SUSAN GRAY - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SUSAN GRAY
Susan is the winner of the Prix Europa (Europe's Academy Award for her documentary Citizen Berlusconi). Susan Gray is an award-winning producer/director/writer with extensive experience producing for public television and cable in the United States and abroad, working on projects that have aired on PBS, National Geographic Channel, Animal Planet, Channel 4 England, Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Arte, NHK and more. Selected credits include, Killer Poet (2007). The Prime Minister and the Press: Citizen Berlusconi (2003) on Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Public Enemy (1999), a portrait of four Black Panthers today. She has an MA in Journalism from Columbia University School of Journalism and an MA in International Relations and International Economics from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her most recent film EARTH EMERGENCY Narrated by Richard Gere - debuted December 29 on PBS Nationally and was featured on a world wide live stream hosted by the Dali Lama and the center piece of a climate change conference in Glasgow hosted by King Charles the Third and has gamered International acclaim.
Susan recently traveled the globe with Actor Adrian Greiner creating her newest climate change documentary which will be released through PBS and Educational Television world wide in 2024.
“Gary K. is an extraordinary individual with unique insight into the disease of alcoholism and addiction now raging across the planet. During ten years of directing “Gary K: One Step at a Time”, I witnessed over and over his ability to reach people at an intellectual and human level, empowering them to take control of their own recovery. Dedicated to the mission of saving lives, Gary combines deep emotion and empathy for those who suffer, with brilliant insight into the workings of the disease, and he uses that understanding to light a path forward to recovery. As the years passed during my work on the film, the other characters dropped away, overshadowed by Gary’s unique brilliance and compelling story, until the film became about Gary’s journey and message – a message born from the understanding that comes with having hit a low bottom and climbed slowly out of it one step at a time. I recommend his wisdom to anyone struggling with the disease of alcohol or addiction. Two hours spent with Gary and the film will change anyone wise enough to listen.”
-Susan Gray
RONA boyd -Event Director
Rona is a recovered alcoholic with many years experience in the rooms. She has recently started working in the treatment field and received her Recovery Peer Specialist Certification. With her many years as a teacher, and a BA in theater, she finds facilitating groups to be incredibly rewarding as they allow her to combine her passions of teaching, sharing a solution and of course having an audience!
Her personal recovery journey finds her actively sponsoring men and women, sharing her experience, strength and hope at treatment centers and meetings and leading workshops on codependency. Her goal is to reach as many people as possible with this message, and share the hope she has found. She would one day like to speak all over the world.
“Connecting with Gary has been a blessing, and I have no doubt that a Higher Power was involved. I love how he combines the 12 Steps with the emerging science of addiction. Knowledge alone will not keep me sober, but it is absolutely essential to be crystal clear what I am suffering from.” - Rona Boyd
JOHN HULICK
John is the Senior Program Manager (Drug Czar) for Palm Beach County Florida and leads Palm Beach County’s opioid response and behavioral health policy and planning efforts. He has been described as "a fierce advocate and service provider to those with addictions." John served as Governor Christopher Christie’s Policy Advisor for Human Services, Children and Families and the State’s “Drug Czar”. Prior, John directed NCADD - New Jersey's policy and public affairs for 16 years. He is founding executive director of Signs of Sobriety, Inc. and in long-term recovery for 36 years. John is informed most by navigating his daughter's care for early onset mental illness, subsequent substance use disorder, and a traumatic brain injury from a violent assault that left her comatose and on the brink of death in 2017. These experiences have focused John on developing quality of care initiatives that deliver improved outcomes and keep the client's health and well-being at the center of their care.
"Amongst Gary Kimble's equals no one has walked the talk as much as he.
Armed with the facts about substance use disorder, Gary has skillfully aided tens of , thousands on a path to recovery on stage, ion group settings, as well as print, film and television, and, most importantly through dedicated one-on-one service to others.
I'd encourage all who are able, to spend time with Gary in any venue. You'll no doubt laugh, cry, be inspired, and leave the encounter moved to selflessly help others."
- John Hulick
Suzanne Lofton
Suzanne is a person in long term recovery, with over 32 years in recovery and has been actively involved in the Substance Abuse profession since 1997 as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Alcohol Drug Counselor and Substance Abuse Professional, and a Certified Life Coach. Suzanne is the Executive Director for Gemini Recovery Community, working with individuals to sustain long term recovery after treatment and working with families to heal from the affects of their loved ones substance use disorder. She also has a private practice working with individuals and coached families who are affected by substance use disorders, and works with people who are Adult Children of Alcohol.
During her career, Suzanne was the Coordinator for the Family Recovery court, Regional Director, supervising a 91 bed facility for men and women coming from prison, and Facility Director of a 28 bed women and children’s treatment facility, and Clinical Director for Tarrant County OSAR.
Suzanne is the current Past President on the State Board of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, and has continued to serve on the Conference committee, and served as President for the Fort Worth Texas Association of Addiction Professionals board. As the president of the Fort Worth board, Suzanne helped to start the Tarrant County Recovery Rally; She has also served on the Tarrant County Recovery Oriented Service of Care (ROSC) committee. She served as the Executive Director for Faith Based Recovery, with the Spiritual Care Network in Fort Worth.
She has won Counselor of the Year from Fort Worth TAAP, State Counselor of the Year from the State Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, and the National Counselor of the Year award from NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals.
Suzanne has a passion for helping individuals to not only quit using substances, but to help them heal the reasons that they were using. She offers coaching for families affected by their loved one's addiction.
