Marisa joined the staff of MRJC in 2008 and now serves as the Executive Director, as well as Program Director for the 24th Judicial Drug Treatment Courts, Watauga Drug Treatment Court Coordinator, and all purpose mediator. She has a Master's Degree in Counseling (Expressive Arts Therapy), a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and an extensive history of advocacy around restorative processes, community- building, peaceful conflict resolution, and experiential learning.

Mollie is the Center Director of Homestead Recovery Center. She previously served as Program Coordinator for Recovery on the Inside since 2018, and the Program Coordinator for the Watauga County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program since 2020. Mollie holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Social Work from Appalachian State University, is a Watauga County native and received the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Award for Non-Profit Business Professional for 2021.

Mackenzie Laney joined MRJC in 2020
and serves as a Community & Program Specialist and the Project Director of MRJC's Watauga Healthy Workforce & Recovery Ecosystem Project. Mackenzie earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Public History and a Master of Social Work with a Communities and Organizations concentration from Appalachian State University.

​Theresa serves as the Drug Treatment Court Coordinator for Madison and Yancey Counties. She has a B.A. from Mars Hill College and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Lindsey serves as the Juvenile/Adult Mediator and Sentencing Circles Coordinator in Avery and Mitchell Counties. She has been an active community member, teacher, and mentor in the High Country for over 10 years. She advocates for the right of every community member to have access to peaceful conflict resolution.

Joey joined MRJC in 2019 and works as a District Criminal Court mediator in the counties of Ashe, Wilkes and Yadkin. Joey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Appalachian State University as well as an M.Div from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He resides in Wilkes County.

Pam joined MRJC in 2023 as a LEAD Peer Support Specialist. She is a Boone native who has a calling to help and support others in their recovery wherever that may be. She is very passionate about helping others and wants to help each individual be the best person possible. She has been down her own path of addiction and wants to help others experience the joy that recovery can bring to the life of someone broken. She looks forward to being a link in the chain, a piece to the puzzle that helps paint a beautiful picture. 

Vanessa began with MRJC in 2012 as a Juvenile & Adult mediator. She now serves as Coordinator and Case Manager for the Drug Treatment Courts in Avery and Mitchell Counties. She has a B.A. from Mars Hill University.

Dale joined MRJC in 2021 and serves as the Clinical Case Manager for the Watauga LEAD Program. Dale received his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University and is a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Associate. A long time resident of Ashe County, Dale served as Mayor of West Jefferson from 2008 - 2012.

Sianna joined MRJC in 2023 and serves as a Juvenile Mediator in Ashe and Watauga County, and as a Sentencing Circle Coordinator in Watauga County. She grew up in Mooresville, North Carolina but has called Boone her home for 5 years. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and minor in Criminal Justice. She is passionate about helping others in our community feel safe and supported through peaceful conflict resolution.

Crystal joined MRJC in 2023 as a LEAD Peer Support Specialist. Born and raised in Ashe County, Crystal has been on a recovery journey for many years. She is a formally incarcerated person who used the support of loved ones and community to break the cycle of addiction. She is excited to be part of the Homestead Recovery team and use her lived experience to advocate and help people with their own journey to recovery and wellness. 

Katlynd joined MRJC in 2023 and works as a Peer Support Specialist at Homestead Recovery Center. Katlynd is the first team member to come full circle, beginning her recovery journey as a client of our programs and going on to become an employee. Katlynd says she is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Homestead and is very excited to use her experience, strength, and hope to make a difference in her community.

Heather Smith is a native of Watauga County. Heather received her Associate in Science from Caldwell Community College. After working most of her career in healthcare she is excited to join the team at Homestead Recovery Center. As a formerly incarcerated person she has found meaning and purpose in helping others find their potential while navigating their reentry back into the community. Heather believes her journey in her own recovery has equipped her with the knowledge and lived experience needed to support others along their recovery and navigate the many complexities faced when coming home. 

Bob began volunteering at Homestead in the Summer of 2023. A native of the Mississippi Delta, he moved to Boone in 2020 from Charlotte, where he was an attorney with Moore & Van Allen. He shares that in the time that he has volunteered at Homestead, he has become a huge admirer of the Homestead staff and the mission of the organization.

Ken began volunteering with MRJC in 2022. He is a retired software developer who moved to Boone from West Virginia in 2014. For the past 14 years, Ken has volunteered through local jail and prison ministry  and completed Recovery Coaching Academy in 2022.