founder
Joseph Cruz
Joseph began his recovery journey in January 2013, accumulating over a decade of personal experience and achieving certification as a Peer Supervisor in 2019. Leveraging his profound understanding of mental health and substance use disorder, Joseph supports others on their recovery journeys, making a positive impact in the Johnson County area. With his pivotal role in initiatives like the Jail program and J.C.O.R.E, Joseph’s lived experience drives his passion to empower individuals and communities toward positive change.
CHAIR
Pat Brannin
Pat brings 36 years of expertise in prevention and social services. With a BA in Journalism and certifications in prevention, Pat serves as a federal grant peer reviewer and spearheads educational material development for the Naloxone Program. Join us in welcoming Pat to our advisory board, enriching our mission with her wealth of expertise.
vice president
Robbie Willis
Hailing from Johnson County, Arkansas, Robbie celebrates twenty-four years of marriage and serves as the discipleship pastor at Link Church in Clarksville, AR. With a background as an ordained minister and Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach, Robbie has been a guiding light for over two decades, offering support to those battling addictions and trauma. As Vice President of Stepping Stones Recovery of Arkansas, Robbie is committed to the mission of providing hope and healing to individuals and families across the Arkansas River Valley.
treasurer
Born and raised in Hagarville, AR, Emilie Piper is a dedicated professional with a passion for helping others and contributing to her community’s success. With a background in financial and account analysis, Emilie is committed to bringing success and growth to Stepping Stones through effective financial planning. She believes that, one step at a time, we can improve our region and provide refuge to those who need it most during life’s most challenging moments.
secretary
Christina Hall
As an Advanced Peer Recovery Specialist, Christy is dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to sustained recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. With over six years of personal experience in recovery, she brings empathy, understanding, and a non-judgmental approach to her role at River Valley Medical Wellness.
Her approach is rooted in compassion, respect, and meeting individuals where they are in their recovery. Christy is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those she supports, fostering a safe, supportive, and empowering environment. Her personal mission is to serve as a beacon of hope, guiding individuals toward a life of wellness, purpose, and fulfillment.
She partners with groups close to her heart, including the Pope County Smart Justice Initiative, 100 Families, Healthy Pope & Yell County Coalition, and AR Mental Health Coalition. She is an advocate for domestic violence victims, and a humanitarian. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, nature, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
advisory board
Tammy Dodson-Hernandez
Tammy is a seasoned Management Professional with nearly a decade of experience, brings a wealth of expertise to our board. With a personal journey through addiction and recovery, Tammy channels her passion into creating compelling content that deeply resonates with her audience. Married to Sergio for a decade, Tammy is a proud mother to two boys, David and Christian, enriching our board with her commitment and unique perspective.
advisory board
Todd Lovell
Todd has maintained his recovery since January 3, 2008, brings extensive experience and dedication to our advisory board. With a longstanding career at ABB since September 18, 2003, Todd’s passion for the recovery process extends into his personal and professional life. Committed to aiding fellow members in their journey, Todd’s unwavering support enriches our mission at Stepping Stones.
advisory board
Jessica Nash
Jessica Nash started her Recovery journey June 29 of 2019. Jessica grabbed on into the Recovery Community and in the last five and half years has become an acceptable, responsible, productive member of society. She is an area manager of local restaurants and has a strong belief in recovery. She helps and power the peers and believes in Recovery Housing.
advisory board
John Griffith