Meet the reach!! team

Meet the National Advisory Board

Jerome Adams

20th US Surgeon General

  • As the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and a prior member of the President’s Coronavirus task force, Dr. Adams has been at the forefront of America’s most pressing health challenges. A regular communicator via tv, radio, and print, Dr. Adams is an expert not just in the science, but also in communicating the science to the lay public, and making it relevant to various audiences.

Ryan Cain

Executive Director | Fund Recovery

  • Ryan Cain is a vibrant member of the Nashville mental health, substance use, and business communities, with a demonstrated 24 year history of working hands-on in the healthcare industry in the service of those around him. A strong entrepreneurship professional, Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
    from the University of Mississippi. Ryan currently serves as CEO of the Hope Desk, a mental health concierge service supporting clients such as Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also
    the Executive Director of Fund Recovery, a Nashville-based non-profit that provides funding to directly support people struggling with mental health or substance misuse
    issues who cannot otherwise afford help.


    Ryan began his work in the mental health space, founding Music City
    Interventions, and developing several other mental health and addiction-specific businesses that provide relief and recovery nationwide. These businesses include the Nashville Recovery Center, the Tennessee Recovery Clinic, NRhythm Recovery
    Residences, the Becoming Counseling & Wellness, and the Nashville Detox Center.


    All told, Ryan has been instrumental in providing assistance to countless individuals suffering from mental health or substance use issues. Ryan also loves to give back to his community through his participation as a board member at the Elam Center at Meharry Medical College and as a member of both the Nashville Business Journal Leadership Trust and the Nashville Healthcare Council.

Heath Shuler

Co-Founder of ISG

  • Heath is a Co-Founder of ISG. He has a unique and distinguished career as a 3-term Democrat Member of Congress (NC-11), a Fortune 250 corporate executive, a successful business entrepreneur, and as an NFL quarterback. He served as the SVP, Federal Government Affairs for Duke Energy Corporation, where he led a team engaged in policy development, analysis, advocacy, and strategic planning. While serving in the US House of Representatives, he Co-Chaired the Blue Dog Coalition, and served on the US House Budget, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Natural Resources Committees. 

Sam MacMaster, Ph.D.

  • Samuel A. MacMaster, Ph.D. is an expert in the behavioral health field with over three decades of experience in the design, delivery, and evaluation of substance use and mental health treatment services.He has developed programs across the United States, and in several foreign countries, focused on implementing innovative approaches to meeting the needs of underserved populations. He was the Co-founder of a behavioral health company where he served as the Chief Clinical Officer and built ten residential and twenty outpatient facilities across the southeast; and has held similar executive level positions in two other large national treatment organizations where he was responsible for developing and driving similar rates of growth of quality clinical programming. During his career, Dr. MacMaster has been engaged as a consultant with over a hundred healthcare providers, community-based organizations, local and state governments, and investment groups, lending his expertise to ensure the effective delivery of meaningful treatment solutions to individuals who struggle with addiction and mental illness.

    He is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Meharry Medical College and was previously a member of the faculty of the Department of Family and Community Medicine atBaylor Medical College and the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee. A pioneer in the area of outcome studies and the identification of barriers to engagement in treatment services, he has conducted numerous federally funded research studies and demonstration projects regarding the efficacy of behavioral health approaches. He has been a frequent speaker at academic and industry conferences across the globe and has published three books and over 75 peer-reviewed articles focused on behavioral health topics. He holds a PhD in Social Welfare and a Master of Science in Social Administration fromCase Western Reserve University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Miami of Ohio.Prior to entering academia in 1999, Dr. MacMaster worked as a clinician for over a decade in a variety of treatment settings. A person living in long-term recovery, he remains a tireless advocate for recovery for all individuals who struggle with addiction

Dr. Stephen Lloyd

  • Dr. Stephen Loyd is an Internal Medicine/Addiction Medicine physician, a graduate of the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Loyd also serves as the Vice-President of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

    ‍In Governor Bill Haslam’s administration, Dr. Loyd held the role of Assistant Commissioner (Opioid Czar) for Substance Abuse Services in the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. He has acted as an expert witness in numerous federal and state cases involving improper prescription of controlled substances.

    ‍Recognized as an Advocate for Action by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Loyd’s dedication to educating others on addiction and treatment is evident through over five hundred lectures on opioid use disorder and proper prescribing of controlled substances. He has been a key contributor to the Treatment of Chronic Pain Guidelines Committee, shaping pain treatment practices in Tennessee.

    ‍Dr. Loyd’s expertise extends to addiction medicine in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a focus on treating opioid-dependent pregnant women. He actively participates in drug courts and collaborates with community-level anti-drug coalitions and state law enforcement, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

    ‍As the inspiration behind Michael Keaton’s character in the Emmy Award-winning series “Dopesick” on Hulu, Dr. Loyd continues to make a significant impact in the field. Currently, he serves as Chief Medical Officer at Cedar Recovery in Tennessee and chairs the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, appointed by Governor Bill Lee.

    ‍Dr. Loyd has been in recovery from opioid and benzodiazepine addiction since July 8, 2004. His personal connection to opioid addiction and recovery serves as a driving force, motivating him to continue making strides in this industry and creating positive change for the future.

