THE LIGHTHOUSE LEADERSHIP
TREY LAIRD
CEO & Founder
Trey Laird is CEO and Founder of both The Lighthouse Sober Living and The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program.
Before founding The Lighthouse, Mr. Laird was a Wall Street equities trader for 22 years, starting this first career with Bankers Trust and exiting with Lazard. Mr. Laird attended the Trinity School in Manhattan and Dartmouth College.
Mr. Laird has four children and lives in Rowayton, Connecticut with his wife. He is an avid golfer and marathoner, regularly travels to share his story of recovery and treatment best practices, and appears regularly in the press on addiction issues.
Mr. Laird feels that his choice to Recover Out Loud has had an extraordinary impact on his life in recovery.
HEIDI SMITH
CFO
Heidi is the Chief Financial Officer for The Lighthouse. She joined The Lighthouse in May 2018 as Director of Business Strategy. She previously worked in private equity with The Chase Manhattan Bank and later Seaport Capital in New York.
Heidi attended Dartmouth College and Columbia Business School. She is on the Board of Directors of Liberation Programs and the Darien YMCA, and is a member of the Dartmouth Alumni Council. She has raised her four children in Darien, CT.
CINI SHAW
Executive Director Recovery 365 Cini came to The Lighthouse in March of 2019 and she has been a Certified Recovery Coach since 2014.
Cini began her career in special education, working with the developmentally disabled. She continues to advocate for the rights of those who do not have a voice and have been marginalized by our society.
Cini spent many years as a stay at home mom in Fairfield County. She is aware of the benefits and challenges that go hand and hand with raising a family as well as the social pressures, alienation, and competitiveness in many of our communities. Cini recognizes that these pressures can be overwhelming, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and unsafe coping skills.
In 2014, she began to devote her time and energy, with the same passion she had earlier in her career, partnering with individuals on their recovery journey.
Cini became a Professional Recovery Coach and an Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the states of Connecticut and New York. On a daily basis, she meets individually and in group therapy settings to assist those with substance use disorders to develop acceptance, empowerment, self-compassion, and a sustainable recovery plan.
Cini cherishes time with her family and friends. She loves to bake, take spin classes, read and grow orchids. She practices gratitude, mindfulness, meditation, laughter and joy every day.
THE LIGHTHOUSE SUPPORT STAFF
Deb Atkins
DEB ATKINS
Clinical Consultant We are pleased to welcome Deborah Atkins, MFT as our clinical family recovery consultant for the Lighthouse Sober Living Recovery 365 Coaching Program. She has been a marriage and family therapist in Fairfield county for 15 years. As our consultant, she shares her expertise in family system dynamics to help our coaches and staff develop individualized support for our residents and their families. Deborah recognizes addiction and dysfunction as part of a larger (sometimes desperate) call for change. She identifies negative thoughts, long-held beliefs, and unhealthy patterns of relating within the context of our clients work, marriage and family. By challenging ineffective and destructive habits and behaviors, she helps our team to uncover latent strengths and new strategies that often hold the key to lasting sobriety and transformation.
Deborah received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University. She has worked in both agency and private settings with individuals, couples, and families. She has also worked in the local judicial system with court-mandated clients addressing chronic substance abuse and anger management disorders. Deborah advises allied professionals on the subtle nuances of systemic organization, helping corporate teams and educators as an adjunct facilitator and mediator.
Her warmth, compassion, intuition, optimism, and commitment to collaboration provides our residents and their families guided strategies for long term recovery and deeper more meaningful family relationships. Her systemic approach also gives us valuable insights into resident and staff relationships to ensure The Lighthouse “family” provides the most nurturing, healthy, and productive environment for our client’s journey of recovery and wellness.
Jack Claydon
JACK CLAYDON
Business Development Associate Jack joined The Lighthouse team in March 2016 and had served as a live-in House Manager.
As House Manager Jack participates in all aspects of the administration of the residential facility. He enjoys working with residents and believes that life-changing transformations can occur at The Lighthouse by those residents willing to work for them.
