Meet the Team | Addiction Intervention Specialists

We know all the hurdles and pitfalls of reaching recovery, so we're able to effectively develop an integrative business plan that includes diverse options for patients suffering from addiction.

Douglas M. Leech

Founder and CEO

Douglas M. Leech

Founder and CEO

Mr. Leech has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University and worked at Ernst & Young in Pittsburgh before returning to Morgantown, West Virginia and founding Ascension RS. Through his own struggles with addiction and subsequent recovery, Mr. Leech developed a passion for helping those suffering from the disease of addiction and set out to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment across West Virginia and the country. Ascension RS is the national leader for developing comprehensive behavioral health systems that provide the highest quality clinical care with a sustainable business model. Over the past 12 months, Ascension RS has opened programs in 16 states, created 154 jobs, and written and received $7.72M in grant funding for small start-up programs.

Mr. Leech also founded West Virginia Sober Living (WVSL), a self-sustaining 501(c)(3) non-profit, operating recovery residences, job creation and reintegration programming, and a network of peer recovery coaches providing broad community support for SUD throughout West Virginia.

Scott Cohen, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Scott Cohen, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Scott has a BS in Business Administration with a double major in accounting and finance from The Ohio State University. Scott has more than 25 years of experience in finance and operations management within start-ups and private equity-owned organizations. He has more than 14 years in behavioral health, working for national providers developing the finance and administrative infrastructure. He was responsible for all aspects of strategic planning, financial reporting, revenue cycle, process improvement, system implementation and risk management. He is also a licensed CPA and a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
.

Charm Lea

Vice President of Human Resources

Charm Lea

Vice President of Human Resources

Ms. Lea serves as the Vice President of Human Resources and has over 20 years’ experience in human capital management with a strong focus and commitment to organizational culture, strategic leadership, and talent development. She has a bachelor's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from The Pennsylvania State University.

Her career has focused on building and growing HR teams in various healthcare organizations, including specialty pharmacy, inpatient & outpatient healthcare, and urgent care & occupational medicine. She also served in the United States Air Force, where she worked as a Mental Health and Alcohol Rehabilitation Technician.

Lauren DeWitt

Business Development Manager

Lauren DeWitt

Business Development Manager

Lauren leads Ascension RS’s marketing and outreach efforts and supports program development. Lauren attended Pennsylvania State University for her undergraduate studies and majored in Bio-Behavioral Health. Lauren has an extensive background in finance, marketing, and business development for both for-profit and non-profit organizations, domestically and internationally.

Steve Burton, LCSW

Director of Client Relations

Steve Burton, LCSW

Director of Client Relations

Steve holds a Masters of Social Work degree from West Virginia University and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). Over a career spanning nearly 20 years, Steve has held positions in children services, welfare to work, prevention, and addiction treatment administration. As the former Chief Executive Officer of First Choice Health Systems and First Choice Services, Steve helped develop and implement West Virginia’s and Pennsylvania’s first addiction and behavioral health help lines: Help4WV and PA Get Help Now. Steve is also a former adjunct faculty for the West Virginia University School of Social Work and former President for the National Association of Social Workers-West Virginia chapter.

Morgan Henson

Director of Program Development

Morgan Henson

Director of Program Development

Morgan manages Ascension RS program development projects from planning to the grand opening, ensuring that all expectations are met and that the project is completed on time and on budget. Morgan has led development teams on the successful opening of behavioral health centers across the country. Her experience working directly in various aspects of development, operations, management, and quality control enables her to effectively keep all stakeholders informed and aligned throughout the development process. Some of her past experience includes leading efforts across various aspects of development, such as market research, developing business plans, creating policies and procedures, accreditation in cooperation with The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), fundraising, marketing and outreach.

Brad E. Pershing, MS, PRSS

Lead Senior Associate of Program Development

Brad E. Pershing, MS, PRSS

Lead Senior Associate of Program Development

Brad Pershing attended Marshall University on an academic scholarship, where he earned a B.A.
degree in Business Administration and a M.S. degree in Healthcare Administration. In graduate
school he co-authored a research project that was published in the peer reviewed accredited
Permanente Journal of Medicine. Prior to Ascension Recovery Services, Brad worked in the
substance use disorder industry specializing in peer recovery coaching and management. He
held multiple positions at Recovery Point West Virginia, the same organization that established
his own long-term recovery. He then progressed to the Administrative Office as the Community
Outreach Coordinator, in which consistent networking strengthened his working knowledge of
all facets involved in this line of work. His career experience and education have collectively
developed him into a compassionate and motivated advocate in the recovery field.

