Get to Know Our Leadership Team

Caroline Rutledge Etherton is the Chair of The Helios Alliance Leadership Team, building on a long career in the development and non-profit space.

She has worked in all areas of volunteer life within her community, including the Junior League of Mobile, Volunteer Mobile, the United Way of Southwest Alabama, the Infirmary Foundation, the Drug Education Council, and UMS-Wright Preparatory School. Additionally, Caroline previously served as the Director of Development and the Acting Director at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.

Keith Eubanks is a highly regarded expert in System Dynamics simulation modeling, with nearly three decades of experience in the field. His expertise has been instrumental in creating, constructing, and analyzing System Dynamics models to assess the impact of opioid prescription distribution and dispensing on the opioid epidemic. Keith is also the lead modeler on our current efforts concerning jurisdictions targeting opioid crisis abatement.

Elizabeth Etherton is the Chief Strategy Officer at Janus Consultants. In this multifaceted position, she provides expert witness preparation, strategic development, and issue analysis for litigation. Elizabeth’s professional past includes serving as Chief of Staff in the Government Affairs and Policy office of a prominent pharmaceutical company, where she focused on strategic planning. She has also contributed to global health initiatives through her work at the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a particular emphasis on the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Rayford Etherton is a seasoned legal professional who seamlessly combines his extensive legal background with cutting-edge data analytics and modeling. Using System Dynamics modeling as the core analytic tool, Rayford established an integrated practice in 2011 that leverages a top-notch multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts to deliver innovative solutions to a wide variety of systemic issues. Rayford’s work since 2017 has focused on the opioid epidemic and its impacts.

Ellis Foster, Jr. is the founder and owner of Eluxe Capital Ventures, a Mobile-based property group committed to creating local property solutions. After acquiring his degree in Urban Planning, he realized how challenging it can be for many people to find affordable housing, and he has dedicated his professional efforts to finding accessible solutions to increasing economic mobility via the real estate market.

In addition to his real estate career, Ellis serves on the Mobile Chamber Board of Directors, the Industrial Development Board, and the Providence Foundation Board. He has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by the United Way of South Alabama and as a Mentor by Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Ellis has also served in the Army National Guard.

Bill Gordon serves as the CEO and founding partner for CiviConnections. Born and raised in New York City and based in Southern California, Bill has been at the forefront advocacy-focused digital strategy and advertising for more than 14 years. Over the course of his career, he has worked with groups across the country, including issue advocacy campaigns, consulting firms, and nonprofits, with a focus on innovating new methods of reaching and engaging audiences. One recent success is working with the California Department of Public Health on a successful campaign to increase vaccine rates, particularly among marginalized populations within the State.

Virginia has served as the Executive Director of the Drug Education Council, located in Mobile, Alabama, since 1991. The Drug Education Council has operated for over 50 years in Southwest Alabama with the intent of changing the narrative when it comes to substance use disorder; they do so by providing compassionate and evidence-based services along the continuum of care. Virginia is passionate about raising awareness that drug abuse can be effectively prevented; treatment for drug addiction works; and people can and do recover. In addition to undergraduate and graduate course work, her educational background includes graduation from the Rutgers University School of Alcohol & Drug Studies.

Joshua Jones, who is the current Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator for the City of Mobile, Alabama, brings a wealth of diverse experience to his role. Prior to his current position, he served as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, demonstrating a commitment to national security. Joshua also dedicated six years to the City of Mobile as a Police Officer and contributed eleven years of service as an Officer in the Army National Guard. In his current capacity, Joshua serves as a subject matter expert in violence prevention efforts, particularly focusing on youth in the city. Recently, Joshua was chosen to participate in the inaugural PHEARLESS Leadership Cohort for emerging leaders in the field of public health, highlighting his commitment to holistic community well-being.

Meridy Lyle Jones is the Director of Counseling and the Head Girls Tennis Coach at UMS-Wright Preparatory School. She was also named Alumna of the Year at that institution in 2020. After her graduation from Julius T. Wright School for Girls, she received an education degree at the University of Alabama and returned to Mobile to teach at her alma mater. Since then, she has moved into the Guidance Department, which she now leads, and has overseen such innovative projects as Project Engage. In her role, she is uniquely positioned to have a positive impact on student and school families, as well as to have essential insights about what the next generation needs to set itself up for success.

Colonel John Kilpatrick is combat Veteran, accomplished entrepreneur, small-business owner, executive and community leader fulfilling a calling to help Military Service Members, Veterans, First Responders and their families struggling with substance abuse and post-traumatic stress. He founded Vets Recover in 2015 and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He leads Vets Recover’s mission to remove barriers to care, deliver quality integrated health care, and build a better community through recovery and connection. Vets Recover’s vision is to build a thriving community where Service Members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families are receiving the care needed to accelerate overall well-being. Kilpatrick holds a BA from Spring Hill College, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama and is a graduate of the US Army Command & General Staff College.

