Menu Close

Our Team

A man in a blue CHEEERS Recovery Center shirt sitting across another man with glasses

Our Team of Peer Recovery Support Professionals

At CHR, we understand that recovery is a process. We have been there. In fact, over 97% of our staff has personal experience with mental health and/or a substance use disorder. The other 3% have loved ones impacted by mental health or substance use disorders.
Through our  dedicated team of state-certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists, each of our program participants receives one-on-one guidance, recovery support, and emotional encouragement. 100% of our services are peer delivered in our Community Service Agency Day program model. Our Outpatient Clinic is staffed with Peer Professionals as well, more than 80% of that team identifies someone with lived experience.

Employment Opportunities

If you are an individual with personal experience in Recovery and would like to work at CHR, Download Employment application below.

Current vacancies at CHR are posted on Indeed.
Email completed applications to MWhaley@azchr.org

Meet Our Executive Staff

A blonde woman smiling

Kimberly Craig

Picture8

Robert Romero

Director of Services and Safety Operations

RRomero@azchr.org

A dark-haired woman wearing a black blazer and a blue blouse

Maria Whaley

Senior Director of Operations

MWhaley@azchr.org

Lisa image

Lisa Zaran

Director of Community Programs 
LZaran@azchr.org

1104BC1E-723E-4BF1-9B45-B07C71E7F0E6

Rich Lang

Director of Finance

Leadership

LeAnn Rudd img

LeAnn Rudd

Claims and Revenue Manager
LRudd@azchr.org

Picture12

Darrin Perkins

Facility Lead
DPerkins@azchr.org

Our Program Mangers and Coordinators

Picture13

Rebecca Peralta

Engagement Manager 
RPeralta@azchr.org

Picture18

Jennifer Brunson

Intake and Engagement Coordinator
JBrunson@azchr.org
or
Referrals@azchr.org

Picture17

Teresa Lundstrom

Expressions of Hope Coordinator
TLundstrom@azchr.org

Rick Headshot

Rick Parsons

Community Collaboration Manager 

RParsons@azchr.org 

Picture14

Wendy Morrow

Service Improvement Manager

WMorrow@azchr.org

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is a governing body of volunteer leaders comprised of CHR participants and others leaders who give their time and service to the CHR community.
More than 51% of our Board of Directors have a shared/ lived experience with substance use or mental health.
The board develops the policies, strategies, and vision for CHR, and ensures that all decisions made comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
Our Board of Directors including member representatives approve our operating budget and review all financial reports.

Chairperson

Tonya Macbeth
Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.
Attorney at Law
Board Member since January 2010

President and CEO

Kimberly Craig
CHR
Board Member since March 2016

Vice-Chairperson

Robert Wright
Member Representative
Board Member since August 2017

Treasurer/Secretary

Thomas Pynn
CEO at Pynn & Associates
Board Member since January 2015

Director

Elizabeth Athens
Lecturer ASU School of Social Work
Academic Director: TreeHouse Learning Community
Board Member since August 2017

Director

JJ Villaverde
Member Representative 

Member since 2026 

 

Director

Linda Blair
Member Representative
Board Member since June 2016

 

Director

Kristen Genovese
Board Member since September 2017

Immediate Past Chairperson and Advisors

Vicki Staples
Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
Desert Vista Behavioral Health Center
Maricopa Integrated Health System
Board Service 2007 - 2015