Staff in Recovery

Alexis Salyer is the Clinical Director of Still Waters for Women, a role she stepped into in 2023 after holding multiple positions within Cumberland Heights since first joining the team in 2017. Her journey began as a Recovery Assistant in the Women’s Program, later transitioning into roles as a Recovery Care Advocate and Business Development Representative at Still Waters, where her leadership and passion for recovery naturally led her to the director position.

Before entering the field, Alexis worked in marketing, logistics, real estate, and property management. She returned to school while at Cumberland Heights, earning her undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration and continuing on to pursue her master’s. An alumna of Cumberland Heights herself, Alexis was inspired by her own recovery journey and knew from her very first shift that addiction treatment was her calling.

Outside of work, Alexis enjoys reading, fixing things around the house, and spending time with her husband and young daughter.

Angie Wilson serves as a Resident Peer Care Manager and Recovery Coach at Still Waters for Women, where she has been part of the team for the past year. She previously worked as a Clinical Associate on the Greet Squad, gaining valuable experience supporting patients early in their treatment journey. Angie has a background in Surgical Technology and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Her passion for recovery work is deeply personal. After struggling with relapse and feeling stuck in hopelessness, Angie found lasting recovery and a renewed sense of purpose. That transformation now fuels her commitment to walking alongside other women as they begin their own journeys.

Angie finds the greatest fulfillment in watching women rediscover hope, confidence, and self-worth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her goldendoodle, Louie, who brings comfort and joy to those around him.

Ed Thompson has been a dedicated member of the Cumberland Heights and Still Waters team since 2013, bringing passion and personal experience to his role as Director of Still Waters for Men. His journey at Cumberland Heights began in Business Development, followed by roles as a Resident Peer Counselor and Care Manager before stepping into his current leadership position.

With a diverse professional background spanning the uniform and linen industry, construction, and international technical consulting, Ed ultimately found his true calling in addiction recovery. In sobriety since 1992, he was searching for a career shift when an opportunity at Still Waters for Men opened—he’s been “living the dream” ever since. For Ed, the most fulfilling part of his work is witnessing men transform into happy, joyous, and free individuals, building meaningful lives in recovery.

Ed is happily married to Suzanne, loves his children, and enjoys cycling. A fun fact—his recovery journey has taken him to 62 countries!

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Harry Roder serves as a Care Manager at Still Waters for Men, where he is dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate early recovery. He brings both professional experience and lived understanding to his role, having previously worked as a Case Manager with Cupid’s Transitional Care, helping men reintegrate into society after incarceration.

Harry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Moving Image Arts from the College of Santa Fe and is currently completing a second degree in Liberal Arts at Xavier University. He is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and is working toward becoming a LADAC II.

With over 20 years of personal experience with addiction, Harry is passionate about carrying the message of recovery to others. He finds fulfillment in helping individuals discover hope, purpose, and connection through recovery and reliance on a higher power.

Heath Chitwood is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with over 30 years in personal recovery and more than three decades of professional experience in the addiction treatment field. He has been part of the Cumberland Heights staff since 1994 and has led Still Waters, the organization’s 12-Step immersion program, since its founding in 2009.

Heath is known for his deep passion for the 12-Step model, his practical leadership, and his ability to build communities rooted in spiritual growth and accountability. His programs are designed to foster connection, purpose, and sustainable recovery.

With a warm and enthusiastic demeanor, Heath embodies the hope and healing that come with years of dedication to this field. His professional leadership is deeply informed by personal experience, offering a rare blend of credibility and compassion.

Taylor Thorne serves as a Resident Peer Care Manager at Still Waters for Men and has been part of the Cumberland Heights family since 2015. He joined Still Waters in 2018, briefly stepping away before returning to continue his work supporting men in recovery.

Taylor’s passion for this field is rooted in his own recovery journey. Sober since June 2012, he began his path at Cumberland Heights in the Young Men’s Program. That experience inspired him to give back and help others find the same hope and freedom he discovered. He finds deep meaning in witnessing lives transformed through the 12 Steps and faith, and considers it a privilege to walk alongside others in their recovery.

Outside of work, Taylor spends time with his dog Bruce—adopted from the Still Waters family—who is always by his side and full of personality.

Nick Branstetter has served as the Food and Beverage Director at Cumberland Heights since January 2021, after initially joining the team as a PRN in the summer of 2020. A classically trained chef, Nick brings over 20 years of experience in the food service industry, combining his culinary expertise with a passion for serving others.

Nick’s connection to Cumberland Heights is deeply personal. As an alumnus of Still Waters, he was inspired to return and be part of the same community that played a role in his own recovery journey. He finds fulfillment in supporting patients behind the scenes and witnessing the life-changing transformations that occur during and after treatment.

Outside of work, Nick is a proud father to his daughter, Jenna, and enjoys spending time outdoors hunting, sport shooting, and caring for his chickens. He also shares his home with his loyal German Shepherd.