Martin Tippet

President of the Board

Grateful Recovering Addict, Mentor, Team Leader, Accredited Investor, and Real Estate Agent with over 15 years of Experience. Martin has started and assisted in running multiple successful businesses. Currently specializing in communal housing projects.   "I'm passionate about community building and I'm seeking to spend the rest of my time on this planet helping make positive change."  -Martin Tippet

Petros Colla

Vice President

Petros, a person of recovery for over 7 years, actively used drugs for over 28 years and bought into a lifestyle contrary to how he was raised. He understands hopelessness and what it feels like to be controlled by something that was killing him from the inside out, wanting to stop, but could not find the ability to do so. On May 8, 2014, in a jail cell in Eastern Regional County Jail in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he cried out for help, surrendered his will and his life, and began his recovery journey. 

Today, only through grace and mercy, has he been able to have years of recovery experience. He has been given the opportunity to live his life to the fullest and understands that being of service to his people - those that suffer from substance-use disorder and co-occurring mental health. 

Petros is now a productive and healthy member of society whose passion is raising awareness for the need for treatment and aftercare. Petros has worked for a health organization for the past 6 years in providing addiction treatment and has also operated several recovery houses for over 3 years. He is also a mentor in showing how to live a life substance free. He focuses on his life’s purpose which is to remain humble and continue to learn how to be a trusted servant with integrity to his loving, caring GOD, and to leave a legacy of love because that is what HE continues to do for him daily. 

“Recovery is not given, it’s a choice.” Petros Colla

Shelley Lewis

Board Member

Shelley has over 25 years’ experience in grants management, budgeting, and financial analysis.  She brings empathy and compassion to our mission as she has personally experienced family members struggle with addiction.  

Seeing the struggle of individuals coming from jail or being homeless and having nothing, to make better choices and thriving is an amazing sight.  The saying – everyone deserves to go home – has encouraged her to help in any way that she can.

Earl Matthews

Board Member

Jack is highly motivated with a strong work ethic, positive attitude and outlook, extraordinary mentoring skills, passionate care for his chemically dependent clients, and dedication to the successful outcome for long-term, continuing recovery of the clients. 

Some of his career highlights include:
● Many of his past clients whom I mentored and for whom I provided peer support are now productive members of society who exhibit good recovery programs and continued sobriety and who now mentor and sponsor other addicts in early recovery.

● Certified Med Tech
● Certified Smoking Cessation
● Certified CPR
● Certified Naloxone (Narcan) Administrator
● Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
● Registered Peer Supervisor

"Martin is sure that I will be Governor of Maryland someday."

Christina Kuehne

ADT​

Christina has been working in the behavioral health field since 2017. She specializes in program development and has experience with operations, admissions, medical, and clinical teams. Christina has a bachelor's degree in psychology, is working on a master's in social work, and is an Alcohol and Drug Trainee counselor. 
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Christina is passionate about helping others with addiction and mental health and takes an solution-based approach while treating the mind, body, and spirit. She believes that one of biggest keys to success in recovery is supportive, community-based housing. Building safe housing environments that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable are essential for helping people maintain long term sobriety. 

Bill Sasche

 House Leader at Tradition House

Bill Sachse (Sax) Director of Operations and Co-Founder of "Tradition House" of Recovery in Catonsville MD. Bill is a whole-hearted believer in the recovery process not only in the life of the individual seeking recovery but also on the profound impact it can have on family and society in general.

Originally coming into recovery 30 years ago, he is able to share his vast experience with others.  After over a decade in recovery Bill had a relapse in 2007 and struggled for the next seven years.  In 2014, he was finally able to abstain long enough for the Recovery process to begin again. These experiences have reshaped his purpose and direction in life.

Bill has managed and lived at Tradition House since it was founded in 2018 , he also found a calling as a Re-entry case manager for the Howard County Department of Corrections assisting individuals re-enter society after long or short term incarcerations.

He has found freedom, recovery and happiness in the service and belief in others.​

Matthew Thomas

House Leader at Harvest House

Matt Thomas from Garrett County began struggling with addiction as a teenager. What his loved ones hoped was "just a phase" continued through his education and career. In 2010, he entered a 28-day rehab program and encountered the 12 Steps for the first time, offering hope.
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After a period of sobriety, Matt relapsed and faced years of challenges. November of 2023 moved into Harvest House, Cumberland's most sought-after sober living community. He finds it an ideal place for fellowship and accountability as he practices living a life of love and service. Matt welcomes the opportunity to put his gratitude into action as the house leader of Harvest House.