
Karen Pershing, MPH, CPS II
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karen Pershing serves as the Executive Director of Metro Drug Coalition. A 30 plus year veteran of public health, she has devoted her career to improving the health of families in Knoxville. Karen works with local and state policymakers to advocate for laws that help prevent substance misuse and its consequences.

Janet Brewer, Grant Professional Certified*
DIRECTOR OF GRANTS
Janet is responsible for grant research, development, writing, submission, and reporting for Metro Drug Coalition. She is a certified grant professional with over 30 years of grant writing, finance and administration. *Grant Professional Certified by the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI) http://www.grantcredential.org

Ashlee Crouse, CPRS
REGIONAL FAITH-BASED COORDINATOR
Ashlee is the point of contact for the faith community in establishing recovery programs for the east region. He provides training and educational presentations, as well as coordination of special events.

Melissa Cunningham
INTAKE COORDINATOR
Melissa is the Intake Coordinator at for Metro Drug Coalition. She assists individuals seeking recovery services and connects them to the appropriate recovery specialist. She bridges individuals seeking sober living assistance, detox, treatment, recovery coaching or recovery meetings to the best possible resource.

Suzanne French
BOOKKEEPER
Suzanne has over 30 years of experience working as a Business Manager dealing with Finance, Payroll, and Human Resources. She is currently the Director of Public Relations for the East TN Chapter of the American Payroll Association, former Board member of the Tennessee Statewide Board (APA), and former Board member for the Carter Community Pool.

Courtney Fuson
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Courtney is responsible for coordinating, developing, and executing communications for the organization. She assists with organization strategic planning and development to assure continuity of mission/vision/implementation activities.

Miria Galyon
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Miria directly supports MDC’s Executive Director. She performs clerical duties and organizes special event projects, schedules events and manages communications. Miria has over 20 years of experience in assistant management. Miria is a Knoxville native and has a passion for serving others.

Jason Goodman, CPRS, RCP
DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES
Jason is responsible for the oversite of MDC’s peer recovery staff and recovery initiatives. This will help lay the foundation for other support activities planned as The Gateway community center becomes operational.

Jennifer Knisley
Regional Lifeline Director
Jennifer facilitates recovery efforts across the sixteen county area of Region 2. She educates those in recovery and the community with a specific goal in mind, reducing the stigma of substance misuse by establishing lifelines and support services for individuals in need.

Courtney Niemann, MS, CPS II
SENIOR PREVENTION COORDINATOR
Courtney serves on the primary prevention team at MDC. She oversees several substance misuse prevention grants and the Mental Health First Aid program. This program teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in the community.

Misty McPhetridge, MSW
COALITION COORDINATOR
Misty serves on the Primary Prevention team at MDC and supports the Community Coalition. She strives to create and maintain lasting partnerships across all sectors in the community in order to better address conditions that lead to substance misuse.

Sydney Ross
YOUTH INITIATIVES COORDINATOR
Sydney is on the primary prevention team at MDC. She works with youth in Knox County who may be at risk for developing substance use disorders, have a personal connection to addiction, or are passionate about prevention and mental health.

Jessica Stanley, CPRS, CYAPSS
REGIONAL OVERDOSE PREVENTION SPECIALIST (ROPS)
Jessica currently serves Knox County as the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS). She provides educational trainings on the administration of Naloxone, reducing stigma and harm reduction.

Katina Woods
CCAR RECOVERY COACH
Katina serves as a CCAR Certified Recovery Coach. She promotes recovery and removes barriers and obstacles to a recovery pathway, offering strength based support, connects recoverees with recovery support services, promotes optimism and wellness planning.
She has a passion in the recovery community and is a native of East Tennessee.

Emory Young, LADAC II, NCAC I, SAP, CPRS, RAS
CCAR RECOVERY COACH
Emory serves as a CCAR Certified Recovery Coach. . He will promote recovery, remove barriers, connect recoverees with recovery support services, as well as encourage hope, optimism, and healthy living.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
MEMBERS
President, Maha Krishnamurthy
Vice President, Barbara Shipley
Secretary, Elizabeth L. Sherrod
Treasurer, Dan F. Sherrod, Jr.
Immediate Past President, Jim LaPinska
Executive Committee At-Large
MEMBERS
General Charme Allen
Randy Nichols
Samuel French, CPA
Advisory Board
MEMBERS
Erik Ainge
John Gill
Tim Wright
Donald Wake
Board At-Large
MEMBERS
Tanisha Baker
Jenny Bushkell
State Representative Michele Carringer
Kevin Parton
Hon. Tim Irwin Represented by Barry Rast
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Mayor Indya Kincannon Represented by Charles Swanson
Dennis Landfather, MBA
Chuck Morris
Eric Lutton
George Massengill
Police Chief Paul Noel
Janet Testerman
County Commissioner Richie Beeler
Ernie Roberts
Aneisa Rolen
Superintendent Jon Rysewyk
Sheriff Tom Spangler Represented by Randy Nichols
Keith Stewart
Charles W. Swanson
Bob Thomas
Zach Wishart
