McShin Staff | McShin Foundation

John Shinholser

Board Member Emeritus, President

John Shinholser serves as the President of The McShin Foundation, which was founded in 2004 and named for its two recovering co-founders, John Shinholser and Carol McDaid. Shinholser and McDaid have dedicated their lives to helping individuals and families in or seeking recovery from the disease of addiction. The McShin Foundation operates on the founders' belief that by helping others find and sustain recovery, they can better sustain their own recovery. Shinholser and McDaid decided to establish a non-profit recovery community resource foundation based on this belief and on the work Shinholser had been engaged in with individuals in the recovering community since 1982.

John is a United States Marine Corps veteran. He owned and managed a successful contracting business for over 30 years, during which time he served as President of the Richmond Chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association and was twice recognized as a national award winning Original Design Faux Finisher.

John Shinholser served as President of SAARA of Central Virginia Affiliate and is a former board member of SAARA of Virginia.

Shinholser also served as Chairman of the board of Rubicon, Inc. (2012-2014), Virginia's most comprehensive substance abuse treatment facility (230 beds).

In 2005, Shinholser received the prestigious America Honors Recovery Award from the Johnson Institute -- one of six recognized (nationally) who have been affected or afflicted by alcohol and other drug addictions, and have given back to their communities so that future generations may know the possibility and power of recovery.

In 2005, he also received, along with his wife Carol McDaid, the Caron Foundation's Outstanding Alumni Award.

In 2006, Shinholser received the coveted OSAS (Virginia Office of Substance Abuse Services) Award of Virginia for Significant Contributions to the Field of Substance Use Disorder Recovery. This award is typically given to professionals in the field. Mr. Shinholser was the first recovering community member to receive this award.

Under John’s leadership McShin won the Recovery Community Organization of the year Award for the United States AKA The Joel Hernandez Award presented by Faces and Voices of Recovery in a Washington D.C. ceremony in June of 2011.

Also under John’s tutelage McShin won the national SAMHSA Recovery Month 2011 Flicker Award.

John Shinholser has been featured in Addiction Professional Magazine, Newsweek, The Richmond Times Dispatch (Flair, Metro, and Business sections), The Mechanicsville Local, Richmond Free Press, and Virginia Association of Community Service Boards 2005 Annual Report.

John also has been in many news broadcasts and national documentaries to include The Anonymous People.

John is an appointed citizen member of the 2008, 2009, 2010 Virginia General Assembly joint Senate /House sub-committee on substance abuse (SJ77). John co wrote the Recovery Coach Manual and travels the country providing Authentic Recovery Coach Training.

John and Carol traveled to Whales in 2011 to participate in the first recovery walk as well help launch The Living Room in Cardiff, a Recovery Community Center.

John was appointed an Honorary Deputy of the Richmond City Sheriff Office in July 2013.

John is a member of Henrico County Drug Court "Advisory Council" and "McShin Board Member Emeritus".

John currently resides in Hanover with his wife Carol and his daughter Mary Page. He has been clean and in successful long-term recovery since August 10th 1982.

John In The News:

Honesty Brackett Liller

Chief Executive Officer

Honesty Liller is a woman in long-term recovery from a Substance Use Disorder since May 27, 2007. She is the Chief Executive Officer of The McShin Foundation, a non-profit peer-to-peer Recovery Community Organization (RCO), that serves individuals and families with Substance Use Disorders. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of McShin as well as community and advocacy events. Honesty serves as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking recovery from addiction, works with participants to develop individual and personalized plans for recovery, provides problem solving and life skills as well. Honesty's mission as CEO is firmly rooted in community outreach and involvement. She spends each day connecting with individuals and families who have been touched by addiction. The McShin recovery residential program offers 175 residential recovery beds. Participants can enter into community, intensive, or extended recovery residency programs. All are welcome from the community who have a Substance Use Disorder. Honesty works tirelessly in the community to help individuals and families heal from addiction. She campaigns for individuals with a SUD to put the shame and pain of addiction behind them. Honesty leads a peer system of care and recovery through recovery coaching, providing support groups, navigating court cases, and job coaching. Also, she was on the Enforcement Workgroup for Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Prescription Drug & Heroin Task Force and is a founding board member of Addiction Recovery Political Action Committee (ARPAC). She is the recipient of the Vernon Johnson Award given by Faces and Voices of Recovery in 2015. In 2016 she was awarded the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Great Boss. She was also featured on Face The Nation discussing addiction & recovery in America. In addition, she was awarded the Stettinius Fund honor from The Community Foundation. She was influential in the SAMHSA Recovery Month Award process for McShin for three years. As well as the Faces and Voices of Recovery Joel Hernandez Award for McShin. From 2008-2012, she led the Recovery Voices Count Campaign. Recovery has given her an amazing life. To spend time with her husband and 2 children is a gift that keeps giving!! ...More

