Jason Batten

LPC, AADC, CTT | Senior Manager of Regulatory Compliance and Grant Management

Jason has specialized in treating people diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.  Jason began developing programs in 2012 and has since developed many successful recovery programs, including a broad mix of clinical training programs.  In addition to his clinical training and program development experience, Jason is experienced in peer recovery services and has developed a peer recovery coach training utilized in West Virginia. Jason graduated with a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.

Anne Christopher

Corporate Controller

Anne graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a licensed CPA. Anne is a career accountant with a foundation in public accounting and extensive experience in private-industry, owner-managed businesses. In addition to her responsibilities as Controller at Ascension RS, Anne uses her expertise to develop sound financial models for our program development clients.

Brandon Younciak

Senior Staff Accountant

Brandon Younciak graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Finance in 2014. He started his career working in the Provost Office Expert Business Office as an Accounting Assistant. While working, he went on to obtain his master’s degree in Communication Studies from West Virginia University. He is also a graduate of the Mountaineer Leadership Academy. Through his dedication at West Virginia University, he worked his way up to a Budget Analyst position in the Administrative Units Shared Service Center (AUSSC). He was a vital part of the AUSSC by managing multiple budgets and grants.  Brandon is now a vital part of the Ascension team as Senior Staff Accountant. He has developed new policies and procedures and has brought extensive accounting knowledge to the company.

Kevin Massie

Staff Accountant

Kevin is a West Virginia native and proud son of Marshall University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. He continued his education at Morehead State University, earning a master’s degree in business administration. Kevin joins the company with previous accounting experience involving payroll, human resources, financial analysis, and tax reporting. In his free time, Kevin and his wife enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and visiting with friends and family.

Angela Kudurogianis

Operations Manager

Angela is a West Virginia native and graduated from West Virginia University in 2011 with a BA in Psychology. Upon graduating college, she worked in the mental health field specializing in neuropsych testing. Following that, Angela worked extensively in project management and business operations. During that time, she obtained her real estate license where she gained experience in both sales and investments.  At Ascension, Angela specializes in project management to ensure each one of our clients’ projects meet our quality and business standards.

Jon Dower, CIP, PR

Director of Recovery Services

Jon is a certified intervention professional through the Pennsylvania Certification Board as well as a certified recovery coach and peer mentor specialist in West Virginia. He earned his degree in political science with minors in communications and addiction studies from West Virginia University. Jon has performed many successful interventions in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Leading the clinical services side of Ascension, his duties include interventions, management and working with the families of those in recovery. Jon builds relationships and coordinates with substance abuse treatment centers across the country.  He places hundreds of individuals in the most appropriate facility yearly. Additionally, Jon serves as manager of operations of a non-profit sober living company with 32 beds in West Virginia.

Sharon Leech

Administrative Support

Sharon is a long-time resident of West Virginia and earned a master’s degree in education from WVU. In addition to teaching in the Morgantown school system, she is a licensed real estate agent. Sharon offers administrative support for the Program Development and Outreach teams at Ascension. She has enjoyed working on a variety of fund-raising events such as the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center fashion show, the WVU Cancer Center gala and Mon Health Ball of the Year, but she is most happy to be the adopted “house mom” for the wonderful residents at WV Sober Living. Sharon is the proud mom of Doug, Leila and Christy and beautiful grandson Dougie.

Morgan Henson

Project Manager, PR

Morgan works with the Ascension program development team doing market research, developing business plans, and creating policies and procedures for their expanding list of clients. She has experience working with The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) enabling her to provide quality services for Ascension’s clientele.  Morgan has previously led outreach efforts for the clinical side of Ascension, where she engaged with other professionals across the region. She is a state certified peer recovery coach in West Virginia and a person in long-term recovery. Morgan works closely with West Virginia Sober Living and has organized multiple fundraising events to support the expansion of the organization. Before joining Ascension, Morgan gained experience in the field of addiction by serving as a house manager of women-only sober living facilities in Dallas, Texas, and West Virginia. She is a proud native of Morgantown, West Virginia, where she graduated from University High School before pursuing studies at West Virginia University, minoring in addiction studies and criminology. Additionally, Morgan has previous management experience in the customer service industry specializing in sales and advertising.