Before The Lighthouse, Jack practiced law for 25 years. He has recently completed the practicum for certification as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. He hopes to complete the certification process in early 2020.
Mark Sullivan
MARK SULLIVAN
Director of Alumni RelationsMark joined The Lighthouse in June 2017. He has served as a weekend house manager, support staff and also recovery coach. Mark finds working with the guys and helping to create events very fulfilling and loves to see guys faces as they begin to realize that sobriety is not only fun but is a preferred way of living.
Before joining The Lighthouse, Mark was a Writer/Producer in Television for over 25 years. He created on-air promotional commercials for channels such as Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Oxygen, WWE, Food Network and AMC Networks.
Mark loves to stay active. He sails and races throughout the summer. He also enjoys biking, swimming, tennis and paddle ball.
RESIDENTIAL STAFF
Ross Shutak
ROSS SHUTAK
Men’s Residential Program Director Ross has been working for The Lighthouse as a House Manager since November 2016.
Before working for The Lighthouse, Ross worked for a Christian Non-profit recovery center in Bridgeport, CT.
Ross has found his recovery through 12 Step Programs, Meditation, Community, and Prayer. Having been a self-proclaimed atheist himself, Ross is empathetic to guys in early recovery struggling with Spiritual proponents in 12 step programs.
Firmly believing in Recovery is more than just abstinence from substances, Ross practices improvement in all of his life. Ross loves to exercise, maintains a dedicated diet plan, and works on himself in personal relationships. He lives a very consistent and dependable lifestyle which is seen by our clients. When he gives advice, it is well received because he lives a life of self-improvement.
Debra Forman
Debra Forman
Women’s Residential Program DirectorDebra Forman has been working at The Lighthouse since November 2020. Prior to The Lighthouse, she was the Director at another sober living residence in Fairfield County. Debra grew up in Rumson, New Jersey and received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at the University of Hartford. She comes with over 25 years of experience in leadership and management roles within the areas of Marketing and Public Relations in NYC.
Debra decided to bring the same drive and determination she brought to the corporate world and apply it to her passion and mission for service by specifically supporting and helping to empower women in recovery and all aspects of their lives.
Debra is grateful for her own personal recovery journey and strongly believes that we don’t have to do it alone…that building/rebuilding a strong community, a sense of purpose and engagement is at the core to living a more enriched and fulfilling life. Debra is also trained as a career/life coach and a SMART Recovery facilitator.
Debra is passionate about all things nature, animals, mentoring young adults, diversity initiatives, interior design, card games, family, and is learning to knit a mean scarf.
Akisha Cassermere
AKISHA CASSERMERE
House Manager
Akisha has been working at The Lighthouse recovery residence for women since April 2020. Akisha was born and raised in Stamford, CT. She earned her Associates of Science at Norwalk Community College in 2012 (Human Services), and continued on to Sacred Heart University, where she earned her Bachelors of Science (Criminal Justice). Akisha has many years of experience working in transitional living facilities in Fairfield County, and within those facilities, she has worked with residents that struggled with addiction. In addition to The Lighthouse, she conducts home visits to help parents of young children learn about child development. She is a programming consultant for a non-profit organization that serves families affected by trauma. She hosts trivia games shows at several venues around the state, and she is a stand-up comedienne.
Akisha produces a weekly Facebook Live broadcast that focuses on hearing and voicing comments and concerns of the residents in her city, and teaching them how city government works. She is the proud mother of two college students. She loves to spend time with her family, practice “self-care”, and volunteer in her community. One of her favorite quotes is by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which reads:
“Take the first step in FAITH. You don’t have to see the WHOLE staircase, just take the first step”
Patricia Dewey
PATRICIA DEWEY
House ManagerPatricia has been working at The Lighthouse recovery residence for women since its opening in March 2020.
Patricia has found success in recovery through being an active member of the 12-step program of AA, volunteer work, and daily prayer. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Whittier College and completed her Recovery Coach training through the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery. Prior to her work at the Lighthouse she worked as an elementary school teacher and also ran a successful catering company out of her hometown of Austin, Texas.
