-222.437) which became effective July 13, 2004. Ms. Wethington has devoted her life to this cause for twenty years, speaking at every opportunity to raise awareness about the disease of addiction and inspire others to advocacy.

She considers it an honor and a privilege to be the bearer of Casey's light so that others may find their path to recovery.

Congressman Hal Rogers
Award

Van Ingram is the Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.  Van joined ODCP in November 2004, shortly after it was created with the mission of coordinating Kentucky’s substance abuse efforts in enforcement, treatment and prevention/education. Van served with the Maysville Kentucky Police Department for more than 23 years, the last six as Chief of Police. 

He is a former President of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and was named “Kentucky Chief of the Year” in 2001. He is a former recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement, as well as the Melvin Shein Award for distinguished service to Kentucky law enforcement.

Employer of the Year

Toyotomi America, located in Springfield, Kentucky, manufactures both past model service and original equipment parts for major companies in the automotive industry. Toyotomi is a certified Fair Chance Employer by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy and Kentucky Chamber Foundation.

In 2021, Toyotomi launched a pilot program to create and manage talent pipelines for individuals in recovery and has employed dozens of individuals who have completed treatment for substance use disorder and reentered the workforce.

Former U.S. Congressman and Kentucky Governor

As a physician and healthcare visionary, former U.S. Congressman and Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher has advocated to address substance use disorder through legislative policy and recovery programs at both the state and federal levels.

He was elected in 1998 to the first of three consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as a member of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and chaired the Policy Subcommittee on Healthcare.

In 2003, he was elected the 60th Governor of Kentucky. During Gov. Fletcher’s tenure, he established “Recovery Kentucky,” an innovative recovery housing program that has helped thousands of people recover from addiction.

Today, as founder of The Fletcher Group, Gov. Fletcher continues a legacy of public service dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of society’s most vulnerable populations.

Former Kentucky Governor

An attorney by profession, former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has a long background in public service, having served as a state representative in the Kentucky General Assembly, Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor.

In 2007, he was elected to the first of two terms as the 61st Governor of Kentucky. As governor, his biggest priority was expanding access to quality healthcare, including wraparound services for Kentuckians coming out of treatment for substance use disorders.

Under his leadership, Gov. Beshear expanded the federal Medicaid program, allowing for comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment centers to open. In addition, he launched Rewarding Kentucky, a program to help individuals in recovery obtain job training and meaningful employment, and secured funding to strengthen the treatment and recovery infrastructure across Kentucky.

Today, Gov. Beshear serves as one of seven members on an opioid crisis task force formed by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington D.C. think tank, to examine the disparities in prevention, treatment and recovery and to provide bipartisan solutions to reduce overdose deaths nationwide.

People Advocating Recovery

Mike Barry is an individual in long-term recovery whose dynamic leadership has had a significant impact on destigmatizing addiction across Kentucky.

Mike helped grow People Advocating Recovery (PAR), a nonprofit committed to mobilizing, organizing, training and rallying people in recovery and their allies, from a group of five hardworking individuals to a 5,000-member, statewide organization. He also spearheaded the creation of PAR’s Advocacy Training Center to help spread the message of recovery through public policy and legislation.

Mike recently announced his retirement but will continue to serve as chairman of the board for PAR and support the group’s ongoing efforts and initiatives. Before his work as a recovery advocate, Mike enjoyed a distinguished career in broadcast news and has used those talents to share his journey in recovery.

DV8 Kitchen, owned by Rob and Diana Perez, has led the way in creating second chance employment opportunities for individuals in recovery.

After losing 13 employees to substance use disorder over 10 years, Rob and Diana took a more active role in addressing the Lexington community’s addiction crisis by providing meaningful employment opportunities for people transitioning out of treatment.

The Perez family also created the DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, which allows employees the chance to participate in professional development workshops and network with local businesspeople.

Rob and Diana expanded DV8 Kitchen and now have two locations in Lexington. The restaurant has been embraced by the local community and has also received recognition on the national stage. In 2018, Yelp named DV8 Kitchen the 40th best restaurant in the United States. 14 businesses in the Lexington area utilize DV8 Kitchen’s baking services, and 100% of the bakery's employees are in recovery.

Rob and Diana have been leaders in reducing stigma around second chance employment and helping their fellow Kentuckians stay in recovery.

Executive Chairman, The Healing Place
MSSW, ACSW, LCSW, LCADC, MAC

After 20 years in the U.S. Army, Jay retired as a Lieutenant Colonel having had a successful career in the Infantry and Logistics. Post-retirement, Jay became a licensed real estate agent and worked two years as a property manager. He then served two years in Saudi Arabia as a civilian logistics consultant to the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force during 1988 – 1990. During his military career, Jay received the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star for Valor, a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, and four Army Commendation Medals.

In the spring of 1990, Jay entered the University of Louisville at the Kent School of Social Work and earned a master’s degree in Social Work. He has extensive experience in chemical dependency and related mental health issues, family advocacy programs, and domestic violence.

Jay served as Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer of The Healing Place from 1991 to 2004. During that time, he developed the organization from an emergency overnight shelter into a full continuum of social and medical outreach initiatives for homeless men and women. Those who choose to enter the program are given an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness, find recovery from chemical dependency, and return to their families and to the community as contributing members.

Jay served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Healing Place from 2004 to September 2012. He has served as Executive Chairman since January 2013 and continues to share the message of the nationally recognized and award-winning model addiction recovery program.

Jay lives in Louisville with his wife Jackie and has seven children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

U.S. Congressman (KY-05)

Serving Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981, Hal Rogers has been elected to 21 consecutive terms representing the people of southern and eastern Kentucky, and is the longest serving Kentucky Republican ever elected to federal office. Focused on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drug use and preserving the natural treasures of Appalachia, Rogers has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the interests of the region where he was raised. 

Born in rural Kentucky and representing one of the poorest Congressional Districts in the nation, Rogers’ vision for a stronger region spurred some of the greatest success stories in southern and eastern Kentucky. Organizations such as Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Operation UNITE, Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED), The Center for Rural Development and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) have brought local communities together by revitalizing the environment, providing hope in the fight against drugs, building small businesses, and creating jobs by increasing tourism in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Nationally, as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee from 2011 to 2016, he reduced the size and scope of government by reining in federal spending, conducting rigorous but thoughtful oversight of federal agencies, and restoring fiscal discipline and transparency to our budget process. Rogers led the Congress to reduce discretionary spending by a historic amount, cutting $126 billion in discretionary spending since 2010. During his tenure, Chairman Rogers led the way for regular order, conducting 650 oversight hearings and considering more than 2,000 amendments to appropriations bills on the floor.

With more than 30 years of experience on the Appropriations Committee, he has served on eight different subcommittees, including leadership roles as Chairman or Ranking Member of three. Notably, Rogers was tapped in 2003 to lead the first Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Through this important role, Rogers fought to ensure our first responders received necessary funds to protect against terrorist threats; demanded tough answers from FEMA in the wake of federal responses to wildfires, hurricanes and flash floods; and insisted on enforcement of our country’s immigration laws and stronger border security. 

Whether Rogers is on Capitol Hill ensuring the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars, fighting to secure the homeland, scrutinizing federal government agencies, or home in southern and eastern Kentucky working to make a difference in the lives of the individuals he represents, Rogers remains committed to being a strong voice in Congress for fiscal responsibility, economic development, a strong national defense, and a prosperous future for America.