Lauren Seggie

Program Development, PR

Lauren is a Morgantown, WV native and graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Communication Studies. After graduating from WVU, Lauren worked as a program assistant for a statewide non-profit organization that empowers women to join the workforce in non-traditional careers. Lauren was then promoted to Operations Manager, where she assisted with financial management, grant management, community and workforce development, and strategic planning. Lauren is the proud mother of one son, Ezra, and values spending time with her family. At Ascension Recovery Services, Lauren will assist the team with all aspects of program development.

Julie Kniceley

Implementation Manager

Julie attended West Virginia University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Organizational/Industrial Communication. She furthered her education in Communication at WVU and received a Master of Arts in Communication, with emphasis on behavioral health. She has worked in the behavioral health field in many different areas. She started as a case manager at a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center and worked her way up to a Director of Adult/Children’s crisis, case management, therapy services, and utilization review. Julie left community behavioral health to join forces with a community hospital as Director of the psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services. Julie provided management and oversight to an 18-bed geriatric psychiatric unit and a 34-bed adult psychiatric unit. She also provided management of their outpatient psychiatric clinic.

Karissa Bjorkgren

Senior Associate of Regulatory Compliance and Grant Management

A three-time alumna of West Virginia University, Karissa holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Psychology, a Master of Social Work, and a Master of Public Administration. Karissa joined the Ascension team as a student intern in her final year of study, later transitioning to a full-time position on the Grant and Compliance team. She comes to Ascension with a broad range of experience in nonprofit, healthcare, and government agencies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her black lab, Brody.

Grace Lane

Program Development Associate

Grace grew up in Morgantown, WV. She graduated from Liberty University with her B.S. in Psychology with a specialization in Counseling in 2019. Grace, also, interned for Ascension assisting with program development and worked alongside of West Virginia Sober Living. She is also involved in Young Life, an organization reaching adolescents. At Ascension Recovery Services, Grace will assist the team with program development. In her free time, she enjoys long runs and hiking with her friends and family.

Joe Mytro, PR

Peer Recovery Coach (PRC)

 Joe is a state certified recovery coach and peer mentor specialist in West Virginia. He graduated from Mountain State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Prior to joining Ascension Recovery Services, Joe worked at a 28-day inpatient treatment facility in West Virginia and has run multiple sober living homes in the state. Joe is director of clinical transports for all male Ascension clients around the country.  He is also house manager/intake coordinator for the West Virginia Sober Living house in Morgantown, West Virginia. He is father to three children, Jonah, Amber and Autumn and grandfather to three young boys, Tatum, Hawkin and Maximus. Joe is also a person in long-term recovery.

Dan McCawley, PR

Peer Recovery Coach (PRC)

Dan is a Morgantown native and father. He works as a peer recovery coach and interventionist all across West Virginia. His experience as a person in long-term recovery is invaluable in his role as a PRC and a manager of a 19-bed sober living home in Morgantown, West Virginia. His extensive management background is well utilized in day-to-day operations and program development.

Stephanie Klemp

Peer Recovery Coach (PRC)

Stephanie is a state-certified recovery coach and peer mentor specialist in West Virginia. She currently is a house manager in an 11-bed sober living home in Morgantown, West Virginia. Roles with Ascension include peer recovery coaching and community outreach. She graduated from McKinleyville High School in Northern California. She successfully completed a long term, peer-driven recovery program where she served as a peer leader and polished skills in peer accountability, conflict resolution and time management. Stephanie currently works at both Ascension and Morgantown Sober Living. Stephanie has dedicated her life to long term recovery and is an active member in the recovery community.