Clinical

  • Erin T. Di Fate

    Mental Health Clinician

  • Joseph Currier

    Psychologist

  • Stephen Chromiak

    Medical Physician/Physician Collaborator NP’s/PA’s

  • Rebecca Tyson Levie

    Rebecca Tyson Levie

    Clinical Case Manager 

  • Helena Roldan

    Helena Roldan

    Therapist/PhasesEAP

Erin T. Di Fate

Mental Health Clinician

Erin T. Di Fate, a Mental Health Clinician at VRR, specializes in treating co-occurring disorders, crisis intervention, PTSD, and post-traumatic growth. With a profound belief in holistic recovery, Erin is dedicated to addressing all aspects of an individual’s well-being. Drawn to VRR’s unique approach, which integrates evidence-based treatment with peer support and community integration, Erin admires the organization’s grassroots origins and ongoing commitment to serving veterans, first responders, and their families. Alongside her clinical work, Erin enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her 11-year-old twins. She holds a B.S. in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.S.W. in Clinical/Mental Health from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Social Work. Her extensive professional experience includes roles in program advising, care coordination supervision, and clinical practice across various healthcare settings.

Joseph Currier

Psychologist

Stephen Chromiak

Medical Physician/Physician Collaborator NP’s/PA’s

Dr. Stephen “Blaise” Chromiak is a native of Maryland.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University and then completed his medical education at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.  Subsequently, he trained in Family Medicine for three years and practiced in Maryland for seven years. Then, 30 years ago, his wife, Dr. Marjorie Scaffa, was hired as a professor at the University of South Alabama, and they relocated to Mobile.  Dr. Chromiak, who has cared for underserved persons for the majority of his career, and has logged over 800 career house calls, has been part of the Vets Recover medical and clinical team for the past two years.  In his spare time, he enjoys sports, reading, taking walks, traveling with his wife, and relaxing with their two dogs.  Dr. Chromiak appreciates VR’s talented staff and their dedication to our mission and is excited to utilize his training and experience to help benefit the physical and mental health needs of our veterans, first responders, and their family members. 

Rebecca Tyson Levie

Rebecca Tyson Levie

Clinical Case Manager 

Rebecca Christine Tyson Levie joined VRR on February 20, 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology and her Licensed Bachelor of Social Work from Jacksonville State University. She is currently a part of the Alabama Society of Healthcare Social Workers. Rebecca was first drawn to VRR by their simple desire to help veterans, first responders, and their families. She feels that VRR is a place where these people will feel comfortable and know that someone can identify with their needs and struggles. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending time near water whether that’s fishing at Mobile Bay or the beach in Gulf Shores. She also enjoys quality time with her family and pets. Rebecca is originally from Huntsville, AL. 

Helena Roldan

Helena Roldan

Therapist/PhasesEAP

Helena Roldan joined VRR on October 1, 2022. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Community Counseling, both from the University of South Alabama. She was credentialed by the State of Alabama as a Licensed Professional Counselor in 1996. She is also certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors and the National Association for Addiction Professionals. As a Bachelor’s level counselor, she worked at an inpatient addiction treatment facility, Parkside, in West Mobile. While at Parkside, she served as a primary counselor for adolescents as the family counselor and then as the aftercare coordinator. Helena then ran the Chemical Dependency Center at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. After this, she made the leap into private practice and began building Phases Employee Assistance Program, which has been the exclusive provider of EAP services for Infirmary Health System employees and dependents for 25+ years. After Phases EAP was acquired by VRR, the merger brought a wealth of talent and resources to EAP and the Infirmary Health System. The mission of VRR is to serve veterans, first responders, and their families, and, particularly post-COVID, the heroes of IHS are first responders. It’s a great fit! Helena is originally from Mobile, AL. In her spare time, Helena enjoys anything water! She likes to sail, kayak, and beach as often as possible. She also enjoys camping and hiking at national and state parks to recharge her batteries. 

