HOPE HOUSE RECOVERY'S
BOARD & STAFF
For over 20 years, the Hope House in Athens has helped men to find a better way to live.
Contact us today to start your journey!
KEITH PEARSON
program director - member of the board of directors
Keith was Matt’s handpicked successor when Matt's health led him to take a less prominent role in the day to day operation of the Hope house. Keith has been in his position as Program Director at the Hope House for the majority of the last decade.
Prior to the Hope House, he was employed by Advantage Health as a technician in its State sponsored detox/28 day residential treatment program.
In his decade long involvement with the Hope House, Mr. Pearson has competently provided even handed recovery related services to thousands of men while maintaining a cool composure in the face of esteem shattering pressure and circumstance.
He has the Hope House Board’s complete confidence in the exercise of his discretion in the day to day execution of Board policy in the operation of Hope House Recovery, Inc.
MATT MINSHEW
CEO - chairman of the board of directors
Matt is the quintessential serial entrepreneur who has employed a generation of Hope House program participants in his various other business ventures, sometimes even transferring ownership to the guest as a gift for working a program of recovery worthy of such reward. Some of those ventures are still ongoing, and the owners are grateful to Matt for all he did to help them find HOPE for their future.
Matt was very active in the local recovery community for over a decade, and he is very well respected as a result. Health concerns several years ago caused him to step back from the day to day operation of the Hope House. Despite his health, Matt's mind remains sharp as a tack, and goes to any length to help the still suffering addict that seeks recovery.
Matt handpicked current Program Director to succeed him as he stepped back.
Today, Matt splits his time between Athens, and his home on Lake Sinclair. Despite residing in Athens for over 25 years, Matt is a fervent fan of the University of Alabama and can be heard to frequently burst out in a loud voice "Roll Tide" at random times.
JOSEPH E. SAPP, JD, CH, CCHt
member of the board of directors
Co-founder, co-incorporator, & board member – Joey is a former trial attorney, who, is a trained clinical hypnotist internationally certified to practice hypnotherapy in a clinical setting.
When he was engaged in the private practice of law he focused on criminal defense, civil rights, and matters of police misconduct and official corruption. He has also served as a law clerk and worked with lobbyists to draft proposed legislation at the state, local, and national level.
On the Hope House Board he serves as a consulting professional when issues arise that affect the Hope House's ability to maintain viability as a recovery community and on issues of regulatory compliance which arise with the various levels of government.
He also authored the basic underlying policies on which the Hope House has operated since the 2000.
Joey resides in a tiny house trailer in Toccoa, and he rides a motorcycle.
CONNIE DURDEN
secretary and member of the board of directors
Connie is a non-addict member of the Hope House community with a background in the medical industry who also serves as a member of the board of directors.
Beginning with her tenure in 2001, Connie is the second longest consecutively serving member of the Hope House board. Only the chairman has served on the board for a longer consecutive period.
She is intimately familiar with company operations and sometimes counsels program participants in rebuilding broken family relationships.
Not only is she a member of the board, she is also a corporate officer. She has been the Hope House corporate secretary since 2001.
Connie lives in Watkinsville where she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
JOE MINSHEW
member of the board of directors
Joe is a board member and was the Hope House's initial underwriter.
On the Board he is a representative of the business community. He owns a granite brokerage with national reach and international customers.
Joe is an occasional employer of Hope House program participants.
Joe has had long term recovery arising from a period of participation and involvement with the Hope House.
Joe is a member of the Board of Directors and provides insight into matters of budgetary and infrastructure concerns in the context of resource allocation.
He provides audits on policy compliance from time to time and serves as special advisor to the Chairman.
Joe resides on in Athens, and he does not like his picture taken.