"Gary K’s passion for recovery and carrying the message is what makes this documentary a must see! His purpose in life is to help others and share recovery! He has a calming personality that people are drawn to and has a way to reach those with substance use disorder in a way that most can’t, because he has traveled that painful path of addiction and now recovery. He has witnessed the death of young men who have died from this disease, and that had fueled his passion to share the message of recovery so others don’t have to die. In my almost 33 years in recovery, I have met many who carry the message, but Gary K has devoted his life to this mission. He is a Recovery Angel for so many! " - Suzanne Lofton
DR. PHILLIP DIAZ
Dr. Phil has over 30 years’ experience in
executive management in the social service, governmental and private enterprise sectors. His experience includes working as the Assistant Deputy for Prevention, in the White House Drug Czar’s Office. In this capacity he was the lead federal official responsible for the development of the nation’s drug prevention policy and oversight for 17 federal agencies involved in drug prevention.
He has also managed large multi-million-dollar mental health and addiction systems and was the head of the Governmental Affairs office for the Recovery Network that linked television and radio programming with the social service sector. He is also one of the co-founders of Aspire Behavioral Health.
Dr. Diaz received a B.A. degree from the City College of New York and a master's in social work with a major in Administration from Fordham University. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Mercy College. He is also the recipient of numerous awards included two from the Executive Office of the President. He is the co-author of four books on addiction and the family
"I have worked closely with Gary for nearly 20 years. He is a legend in the recovery community because of his knowledge of addiction and commitment to helping others. GARY K ONE STEP AT A TIME is a masterpiece and I am proud to help Gary deliver his powerful recovery message to as many people as possible." - Dr. Phil Diaz
STEPHEN “Stevie B.” BOYARSKY
Stevie B has a Bachelor of Science degree, in business, and is a certified Recovery Coach, a licensed Interventionist and has an extensive background in Biblical studies. Stevie B. is considered an expert in Faith-Based recovery and speaks internationally on Faith-Based recovery. Stevie B. is the Founder and Director of the Recovery Bible Study of Ft. Lauderdale. (recoverybiblestudy.org) and is blessed to be the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery, in Dania, Fl.
"Gary K is a pillar in the recovery community, I share his passion for the solution to the disease of addiction. The information he teaches about the brain of an alcoholic, his understanding of the recovery steps and his knowledge of the history of recovery is why I support him. I am honored to be a part of this team!"
-STEPHEN “Stevie B.” BOYARSKY
EDWARD MUNOZ
Edward Munoz has been in recovery for over two decades. His three decades in the hotel and restaurant industry have cultivated his organizational, communication, and teamwork skills. He very successfully brought those skills to the treatment and sober living communities.
"I am so excited to be part of this team. An injury 8 years ago left me unable to walk and that turned into my weight increasing to 440 lbs. My faith and hard work allowed me to powerwalk and lose 220 pounds in 18 months and saved my life. However, in that process I lost my sobriety of 19 years. Gary taught me how my addicted brain works and gave me a new understanding of how to apply the spiritual tools needed to change my brain and find the path of recovery again. That information gave me a new life in recovery." -Edward Munoz
JERI GOODKIN
Jeri is supporting Gary K’s mission because addiction has taken a toll on her loved ones and she has experienced their recovery. Jeri has a heart for service and a strong desire to provide hope for those who still suffer.
In business she has over thirty years of experience in the construction industry as a 4th generation contractor. She has several State of Florida licenses and certification within the construction and real estate industry, including Certified General Contractor and Certified Building Inspector. Before entering the private sector, she was Senior Building Inspector with the City of Miami Beach Building Department for about ten years. During this time, she was responsible for implementing the violation and special master program. Her years of extensive education and experience combined with her multifaceted background make Jeri a unique asset who offers an array of expertise that is truly admirable regardless of gender!
CINDY GLASS
Cindy Ellen Glass is gratefully clean and sober since 1988. God’s Grace led her to her primary purpose in helping others to recover from all their addictions. She offers her experience, strength, and hope so they too live happy, joyous, and free.
Cindy's primary focus is women in recovery from addictions through exploring and supporting their hormonal (menses, PMS, PPD, menopause) care. Her primary focus is educating about how ovarian hormones directly affect brain chemistry.
"My heart and my smile is the sum of my experiences in parenting, being a consummate Nana, substitute teaching in three different states, community social work events and extensive fundraising for Israel, and young leadership development. I'm pleased to join Gary in this new endeavor of addiction recovery. I support Gary in all his outstanding endless efforts to help others to achieve sobriety." - Cindy Glass
DON KALLMAN
I was born in Chicago in 1941. Since my earliest memory I felt as though I were a stranger in a strange land. Over the course of my 82 years, I have travelled the world. and experienced remarkable things. During my entire life I quite naturally gravitated to paths of ancient wisdom.
I taught Chinese Philosophy in a Castle in Denmark in the 1960's, until I was invited to spend time in prison in Copenhagen for selling drugs.
I also had the honor of being arrested by Scotland Yard for drug infractions and was banned from Great Brittain. I have lectured at Goddard College. and managed to hold a number of professional positions such as writing code on Wall Street which led to the creation of NASDAQ.
My greatest accomplishment was finding the rooms of recovery in 1980 which resulted in 14 years of sobriety followed by a regrettable 13-year slip. I returned to the rooms 14 years ago in pursuit of quality recovery. My life long study of Buddhism connected favorably to my understanding of the 12 Steps.
I bring to the table 80 years of life experience and a hard won spiritual perspective which guides us to know that doing what is right brings good fortune.
"I am working with Gary K because his heart is in the right place. He has a marvelous creative talent and the ability to make a deep connection with an audience, and educate them in a way that can actually change lives." - Don Kallman