Meet the People Behind the Mission
At Friends of Recovery NE Ohio, our team is more than staff—we are a community of people who believe in hope, healing, and restoration. Each person plays a unique role in walking alongside individuals on their recovery journey, offering support, encouragement, and a next step forward.
Friends of Recovery NE Ohio Staff
Friends of Recovery NE Ohio Board of Directors
Wayne Phelps
Board Chair
Wayne is CEO of Bula Forge & Bula Defense as well as an Elder and recovery ministry leader at Willoughby Hills Friends Church.
Jay Sopenski
Board Vice-Chair
Jay is the JourneyMen Life Recovery Support Group Coordinator, grounds maintenance coordinator for Tikvah, Arukah & Shalom recovery homes, and our very first resident/house manager at Tikvah Home for Men.
Dennis Anthony
Executive Director
Dennis is a licensed Chaplain, Certified Life Recovery Coach, full-time missionary and a retired fire service Lieutenant.
Trenton Tipton-Fletcher
Board Treasurer
Trenton is a small business consultant, Owner/Operator of three Sylvan Learning Centers and Willoughby Bible Church Treasurer.
Scott Hanna
Board Secretary
Scott is the owner of the Willoughby Agency, president of the Kellys Island Quarry Condo Owners Association and past president of the Willoughby Chamber of Commerce.
Leila Vidmar
Board Member
Leila is the Cleveland Clinic - Behavioral Health Intake Coordinator, a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor – Supervisor, licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, former Interim Executive Director at the Geauga County Mental Health Board, and former adjunct professor at John Carroll University.
Pastor Todd Bolton
Board Member
Todd is the Lead pastor at Willoughby Bible Church, Men’s Spiritual Advisor – Friends of Recovery NE Ohio, Pastor Encourager – Cleveland Hope (The Greater Cleveland Baptist Association), and Pastoral Counseling Support – All4Jesus, Belize (a missions ministry in Belize).
Each board member financially contributes to and is actively involved in the ministry.