Patricia believes that connection is the most essential part of her recovery. Not only connection to people, but also to the community and personal hobbies/passions once lost in the cloud of substance use. Learning to reconnect with like-minded people and restoring healthy lifestyle skills are fundamental to continued recovery. Patricia enjoys helping people tap into and reinvigorate the activities that once brought them great joy. She enjoys playing the guitar, working out, painting, cooking, writing, and anything that makes her laugh!
Jacqueline Calayag
Jacqueline Calayag
House ManagerJacqueline Calayag is an RCP and is the proud single mother of a young adult in recovery.
She has a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Wesleyan University in CT and earned her Master of Science from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in NY.
After spending 25 years as a television news producer and entertainment reporter in the U.S. and Japan, Jacqueline put her career on hold to support her adolescent son through his struggle with substance use disorder. At age 20, he is now more than two years sober and substance-free.
The shared experience with her son inspired Jacqueline to pursue a career in service to people in recovery as well as their families — helping others as she and her son were helped. She became a CCAR Recovery Coach Professional in July 2020.
Jacqueline is an active member of the New Canaan Parent Support Group and a founding member and co-chair of the New Canaan Recovery Corps. She also serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council of Silver Hill Hospital and is certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Last fall she was thrilled to see her two career paths converge when she executive-produced two virtual events: the 4th Annual Addiction Awareness Vigil and the 7th Annual Celebrate Recovery Awards.
Jacqueline knows firsthand the huge impact substance use disorder can have on relationships. This journey has shown her how rebuilding and reconnecting are essential steps on the path to recovery and she believes her calling is to help others find that same sense of awareness and comfort.
Mark Hyde
MARK HYDE
House ManagerMark resides in Fairfield, Connecticut, has been working on his recovery since the 1980s and has been working for The Lighthouse since 2017.
In 2014, Mark embraced the concept of multiple pathways of recovery and chose to attend classes for state recognized sober coaching. In his personal plan for recovery, he incorporates AA and Refuge Recovery meetings, employs nutrition and exercise, meditation, and strong connection with spirituality.
Mark is a graduate of Bryant University with BA in Marketing and Financial Management. After graduation, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa, South America, and the United States.
Before working as a recovery coach, Mark worked in building craftsmanship and property management industry until he switched gears and chose a career as a financial brokerage representative with Lincoln Financial Group.
Mark shares all of his experience, strength, and hope with his coaching clients. He regards working with and emotionally supporting other alcoholics/addicts comforting as opposed to the widespread confusion of his past.
Kelly Moore
Kelly Moore
House Manager
Kelly began working at the Lighthouse recovery residence for women in November 2020. Kelly passed the IC & RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam in December 2014. Kelly received her Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) designation from CCAR in October 2020 and is a strong believer in their coaching model. She holds a Masters of Social Work from Fordham School of Social Service and is licensed in the states of Connecticut and New York. She is currently studying psychodrama at the Psychodrama and Creative Arts Therapy Center in New York City and will become a certified practitioner in 2021.
Kelly has seen how connection to a recovery community can stop the cycle of substance and mental health disorders and the pain of isolation.
A mother of two, from Greenwich, Connecticut, Kelly enjoys the beach, photography and seeing other people recover.
Dan Lewis
DAN LEWIS
House Manager
Dan Lewis has been working at The Lighthouse since September 2017 and has been in recovery since June 2013. He is a former Chef and graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, NY. Dan worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. Long hours and a work hard, play harder mentality fueled and accelerated his substance use.
Dan reports, “My decision to get sober was an easy one when I was finally ready”. He suffered years of setbacks and disappointments. His family life was chaotic and stressful. He was unable to keep commitments and his health was quickly failing. Dan recognized that he needed support to effect a real change in his life and he was able to find that in the rooms of AA.
Today Dan’s life is full of purpose and people who love, respect, and trust him. He chooses to work in the field of recovery because, for him, it is the ultimate way to give back what has been given to him. Dan has found working for The Lighthouse to be a wonderful and rewarding experience. He hopes to carry the message of hope and healing to all those in early recovery and beyond.
