Staff + Leadership

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.

Katie Cowan, CPRS, CPS I

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Katie coordinates all of the community anti-drug coalition activities. She works with multiple sectors of the community to grow MDC’s reach of prevention including youth-serving organizations, the faith community, parents and medical professionals.

Ashlee Crouse, CPRS

REGIONAL LIFELINE DIRECTOR

Ashlee 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.

Deborah Crouse, CPS I

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & STRATEGY

Deborah is responsible for the coordination, development and execution of MDC’s internal and external communications. She assists with organizational strategic planning and development to ensure continuity in MDC’s mission, vision and 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

DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

Jason is responsible for the oversite of existing and additional peer recovery staff, including recovery coaches. This will help lay the foundation for other support activities planned as The Gateway community center becomes operational.

Eric Landry, NCPRSS, CPRS

FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY COORDINATOR, EAST REGION

Eric 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.

Courtney Niemann, MS, CPS I

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Courtney oversees the implementation of 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.

Evan Sexton, MA, LPC-MHSP

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Evan coordinates the intake process for persons in need of treatment, as well as assisting individuals needing recovery housing following treatment.  He leads the workflow, triage, and development for the SPIRIT program, which provides information and referral services to persons in need of treatment services.

Jessica Stanley, CPRS, RC

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.

Emory Young, LADAC II, NCAC I, SAP, CPRS, RAS

RECOVERY COACH

Emory serves as an MDC Recovery Coach Academy trained Recovery Coach. He will promote recovery, remove barriers, connect recoverees with recovery support services, as well as encourage hope, optimism, and healthy living.