I am a native of Carter County, East Tennessee, deeply connected to these mountains and committed to healing our communities from the impacts of addiction. As a person in long-term recovery with personal experience in jails and institutions, I co-founded Recovery Resources TN in 2018 with two friends. Our aim was to create a supportive non-profit for those entering recovery. My passion is to help individuals thrive in recovery and become their best selves. I aspire to make our organization a safe place for living, learning, and growth.
Craig Forrester is the Program Director for Recovery Resources and one of the organization’s co-founding staff members. As a person in long-term recovery, Craig has a fiancée and two daughters whom he adores. He uses his extensive experience navigating the criminal justice system, overcoming decades of substance abuse, and reconciling years of causing harm in his community to guide other men through similar challenges. Craig’s mission is to help men become productive fathers, community members, responsible citizens, dependable employees, and individuals who serve others. Simply put, he’s a dude who helps dudes recover.
My name is Matt Owen and I’m a person in long term recovery. I’m a United States Air Force and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran. During my time in recovery I’ve experienced life in sober living, completing probation, getting my license reinstated, rebuilt relationships with friends and family, and am working towards the certification process of my CPRS. My passions include music and helping others in recovery to reach their full potential. From the very beginning of my recovery journey I was fortunate to witness the mission, growth and success of the individuals involved in the Recovery Resources Program. The commitment and dedication by Recovery Resources to help our participants has led me to be honored to be a member of this team.
I am a dedicated individual in long-term recovery, proudly certified as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) by the State of Tennessee and Recovery Coach (RCP). My recovery journey began in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where I found solace in the 12-step program that has become a cornerstone of my life in recovery. My roots run deep in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, where my grandparents originated, and this connection has instilled in me a profound love for Southeastern Appalachia and its people. As someone who has recovered from opiate addiction, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating effects it has on our mountain community. At Recovery Resources, I’m passionate about empowering others to break free from addiction and rediscover their purpose as positive forces in society and their families. With a deep commitment to recovery and service, I’m honored to be part of an organization dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their lives and reintegrate into their communities.
In long term recovery, mother, C.P.R.S, and currently enrolled at Northeast State in the Social Work program. Lived in recovery living myself for little over five years and got the privilege to find independent housing. In that time I got off probation, got custody of my oldest, had another child, built my spiritual beliefs and worked on my credit. I took the position with Recovery Resources because it gives me the amazing opportunity to spread hope and I get to love those who don’t know what love feels like.
Meagan is a graduate of ETSU with a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. For 9 years she worked as a therapist and then Director of a local inpatient substance abuse treatment center. Meagan then made the move to outpatient services where she helped men, women, and their families through the recovery process. She joined Recovery Resources because she has a passion for helping her community, a desire to help prevent those in the community from suffering from the disease of addiction, and to help families find healing and support. Meagan is the mother of two amazing daughters. Additionally she is also known as “Momma Meagan” to the many clients she worked with along their recovery journey because she treats everyone she encounters with love and compassion. She desires to see people at their core and love and support them from that space.
Have been involved with Recovery Resources since its inception and now serving on the board as Vice President. Currently working with Comprehensive Community Service in Kingsport developing a treatment program for young men 13-17 years of age with addiction and co-occurring disorders. In October 2023 the 60 day CCS Adolescent Residential Treatment Program was opened. Have previously owned and operated in partnership with local medical professionals Addiction Recovery Center of East Tennessee from 2010 to 2023. Having a personal history of addiction and recovery I have found purpose and satisfaction working with those who suffer from the disease of addiction.
Jilian is the Treasurer of Recovery Resources TN. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication from ETSU and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. Her favorite part of her job is working with teenagers because she is confident they are going to make the world a gentler and kinder place as they grow. She also loves teaching about adverse childhood experiences and feels like everyone should know their score and how to build resilience (and their enneagram number too!). Jilian has three precious boys and one amazing little girl who loves to play, learn and grow in the Carter County community and she hopes that her work makes that community a better place for them.
Certified Prevention Specialist II
Lexi is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 6 years of experience helping our friends with mental health and substance use disorders. Specializing in macro social work, Lexi uses that experience to assist Recovery Resources with fundraising, event planning, and policy changes to better serve their participants. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors with Recovery Resources. Lexi Petrak’s day job is being the Assistant Director of Campus Visits for East Tennessee State University where she helps recruit students to the university through tours and visits.
Steve is a person in long term recovery with a passion for helping others in need. After seeing what Recovery Resources was doing and wanting to contribute, he has volunteered with Recovery Resources since 2019 helping in any way needed, including fundraisers and events. He has a background in IT and helps with website maintenance and design and any other needs as they arise.
Jason served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps before transitioning into a 16-year career in law enforcement. He then made a career change which allowed him to give back by assisting others in finding their way to the road to recovery. Jason is currently a Licensed Master Social Worker in Mental Health for the Veterans Administration,Mountain Home, TN. Jason previously worked for Insight Alliance as part of the Lifeline Peer Project of Tennessee from August 2013 to August 2022. He served as the Region 1 Lifeline Peer Project Coordinator, and was a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). Jason is a person in long term recovery from co-occurring disorders and desires to work to help others break the chains of addiction. He graduated from The University of Tennessee in May 2022, where he received his Masters of Social Work Degree. Jason resides in Piney Flats, TN. He is married and has an 18-year-old daughter.
Russ has lived in Johnson City for the past 25 years with his wife Barbara and their three children. He recently retired from a career focused on renovating and upgrading commercial buildings to make them more energy efficient. Russ has been an active member of First Christian Church in Johnson City where he helped with high school and college ministry and held deacon and elder responsibilities. He has a heart to see lives improved and restored and has served as the chair of the Good Samaritan Ministries board for six years and is currently on the ONE80 Inc. board where he got connected with Recovery Resources. He was honored to receive the Milligan Servant Leader Award and enjoys finding ways to grow resources and improve outcomes for individuals and organizations. He looks forward to doing that for Recovery Resources and the people we serve.
Carrie is a recent graduate of ETSU with a master’s degree in Social Work. As a student, she worked as an intern for Recovery Resources. She saw firsthand the impact that the program makes in the lives of the individuals that it serves, and is happy to continue to be part of the organization as a Board member. Carrie is passionate about mental health, recovery, and community building. She plans to pursue certification in Addiction Counseling, so that she can better serve individuals in the region.
As a person in long term recovery, I am passionate about helping others that suffer from addiction. Without a community of people to help build me up when I was broken, I would not have had a chance at the beautiful life that I have been given. Today because of those that helped me I get to be a husband, father, grandfather, and the son that my mother always deserved. So naturally I wanted to help give back to others the way that so much was given to me, and I could not have asked for a better organization to do that with than Recovery Resources.
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to Recovery Resources today.
We’re dedicated to supporting your journey to recovery. Contact us via phone, mail, or through our social media channels. We look forward to connecting with you!
Recovery Resources P.O. Box 4161 Johnson City, TN 37602