Meet REACH!! LEADERSHIP

Jim Murphy

President/CEO

  • Jim Murphy is President and CEO of Reach!! United, a not-for-profit foundation engaged in our
    nation’s crisis with addiction and rehabilitation. Its mission is to promote urgent action to lower
    the overdose death rate and increase the success rate of treatment programs.


    He also currently serves as a strategic communications consultant at Integrated Strategy Group, a bi-partisan, corporate public affairs firm he Co-Founded with former Congressman Heath Shuler
    in 2018, and an Executive Leadership and Transformational Life Coach.


    Previously, Jim served as President and Managing Partner at DCI Group, a DC-based independent public affairs firm. During his 15-year association with DCI, he provided strategic and management consulting advice to blue-chip corporations and trade
    associations. Among others, his client work spanned the telecommunications, gaming, financial services, and sugar industries.


    As President of DCI from 2007 to 2012, he was the day-to-day manager of the firm, overseeing Finance and Accounting, Legal and HR functions. From 2002 to 2007, he managed DCI’s 50 state network of grassroots, PR, and government affairs consultants.


    Jim left DCI in June of 2012 to run the Republican National Committee’s Independent Expenditure campaign on behalf of Romney for President – a $45 million-dollar paid advertising
    effort in battleground states. In 2016 he was National Political Director for Donald Trump and is honored to have worked as a Senior Advisor for Bob Dole in both his 1988 and 1996 presidential campaigns.


    Jim graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1978 with a B.A. in Economics. He also has an Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University’s
    Institute for Transformational Leadership.

    “Murph” is a Rhode Island native currently residing in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

George Massengill

Executive Vice President

  • George Massengill, BSSW, LADAC, is a seasoned industry professional with over three decades of diverse experience in healthcare, IT, and business financial sectors. He has held pivotal roles ranging from CEO to Clinical Director in renowned companies such as the University of Tennessee, CRC Health/Acadia Health, and Peninsula Health System.  

    George served as Senior Vice President at Philips Holdings Inc., where he successfully developed relationships with Fortune 500 clients, executed large-scale contracts, and fostered crucial business relationships. Additionally, he has made a significant impact as a board member and CMO/EVP at JourneyPure, establishing treatment services across the nation. Most recently, George served as CEO and President of Evolve Addiction Services, developing comprehensive care and value-based contacting. The program included detox, MAT, outpatient services, partial hospitalization and housing, with a statewide foot print in Tennessee. 

    Throughout his career, George has demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen by starting, buying, and selling several companies. He founded The Wellness Centers, a statewide outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health service, which he sold to Bradford Health in 2003. He then established HealthConnect America, a state-wide and now national company providing in-home mental health, SUD, and case management services, which he sold to Xebec Corp in 2007. George also started Recovery Living Services, offering statewide outpatient and recovery houses, and sold it to CRC/Acadia in 2010. In 2016, he merged Another Chance Recovery and Faith, an inpatient detox and residential facility for men, into The Serenity Center and Network, which he later sold to JourneyPure. 

    In addition to his healthcare ventures, George founded PMR Inc., a technology firm specializing in developing electronic medical records (EMRs) and smart care-driven communication systems for U.S. healthcare. As CEO, he spearheaded the development of trademarks such as MyHealth Card and My Healthrec, creating networks for case management and payment processing for smart card EMR-driven systems. George's extensive experience and innovative contributions have consistently advanced the fields he has engaged with, underscoring his reputation as a multifaceted leader and visionary in the industry. 

John Harkrider

Executive Team Member

Sara Preston

Executive Director

  • Sara Preston brings heart, commitment and dedication to her work.  

    She is an experienced healthcare consultant, executive, and strategist - now leveraging over 15 years of expertise in high-stakes, fast-paced environments in service to her clients.  

    Her particular areas of focus include business planning, organizational infrastructure, operations, admissions, alumni services, and business development.  

    Throughout her career, Sara has also established herself as a marketing and sales leader. She has consistently delivered remarkable results by enhancing call center efficiencies, implementing scalable infrastructures, and providing hands-on training. 

    Sara's professional journey has included leadership roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Director of Strategic Projects, and Director of Admissions. In these capacities, she has developed a proven ability to build strong teams, using her emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to communicate complex business strategies.   

    Sara currently serves as the Executive Director for Reach!! United, a bipartisan political advocacy group dedicated to bringing innovative and effective solutions to our nation’s opioid crisis. In this role, she promotes better harm reduction programs, establishing temporary respite housing — as well as ensuring equitable access to live-saving medication and treatment beds. 

    Sara Preston's blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and empathetic leadership underpin her reputation as an influential figure in the healthcare and recovery markets. 

Darcie Johnston

Executive Team Member

  • Darcie Johnston’s career has reflected her deep interest in both health care and electoral campaigns. One of the rare professionals who combines a deep understanding of both policy and politics. Most recently, she served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the entire Trump Administration. In this position, she was an integral part of the day-to-day coordination between HHS and the 50 State Governors, especially during the Covid crisis. She brings a deep understanding and knowledge of how federal legislation, policies and administrative rules fit into state programs and initiatives, as well as outstanding relationships in Governor’s offices around the country that can facilitate the sharing of best practices.