ABOUT US
Living In Recovery (LIR) is a State Certified Nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by a group of volunteers committed to a dream of bringing the first certified Recovery Residence to Howard County, Maryland. LIR currently operates three Recovery Residences supporting men and women in early recovery. Since our inception, LIR has supported over 400 individuals, with 65% of our residents maintaining sobriety during their time in our program.
EMPLOYEES AND STAFF
JESSICA MATTHEWS - PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jessica has a lead role in developing and implementing programs and activities, supporting peer recovery specialists, and coordinating interviews, intakes, and discharges. Jessica has tremendous insight and knowledge into community needs, and advocating and volunteering wherever possible. She has brought this insight and knowledge to the forefront, and she demonstrates her leadership skills by supporting a team to provide a safe, clean recovery atmosphere with accountability and structure in each of our family-style homes. She loves being part of a team that contributes to long-term measurable and successful outcomes for LIR residents. Jessica’s that her personal journey led her to Living In Recovery: “The passion and gratitude I have for this organization turns work into service; a place where I want to be rather than a place I have to be.”
JOHN MCGRATH - CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST
John is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who joined LIR in February 2021. He works closely with all male residents on an individual basis and as a group to develop healthy residence communities. He also works as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist for the Howard County Health Department and provides service to the Homewood School in Howard County. Through his lived experience navigating recovery and family systems, John maintains that “by putting an addict back together, we’re pulling the family back together.
COREY BRYCE - CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST
Corey works concurrently with Living In Recovery and the Howard County Health Department Peer Recovery Support team. Corey works with our women residents helping to empower and support them in their recovery process. Before joining the LIR family, Corey served as an Outreach Coordinator for Oxford House Inc, gaining invaluable experience in linking clients to recovery housing and supportive resources across the state of Maryland. Corey is professionally trained in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), PTSD and trauma-informed care. In her spare time, she enjoys nature photography, live music, traveling, and creative writing.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROGER HOFF - BOARD PRESIDENT
Roger joined Recovery Care Partner to help men new in recovery stay safe by teaching them to thrive in environments free of drugs and alcohol. He helps them create new patterns and routines through the stable structures of the recovery community. And he connects them with recovering men so they can experience the support of working through common challenges. Roger believes that newly sober men can avoid triggers and improve their lives when they surround themselves with other men who understand the feelings and emotions experienced in early recovery. Roger is a husband, father, son, brother, and uncle, but his recovery is what allows all the other titles to be a healthy reality.
JOHN AMATO - BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
John joined the LIR Board in 2015 and maintains a passion for our Mission primarily because of the impact addiction has had on his family and friends. When not volunteering his time, John is a Principal with Expense Reduction Analysts who works with C-Level executives interested in increasing profitability and cash flow.
RICHARD ZESKIND - BOARD SECRETARY
Richard graduated from the University of Virginia and Duke University Law School. He served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Eastern Savings Bank from 2000 until his retirement in December 2021. For LIR, he brings expertise in legal matters, including contracts, real estate transactions and loss mitigation. Richard is a volunteer board member for several community associations and previously served on the board of Baltimore-based non-profit organization. He has been a resident of Howard County for over 20 years. His hobbies include golf, fitness, travel, investments, reading, and studying Spanish. Richard understands the importance of sober living for those in recovery through his experience with a family member who has been impacted by addiction.
CYNTHIA WYATT - BOARD TREASURER
Cynthia (Cindy) brings many years of business experience to LIR, with an MBA in Finance from Loyola College. She recently retired after serving as Senior Vice President at the Bank of America. She worked in finance, internal auditing, and credit policy. From 2001 to 2013 I was the liaison between Commercial Banking and Technology, building the technology tools used by commercial bankers. She managed groups of up to 80 employees, and she worked on many cross-functional project teams. Organization and problem solving are some of her strengths
RICK CONDON - BOARD MEMBER
Rick was most recently the Senior Vice President of Operations for the Maryland Food Bank. He ran the vast food search and rescue operation that spanned across three warehouses located in Baltimore, Salisbury, and Hagerstown. He worked with our partner network to distribute more than 102,000 meals to hungry Marylanders every day. Rick has 25 years of supply chain and logistics experience, and volunteered at a hunger-relief organization in New York. In warm weather, you can find him running the Across the Bay 10K or the Mission 10 Miler.
TERRI DAVEY - BOARD MEMBER
Terri received a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Loyola University MD. She brings a diverse skill set to LIR spanning industrial engineering, project management, cyber security, and data governance. Throughout her career, she has successfully led cross functional teams, managed complex projects, and implemented strategies to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Terri joined the LIR Board in 2023. She is committed to leveraging her skills and experience to make impactful contributions to LIR’s mission.
KATE FARBER - BOARD MEMBER
Kate is the founder of K & K Property Management, a residential property management company servicing Howard County and the surrounding area. Kate feels it is a privilege to serve on the Living in Recovery board, and she actively assists in maintaining the houses, and providing comfortable living accommodations to aid in our residents’ recoveries.
JOHN GLOVER - BOARD MEMBER
John is a commercial banking executive for Fulton Bank. He is responsible for sales leadership, product development, and risk management for the bank's Commercial Real Estate Banking, Healthcare Banking, and Commercial Community Development Banking businesses.
SARA KAISER - BOARD MEMBER
MICHAEL SCHIFF - BOARD MEMBER
Michael is the CEO/Founder of The Schiff Home Team of eXp Realty, LLC. Michael received his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Florida. He started his real estate career in 2004, and he has been responsible for over 400 million dollars of residential sales in the past 20 years. Michael has extensive knowledge and experience with designing, renovating and re-developing homes throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.