Community

  • Melissa McKnight

    Director of Community Integration

  • Brandon Peters

    Peer Support Specialist/Lead Instructor for H20 Program

  • Stephanie Steele

    Stephanie Steele

    Program Coordinator

  • Lloyd Michael Austin

    Chief Medical Officer/US Army

  • Travis Conner

    Peer Support/Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) US Marine Corp

  • Marjorie Scaffa

    Director Program Development

Melissa McKnight

Director of Community Integration

Melissa McKnight joined VRR on January 23, 2023. She received a Bachelor’s in Biology and Masters in Public Health from the University of Georgia- Go Dawgs!  She has received several awards including a Coulter Regional Fellowship Program Graduate, Local Federal Credit Union Fellows Program Graduate, and the North Carolina State Health Director’s Upcoming Leader of Public Health. Previously, Melissa worked as the Health Equity Officer at the Mobile County Health Department, Deputy Health Director at the Jackson County Department of Public Health, and Health Education Supervisor at the Jackson County Department of Public Health. To Melissa, “I joined VRR because I am passionate about authentic community engagement and want to be a part of building a community of recovery and connection.” In her spare time, Melissa enjoys running, hiking, gardening, traveling, and baking.  She lives in Midtown with her husband and their silly orange cat, Bob.

Brandon Peters

Peer Support Specialist/Lead Instructor for H20 Program

Brandon Peters joined VRR on November 1, 2019. He is a US Navy Combat Veteran and served seven years on the US Navy Air Crew Search and Rescue. He has been on three combat deployments: Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan twice. Brandon earned his Bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University in Marketing and Graphic Design. He is a PADI MSDT Scuba Instructor as well as a NAUI Scuba Instructor, a Certified Peer Support Specialist, and a first aid instructor. The “for veterans, by veterans” attitude is unique to VRR for Brandon. He was drawn to VRR because he felt they could truly make a difference by putting the care of the veteran first. Brandon is originally from Biloxi, MS. In his spare time, he enjoys scuba diving, cooking, spending time with his wife and kids, traveling, and training his service dog, a Siberian Husky named Aspen. 

Stephanie Steele

Stephanie Steele

Program Coordinator

Stephanie Steele joined VRR on January 24, 2022. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of South Alabama and has a veteran spouse. Her areas of expertise include LBSW, case management, advanced scuba diving, photography, and event/trip planning. The passion and commitment that Veterans Recovery Resources has to holistically serve veterans, active duty, first responders, and dependents drew Stephanie to VRR. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, photography, and spending time with her family. 

Lloyd Michael Austin

Chief Medical Officer/US Army

Lloyd Michael Austin joined VRR on November 1, 2017. He is a United States Army Combat Veteran as well as a graduate from Cochise Business College. Lloyd is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, a mental health first aid instructor, and an ordained pastor. Lloyd is also a Desert Storm veteran. According to Lloyd, the opportunity to help veterans and their family members recover from trauma drew him to VRR. He says no other company approaches and solves problems the way that we do. In his free time, Lloyd likes to play chess, spend time with his family, and go to the movies. He is originally from Mobile, AL, and is a current board member of the Boys and Girls Club and the Chaplain of South Alabama Veterans Council. 

 

Travis Conner

Peer Support/Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) US Marine Corp

Travis joined VRR on January 23, 2022. He is a USMC Marine Corps Combat Veteran Sergeant. He earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy-Marine Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Mast, and Meritorious Promotion to LCpl and Cpl. Travis was the Resident Manager at Any Length Resources in Men’s Sober Living in Pensacola, FL. He is originally from Mobile, AL, and enjoys watching his 7-year-old grow up and play with their German Shorthaired Pointer, Starbuck. 

 

