James Schaeper serves as the Vice Chair on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Upon graduating from Pickerington High School, Schaeper continued his education at The Ohio State University and Capital University in Columbus, where he earned his MBA. After a 43-year career as an IT professional with 38 years spent working at National City/PNC Bank, he retired in May of 2020. During the tax season he stays busy as a tax preparer for Gerst Tax Services in North Olmsted.

Schaeper, of Avon Lake, enjoys doing home remodeling with his wife, Terri. They recently downsized to a fixer upper and have remodeled every room in the house including two bathrooms and a kitchen. In addition to doing home remodeling, Schaeper and his wife love spending as much time as they can with their 2 granddaughters Jacey (18) and Julia (10). For the last 15 years, along with MHARS Board of Directors Chair, Dan Urbin, Schaeper has kept stats for the Avon Lake Shoremen football team.

Having been impacted by opioid addiction and mental illness, Schaeper is inspired to educate parents, schools, doctors and the community about the growing problems with addiction.

Learn more about James Schaeper’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Dr. Hope Moon serves as the Chair of Governance on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

She graduated from Admiral King High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University, a Master of Science from School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, and ultimately, a Doctoral of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership.

She served as a nurse in the emergency department of the former St. Joseph/Lorain Community Hospital.

Moon is currently a Professor of Nursing at Lorain County Community College, and is a resident of Lorain. As an educator, her focus is to appropriately educate the workforce on addiction and mental health issues.

Learn more about Dr. Hope Moon’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Sandra Premura serves as the Treasurer on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Now living in North Ridgeville, Premura graduated from Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights. She chose Cuyahoga Community College for her Associate degree and retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation, where she had many positions including the Equal Employment Contract Coordination. She is currently working part-time as a consultant for the firm CDM Smith. The firm engineers water, storm, sewer and transportation projects.

Her life has been touched by mental health, substance abuse, and gambling issues, so helping is important to her. Premura is affiliated with many recovery groups including the Lantern Family support group, Mothers of Addicts prayer group, Families Anonymous and the Addicts Moms, and The Addicts Parents United. Premura supports families and those struggling with mental health and substance abuse by helping them to find assistance and support for recovery.

Learn more about Sandra Premura’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Regan Phillips serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Phillips graduated from Elyria High School, and now serves the City of Elyria as an Administrative Supervisor. Phillips lives in North Ridgeville.

She has served as an Outreach Advocate with Genesis House, where she collaborated with community police departments, social service clients, and nonprofits throughout the community.

Phillips holds certificates in Youth Mental Health First Aid, Women in the Mirror, and Cultural Competency.

Learn more about Regan Phillips’ professional history on LinkedIn.

A resident of Oberlin, David Ashenhurst attended Kenwood High School in Chicago and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and Philosophy. He has worked in grant writing and public policy for much of his career, where he uses his leadership, analytical, and representational skills to improve employee satisfaction, public understanding and stakeholder confidence.

Ashenhurst is the founder and president of Oberlin By Design, a nonprofit that works for the sustainability of Oberlin, Ohio. He is also the founder of Private Philanthropy Matters/Giving Advice.

Learn more about David Ashenhurst’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Mike is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is a resident of North Ridgeville has been married 27 years and has three children and three grandchildren. Mike has been the owner of a local business, Forevergreen, for the last 30 years. He has been the owner of the 8820 event center since 2020. Mike has served on various boards over the last 15 years and been involved in recovery for 22 years. 

Tim Carrion serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

A resident of Lorain, Carrion graduated from Admiral King High School, and then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University. He joined the U.S. National Guard as a Specialist. Now a Veteran, he is the Commander of American Legion Post #30 in Lorain.

Carrion founded and manages a real estate, insurance, mortgage and financial services agency, where he collaborates with other professionals to evaluate and meet consumer needs.

He is active in diverse community organizations, sharing his policy and leadership skills for the betterment of Lorain County.

Learn more about Tim Carrion’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Inez James serves as Secretary of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

She is a resident of Lorain. A graduate of Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, she attended Kentucky State University to earn her BA in Physical Education. In addition, James earned a Master in Special Education from Ashford University and a second in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ashland University.

James is a Toll Plaza Supervisor for the Ohio Turnpike Commission and is responsible for its overall management.

She has a strong interest in helping those struggling with addiction. She has been a volunteer supporter of Genesis House and Lorain County Branch of NAACP, where she continues to help with the mental/social needs that affect Lorain County’s communities.

Learn more about Inez James’ professional history on LinkedIn.

Marie Leibas serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

As a resident of Lorain, Leibas graduated from Lorain High School and has previously worked at Ohio Jobs and Family Services in Elyria, Ohio as a Data Entry Clerk for over five years.

She currently is involved in the Lorain Historical Society, Lorain Proud, the Lorain Palace Theatre, and the Mexican Mutual Society.

Leibas is extremely passionate about advocating for mental health and addiction issues.  

Michele Flanagan serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

She is currently a member at Westlake-based Comprehensive Behavioral Specialists LLC. Flanagan is a licensed social worker and professional clinical counselor working throughout Northeast Ohio for over 20 years.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College in Pennsylvania and her Master of Arts from the University of Akron.

Patricia Bell serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Bell is a resident of Oberlin and currently works as a registered nurse, with over 20 years experience in the mental health and addiction field.

She earned her Associates degree from Lorain County Community College.