Craig Pickos was born walking distance from the shores of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, WI. He later moved to Central Florida where he attended high school and graduated from what is now called Polk State College. During that time, his professional waterskiing career ended early due to an undiagnosed substance use disorder. The condition continued to worsen till he discovered recovery in June of 1997.  He now lives a healthy and peaceful life on the same lake in Florida that he grew up on as a boy. His life’s mission is to ensure that anyone impacted by drug use that is needing and wanting recovery, will receive compassionate and loving support. For this reason, he helped found the recovery community organization, Polk for Recovery.

June Robinson serves as the Director of Operations, bringing more than 20 years of experience in social work and human services. Throughout her career, June has worked across a wide range of social service settings, developing extensive experience in advocacy, support services, case management, and helping individuals and families navigate complex systems and life circumstances. June holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from Purdue University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia College. She also holds the CRPS-F (Certified Recovery Peer Specialist–Family)credential, reflecting her commitment to supporting families navigating the challenges associated with mental health and substance use disorders. Through both professional experience and personal insight, June understands the impact these challenges can have not only on individuals, but on the entire family. For the past three years, June has been actively engaged as a Leader in the recovery community, dedicating her time and experience to helping individuals and families find hope, connection, resources, and pathways toward recovery. Her work is grounded in compassion, advocacy, and the belief that families should not have to navigate these challenges alone. As Director of Operations, June is committed to strengthening organizational effectiveness while keeping the needs of the community at the center of the organization’s mission. Her combination of professional expertise, leadership experience, and lived family perspective allows her to bring a unique and compassionate approach to serving individuals and families impacted by mental health and substance use disorders. June is passionate about building stronger communities, expanding access to recovery resources, and empowering individuals and families to recognize that recovery is possible and that no one has to navigate the journey alone.

Andrea Anderson has been in recovery since 2008. She is firmly planted in her faith and her recovery. She has a deep passion for helping others discover a way out of addiction and to a new life in recovery. She truly believes this is her calling in life. Andrea brings years of experience and resources needed for our community and has the goal to be “the best that she can be” in her work as a valued team member for Polk for Recovery.

Tina Brown grew up in McPherson, KS. She enjoyed working in the hospitality industry while she earned her BS in Business. After graduating from college, she moved to her native state of Florida and continued in that field for several more years. As she continued to work many late evenings, she became active in the night life which led her down the road to her addiction. This destructive lifestyle continued for years until she found recovery in 2018. Due to the varied resources that Polk County has to offer in the recovery field, she is living proof that “We Do Recover.” She is now living a rewarding life spreading her message of hope. Because of her compassion for others and helping them find their own recovery, she has teamed up with the recovery community organization, Polk for Recovery.

Gary Graham grew up in Washington DC. He joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen to fulfill his dream of serving our great country. Upon completion of his service, he found himself beginning to drink heavily and eventually in the middle of his own addiction with multiple substances. Gary was introduced to a 12-step program in the late 80’s, however it was not until 1994, when he entered a yearlong program based in Orlando, FL that he would learn how to apply the steps and the principles of recovery. Gary is now a person in long term recovery enjoying the many gifts a life in recovery has to offer. Gary shares his experience, strength and hope daily working as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist and is both committed and passionate about working with the recovery community organization, Polk for Recovery.

Kyle is an addiction professional (CAP) and a recovery peer specialist (CRPS) through the Florida Certification Board (FCB). He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in supervision management. His work in substance use treatment and behavioral wellness has afforded him many roles and responsibilities. Some of these roles include, supervisor of a methadone (MAT) outpatient clinic, manager of a residential inpatient facility, director of a long-term male residential program, a contractor for multiple hospital pathway/bridge programs, and as a liaison to the 10th Judicial Court PADC program. Currently he is the program coordinator for Polk for Recovery, a non-profit recovery community organization (RCO) in Polk County. Additionally, Kyle contracts with a confidential digital recovery concierge platform which is designed to align with human resources and employee assistance programs (EAP). He believes in a collaborative approach towards recovery support and in the value of tangible feedback and practical solutions. He is especially passionate about normalizing recovery while dissolving stigma.

My name is Carrie Miller, and I am a woman in recovery. My recovery date is January 24, 2020, and since that day, God has taken some of the hardest parts of my story and turned them into purpose. Today, as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist with Polk for Recovery, I walk beside others and remind them that recovery is possible. I am a mother, a peer, an advocate, and living proof that your past does not get the final word. Recovery gave me my life back, and now I get to give hope away. We do recover.