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

A resident of Lorain, Waite graduated from Lorain Catholic High School and continued her education at the MB Johnson School of Nursing and Baldwin-Wallace College. She also attended St. Joseph College where she acquired an MA in Health Services Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing.

Currently, Waite serves with Lorain County Community College conducting psychiatric student-nurse clinicals. Previously, she served at The Center for Health Affairs for 12 years.

With many years of leadership in inpatient psychiatry, Waite is involved in advocacy, locally, regionally and statewide for those suffering from mental illness and addiction. She is also a part of the planning, development, implementation and operation of psychiatric programs, including Community Outreach.

Learn more about Pam Waite’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.

David Ashenhurst serves as Chief Governance Officer of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, chairing the Governance Committee.

A resident of Oberlin, 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.

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.

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

A resident of Elyria, he graduated from Elyria High School and furthered his education at Lorain County Community College.

Cleary has been a member of the recovery community for more than 20 years.

Learn more about Art Cleary’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Kara Keating Copeland serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

A current resident of Avon, Copeland graduated from Magnificat High School, and then earned her BS from John Carroll University and her MSSA from Case Western Reserve University.

She has served with the TreuMart Foundation, a fund of the Jewish Community Federation and the Cleveland Foundation.

Learn more about Kara Keating Copeland’s professional history on LinkedIn.

David DiTullio serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, and chairs the Community Relations and Plan Committee.

A resident of Oberlin, he attended Quigley High School in Baden, Pennsylvania, and then attended Case Western Reserve University, where he earned his Bachelor in Psychology and Master of Social Science in Social Administration.

He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and holds a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work credential from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

DiTullio has extensive public Board membership experience, which he is using to promote positive outcomes for Lorain County residents who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

Currently, he is a social work supervisor and team leader at the Cleveland VA. DiTullio has 33 years social work experience which include working with persons who have mental health disorders, and with persons who have substance use disorders.

Dr. Denise Eacott serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Currently a resident of Lorain, Eacott graduated from North Ridgeville High School. She then attended Cleveland State University to earn a Bachelor in Psychology, Master in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, and Doctorate of Urban Education with a Specialization in Counseling. She is a Licensed Psychologist.

Eacott devotes her background in psychology to services and resources that support those struggling with mental illness and addiction.

She is a Project Manager of C and D LLC, writing grants, developing and implementing programs. She also provides evaluations and treatment to individuals, couples, and families as a psychologist at Palmentra and Associates.

Learn more about Dr. Denise Eacott’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Dr. Tracey Frierson serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board (MHARS) of Lorain County.

A resident of North Ridgeville, Frierson graduated from John Marshall High School, Cleveland State University and John Carroll University, earning a Bachelor and Master in Education. She earned a doctorate degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

Frierson is a retired school principal and former school psychologist. She served schools in Elyria, Lorain, Oberlin and Midview. During her career she has worked with students, staff and families dealing with a wide range of mental health and addiction issues.

Currently she volunteers with diverse community organizations. These include Project Lifesaver Lorain County, Elyria YWCA, Meals on Wheels and Eliza Jennings.

Joseph Hribar serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, and chairs the Finance Committee.

A resident of Vermilion, Hribar graduated from Southview High School in Lorain and after graduation began a career as an Assembler at the Avon Lake Ford Motor Company. He is also the Financial Secretary for the UAW Local 2000 in Sheffield Village.

Hribar advocates to remove the stigma for those seeking treatment for mental health issues and is a strong supporter for everyone’s right to have access to those services.

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

Kalo graduated from Admiral King High School, and attended Lorain County Community College and Cleveland State University.

He serves as Clerk of Courts for the Lorain Municipal Courts, and served as Lorain County Commissioner from 2005-2019. He has extensive civic experience, having served as a board member of the Lorain County Salvation Army, Lorain’s Palace Civic Center, and as Chair of Lorain Relay for Life.

Kalo is a lifelong resident of Lorain County, and a local business owner.

Learn more about Ted Kalo’s professional history on LinkedIn.

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

Now a resident of Lorain, McIlwaine is a graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst.

McIlwaine advocates for families throughout the county, in school and home settings. She is affiliated with Lorain County Children and Family Council, where she helps others connect with services, regardless of income.

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.

Sandra Premura serves 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.

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

Upon graduation at Pickerington High School, he continued his education at The Ohio State University. He then earned his MBA at Capitol University in Columbus.

In 2013, Schaeper lost his youngest son to addiction. His family has been impacted by opioid addiction and mental illness, which has given him a different perspective on recovery. He is inspired to educate parents, schools, doctors and the community about the growing problems with addiction.

Schaeper is a resident of Avon Lake.

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

Karen Sutera serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, and chairs the Nominating Committee.

Sutera is a real estate agent for the Lorain and Cleveland areas, and is employed by Russell Real Estate Services. She also lives in Lorain.

She graduated from Brunswick High School, and attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea for her Bachelor of Applied Science in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Sutera is skilled in crisis sensitive situations, and is dedicated to promoting mental health care for communities.

Learn more about Karen Sutera’s professional history on LinkedIn.

Daniel T. Urbin serves on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

Urbin graduated from Avon Lake High School, and currently resides in Avon Lake. He continued his education at Lorain County Community College.

In long-term recovery (36 years) and a Certified Recovery Coach, Urbin has been involved in multiple programs and organizations that work closely with those struggling with addiction.

A former Bailiff for the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, he is currently employed as a Sales Executive for Minute Men HR & Staffing and manages the Avon Lake office at Gamellia Construction.