Advisory Board and Board of Directors
We are pleased and honored to be surrounded by an amazing group of dedicated advisors, who recognize the epidemic of drug addiction in this country, and that there is something we can do to help individuals and families in need. Each of our advisory board and board members have in some way been affected by Substance Use Disorder. Although our group of professionals have many initials after their names, the most important factor in becoming part of Drug Crisis in our Backyard is that they are committed to ending the stigma and cycle of addiction.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan Salomone, Cofounder & Executive Director
Susan Salomone is the Executive Director of Drug Crisis in our Backyard, founded after the tragic loss of her son Justin to a heroin overdose. Susan is committed to forming alliances with other coalitions and like-minded groups to build a groundswell of support for people who are suffering with addiction. Susan believes that this is a complex disease that needs to be addressed with prevention, treatment for those currently addicted, recovery options and law enforcement.
Susan was born and raised in New York State. She earned a BS in Education, MS in Counseling, and MS in Supervision at esteemed NYS universities. She has recently received her credential as a Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Susan was appointed to Governor Cuomo’s Heroin Task Force, is a member of the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Insurance and Provider Workgroup, and has received the Senate 2015 Award for Woman of Distinction. Susan is currently a family coach working individually and leading support groups for families struggling with the effects of addiction. She currently lives in Brewster with her husband, Steve.
Susan Salomone is the Executive Director of Drug Crisis in our Backyard, founded after the tragic loss of her son Justin to a heroin overdose. Susan is committed to forming alliances with other coalitions and like-minded groups to build a groundswell of support for people who are suffering with addiction. Susan believes that this is a complex disease that needs to be addressed with prevention, treatment for those currently addicted, recovery options and law enforcement.
Susan was born and raised in New York State. She earned a BS in Education, MS in Counseling, and MS in Supervision at esteemed NYS universities. She has recently received her credential as a Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Susan was appointed to Governor Cuomo’s Heroin Task Force, is a member of the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Insurance and Provider Workgroup, and has received the Senate 2015 Award for Woman of Distinction. Susan is currently a family coach working individually and leading support groups for families struggling with the effects of addiction. She currently lives in Brewster with her husband, Steve.
Steve Salomone, Cofounder & Chief Financial Officer
Steve Salomone is a cofounder of Drug Crisis In Our Backyard along with his wife Susan and Carol and Lou Christiansen. As the Chief Financial Officer, Steve is responsible for all of the organization’s financial reporting, compliance and grant qualification processes. The organization was created in response to the tragic death of their son Justin to a heroin overdose.
Steve has over 25 years of wide-ranging business experience within the global corporate and real estate market including C level positions with Fortune 500 companies. Steve is currently Director of Commercial Real Estate Investment Sales at Houlihan Lawrence Commercial Group. He is responsible for the growth of the division’s investment property brokerage operation as well as being a top producing commercial broker. Steve is currently married with three adult children and lives in Putnam County, NY.
Steve Salomone is a cofounder of Drug Crisis In Our Backyard along with his wife Susan and Carol and Lou Christiansen. As the Chief Financial Officer, Steve is responsible for all of the organization’s financial reporting, compliance and grant qualification processes. The organization was created in response to the tragic death of their son Justin to a heroin overdose.
Steve has over 25 years of wide-ranging business experience within the global corporate and real estate market including C level positions with Fortune 500 companies. Steve is currently Director of Commercial Real Estate Investment Sales at Houlihan Lawrence Commercial Group. He is responsible for the growth of the division’s investment property brokerage operation as well as being a top producing commercial broker. Steve is currently married with three adult children and lives in Putnam County, NY.
Carol Christansen, Cofounder & Director of Development
Carol Christiansen is a co-founder of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, founded after the tragic loss of her son Erik to a heroin overdose. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness of the rampant use of heroin and opiates in the community, erasing the stigma of addiction, supporting families struggling with active addiction and working with legislators to improve treatment and make it more accessible to those who need it. Carol is committed to bringing awareness to communities and support for people who are suffering with addiction. Carol’s philosophy is that by erasing the shame associated with addiction people will be free to seek the treatment they need to overcome Substance Use Disorder.
Carol is a Broker/Owner of an independent real estate company located in Katonah. She is a proud member of the Somers Lions Club, a past president and board member of Empire NY Women’s Council of Realtors. She was honored as the 2014 Realtor of the Year and a proud recipient of the 2016 NYS Community Action Award.