Philip Sleeman
PHILIP SLEEMAN
House ManagerBio coming soon…
Fabrice Denis
FABRICE DENIS
chef
Michael Vitello
FABRICE DENIS
Chef
RECOVERY 365 COACHES
Dave Cator
DAVE CATOR
Recovery Coach In February 2017, Dave Cator became the Lighthouse’s first participant in the Recovery 365 Program, which by no coincidence is also his sobriety date. He now serves as a Professional Recovery Coach on the Lighthouse team.
Dave grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley after spending time at both the University of Colorado and Stanford University. He spent his business career as a Senior Executive in the publishing industry residing in numerous cities on the West coast before moving East.
Dave has three daughters and resides in Darien, Connecticut with his wife. He loves his family time, vacations, golf and yellow labs. Dave is an exercise fanatic and is always looking for the next challenge.
Throughout his publishing career and working with those in sobriety, Dave has recognized that his greatest strengths are his listening skills and the respect that he has for his clients and their recovery journey. Dave loves working with his clients in building a recovery plan and helping them reach their individual goals.
Michèle Cederquist
MICHÈLE CEDERQUIST
Michèle was born and raised in New York City and joined the Lighthouse and Recovery 365 in 2019. She is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) with 34 years of recovery from alcohol and drugs.
Growing up in Manhattan, she loved sports and was also on scholarship with The American Ballet Theatre. She attended Performing Arts High School and later, Hunter College. She worked with a non-profit writer’s group for several years before entering the real estate world as a broker.
After 20 years in real estate and feeling a little burned out, she searched her soul for what would truly fulfill her. She didn’t have to look very far. For 34 years, she has remained active in recovery and has never lost her passion for it. She decided to expand her ability to help others by becoming a Recovery Coach. Michèle uses her life experiences, empathy and insight to help you integrate into your new life. Although well-versed in 12 step recovery, she can help you navigate other paths available to you to help you achieve your goals in recovery.
Michèle resides in Manhattan with her son who is attending college. She loves animals, the beauty of nature, going to the gym and taking long walks in Central Park.
Clay Colbath
CLAY COLBATH
Recovery Coach Clay is a graduate of Colgate University and Boston College Graduate School of Management. He serves an Elder of the Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT and has served as President of the Rotary, and as an officer of the Colgate Club of Fairfield County.
Formerly with RR Donnelley – Director of Business Development, and now a Director of ShareIntel in Rowayton, Clay brings an extensive resume with over 25 years in the securities and investment management field and 10 years as an entrepreneur.
Clay has lived recovery experience spanning 20+ years. He is versed in 12 step recovery of AA as well as other community support groups. Clay joined The Lighhthouse and Recovery 365 in 2019. As a Recovery Coach, Clay brings a combination of business and problem- solving skills to his passion for helping others find their pathway to sustained recovery.
Clay lives in Norwalk with his wife and their twin 6th grade children.
Charisse Czaja
CHARISSE CZAJA
Recovery Coach
Charisse Czaja is a fearless recovery coach and advocate within the recovery community. The work she’s done in recovery over the past 30 years has been the most important and inspiring work of her life. She uses her enthusiasm and life experience to inspire and help others navigate their recovery journey. Charisse partners with her clients to meet them exactly where they are in their recovery and help them transition to a life focused on restoring and growing wellness.
Charisse graduated from Marymount College with a Bachelor of Arts. She is a highly acclaimed professional photographer and a CCAR Recovery Coach Professional. She believes there are multiple pathways to recovery and helps her clients design and navigate a personalized recovery plan. She tirelessly collaborates with them on their recovery course by serving as their mentor and guide, hoping to promote optimism, healthy living, and wellness.
Charisse and her husband David, both in long-term recovery, live in Rowayton, Connecticut, with their three sons. Charisse is a cancer survivor and a wellness enthusiast who enjoys living an active, healthy lifestyle. Her family and her personal recovery are her top priorities.
