US Marine Corps, Federal Law Enforcement Veteran

After over 30 years of combined LEO and military experience, Kini’s mission is to help LEO, First Responders, Veterans and anyone else with trauma heal.

US Navy Veteran

Edrys Leyva is a grassroots engagement director for Concerned Veterans for America in Florida.

Edrys joined the Navy in 2000 after graduating from high school. He served four years as a fireman, engineer, and electrician’s mate. During those four years, Edrys complete two deployments to the Persian Gulf, first in support of Operation Southern Watch and second in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After his enlistment ended, Edrys returned to civilian life to become a small business owner and entrepreneur. He joined CVA in 2022.

US Army Infantry Veteran

A father to eight children, graduate of the University of Alabama, and American Patriot.  From Fortune 500s to startups, Ben has excelled in leadership, strategy, raising brand awareness and sales.  A lover of anything outdoors or firearms, when not working his day job at BlackRifle Co, Ben can most often be found (or not found) spending time in the North Georgia mountains with his kids.  Ben is an experienced subject matter expert on data intelligence and digital media and those SMEs have helped him greatly in his endeavors at Flanders.  He once was a homeless and addicted veteran, and the Flanders Fields Mission is his calling.

US Air Force Veteran

Sara Barkley is a woman in long term recovery, and the current COO of Fellowship Recovery Community Organization in Margate, FL (Broward County).

US Army Infantry, Retired

Peer Respite Director, Fellowship RCO

US Marine Corps Veteran

John B. Floyd III, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Florida Atlantic graduate. From 2005 to 2010, Floyd served in the United States Marine Corps as a meteorological and oceanographic observer. Floyd learned the Corp's core values of honor, courage, and commitment throughout his enlistment. After various deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Greece, Floyd received an honorable discharge from the military and returned to civilian life.

John currently works for South Florida Wellness Network in Broward County, FL as a Family Support partner in the Broward Federation of Families.

Fire Team Member, Security Forces, USAF

Having struggled with addition and mental health issues for most of his life, Sam has always felt that his life was missing some kind of purpose. Feeling like if he had a meaningful and impacting job, he would be able to finally put away the drugs and alcohol. After his enlistment, and no longer have the military to hold him accountable, he turned to the only thing that he knew.

After going to treatment, and changing his life around, he has dedicated himself to helping those in need who don't know where to turn for guidance. Sam is the Veteran Liaison with Banyan Treatment Centers and is also a Certified Event Interventionist.

US Navy Veteran

Emil Caron is a person in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. He began his recovery journey in 2017. Upon entering treatment through the drug court program in 2019, Emil acquired the tools he needed for long-term success. Emil is a U.S Navy veteran who has experienced housing displacement and criminal justice involvement. All these experiences have added value to his role as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS). Emil is a seasoned peer recovery specialist who lives by recovery principles and thrives in an environment where he can help others. Although his home is in Orange City, Florida, peer support has taken him throughout the state. Emil is grateful to be a part of the family at Recovery Connections of Central Florida. In his free time, Emil enjoys gardening, raising chickens, and cooking with his lady.

US Military Family Member

Will Atkinson is the current director of Recovery Epicenter Foundation RCO in Clearwater, FL/

US Marine Corps Veteran

US Navy Veteran

Retired Religious Program Specialist 2nd class petty officer. FMF/ SS Served on the SSN 750 New port News Los Angeles class submarine. Served with second Marine division out of Camp Lejeune North Carolina .

Worked for the Harris County Probation department / Baytown Texas. Certified Event interventionist . Palm Beach State College AA in Human Services . Currently studying human services bachelors degree at Palm Beach State College Graduation set for summer 2023.

Loving Husband, Father, Son, Brother

United States Navy Veteran attached to the United States Marine Corps. I struggled to reintegrate back into society once I was medically retired from the United States Navy, so I self medicated with pain pills to quite my emotional pain. I am so thankful to be into long term recovery. I am also a front line crisis responder to the Veterans and First Responders Recovery Community! My job will never be done until we can stop veterans and first responders dying by suicide or overdose’s. We must work together to remove the stigma that has fulled our indifference to mental health and we must encourage our fellow first responders and veterans to seek professional care.

US Marine Corps Veteran

US Military Family Member

Law Enforcement Veteran, Former Sheriff

Prior to my journey in the field of recovery, I was the elected Sheriff of Sandusky County in Fremont, Ohio. I was 34 years old. While Sheriff, I was diagnosed with arthritis (from sports injuries) and prescribed Vicodin for the pain. I eventually became addicted. Not only did the opiates take away the pain from the arthritis; it helped numb the pain from life in law enforcement and everyday stress. Doctor shopping and taking old medications from the take-back boxes to feed my addition, eventually caught up with me. Flagged by a pharmacist, I began my recovery on my own. Despite being sober for a year, I was criminally indicted by a grand jury for 42 related felony drug charges. During this time, I remained sober, but continued campaigning and running for re-election. I eventually plead guilty to 12 counts, was sentenced, and served 4 years in Allen Correctional located in Lima, Ohio. Having been on both sides of the law and a recovering addict, I have found my true passion. I have been sober for over 7 years. I work in the field of recovery, share my story as a motivational speaker, and act as an advocate in mental health and addiction in the community, for first responders and the African American Male Wellness Agency.

During my time as a First Responder, I was graduate of the FBI Swat Academy, FBI Hostage Negotiation Training, worked in the capacities of corrections, road patrol division, detective bureau, and undercover operations with the DEA.

I am a certified event interventionist, have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Tiffin University, Associate’s Degree in Police Science from Terra State Community College. I am currently in the process of finishing up my CDCA and will eventually be a licensed therapist.

I am married to my wife, Jennifer. I have 2 children, Dillon and Mikayla; 2 stepchildren, Robbie and Mason; and a grandson, Riggs.

I am currently the Regional Director for Hickory Behavioral Hospital.

Warrior Ally, Person in Long Term Recovery

Melissa Fleck hails from Upstate New York, in the Capital District, where most of the activity happens on all things policy reform in the state. She enjoys all four seasons each year and has a deep love for Northeast culture.

In her career, Melissa has served her community on a variety of levels as a fellow, coach and advocate. As a person in sustained recovery, she has discovered an acute call to serve others with lived experience with substance use disorder and mental health experiences.

Her current advocacy journey in the arena of national, state and local spaces, has walked her to explore a focus area specifically with Veterans in Recovery. Her lived experience has built a deep investment in supporting families, friends, institutions & systems to build an adequate continuum of care amidst extraordinary barriers that our service members face everyday.