Carol lives in Somers, a small community in Northern Westchester where she raised her two children with her late husband Lou Christiansen.
Carol Christiansen is a co-founder of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, founded after the tragic loss of her son Erik to a heroin overdose. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness of the rampant use of heroin and opiates in the community, erasing the stigma of addiction, supporting families struggling with active addiction and working with legislators to improve treatment and make it more accessible to those who need it. Carol is committed to bringing awareness to communities and support for people who are suffering with addiction. Carol’s philosophy is that by erasing the shame associated with addiction people will be free to seek the treatment they need to overcome Substance Use Disorder.
Carol is a Broker/Owner of an independent real estate company located in Katonah. She is a proud member of the Somers Lions Club, a past president and board member of Empire NY Women’s Council of Realtors. She was honored as the 2014 Realtor of the Year and a proud recipient of the 2016 NYS Community Action Award.
Carol lives in Somers, a small community in Northern Westchester where she raised her two children with her late husband Lou Christiansen.
Tom LaPerch, Board Member
Tom LaPerch serves as a Board Member of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, bringing decades of experience in marketing and community development as well as deep ties to the local business community. For the past 30 years, Tom has built a successful career in real estate and currently works as Commercial Director for Houlihan Lawrence in Rye Brook, New York. Serving on the Town of Southeast Municipal Planning Board for over 13 years, and as chairman for the last four years, LaPerch has a deep understanding of community issues. In addition, Tom was a Board Member of the Putnam County Hospital Foundation, served as former chairman of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation and served as chairman of his town’s comprehensive plan review. Deeply involved in the community where he lives and works, Tom was named Volunteer of the Year in 2002. He was the Brewster Little League President for three years and was director of CYO Basketball for Saint Lawrence O’Toole Brewster program for seven years.
LaPerch joined the Board of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard after the loss of his partner’s son in an effort to help the community understand the depth and breadth of the addiction epidemic.
Tom LaPerch serves as a Board Member of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, bringing decades of experience in marketing and community development as well as deep ties to the local business community. For the past 30 years, Tom has built a successful career in real estate and currently works as Commercial Director for Houlihan Lawrence in Rye Brook, New York. Serving on the Town of Southeast Municipal Planning Board for over 13 years, and as chairman for the last four years, LaPerch has a deep understanding of community issues. In addition, Tom was a Board Member of the Putnam County Hospital Foundation, served as former chairman of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation and served as chairman of his town’s comprehensive plan review. Deeply involved in the community where he lives and works, Tom was named Volunteer of the Year in 2002. He was the Brewster Little League President for three years and was director of CYO Basketball for Saint Lawrence O’Toole Brewster program for seven years.
LaPerch joined the Board of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard after the loss of his partner’s son in an effort to help the community understand the depth and breadth of the addiction epidemic.
Adam Salomone, Board Member
Adam Salomone serves as a Board Member for Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. He brings a decade of experience in traditional and digital marketing. He began his career in media, working for a small independent publisher in Boston overseeing marketing and sales. He quickly moved up within the company to the role of Director of Digital Marketing and then Associate Publisher. In 2015, he engineered the sale of the company to a large corporate acquirer.
In addition to his marketing background, Adam has experience in business operations and logistics, corporate governance and non-profit management. For the past five years, he has served as a Board Member for the International Association of Culinary Professionals, a trade group and is the incoming chairman of the Board for the 2017-2018 year. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences on topics ranging from business development and marketing to staffing, fundraising and more.
Adam was personally touched by the addiction crisis when his older brother Justin died of a heroin overdose in 2012. He currently lives with his wife in Brooklyn, NY.
Adam Salomone serves as a Board Member for Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. He brings a decade of experience in traditional and digital marketing. He began his career in media, working for a small independent publisher in Boston overseeing marketing and sales. He quickly moved up within the company to the role of Director of Digital Marketing and then Associate Publisher. In 2015, he engineered the sale of the company to a large corporate acquirer.
In addition to his marketing background, Adam has experience in business operations and logistics, corporate governance and non-profit management. For the past five years, he has served as a Board Member for the International Association of Culinary Professionals, a trade group and is the incoming chairman of the Board for the 2017-2018 year. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences on topics ranging from business development and marketing to staffing, fundraising and more.
