Board of Directors

Robert F. Pezzella is 38 years in recovery from active drug addiction.

Entering in recovery on April 26,1985, Rob has never forgotten where he came from and wanted to have a positive impact on people's lives struggling from addiction and striving for a drug-free life.

His professional experience includes: Deputy and Acting Director of AIDS Project Worcester,House Director of Faith House,DUI Instructor for Bancroft Human Services,Speaker for the Central Mass.Safety Council,Substance Abuse Coordinator for Anna Maria College,and Co-Founder of the Hector Reyes House.

Rob is also the former School Safety Director for the Worcester Public Schools, having served full-time for 25 years and created a student drug prevention program called the Turn It Around Program.

Tim is President and COO at Bright Feeds.  He is Principal and founder of the Washburn House Addiction Treatment Center in Worcester, MA as well as a Managing Member and Co-Founder of SpringHill Recovery.  He's also the owner and founder of Safeway Lux Transportation, a medical transportation company in Worcester.  Tim is in long term recovery (28) years and has served as director or advisor to many different companies.  He has a BAS from University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1990).

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Paul Barry holds an MBA from Clark University and a B.S. in Economics from Nichols College.  He has over 25 years Management experience at several hi-tech manufacturing companies in Massachusetts. He currently works in Education as a Vocational Coordinator for high school students.  He is a person in long-term recovery (35 years) and is very active in the recovery community in Central Massachusetts.  He and his wife Sarah reside in Worcester and they have two young adult children.   

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Dr. James DiReda, LICSW, PhD holds a dual Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Work from Boston University, and a Masters’ degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over thirty years of direct clinical experience and consulting in the field of addictions. He has served as an advocate, treatment provider, researcher, and educator, working with individuals and families, hospitals, corrections facilities, and treatment programs, and private organizations on addiction. Dr. DiReda is an Associate Professor in the School of Professional Studies at Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA and a Partner at Lake Ave Recovery in Worcester, MA.  He is a person in long-term recovery (37 years), and has published books and articles on addiction, speaks publicly on the topic, and has presented at local and international professional conferences.

Shaun was born and raised in the Worcester area with strong family ties to the local community.  He is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Willing House and Managing Member of Lake Avenue Recovery Addiction Treatment Center.  He is a person in long-term recovery working tirelessly with various fellowships, agencies, programs and non-profits to break the stigma and spread the message of recovery.

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Michael is the Chief Operating Officer of The Willing House, which he Co-Founded in 2018 and Managing Member of Lake Avenue Recovery Addiction Treatment Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater State University.  As a person in long-term recovery he continues to lead by example- working and living side by side with those in early recovery through active participation and devoted service in a 12-Step fellowship.

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Noel is a Business Consultant and Founder of NSD Consulting, LLC. He currently plays an administrative role in two small businesses and operates several sober homes. Previously, Noel spent 10 years as a Program Manager for Advocates, Inc. where he helped develop and maintain a residential social model recovery facility. 

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Anna is an Outreach Coordinator working in the field of substance use disorder. Breaking her anonymity after 12 years in the corporate world, she shifted gears and careers and has been devoting time to helping others and breaking stigma ever since. As a woman in long term recovery (15 years) Anna dedicatedly gives back what was so freely given to her by actively engaging in a 12 step fellowship as well as various nonprofits such as Worcester Program for Addiction Recovery, MOAR, and The Central Massachusetts Opioid Task Force. Anna resides in Worcester with her two daughters, dog Luna, and birds Bowie and Stevie. 

Kelle is a Business Development Representative with, Worcester's own, Polar Beverages where she has been employed for nearly 30 years.  She has also spent time working as a Recovery Specialist for Washburn House and attended The Academy where she obtain her certificate as a Certified Recovery Coach.  As a woman in long-term recovery, with over 29 years, she has been a power of example and instrumental resource for countless others who have struggled with substance use disorders.

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