Affiliate Directors
Brandon Conlin
Brandon Conlin is Registered Alcohol and Drug Peer Support in the state of Kentucky. He is currently working with Archway Institute as the Director of NPRA-KY, the Kentucky affiliate of the National Peer Recovery Alliance.
Brandon also works as a Community Liaison for Addiction Recovery Cares (ARC). In this role, he is in the community helping others trapped in a cycle of addiction reduce barriers and take their first steps to finding successful recovery. He began his career at ARC as a Certified Peer Support Specialist and assisted the organization in building a Peer Support Department that supervises over 100 Peers working in treatment.
Gerald Lott
My name is Gerald Lott, CPRS, and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery, a non-profit RCO (Recovery Community Organization) created to advocate for recovering people in Lee, Whiteside, DeKalb and Ogle counties in Illinois. I am also a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, person in long-term recovery and a convicted felon. Long term recovery for me means I have not had any type of recreational drug and have been alcohol free since April of 2008. I love playing basketball, laughing with friends and helping individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)/alcoholism. I have 6 children and 1 grandchild. I graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans in 1988 and right out of college I was a Probation Officer for the Juvenile Court in Cook County for approximately 1.5 years. After that I made a living in various roles including a 15-year career in the music and nightlife industries.
I have battled my addiction for over 40 years and had many wins and many losses. I presently spend most of my days looking for new and innovative ways to help build a stronger recovery community in my area. That looks like providing recovery support, hosting sober-social events, providing a sober-living option for men and hosting a weekly radio podcast called “The Recovery Greenhouse.” This podcast can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the organization's website, svvor.org.
I am currently working to expand Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery’s reach and effectiveness to other areas. I will accomplish this by being a contributor to the National Recovery Conversation. I believe it is my job to go out into the world and seek innovative and creative strategies to combat Substance Use Disorder so that I can bring them back to my community. Our current goals are to build a Collegiate Recovery Community at Northern IL University, develop a Recovery Farm(s) in our counties, increase access to MAR (Medically Assisted Recovery) and build a treatment facility that will help the under-insured.
I have been in continuous sobriety for 16 years and have been following my passion in assisting individuals in addiction since 2018. Some of my many accomplishments are being a member of the Illinois Statewide Recovery Subcommittee, I am the Illinois Affiliate Director of National Peer Recovery Alliance and am part of the Recovery Community (RCO) Board of Illinois Recovery United Task Force.
I believe that recovery is something you must actively pursue and master through whatever pathway works for you. Like any other endeavor, you not only have to practice it, you have to become it. You become “Recovered” through hard work, determination and an undying hunger to have a better tomorrow. I can best be reached at our business website, svvor.org or at the Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery office (779) 707-0151.
John Singer
John Singer is a Certified Peer Specialist with a strong commitment to supporting individuals in their recovery from substance use disorders. With a background as program coordinator for the Dunnica Sobering Support Center with Preferred Family Healthcare and numerous recovery housing programs he brings valuable experience in providing compassionate peer support and promoting community-based recovery services.
Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work, John is focused on deepening his understanding of social services and expanding his ability to create positive change. His work is driven by a dedication to reducing stigma around substance use and empowering individuals to achieve lasting recovery and personal growth.
Josh Ramsey
Josh Ramsey is the Peer Recovery Support Specialist working with the Izard County Sheriff’s Department and the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force. Ramsey resides in Batesville, Arkansas, with his wife, Ashley, and their 7-year-old son, Ashton. He currently serves Izard, Independence, Cleburne, Stone, and Fulton Counties.
Ramsey struggled for 30 years with a substance use disorder. After being arrested dozens of times, Ramsey finally went to a faith-based treatment facility in October 2018. Ramsey celebrated 5 years substance-free on September 18, 2023 and is very passionate about recovery. Ramsey works alongside two investigators. He uses his lived experience to help people who have overdosed and their families/friends to get treatment and create an effective recovery plan. Ramsey is currently active in the community and in the church. He leads a Celebrate Recovery Program in several jails, conducts Narcan trainings, volunteers with feeding and ministering to the homeless, and conducts community outreach for drug prevention. Ramsey is the recipient of the 2021 Rising Star and 2022 Forensic Peer of the Year Award.
Samantha Evans
Sam Evans is the Program Manager for Hope Recovery Community, a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in Medina County, Ohio, serving those impacted by addiction. She is also a Certified Peer Recovery Supporter in Ohio. She has a passion for recovery and loves to build the systems which serve people in or seeking recovery from Substance Use Disorder.
Sam has over 5 years of recovery from drugs and alcohol. She has served as an Advisory Council Member for Hope Recovery Community since 2019 and Chair of the National Peer Recovery Alliance Ohio Affiliate since its formation in 2023. She is an alumni of the LEAD Institute inaugural class and graduate of Cuyahoga Community College.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with her family, creative photography, and riding her motorcycle. She also believes strongly in the importance of service to the community and has built a life dedicated to serving others both personally and professionally.
J.K. McAtee, PRSS
A Business Management graduate of Fairmont State University and Buckhannon, WV native, J.K. has over 28 years invested in his personal recovery. His background includes sales, sales management and
food services management. He is graduate of the WV Leadership Academy, serving as the Coordinator for the WV Leadership Academy for Consumers and Families from 2012 - 2018.
McAtee is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist and seasoned facilitator of Peer Support services recognized by the Copeland Center as an Advanced Level Facilitator of Wellness Recovery Action Plan and Certified Wellbeing Mentor. J.K. has had a hand in several peer run programs throughout the state of WV, and he is an active advocate for persons with lived experience through the WV Behavioral Health Planning Council. He facilitates Recovery Education programs while serving as coordinator of WVRecovers.Org, the statewide peer network. J.K. is also Assistant Program Director of Peer Resource Network Org. McAtee holds down an executive committee post for the WV Behavioral Health Planning Council serving as the council’s Treasurer.