Marjorie Scaffa

Director Program Development

Admin

  • Amanda Breazeale

    Director of Quality Improvement

  • John F. Kilpatrick

    Founder/CEO/US Marine Corp. & US Army

  • Miguel Davis

    Miguel Davis

    APRA Grant Project Director/US Army

  • Larry Knight

    CAO/US Air Force

  • Carrie Russell

    Comptroller

  • Mahir Butt

    IT Director

  • Angie Causby

    Angela Causby

    Credentialing/Insurance 

  • Tracy May-McCarthy

    Financial Analyst

  • Teresa Taylor

    Executive Assistant to CEO

  • Kim Clark

    Office Manager

  • Letitia Norwood

    Letitia Norwood

    Administrative Assistant/EAP Program

  • Alissa Dearman

    Alissa Dearman

    Data Analyst

Amanda Breazeale

Director of Quality Improvement

Amanda Breazeale, Director of Quality Improvement at VRR, is deeply committed to serving Veterans, and recognizing their invaluable contribution to the nation. With over a decade of experience in healthcare leadership, she has spearheaded strategic initiatives at Anderson Regional Medical Center and guided ambulatory practices through transitions in payment models at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Amanda’s expertise extends to quality and performance improvement, honed during her tenure at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Armed with a Master’s in Health Science and certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Healthcare Quality, she is dedicated to ensuring top-tier care for those who have served. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys cycling, gardening, and cherishing moments with loved ones.

John F. Kilpatrick

Founder/CEO/US Marine Corp. & US Army

Colonel John Kilpatrick is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vets Recover. He has over 37 years of military service, including 10 years as an enlisted intelligence analyst in the U.S. Marine Corps. He still serves as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is a combat Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and his overseas deployments include Panama (1999); two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom: Kosovo (2005-06); Kuwait (2015-2016); and an 18-month tour at the Pentagon in the Office of the Surgeon General at Headquarters, Department of the Army (2009-2010). Colonel Kilpatrick earned a B.A. from Spring Hill College in 1994, completed the US Army Command & General Staff College in 2013, and earned a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Alabama in 2018. Kilpatrick is committed to removing barriers to care for Veterans, First Responders, and their Families.

Miguel Davis

Miguel Davis

APRA Grant Project Director/US Army

Miguel Davis joined VRR on May 8, 2023. He is a proud veteran of the United States Army. Miguel earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, and an MBA with a concentration in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management from Capella University. Miguel was drawn to VRR because he believes it is a company that lives its values. He enjoys being a part of a team that truly cares about what they are doing and even better to be part of a company that enjoys giving back to the community.

Miguel is originally from Mobile, AL, and enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, and watching football in his free time.

Larry Knight

CAO/US Air Force

Larry Knight joined the VRR team on August 14, 2023. Larry is a retired 20-year US Air Force veteran, and he holds master’s degrees in human resource management from Troy State University and in accounting from Kaplan University. Before joining VRR, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Coastal Family Health Center in Biloxi, Mississippi for nearly ten years.  In 2022, he was awarded the Chief Operating Officer of the Year by the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi.  Larry has also served on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Center for Non-Violence. As a military veteran and a person with a passion for serving, he was drawn to VRR and wanted to be a part of it. Larry is originally from Jasper, AL. In his free time, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife of nearly 45 years, Audrey. They are the proud parents of three children and one grandchild.

Carrie Russell

Comptroller

Mahir Butt

IT Director

Mahir Butt joined VRR on December 19, 2022. He graduated from the University of South Alabama with a B.Sc. in Computer & Information Sciences and a Minor in Business Management. Mahir has worked in the IT industry for 25+ years. He has been a part of numerous organizations throughout his career, including the Data Processing and Management Association, Academic Computing Machine, American Society of Industrial Security, and Gulf Coast Tech Council. He is currently a part of the Steering Committee of GCTC for the Mobile Chamber, an Advisory Board Member of the University of South Alabama School of Computer & Information Sciences, and a member of the American Society of Industrial Security. Mahir is a senior IT executive with 25+ years of experience in technology, O&M, and capital budgeting for large organizations, technology planning for organizational efficiency, and has a proven track record of successfully digitally transforming businesses.

Angie Causby

Angela Causby

Credentialing/Insurance 

Angela Causby joined VRR on September 5, 2022. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Hobson State and her LPN at Alabama Southern. She is originally from Thomasville, AL, and her husband is now a veteran of the Navy. Angela enjoys spending time with her grandson Luka and her granddaughter Emma, as well as walking and playing with her two Shiq tzus Sadie and Elliott. Angela also enjoys playing the piano.

