
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.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
MEMBERS
President, Jim LaPinska
Vice President, Maha Krishnamurthy
Secretary, Barbara Shipley
Treasurer, Sam French
Immediate Past President, General Charme Allen
Executive Committee At-Large
MEMBERS
Randy Nichols
Donald B. Wake, CPCU
Sam French, CPA
Advisory Board
MEMBERS
Erik Ainge
John Gill
Tim Wright
Board At-Large
MEMBERS
Martha Buchanan, MD
Jenny Bushkell
Commissioner Michele Carringer
Mike Cohen
Sharon K. Davis, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC
Elise Denneny, MD
Hon. Tim Irwin Represented by Barry Rast
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Mayor Indya Kincannon Represented by Charles Swanson
Eric Lutton
George Massengill
Brittany McCafferty, Ph.D
Hilde Phipps, MA, LADACII, NCACI
Andrew Roberto
Ernie Roberts
Dan Sherrod
Elizabeth Sherrod
Robin Sexton
Sheriff Tom Spangler Represented by Randy Nichols
Charles W. Swanson
KPD Chief Eve Thomas
Bob Thomas
Superintendent Bob Thomas
