Cindy Gay
Board Chair
Cindy Gay is a person in long term recovery. She has lived in Gainesville for 29 years with her husband Jeff. They have two sons, Jeffrey and Chris. They lost Jeffrey six years ago to an accidental drug overdose.
“I was two years sober when Jeffrey died,” she says, “and had it not been for the love and support of my family and the fellowship of AA, I might not be here. Having had time to heal, I want to give back to others what was so freely given to me. I love volunteering and working with others who struggle with addiction, as well as sharing experience, strength and hope with families and loved ones of those who struggle.”
Cindy and several other parents started the Parent Support Group that meets weekly at J’s Place. Cindy is a teacher by trade and loves spending time outdoors.
Raleigh T. (Rob) Robinson
Walters Mgt Co./Loan South Finance Corp.
Originally from Bainbridge, GA, Rob graduated from Bainbridge High School and studied economics at Bainbridge College. He worked in the family consumer finance business from 1984-1996 until founding Loan South Finance Corporation in 1996, operating 13 locations in Georgia and Alabama. Rob joined Walters Management Co. as CEO in 2007 with over 100 operations in Georgia, Texas, Tennessee and Alabama.
He is married to the former Kelly Walters, has 4 daughters: Paige, Ivy, Peaches, and Georgia and enjoys hunting and fishing, golf, boating and playing the drums. Rob is a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville Kiwanis Club, and has served on numerous boards and civic organizations throughout Georgia, including Past President of Georgia Installment Lenders Association, Texas Consumer Finance Association, Alabama Lenders Association, Tennessee Independent Finance Association, Lakeview Academy Board of Trustees, Elachee Nature and Science Center, and Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia Board of Directors.
GlenN Smith
Wayne Farms
Glenn B. Smith has been the Director of Feed Ingredient Procurement since 2011 for Wayne Farms LLC, Oakwood, GA, purchasing and coordinating delivery of all feed ingredients for the 6th largest poultry processor in the USA. An Atlanta native, Glenn and his family reside in Flowery Branch. He holds a BA in History from Washington and Lee University, 1988. Glenn feels blessed to have a sobriety date of January 4, 2007.
Reese Daniel,
Community voLunteer
Reese is a certified addiction counselor who worked for decades in the treatment field. His former positions included CEO for Twin Lakes Recovery Center, COO at Peachford, and Business Development Manager at Laurelwood. He holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is an active community volunteer, serving as Co-Chair of United Way’s One Hall Mental and Behavioral Health Committee.
WILL WHITE
JESSI EMMETT
Jessi was born and raised in hall County and is a graduate of North Hall High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from North Georgia College and State University and a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Master Addictions Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor for addiction counselors, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. Jessi currently serves as the Director for Treatment Services and helps oversee the various accountability court programs in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit. Jessi has served on numerous boards and committees on the local and state level including Hall County Family Connection Network, Partnership for a Drug Free Hall, LPCA Georgia, and Georgia Addiction Counselors Association. She has a passion for serving the community and those in recovery.
DAVE SMITH
Dave is a retired HR executive who now focuses his time on a number of volunteer boards. He and his wife, Beckie, live in Gainesville and attend Gainesville First United Methodist Church. They have two children and three grandchildren all of whom live in the Denver, CO area. Apart from his board work, Dave enjoys woodworking, singing in their church choir and time with friends.
RUSS CROFT
Russ Croft is a Gainesville transplant who has called the city home for the last decade. He is the Finance Director for John Megel Ford and has been in the car industry almost as long as he has lived in Gainesville. Growing up, Russ found himself struggling with a sense of community and substances. Since going through treatment and picking up his last white chip on May 5th, 2011, he’s had a passion for helping those in the recovery community. Russ works to be in service to those in recovery and those still struggling.
JOHN LEWIS
John Lewis is a Portfolio Manager at Willis Investment Counsel in Gainesville, GA.