Directors and Staff

The Prevention Action Alliance Board of Directors

As of July 1, 2020

Executive Committee

President

Bobbie O’Keefe, Esq. | O’Keefe Family Law, LLC

President-Elect

David A. Bell, Esq. | Educator

Past President

Jody Allton, MSW, LISW-S, LCDCIII | Ohio Health Mansfield/Shelby Hospitals

Secretary

Claudia Khourey-Bowers, Ph.D. | Professor Emeritus, Kent State University

Treasurer

Ashley Neel, CPA | GBQ Partners, LLC

Directors

At-Large Members

John A. Heer, Esq. | McDonald Hopkins, LLC

Stephanie Loucka | State Medical Board of Ohio

Members

Peter Walsh | Columbus Temperature Control Co.

Corinne Gasper | Parent Advocate

Derek Siegel | Ohio HIDTA

George “Pat” Willis | Geauga County Educational Service Center

Ellen Schoonover | Parent Advocate

Amy Kurtz-Nagel | Ontario Local Schools

Prevention Action Alliance Staff

As of July 1, 2020

Fran Gerbig | Executive Director

Bobby Persinger | Deputy Executive Director

James Syphax | Community Prevention Manager

Jean-Philippe Dorval | Advocacy and Public Policy Liaison

Evi Roberts | Youth-Led Prevention Coordinator

Brittany Koza | Education and Events Coordinator

Lauren Marshall | Project Assistant

Sondra Mellott | Accountant

Sean Oziegbe | Civil Operator at the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force

Nathan Kraatz | Communications Officer

Letter from the Executive Director

Executive Director Fran Gerbig penned this introduction to and summary of the 2020 fiscal year annual report. Learn how we led healthy communities in the prevention of substance misuse and promoted mental health wellness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the Letter from the Executive Director

Awareness

The world is constantly evolving around us and with those evolutions come new substances, new trends for drug use and mental health issues, and new tools and strategies for preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health wellness. At Prevention Action Alliance, we work to raise awareness about the issues that affect everyday people, families, and communities.

Read More About Our Efforts to Raise Awareness

Educate

At its core, prevention is about educating people to make healthy decisions, but changing behavior isn't always easy. To help our prevention partners in their quest to serve their communities, we provide educational resources and support to thousands of prevention professionals and organizations.

Learn More About Our Educational Resources

Empower

We believe everyone has a role in prevention. Our role is helping you find yours. For that reason, we dedicate time and resources to helping others do their part for prevention, whether they're parents, teachers, mayors, judges, commissioners, pastors, doctors, business leaders, or teenagers. Whoever you are, we're here to help you prevent substance misuse.

Read More About How We Empower Others in Prevention

Advocate

Advocacy is the act of lending your voice to improve the lives of others. When you educate lawmakers about prevention and the importance of supporting public health, you help create a safer, healthier world for families and communities throughout Ohio. We connect advocates to regulators, give them information and data about prevention, provide news about prevention advocacy, and more.

Read More About How We Advocate for Prevention

Get News about Prevention

At Prevention Action Alliance, we believe that everyone has a role to play in prevention. Signing up for our newsletter is a small, first step on your path to prevention, whether you're looking to learn more, get involved, or advocate for prevention. Get started on your prevention journey by signing up for news and information on preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health wellness.