Brief Speaker Biographies – Twelve Oaks – Sept 23, 2011
4-Star General Barry R. McCaffrey (retired) - Former U.S. Drug Czar
General Barry McCaffrey was the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
1996-2001. He served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and the National Security Council for
drug-related issues. He was Professor of International Affairs at the United States Military Academy at
West Point and is President of his own consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia. He is a widely
quoted national security, terrorism, and drug policy analyst in the media. He graduated from Phillips
Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and the U.S. Military Academy. He holds a Master of Arts degree
in civil government from American University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and
an associate member of the Inter-American Dialogue. He serves on the Board of the National Association
of Drug Court Professionals and is a board director and senior policy advisor of CRC Health Group.
Jerry Rhodes, Chief Operating Officer - CRC Health Group
Jerry Rhodes serves as Chief Operating Officer of CRC Health Group where he is responsible for overall
operations of the nation’s largest behavioral and substance abuse treatment provider with over 140
facilities. Mr. Rhodes brings over 30 years of experience in the health care industry. Prior to joining
CRC, Mr. Rhodes was CEO of Comprehensive Addictions Programs Inc. (“CAPS”) for 10 years. The
company was acquired by CRC in February 2003. Before joining CAPS, Mr. Rhodes served for four
years as Director of Development for Beverly Enterprises, the nation’s largest publicly held nursing home
company. He worked as Chief Development Consultant for three years with a nationally renowned
architectural and development firm specializing in health care facilities. Mr. Rhodes started his career
with Manor Care Inc. a public long term care company in various business development positions. He is a
Board Member of the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) and Chairman of the
Addiction Committee.
Keith Kuhn, MBA, MSW, CADC, Executive Director - Twelve Oaks Recovery
Keith Kuhn is an established health professional with extensive leadership experience. He served as Vice
President of Adult Services for a substance abuse and mental health services corporation in Illinois where
he managed clinical and administrative services for three facilities. Prior to this, Kuhn was Executive
Director for another substance abuse and mental health services company for four years and worked with
federal government agencies and private insurance companies to obtain new coverage contracts. Keith
was been Director of Outpatient Programs for a behavioral health services corporation where he managed
psychiatric and counseling programs and clinics. He worked as a chemical dependency counselor and
behavioral health therapist prior to his executive positions. Kuhn earned his BA and Master of Social
Work from Arizona State University and also has an MBA in Healthcare Management. In 2004, he was
appointed an associate/adjunct faculty member for Arizona State University where he taught in the School
of Social Work.
Diane Vchulek, MS, MA, LHC, BCETS, PTSD Tract Coordinator - Twelve Oaks Recovery
Diane has broad experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor spanning over 25 years. She
specializes in helping people heal from stress reactions and responses associated with both civilian and
military traumatic experiences. She developed the ASPIRE specifically for Twelve Oaks for the
treatment of addiction and PTSD for military and civilians. She is a respected speaker for the
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the International Society for the Study of Trauma
and Dissociation. Diane is an Adjunct Professor in Psychology and currently completing her dissertation
for Ph.D. focusing on “Stress Reactions in Military Wives of Deployed Spouses in Desert Storm/Shield
and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom”
Sheriff Larry Ashley – Okaloosa County
Sheriff Ashley was elected to office in November 2010 after rising through the ranks from road patrol to
Chief Deputy. He began his law enforcement career at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in 1990 in
the Uniformed Patrol Division. During those years of service in virtually all aspects of the agency, Sheriff
Ashley also continued his education and specialized training, graduating from the FBI National Academy
in Quantico Virginia in 2005. He has earned numerous awards and commendations. He received the
Florida Senate Medal of Excellence Award in 2009, the legislature’s highest award for service to the
people of Florida. Sheriff Ashley enjoys serving the community as a youth sports coach and YMCA
Board Member, Executive Board Member for the Okaloosa-Walton Homeless Coalition, and ViceChairman of the Finance Committee at the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach.
Niceville Police Chief David Popwell
David Popwell was named Chief of Police in Niceville in August of 2011. Chief Popwell has been with
the Police Department for over 10 years where he served as patrol division and investigation division
commander. He has been a resident of Niceville for 12 years.
TERRY DAVID TERRELL, Chief Judge, First Judicial Circuit, State of FL
Judge Terrell is currently assigned to a General Jurisdiction Division handling civil and criminal cases.
He has made significant contributions to various committees including the Supreme Court Taskforce on
Treatment Based Drug Courts. He was appointed Mentor Judge Coordinator for the First Judicial Circuit
and continues serving as a Mentor Judge. He has extensive experience teaching paralegals, law students,
attorneys, and judges.He is the recipient of the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice’s Award of Judicial
Excellence. He has received numerous awards including the National Association of Social Workers
Northwest Florida Chapter “Elected Official of the Year Award” and the University of West Florida
Department of Political Science “Distinguished Alumnus Award”. Judge Terrell volunteers to preside in
problem solving courts including: Adult Drug Court, Family Focused Juvenile Domestic Violence Court,
Family Focused Parent Dependency Drug Court, Teen Court, and Truancy Court. He served 2 years with
a SASCOM unit in Germany attached to a German Rocket Artillery Battalion
OTHERS PARTICIPATING:
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Marian Ross, National Recovery Month Ambassador, treatment alumna, San Jose CA
Christopher Bailey, Sergeant 1st Class Army Ranger Instructor – Alumnus, Twelve Oaks
Janea Kraus – Vocalist / Friend of Twelve Oaks
Clark Merritt, District Representative for Cong. Jeff Miller, Chair, US House Committee
on Veterans Affairs and Member, US House Armed Services Committee