Jamie Boyle joined the Welcome House leadership team in February 2014, bringing firsthand experiences with substance use disorder (SUD) and as a former resident, combined with extensive professional experience in healthcare, information technology, sales, management, and operations. Under his leadership and over the past decade, Welcome House transformed into a highly respected nonprofit with a structured and robust recovery program that integrates best and evidence-based practices with 12-step fundamentals, achieving outcomes far above national averages.
Jamie professionalized the organization and business, building a highly credentialed team, developing key performance indicators, implementing the systems and data-driven processes that exist today, and creating opportunities for program graduates to become credentialed mentors and counselors. He spearheaded the development and implementation of the Partial Flex, Core and Core+ programs; and led a successful $14.5M capital campaign, the design and construction of the organization’s new 28,000 sq. ft. facility and secured the funding to complete the unprecedented project. His vision, built on the organization’s rich history of service to Kansas City, has solidified Welcome House’s efficacy, relevance and long-term sustainability.
Jamie holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas and an MBA, with an emphasis in Health Services Administration, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He lives in Kansas City with his wife, Stacey, and has four children.
Ed Walsworth has been in recovery for over 17 years and has served as a volunteer Recovery Coach at Welcome House for many years. He is a dedicated supporter of the organization, actively participating in the Annual Breakfast and Golf Tournament.
Ed graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the university golf team. He enjoyed a successful career with Walsworth Publishing Company before retiring.
In addition to his involvement with Welcome House, Ed is an active member of St. Andrew’s Church. He enjoys golf and camaraderie at Indian Hills, Wolf Creek, and Saddle & Sirloin country clubs and is an avid hunter and gardener. Ed and his wife, Jane, reside in the Kansas City area and have three grown children.
Colleen Cashen serves as the General Manager at TMS, Inc., an industrial mechanical contractor in Kansas City, KS, where she has dedicated the majority of her career. Her connection to Welcome House dates back to the 1980s when she was introduced to co-founder John Cashen through his daughter. Since then, Colleen has been deeply inspired by the transformation of both the organization and the men it supports. She describes herself as “humbled to be part of a team committed to changing lives.”
Colleen earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rockhurst University. Originally from Kansas City, MO, she now resides in Leawood, KS, with her husband, Dan.
Max Curnow A native of Liberty, MO, Max Curnow is a proud graduate of St. Pius X High School. He continued his education at the University of Wyoming, where he was a dedicated member of the golf team. Growing up in the automotive industry, Max gained hands-on experience working in his father’s business, which paved the way for his current role as Vice President of Curnow Auto Group.
Max treasures time with his family, including his wife, Mollie, and their daughter, Elle. With deep family roots in the world of recovery, Max is honored to support the Welcome House mission and its commitment to transforming lives.
Cati Pierson Wolfe serves as the Director of Philanthropy at University Health Foundation, where she continues her career-long focus on building meaningful relationships. Her professional experience includes roles in business development at PURE Workplace Solutions, Union Hill, Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation, and Country Club Bank.
Cati is passionate about connecting people and fostering strategic, long-term partnerships. She became involved with Welcome House in July 2019 and has been a dedicated ambassador for the organization, including serving on the Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign. A lifelong Kansas City resident, Cati is deeply committed to advocating for the betterment of her community.
Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center (RADAC)
Member
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Sara Jackson has worked in the field of addiction recovery since 2008 and currently serves as Clinical Director of Assessment and Treatment Services for Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center (RADAC). As a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Kansas and Missouri, she is committed to serving those affected by the impact of substance use.
Additionally, Sara is part of the Behavioral Health Access Team in local emergency departments and teaches as an adjunct professor at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the Addiction Sequence.
Sara believes that recovery is person-driven and that taking steps toward recovery requires great courage and is based on respect. She especially appreciates that Welcome House offers residents the opportunity to develop a positive and meaningful sense of identity.
“Recovery emerges from hope and recovery is real,” she says. “This belief provides the essential and motivating message of a better future—that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them.”
Jonathan Specht. Broadcasting is in Jonathan Specht’s blood—his father was an announcer and later a station owner in the 1980s. Jonathan joined the Cumulus family of radio stations 25 years ago, where he continues to create commercials and work on-air. In addition to his role at Cumulus, he is a freelance voice-over actor.
Jonathan has called Kansas City home since 1994. He enjoys spending time with his grown children and is an avid fan of all things professional football.
Frank Yager is the Vice President of Business Development at Heartland Traffic Services. Heartland Traffic Services is a road safety service company. Providing traffic control, pavement markings and traffic signs for our city streets, roadways and parking lots. Heartland Traffic Services originally started as K&G Striping, Inc. K&G Striping was founded in 1983 by Frank's father Glen. Frank began work at K&G in 1999 and he purchased the company in 2007. Heartland Traffic Services acquired K&G Striping in 2018.
Frank is a graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He enjoys spending time outdoors; golfing, fishing, hiking, etc.
Frank is a firm believer in the mission of Welcome House and is honored to be a part of an organization which is dedicated to changing lives.
Frank lives in Parkville, MO with his amazing wife Michele and 2 children Ben and Kate.
Wes Benson is a Kansas City native and professional oil painter with an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. His studio is in the Bauer building of the Crossroads Arts District of KC. Wes became sober in 2017 off of both opiates and alcohol. He runs a Kansas City AA group named Freethinkers in Brookside. Wes donates much of his energy to helping others and is a frequent donor to the Welcome House Breakfast. Wes is a paleontological enthusiast with a decade of field experience, loves to read, write, and of course paint. Most of all he enjoys time with his wife Katie and his dog Sophie.
Kendall Gammon is a native of Rose Hill, KS, Kendall earned his B.S.Ed. at Pittsburg State University from 1987-1991. He was a member of the Gorillas football team, serving as a team captain for his final two years, and was part of the 1991 NCAA Division II National Championship squad.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 and spent 15 years in the NFL:
Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-1995)
New Orleans Saints (1996-1999)
Kansas City Chiefs (2000-2006)
After retiring from the NFL in 2006, Kendall became a member of the Chiefs Radio Network for 12 years and took a position with Pittsburg State University as the Special Assistant to the President. He also serves as the Chief Development Officer at War Horses for Veterans, located in Stilwell, KS.
Kendall has authored two books and speaks nationwide on Emotional Communication, the Power of Gratitude, and Positive Mindset.
He is the proud father of two sons, Blaise (28) and Drake (25).
Career Highlights:
Played in Super Bowl XXX
2005 Pro Bowl Selection
Radio color commentator for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV win in 2019
Kendall currently hosts a three-hour Chiefs pregame show on 101 The Fox.
He and his wife, Paige, were married on February 3, 2023, and live in Weatherby Lake, MO. Paige is the VP of Corporate Engagement for the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
