Regional Expert Panel members were nominated by Board Members serving each region and approved by the full Board of Directors. These panels serve as vital local advisors, coordinating data collection, reviewing grant proposals, and offering region-specific recommendations to ensure community voices shape funding decisions.
One of the first tasks of the Regional Expert Panels was to nominate subject matter experts to serve on the Statewide Expert Panel. The Statewide Panel reviews regional findings, ensures alignment with the Foundation’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and provides strategic recommendations to the Board to inform statewide funding priorities. The Statewide Expert Panel was confirmed following review and approval by the full Board of Directors.
Together, the Statewide and Regional Panels form a unified advisory structure designed to connect local insight with statewide strategy.
Statewide Expert Panel
PREVENTION
Alfgeir Kristjansson, PhD, MSc
Professor, Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences PI and Co-Director, WV Prevention Research Center School of Public Health, West Virginia University
TREATMENT
Madison Humerick, MD
Assistant Professor, West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine – Eastern Division,
Former WVFF Region 2 Expert Panel
RECOVERY & LIVED EXPERIENCE
Emily Birckhead, MSW
Executive Director of West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences, Former Inaugural Member of the WVFF Statewide Expert Panel
SYSTEMS OF CARE
Angela Gray, BSN, RN
SUD Case Manager, WVU Medicine-East, Former WVFF Region 2 Expert Panel Member
LAW ENFORCEMENT & JUDICIAL SYSTEMS
Judge Michael John Aloi
United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia, Former WVFF Region 4 Expert Panel Member
FIRST RESPONDERS
Michael D. Thomas, DrPH, FACPE
Chief Government Affairs Officer, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Human Resources, Jan-Care Ambulance, Inc./GEMS,
Former WVFF Region 6 Expert Panel Member
CORRECTIONS & REENTRY
Darren E. Taylor, M.C.J.
Executive Director, South Branch Day Report Center,
Former WVFF Region 2 Expert Panel Member
Region 1 Expert Panel
Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties
- Treatment Expert – Jeremy Sagun
- Prevention Expert – Susan Harrison
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Mary Hess
- Systems of Care Expert – Mark Philips
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Shawn Shwertfeger
- First Responders Expert – Louis Vargo
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – Claudia Raymer
Region 2 Expert Panel
Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson, Pendleton and Morgan Counties
- Treatment Expert – Joann Christian
- Prevention Expert – Melody Stotler
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Stephanie Stout
- Systems of Care Expert – Toni Young
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Cindy Largent-Hill
- First Responders Expert – Dean Olack
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – Eric Vacovsky
Region 3 Expert Panel
Wood, Tyler, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, Calhoun, Roane and Jackson Counties
- Treatment Expert – Jolie Kerenick
- Prevention Expert – Mike Pifer
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Alison Browning
- Systems of Care Expert – Amy Yokum
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Rick Woodyard
- First Responders Expert – Joe Martin
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – Aaron Simonton
Region 4 Expert Panel
Monongalia, Braxton, Lewis, Harrison, Marion, Preston, Taylor, Tucker, Barbour, Randolph, Gilmer, Doddridge and Upshur Counties
- Treatment Expert – Dr. Lola Burke
- Prevention Expert – Stephen Davis
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Louis Ortenzio
- Systems of Care Expert – Gerry Schmidt
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Travis Bennett
- First Responders Expert – John Hitchens
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – Andrew Pinkney
Region 5 Expert Panel
Cabell, Clay, Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam, Mason, Mingo and Wayne Counties
- Treatment Expert – Durand Warren
- Prevention Expert – Tammy Collins
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Dick Daugherty
- Systems of Care Expert – Jodi Biller
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Michelle Akers
- First Responders Expert – Evan Gibson
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – John Smith
Region 6 Expert Panel
Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Mercer, Wyoming and McDowell Counties
- Treatment Expert – Elizabeth McCord
- Prevention Expert – Angela Barker
- Recovery/Lived Experience Expert – Tyson Kincaid
- Systems of Care Expert – Dr. Kyle Muscari
- Law Enforcement & Judicial Systems Expert – Brittany Puckett
- First Responders Expert – Paul Seamann
- Corrections & Reentry Expert – Jimmy Miller
All Expert Panel positions are volunteer roles. Members are not employed by the Foundation but serve independently, offering their time, professional expertise, and for some, lived experience to help guide funding priorities and strengthen community impact.