David Czaja
DAVID CZAJA
Senior Recovery CoachDavid Czaja joined The Lighthouse in 2018. In the summer of 2019, he fulfilled the requirements and achieved designation as a Recovery Coach Professional (RCP), from the Center for Addiction Recovery Training. David has been in recovery for 12 years. He is an active member of local and regional recovery communities, of which he maintains numerous recovery relationships in Fairfield county. David draws upon his empathy and curiosity while guiding his recovery, coaching clients in forging their path for recovery.
David is a lifetime member of the PGA. Before working with The Lighthouse Recovery 365, he coached golf for 25 years. As a PGA Golf Professional, David relied upon his knowledge, compassion, and problem-solving skills, to help shape outstanding golfers. In his recovery coaching services, David has sharpened these skills to help coach, men in early recovery. He relies upon active listening and his personal experiences to help others find the path in recovery, which works best for the individual — not everyone makes the same golf swing to achieve their best results. The same applies to recovery.
Anne Friday
ANNE FRIDAY
Anne Friday, RCP, is a recovery coach based in Connecticut, Westchester, and New York City. With over 20 years of personal recovery, Anne is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those seeking and maintaining recovery from substance use disorders.
A graduate of the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy, Anne believes in a holistic approach to healing, is educated in traditional, complementary, and alternative treatment modalities, and understands that there are many pathways to recovery. Her services are customized to the individual needs of the client and she delivers them with dedication, compassion, confidentiality, and discretion.
A student of yoga and meditation, Anne’s own recovery is built on the balance of mind, body, and spirit. This foundation is essential in addressing mental health as well as substance use disorders. Integrative healing builds a bridge back to wholeness, health, and hope for the future. Originally from Chicago, Anne has lived in Greenwich, Connecticut for 35 years. She had a successful career in luxury fashion and is a passionate photographer, selling her art and teaching workshops and seminars.
Ford Gardner
FORD GARDNER
Recovery Coach Bio coming soon..
Stephanie Hazard
STEPHANIE HAZARD
Recovery Coach Stephanie Hazard joined the Recovery 365 coaching team in 2019. She is a Certified Recovery Coach Professional through the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and works as a private recovery coach in CT and NYC.
Sober for 20 years, Stephanie understands the challenges and joys of being a mother in recovery and as a working professional. Her sober journey began when she was a single mother living in Greenwich and working in Manhattan.
Her experience as a sexual abuse survivor and her recovery from an eating disorder enable her to connect with women on multiple levels. She believes in multiple pathways to recovery and has developed recovery resources, relationships and a community network that includes leaders in the field of addiction and substance use disorder.
When she is not coaching a client, you can either find her on the stage or volunteering. As a classically trained actress, she has been performing for over 30 years and has appeared in numerous stage productions and play festivals. As a volunteer, she served on Liberation Programs’ Board of Directors for 8 years and currently volunteers her time at Silver Hill Hospital and the Theatre Artists Workshop.
Stephanie grew up in New York City where she enjoyed a career that spanned TV Commercial Production, Adverting, Marketing and Business Development. She lives in New Canaan with her husband who is a long time PMC volunteer and Co-Captain. Her two adult children, one a screenwriter and the other an artist, are both pursuing their careers in Los Angeles.
L. Patrick Oden
L. PATRICK ODEN
Recovery Coach Patrick is a graduate of City College NY with a major in history. He has a continuing passion for the topic. As a lyricist and lead singer, Patrick has a deep understanding of the pressures that face professionals who need to meet deadlines and to present a polished product. His early work life focused on supporting his musical passion by working in the hospitality and beverage distribution industries.
Patrick is a graduate of CCAR Recovery Coach Academy and the Co-Chair of Friends of Recovery Westchester Youth Committee. In 2019 he joined The Lighthouse and Recovery 365. Patrick has a deep knowledge of the many pathways to recovery with experience in SMART Recovery and traditional 12 Step programs. In developing his comprehensive personal recovery regimen, he knows that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all program.
Patrick’s years of working with people from all walks of life helped him develop an empathetic approach to his work with clients as they create their own recovery pathways and build recovery capital. For Patrick there is no better feeling than helping a person in early recovery begin to achieve their goals.