Terry Danielson, PRSS

Senior Associate–Program Development

Terry Danielson, PRSS

Senior Associate–Program Development

Terry Danielson is a Senior Associate in Program Development at Ascension Recovery Services. Terry is a certified Peer Support Specialist through the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals. Mr. Danielson has remained dedicated in treating Substance Use Disorder for nine years and has committed time and energy in overall health and wellness field along with efforts in addressing homelessness in the state of West Virginia. Terry has served in management roles for most of his career and values the responsibility of being a part of leadership. Terry attributes his enthusiastic approach to duty to the United States Military and his passion for helping others to his peers in long-term recovery.

Sharon Leech

Office Manager

Sharon Leech

Office Manager

Sharon is a long-time resident of West Virginia and earned a master’s degree in education from WVU. In addition, she is a licensed WV real estate agent. Sharon is the office manager at Ascension RS and offers administrative support for the Program Development and Program Management teams, including handling company real estate needs nationwide. She has worked on a variety of fundraising events in Morgantown, but she most enjoys supporting the wonderful residents of West Virginia Sober Living.

Angela Kudurogianis

Human Resources Manager

Angela Kudurogianis

Human Resources Manager

Angela Kudurogianis is Ascension RS’ Human Resources Manager coordinating administrative activities related to personnel. Angela has been an employee of the company for almost 4 years. She has previously held positions related to business management, behavioral health, and workplace accommodations. She is a lifelong resident of West Virginia and graduated with an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University in Psychology.

Additionally, Angela works in real estate as a licensed salesperson and general contractor. Outside of sales, she works on purchasing and managing investment properties.

Angela enjoys spending time with her dog, camping, traveling, live music, getting involved in the community, and advocating for people in recovery.

Joey Ferguson

Territory Manager, Northern WV

Joey Ferguson

Territory Manager, Northern WV

Joey started his professional addiction career by helping to develop and launch a mindfulness-based treatment center called Jacobs Ladder, which is featured in Netflix documentary “Recovery Boys.” Joey has traveled both internationally and locally to participate in screenings and community discussions on substance use disorder and treatment. Joey helped develop the collegiate recovery at West Virginia University where he served as a graduate assistant in their program. He helped WVU Medicine develop a detox and residential treatment center called the Center for Hope and Healing, which is open and operational in Morgantown, WV. During his time at WVU, Joey spoke for the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and various other organizations. Joey has work experience with nationally-renowned treatment programs and serves individuals needing treatment on the front lines.

Chris Watras, LCSW, LSATP, MAC

Senior Associate–Program Development

Chris Watras, LCSW, LSATP, MAC

Senior Associate–Program Development

Chris is a Senior Associate of Program Development for Ascension RS. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor with over 20 years’ experience working in human services. Prior to working with Ascension RS, Chris lived in Washington State where he developed and implemented the addiction medicine program for the largest federally qualified health center in the country.

In recent years, Chris’ work has been featured on NBC News Left Field and the Seattle Times for advocating better access to substance use disorder treatment. Chris was the 2020 Helping Us Help You award recipient from the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association for his work in developing the Responding to the Opioid Epidemic Conference and Healthcare Provider & Staff Resiliency During Covid 19 webinar series in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State. Chris continues to remain involved as founding member of the Partners in Care Conference that focuses on best practice, skills training for primary care and behavioral health providers in the Pacific Northwest.
Chris currently resides with his wife and two-year-old daughter in Richmond, Virginia where he focuses on project management for Ascension RS.

Kevin Massie, MBA

Senior Financial Analyst

Kevin Massie, MBA

Senior Financial Analyst

Kevin is the Senior Financial Analyst at Ascension Recovery Services and is responsible for developing detailed financial models and analyzing data for the Program Development and Program Management teams. Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Marshall University and his master’s degree in business administration from Morehead State University. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and visiting with family and friends.

Jennifer Lapshin

Accounting Manager

Jennifer Lapshin

Accounting Manager

Jennifer joined Ascension RS in October 2021 as the Accounting Manager. Prior to joining ARS, Jennifer worked in public accounting and earned her Certified Public Accountant certification. She recently moved back to Columbus, Ohio where she graduated from OSU in 2015.

Lauren Warr

Senior Staff Accountant

Lauren Warr

Senior Staff Accountant

Lauren was hired in 2020 as a staff accountant and was promoted to senior accountant this past March. She went to Fairmont State University and received a degree in Accounting and a degree in Business Administration. In her role as senior staff accountant, she currently analyzes and prepares financials, payroll, and oversees the company's junior staff accountant. Despite this being her first job upon completion of my degree, she has been at Ascension the longest out of our accounting department.