Jesse Wysocki

Interim Chief Operating Officer

Jesse Wysocki is McShin's Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the day to day operations of McShin's various programs. Jesse is an alum of The Healing Place and the CARITAS Works Life Skills program. More recently, he was employed as the HR Manager at an assisted-living facility here in Richmond. He has over six years in recovery and an amazing story to share with the participants and families of The McShin Foundation. Jesse was featured in two news segments, watch the CBS 6 Heroes Among Us feature here, and speaking on a potential new law here. Jesse in the news

Erin Mayberry

Female Program Director

Erin Mayberry was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from JR Tucker High School and continued her education at Mary Baldwin College as a cadet in the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership. She is the proud mother of two daughters. Erin struggled with a substance abuse disorder for over twenty years before finding recovery November 10, 2014. She is incredibly grateful to the McShin Foundation for introducing her to recovery, for all the love and support she received, for the introduction to her chosen pathway to recovery and for allowing her to work with other women seeking the same growth and freedom she has found.

More....

Before I Got Sober, I Couldn’t See Who I Was. Now, I Value Myself in Recovery

August 15, 2017 by Erin Mayberry

Bob de Triquet

Director of Male Programs

From Suffolk, Virginia, Robert de Triquet came to The McShin Foundation on August 2nd, 2016. He immediately involved himself with the mission of the organization and the camaraderie of the recovery house. He managed the men’s program house for five months before transitioning to Eco Flats, where he was a peer leader, building up the community and creating an atmosphere of recovery. In 2017, he became Director of Men’s Programs and his involvement is now hands on with the men, their families, and community connections. Robert enjoys art, the outdoors, thinking, cooking, and collecting Levi merchandise. He is passionate about this field and believes in the importance of the recovery house environment in the process of recovery.

Brenda Perkins

Female Programs Administrative Assistant

Brenda joined the McShin Foundation family in September 2015.

Brenda was born and raised in the Richmond area. She graduated from Douglas Freeman High school and continued her education at the Bon Secours School of Practical Nursing. She worked in the medical field for 25 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse at various locations in the Richmond area

Brenda has a history of a substance use disorder and after being charged with prescription fraud, entered into the Health Practitioners Intervention Program in 2002 and was introduced to 12 step recovery at that time. She has been an active member of the recovery community and has maintained her sobriety since January 17, 2002.

Paxton Wolfrey

Admissions and Intake Specialist

Since graduating from Hampden-Sydney College in 1994, Paxton has experience working in investments, money management, and risk management. In his previous role as an investment counselor he earned the “Top Producer” Award from Lord, Abbet & Co., and the “Quality of Advice” Award from American Express. He is also a 2003 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, with a Master of Business Administration degree. Paxton’s experience with his own addiction and recovery, along with his current insights and solutions, validate our commitment to “Peer to Peer” services and programs. You will find that Paxton is always ready and approachable to share his story, and never forgets where he came from. Raising two beautiful daughters, Talbot and Hannah, consumes most of Paxton’s free time, while he still enjoys the occasional round of golf or fishing.

Alden Gregory

Director of Development

Alden grew up in Richmond, where she attended Collegiate School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Miami University in December of 2015. In the fall of 2017, Alden began the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Alden’s passion for working with individuals and families affected by Substance Use Disorders stems from her family and friends who strive for recovery from the disease. Her experience with The McShin Foundation started in the summer of 2015 as an intern, where she facilitated groups and assisted with grant research. After her December graduation, she returned to the foundation as Special Projects Coordinator. Since then, she has grown into the Director of Development position, maintaining donor relations, planning events, supervising our AmeriCorps members, managing volunteer coordination and writing grants. Alden aims to use her voice and time at The McShin Foundation to reduce the stigma of addiction and offer hope to the families and individuals it affects.

Mike Vasilantone

Data Management

Michael grew up in Central New Jersey. After graduating High School he continued his education at Newbury College in Boston MA and UW Seattle, majoring in Communications. Michael's own experience battling the disease of addiction has given him the opportunity to become an asset to McShin by being a Peer Leader in an authentic “Peer to Peer” recovery setting.

Lesley Davis

Financial Controller

Lesley Davis was born and raised in Richmond, VA and has a history of Substance Use Disorder that goes back to early childhood. She struggled off and on for years battling the disease of addiction. It wasn't until she entered The McShin Foundation as a participant and was surrounded by others in the recovery community that she was able to fully engage in recovery. Lesley has been in recovery since October 27, 2015 and went through our female recovery residential program. She was a house/peer leader for over 6 months and volunteered at the foundation to give back to the organization that helped save her life. Lesley has been employed full-time with McShin since July 2016. She is grateful for the many opportunities that she has been given and to the foundation for introducing her to her chosen pathway of recovery. Lesley has one daughter and is now actively involved in her life again thank to recovery.