Stephanie Weiss
STEPHANIE WEISS
Recovery Coach Stephanie joined the Lighthouse community as a Recovery Coach in February 2020. She holds a MS in counseling from Long Island University and a BA in psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY. She currently owns and operates a private fitness studio in Fairfield County, CT.
Her personal recovery journey started over 5 years ago when her substance use threatened not only her values, but her life. Stephanie became a Recovery Coach in 2019 with the intention of helping others who have suffered in the same way. As a personal trainer and fitness coach, the recovery coaching model was a perfect fit for her. Stephanie uses her expertise, passion for health and wellness and personal recovery experience, to guide others on their wellness journey.
Bill Michelotti
BILL MICHELOTTI
Recovery Coach Bio coming soon…
Elisabeth Connolly
Elisabeth Connolly
Recovery Coach Elisabeth hails from New Canaan, CT and completed her BA at Lehigh University. She worked in advertising in NYC for several years prior to beginning her recovery journey in Southern California in 2015.
After taking vital time to work on herself, Elisabeth decided to refocus her passion, time and knowledge to help those suffering from substance use disorders and trauma. She became deeply entrenched in the SoCal recovery community, managing a women’s sober house in Brentwood, CA and opening her own sober home in Malibu. Elisabeth joined The Lighthouse and Recovery 365 in 2019.
Elisabeth loves to travel and is an avid outdoors woman. In sobriety, she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, skydived in Camarillo, CA and bungee jumped in Soweto, South Africa.
She is excited to bring her passion for recovery and helping others to recognize and achieve their goals to The Lighthouse.
Pete Holmberg
PETE HOLMBERG
Recovery Coach Pete Holmberg came into the world of recovery on May 19th, 2008, and he’s very grateful to be here. Originally from Winnetka, Illinois, Pete has lived in New York City since 1992. An award winning communications professional, Pete has spent the better part of the last 25 years working with emerging companies to refine their messaging around identity, progress, and potential. He is also well versed in luxury hospitality having spent seven years on property as a senior executive at The New York Palace Hotel and The Plaza Hotel. In his spare time, Pete enjoys creative writing, and as a produced playwright, he is a member of the Dramatists Guild. In his recovery work, Pete begins every collaboration with one simple request: “Please make an effort to be kind to yourself.”
Dan Mathis
Dan Mathis
Recovery Coach bio coming soon
Alec McAuley
Alec McAuley
Recovery Coach
Alec graduated with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering (BEE) on an athletic scholarship from Manhattan College, followed by an MBA from Fordham University in 1975. He held engineering and sales management positions in international corporations for 14 years. He then enjoyed a 25 -year career in the investment industry. Alec has served on many boards, including, FCD Educational Services and Catholic Big Brothers. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University’s College of Business.
Alec joined the Lighthouse team in 2021. Alec’s recovery journey began in Galway, Ireland on April 23, 1992, where he had his last drink. He completed his recovery coaching training in 2019 and received his CRPA-P in 2020. Alec is passionate about recovery as well as sports and music. He wishes that same passion for life and recovery for all those seeking to grow their wellness.
Alec lives in Huntington, NY with his wife of 43 years. They have four grown children and eleven (so far!) grandchildren.
Jamie Atkinson
Jamie Atkinson
Recovery Coach
Jamie graduated with a BS in Management from St John’s University and an MS in Religious Studies from St Joseph’s Institute of Religious Studies.
Jamie’s recovery journey began om June 11, 1992, the day of his last drink. Two weeks later he was introduced to a fellow named Lou. Lou was in recovery and had examined many different pathways to healing. He was a wealth of recovery resources and a mentor and inspiration to Jamie who is deeply grateful for all he was taught and learned. Jamie’s recovery has been one of, “WE”, and action. He feels blessed to have been able to share his gifts of recovery with others and feels equally blessed by what their healing journey has brought to his life.
“I am delighted to be part of The Lighthouse! I believe that sober living and recovery coaching are crucial supports to sustaining wellness for a recoveree.”
Jamie stays connected to his roots as a football coach and a person in recovery. He and his wife, Angela spend their free time with their family and engaging in service, which makes for a peaceful, wonderful life.
