Van Ingram, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, Commonwealth of Kentucky

Van Ingram is the Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.  Van joined ODCP in November 2004, shortly after it was created with the mission of coordinating Kentucky’s substance abuse efforts in enforcement, treatment and prevention/education. Van served with the Maysville Kentucky Police Department for more than 23 years, the last six as Chief of Police.  He is a former President of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, and was named “Kentucky Chief of the Year” in 2001.  He is a former recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement, as well as the Melvin Shein Award for distinguished service to Kentucky law enforcement.

Charlotte Wethington (Casey’s Law)

Charlotte Wethington became a recovery advocate following the 2002 overdose death of her son, Casey. Her second retirement was in 2015 after serving 10 years as Recovery Advocate for Transitions, Inc., an agency providing treatment and related services for families with substance use disorders. She now serves part-time as a recovery advocate for Addiction Recovery Care. As Casey's mom, she initiated a Kentucky state law known as "Casey's Law", (KRS 222.430-222.437) which became effective July 13, 2004. Ms. Wethington has devoted her life to this cause for twenty years, speaking at every opportunity to raise awareness about the disease of addiction and inspire others to advocacy. She considers it an honor and a privilege to be the bearer of Casey's light so that others may find their path to recovery.

Toyotomi

Toyotomi America, located in Springfield, Kentucky, manufactures both past model service and original equipment parts for major companies in the automotive industry. Toyotomi is a certified Fair Chance Employer by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy and Kentucky Chamber Foundation. In 2021, Toyotomi launched a pilot program to create and manage talent pipelines for individuals in recovery and has employed dozens of individuals who have completed treatment for substance use disorder and reentered the workforce.

Jeff Whitehead, Executive Director, Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Inc.

Jeff Whitehead served as Executive Director of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) for over two decades and recently retired in March 2023, capping off a 31-year career in workforce development. During his tenure with EKCEP, Whitehead oversaw the creation of innovative workforce programs that have succeeded with the help of pivotal partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies along with Eastern Kentucky employers, trainers, and economic developers that effectively pooled resources and expertise to advance and expand the regional workforce. Some of those programs include Teleworks USA, which since 2015 has connected more than 4,300 people with legitimate remote-work jobs; the Strategic Initiative for Transformational Employment (SITE), which provides support for individuals in recovery as they re-enter the workforce; and the EKY FLOOD program.