Moses Wright

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Moses Wright - Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Tom Majewski

Caroline County Community Recovery Program

Tom Majewski - Caroline County Community Recovery Program Tom has 45 years sobriety and has been committed to helping other alcoholics throughout the entire period. After completing the Alcoholic Treatment Program at Caron Foundation in Wernersville PA, he was Manager of the Sobriety halfway house in Pittsburgh PA. From there he joined the staff of Serenity Farms, a recovery center in Hickory PA as an Addiction Psychologist Intern. During his time there he worked with St. Francis Medical Center, Mayview Psychiatric Center, and Gateway Rehabilitation Center, all in Pittsburgh, PA. He relocated to Virginia to help establish a family-operated riding stable and horse-breeding farm. Subsequently he married, has two children, and completed a successful career as a Systems Engineer for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He continued work within the AA Treatment Service Structure in Northern Virginia and then relocated to Fredericksburg VA where he has been instrumental in the workings of AA District 30 Treatment Committees. He was asked to help at the Caroline Recovery Center in Bowling Green, VA and completed Peer Recovery Coach training at The McShin Foundation, Richmond December 2016. He is an avid horseman and artist and remains active in both areas.

Laney Walton – Caroline County Community Recovery Program

Caroline County Community Recovery Program

Laney Walton - Caroline County Community Recovery Program Erin “Laney” Walton comes from a military family who moved all around the U.S. but eventually settled in Fairfax, Virginia where she spent most of her formative years. Laney was a premier athlete in collegiate gymnastics, winning a full scholarship to several schools and achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education along the way. In 2010, she received her certifications as a paralegal and notary public and began working for a well-respected law firm in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 2013, Laney began work as a Case Manager for the Fredericksburg area Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), where she managed the volunteer case workers assigned to watch out for the interests of at-risk children involved in the court system. Laney is currently a small business owner who regularly works with people of all stripes in managing their life challenges and wellness. She has been sober and active in the Twelve Steps since March of 2004, has hosted and attended many study groups and conferences, has a long-term sponsor, and has herself sponsored many women over the years.

Ginny Thrasher

Peer Leader

Ginny was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She moved to Richmond in 2011. She has battled with her addiction since she was a teenager. Today, she is a person in recovery from a Substance Use Disorder who has been in recovery since July 8, 2016. Ginny is an alum of The McShin Foundation. She went through the female recovery residential program and was a house and peer leader for six and a half months. Ginny is extremely grateful to The McShin Foundation for helping her learn the tools to find a new way to live and for reintroducing her to 12 step recovery. Her favorite part of McShin is the peer to peer recovery model. Most of the staff members are in recovery and are examples to our participants that recovery works. Ginny enjoys being able to be that example to other participants now that she is part of this staff.

Tracy Haskins

AmeriCorps Member

Jillian Nye

AmeriCorps Member

Cotter Leonard

Facilities Manager

Cotter was born in Kovrov, Russia in 1996. He was adopted in 1998 and moved to The United States. He graduated from Glen Allen High School. He has a passion for cooking and working with individuals with Substance Use Disorders. He entered McShin's residential recovery program in August 2017. In November 2017, he started as an intern and is now a peer leader and Facilities Manager.

Peer Leader

Katherine Gumbs

Judicial Staff

Cliff Jones

Director of Youth Programs

Cliff Jones is a person in long-term recovery. He has been free from substances since July 21st, 2016. Cliff is a McShin alumni and during his time in McShin he managed a recovery house, was a peer-leader for The McShin Academy, and facilitated a peer to peer substance use jail program. Cliff has now turned his interests into sharing his experience, strength, and hope with young men and women who suffer from the same disease.He is a trained Peer Recovery Specialist and a Certified Peer Recovery Coach

Marshall Tucker

Correctional Program Facilitator

Marshall is a person in long term recovery from a Substance Use Disorder, which means he has not found it necessary to use anything since September 1, 1988. Today, Marshall is married with two kids, both of whom are lawyers.

Karen Melcho-Elliott

Correctional Program Facilitator

Karen was born in Illinois and moved to Virginia in 1989. She graduated Orange County High School with an Academic Letter and a separate degree in Printing and Graphics. Karen studied English, Creative Writing and World Religions at Virginia Commonwealth University. She found recovery in 2017 after coming to the McShin Foundation. Karen loves her life in recovery and the support she has found at McShin. She feels a deep sense of gratitude and a passion for sharing her recovery in her new position as a Jail Program Facilitator with the McShin Foundation.