Adam was personally touched by the addiction crisis when his older brother Justin died of a heroin overdose in 2012. He currently lives with his wife in Brooklyn, NY.
Jean Cooney, Board Member
Jean Cooney is the newest Board Member for Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. She is now retired, after a 37 year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Bronx, NY. During her employment at the VA, she held three consecutive positions: Clinical Nutrition Manager, Staff Development Coordinator and Director of Volunteers and Chaplains. Jean was a credentialed VA certified coach and an invited guest speaker on topics such as leadership, teamwork, management, supervision, emotional intelligence and customer service.
In addition to her career, Jean volunteered as a basketball coach in the Yorktown Athletic Club, the Mohansic Girl’s League and Shrub Oak Basketball. She is passionate about improving the quality of life in her community by participating in CRAFT trainings and other educational events for the organization. Jean is married to Greg Cooney and they live with their 2 children in Yorktown Heights.
Jean Cooney is the newest Board Member for Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. She is now retired, after a 37 year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Bronx, NY. During her employment at the VA, she held three consecutive positions: Clinical Nutrition Manager, Staff Development Coordinator and Director of Volunteers and Chaplains. Jean was a credentialed VA certified coach and an invited guest speaker on topics such as leadership, teamwork, management, supervision, emotional intelligence and customer service.
In addition to her career, Jean volunteered as a basketball coach in the Yorktown Athletic Club, the Mohansic Girl’s League and Shrub Oak Basketball. She is passionate about improving the quality of life in her community by participating in CRAFT trainings and other educational events for the organization. Jean is married to Greg Cooney and they live with their 2 children in Yorktown Heights.
Lillian Neuman, Board Member
Lillian Neuman has been the in the field of Substance Use and Addiction since 1994. Her experience includes clinical coordinator of Nyack Recovery Center for Change, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Excel Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She currently is the Director of Community Outreach and Prevention Education for St. Vincent’s Hospital. Lillian is also the director for NYS Opioid Overdose Program which provides Naloxone Training.
Lillian Neuman has been the in the field of Substance Use and Addiction since 1994. Her experience includes clinical coordinator of Nyack Recovery Center for Change, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Excel Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She currently is the Director of Community Outreach and Prevention Education for St. Vincent’s Hospital. Lillian is also the director for NYS Opioid Overdose Program which provides Naloxone Training.
Pastor Andrew Columbia, Board Member
Andrew Columbia is a Pastor, Chaplain, Author, and Speaker who carries a life-changing testimony of God's transforming love and power. As a former NYC Police Officer of 10 years, Pastor Andrew’s heart is to share his story with law enforcement officers - and those far from God. Pastor Andrew has been in ministry for more than 22 years. He served as part of the Ground Zero Clergy Task Force during and after 9/11. Currently, Pastor Andrew serves as the lead pastor of MCB Church in Carmel, NY. He is also a member and a Keynote Speaker of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. The team trains God’s people for grief ministry and deploys crisis-trained chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual care to those affected by man-made or natural disasters. His story has been shared on outlets such as “The 700 Club,” and recently he's become the Chaplain of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department in Carmel, NY. Pastor Andrew resides in Carmel with his wife Angela.
Andrew Columbia is a Pastor, Chaplain, Author, and Speaker who carries a life-changing testimony of God's transforming love and power. As a former NYC Police Officer of 10 years, Pastor Andrew’s heart is to share his story with law enforcement officers - and those far from God. Pastor Andrew has been in ministry for more than 22 years. He served as part of the Ground Zero Clergy Task Force during and after 9/11. Currently, Pastor Andrew serves as the lead pastor of MCB Church in Carmel, NY. He is also a member and a Keynote Speaker of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. The team trains God’s people for grief ministry and deploys crisis-trained chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual care to those affected by man-made or natural disasters. His story has been shared on outlets such as “The 700 Club,” and recently he's become the Chaplain of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department in Carmel, NY. Pastor Andrew resides in Carmel with his wife Angela.
ADVISORY BOARD
Eileen New
Debbie Soravilla
Patti Vandia
Joan Pozner
Lillian Newman
Jean Cooney
Susan Schwadon
Zenaida Perez
Lori Hyslop
Cathy DeMarchis
Eileen New
Debbie Soravilla
Patti Vandia
Joan Pozner
Lillian Newman
Jean Cooney
Susan Schwadon
Zenaida Perez
Lori Hyslop
Cathy DeMarchis