Tyrone Lam is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive in health innovation, technology, and game mechanics. He is Chief Operating Officer for GATC Health, an AI company transforming drug development and disease prediction. He co-founded First Americans Health, a licensed medical clinic that treats Native American tribal members and their employees on sovereign land in cooperation with tribal leaders, Native American healthcare organizations, and private health insurance providers.

He also co-founded OneRecovery in 2008, an award-winning anonymous peer-support application for 40,000 members in recovery from addiction. OneRecovery was the 1st HIPAA-secured platform utilizing “game mechanics” for patient engagement, behavioral change and treatment protocol adherence licensed by treatment centers, health plans and employers.

Elijah Lee, a 16-year-old student and community activist, is a national advocate for children; for the past six years, he has organized annual child abuse prevention marches and served as a public speaker on the issue of child abuse. Elijah is also the founder of Hear Our Voices, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people with an emphasis on assisting youth in finding their voice and becoming agents of change. Beyond that, he is an active lobbyist with the Virginia General Assembly, advocating and testifying for legislation impacting young people. Elijah’s activism led him to be featured on the Marvel Hero Project on Disney+ and be highlighted in an edition of the Black Panther Comic.

Robbie McGhee is the Vice Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and he is currently serving his fifth term on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council. In this capacity, he represents the Poarch Band of Creek Indians at the Local, State, and Federal levels regarding issues of education, health care, economic development, and sovereign immunity. Prior to moving back to Atmore, Robbie worked in Washington, D.C. for approximately five years at the Department of Interior-Bureau of Indian Affairs, the United States Senate and Troutman Sanders LLP-Indian Law Practice Group.

During his tenure in DC and at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Robbie has had the opportunity to serve on numerous White House Initiatives and boards. Currently he serves on the Board of the National Indian Child Welfare Board, Children First Alabama, Eastern Delegate for National Indian Gaming Association, Board of Advisors for the Center for Native American Youth, Alabama Humanities Foundation Board of Directors and Vice President for United South and Eastern Tribes.

Dr. Ted Miller is a distinguished economist renowned for his extensive research in health economics, injury prevention, and substance abuse prevention and control. With over 200 studies and 300 journal articles to his credit, he has established himself as a leading expert in analyzing the incidence, costs, and consequences of injury and violence. His expertise extends beyond injury prevention, encompassing other health problems and societal issues, including the opioid crisis and its abatement.

Lori Myles has served as the Director of Public Affairs at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office since 2008; in this role, she is responsible for all community and public affairs for the Sheriff’s Office. Outside of her professional role, Lori has served as the President of Volunteer Mobile; Chairman of the Underage Drinking Task Force; Chairman of the Public Safety Committee for Mobile United; and as a member of Leadership Mobile, Mobile United, and Downtown Rotary.

The goals of The Helios Alliance align with her personal goal to reduce stigma around addiction; she has been personally impacted by addiction and loss related to it, after her son passed away from a drug overdose in 2022.

Jake Nichols is a pharmacist in long-term recovery with extensive experience in community pharmacy, academia, primary care, managed care, and the pharmaceutical industry. He specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, with a focus on medication for addiction treatment. Jake is the co-founder, President, and CEO at Renovo Health, which offers key stakeholders evidence-based tools and support to enhance patient outcomes. He is also the Director of Medical Affairs at US WorldMeds and author of Unfit for Recovery, a memoir chronicling his journey with substance use.

Rick Rees is the Chairman and Co-Founder of LongueVue Capital, a private equity firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since the firm’s founding in 2001, Rick has served as General Partner of LongueVue Capital and Co-Chair of the firm’s Investment and Executive Committees. Since its founding, assets under management have grown from $175 million to $1 billion. Rick sits on numerous portfolio company boards and previously held top executive roles at Halter Marine Group, Friede Goldman Inc., and City Capital Corporation, among others. He is also co-founder of the New Orleans Start-Up Fund, an organization committed to developing New Orleans’ capital ecosystem to support young entrepreneurs. Rick has been recognized by Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, as Entrepreneur of the Year and was chosen as Alumnus of the Year by the Tulane Association of Business Alumni.

Sandra Thurman is a highly respected public health leader who has made a lasting impact in the field. Throughout her career, Sandra has held various senior leadership positions at esteemed institutions such as the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and the Carter Center. For over three decades, Sandra has worked tirelessly in public health policy and practice. She has collaborated extensively with religious and health organizations both in the United States and internationally, working towards achieving global health goals. Sandra’s expertise spans HIV/AIDS, multilateral diplomacy, and advocacy.

Stacy Wellborn is a strategic thinker, marketer, serial entrepreneur, and educator. She meticulously analyzes market trends and conducts in-depth research to empower clients to effectively communicate their unique value propositions, allowing them to stand out in competitive landscapes. By leveraging her expertise in design principles and attention to detail, she creates impactful communications that authentically reflect the essence of a brand.

When she is not working with clients, Stacy shares her marketing and entrepreneurship knowledge and experience with students at Spring Hill College.