Tracy May-McCarthy

Financial Analyst

Teresa Taylor

Executive Assistant to CEO

Teresa Taylor joined VRR on January 23, 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Appalachian State University, and her MA in Theology from Liberty University. She is a published author and worked as a radio talk show co-host from 2014-2022. Her passion has been to assist those who grieve loss. She is passionate about counseling and the need for it. As a military widow, she’s learned that reaching out and listening to those who’ve endured similar loss offers healing and hope. Teresa enjoys getting away to the beach or mountains, spending time in the kitchen with family, and working out in the CrossFit gym. Teresa is originally from Hickory, NC. She has worked on the USS Mobile (LCS 26) Commissioning Committee, the Dance Without Limits Foundation Board of Directors and serves with the Military Officers Association Council of Chapters as the Surviving Spouse Liaison.

Kim Clark

Office Manager

Letitia Norwood

Letitia Norwood

Administrative Assistant/EAP Program

Letitia Norwood joined VRR on October 1, 2022. Letitia received her Administrative Assistant Certification from Capps College. She was drawn to VRR because she believes veterans are very important, it’s always great to give back to the community, and VRR is doing that. She feels the family base and diversity make VRR unique and bring the whole organization together. Before coming to VRR, she worked as an administrative assistant at USA Psychology Clinic. Letitia is originally from Mobile, AL, and has family and friends in the military. She is currently a part of several church organizations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, walking, and spending time with her daughter Ashley and her granddog Tyson. 

Alissa Dearman

Alissa Dearman

Data Analyst

Alissa Dearman joined VRR in November of 2021. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from the University of South Alabama. She is enrolled in South Alabama’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master program. During undergraduate study, Alissa worked in data entry and verification under the TRAIL lab. She has always desired to help others, stating, “This is what drew me to studying psychology. I was then drawn to VRR because this was an organization fully devoted to helping people. Each employee has a desire to help and spread compassion. I think such wholehearted devotion makes us unique. I’ve been able to work with people practicing in the field I aspire to and learn multiple perspectives through data work. It has been a rare and lovely experience.” Alissa grew up in Laurel, Mississippi, and enjoys theater, art, cosplay, and video games in her free time.

Finance

  • No Heroes Found.

Board of Directors

  • Kathleen A. Ladner

    Navy

  • Gerald Steele

    President Board of Directors/US Marine Corp.

  • Mike Dow

    Army

  • Zach Aggen

    Zach Aggen

    Army

  • Mike Fasano

    Navy

  • James Wheeler

    Army

  • Dr. Quindola Crowley

  • Page Stalcup

Kathleen A. Ladner

Navy

  • Kathleen A. Ladner, PhD, RN, FACHE® joined the Vets Recover Board of Directors in March of 2024. Kathleen is a USN (Ret.) Captain with over 28 years of combined active and reserve operational and leadership experience. Kathleen earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Barry College in Miami, Florida. After leaving active duty, she returned to Birmingham and earned her Master of Science from the University of Alabama (UAB) in Birmingham, Alabama. She held faculty positions at two universities while pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. During her career, she has been employed in five health systems in administration and ultimately as the Vice President and CNO in four healthcare organizations. Since her retirement, she has been an adjunct nursing faculty at UAB and maintains professional memberships in the American Academy of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). As a veteran myself, it is an honor to be a member and an advocate of this organization to achieve its mission which focuses on providing care for veterans, first responders, and their families in crisis. 

Gerald Steele

President Board of Directors/US Marine Corp.

Gerald Steele joined the Vets Recover Board of Directors in December of 2018. He is a USMC (Ret.) Colonel with over 42 years of combined active and reserve experience. Gerald earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University. After leaving active duty, Gerald returned to Mobile and held several positions of employment as the Special Services Director at the DA’s Office, COO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama, and COO of The Orthopedic Group.  Gerald is the current President of the Alabama Council of Chapters Military Officers of America and was a past Commandant of the PL Wilson Detachment, Marine Corps League, and a past President of the South Alabama Chapter of MOAA. The organization’s mission drew Gerald to VRR where he is the current President of the Vets Recover Board of Directors.

 

Mike Dow

Army

Zach Aggen

Zach Aggen

Army

Mike Fasano

Navy

James Wheeler

Army

Dr. Quindola Crowley

Page Stalcup