Dusty Pye
Chief Integration Officer, Faith Community Liaison, LSF Health Systems

Dusty Pye is the Chief Integration Officer and Faith Community Liaison with LSF Health Systems, the Managing Entity for Substance Misuse and Mental Health, since it’s inception. Previously, Mr. Pye worked in social services and child welfare for over 35 years, many years in management positions. He a visionary and innovator who began Uplift Communities in 2022 in Putnam County. Since then, he has grown and expanded the movement throughout North Central Florida. His mission is to bridge the gap between the Behavioral Health Service Providers and the Faith Community. His excitement and passion is contagious as he continues to influence the rural communities to expand their scope and utilize their resources.

Lesley Hersey,
Community Engagement Specialist, LSF Health Systems

Lesley Hersey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and works with LSF Health Systems as the Community Engagement Specialist. Previously, she worked for Another Way, Inc. Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center for seven years, three of which as the Program Director. She has conducted multiple statue mandated Advocate CORE trainings under the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Lesley is a certified trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid. She is active in multiple Human Trafficking Coalitions in the North Central Region of Florida and is the co-chair of the Gateway to Fr33dom Human Trafficking Taskforce. Lesley works closely with many service providers in Circuits 3, 5 and 8 to improve services in Child Welfare and Behavioral Health Systems across the region.

Zach Zedar,
College/Campus Pastor, Canvas Church Alachua

Zach Zedar survived three in-patient rehabilitation/treatment centers, two outpatient programs, a homeless shelter, a Marchman act, multiple arrests, multiple detoxes, surviving overdoses and trips to the hospital, counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, medications, strained and failed relationships, evictions, being fired from every job, life threatening situations, moving, self help tactics, exercise, routine and behavior modification attempts,  flushing drugs/alcohol only to go buy more, attempting to control usage or switch substances, even attending meetings, praying, and attending church services… he was completely hopeless. Getting sober was going to require a bonified miracle of restoration and healing. By the grace of God, he was given a window of opportunity. He learned that faith without works is dead, and that when we seek, we will find. He was going to need more than meetings and church; he needed to go further. Learn what saved his life, and can save others, too.

Joelle Aboytes,
JD/MBA, Circuit 5 DCF Community Development Administrator

Joelle Aboytes is the Circuit 5 Community Development Administrator for the Florida Department of Children & Families.  Joelle is an attorney who received her JD/MBA from Stetson University College of Law.  She started her legal career as a staff attorney for the Guardian ad Litem program in Orange county, Florida.  She joined the Florida Department of Children and Families in 2004 with Children’s Legal Services and served as a supervising attorney from 2007 until 2013 when she assumed her current position.  She has a passion for serving in Child Welfare and developing relationships and collaborating with agency partners to increase protective factors and resiliency for children and families in the community.

Christina Gillis,
Circuit 7 DCF Community Development Administrator

Christy Gillis is the Circuit 7 Community Development Administrator for the Florida Department of Children and Families.  Christy is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Central Florida.  She has over 25 years of experience in the social services field.  She has worked in the Anti-Trafficking Field, a Medicaid Health Plan, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, in Behavioral Health, Child Abuse Prevention and Child Welfare.  She believes that there is no one single approach that can be used to help an individual in their recovery, every individual is unique.  She believes that with the right support, resources and encouragement that people have the strength and the ability to thrive.

Tina Morgan,
Circuit 9 DCF Community Development Administrator

Tina Morgan has worked with the Florida Department of Children and Families for almost 30 years.  She serves on multiple committees and Boards revolving around families and youth. Tina has become one of the state experts on water safety and has been instrumental in the development of water safety initiatives and awareness campaigns, including the development of the Florida Water Safety Plan.  Tina has a passion for prevention and loves to help children and families!

Dr. Stephen Loyd,
Chief Medical Officer, Cedar Recovery Center, Permanent Director, Office of Drug Control Policy West Virginia

Dr. Loyd is a leader in the addiction treatment industry and uses his platform to help combat the opioid crisis in his community and across the country. He served as the inspiration behind Michael Keaton’s character in the Hulu series ‘Dopesick.’ Dr. Loyd’s advocacy knows no bounds as he passionately speaks at conferences nationwide, raising awareness about the opioid epidemic, the fentanyl crisis, and the science behind medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Another of his key passions is supporting pregnant women in their battle against addiction. His overarching goal is to help individuals discover their ideal path to addiction treatment, underlining his commitment to making a difference.

Lieutenant David Weeks,
Bradford County Fire Rescue

Lt. David Weeks has dedicated over a decade to serving his community as a paramedic with Bradford County Fire Rescue. With 11 years of experience as a paramedic, he has risen through the ranks to hold the position of Lieutenant. In 2024, Lt. Weeks took on the significant responsibility of creating and overseeing a Community Paramedicine Program, showcasing his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes for his community. A proud alumnus of the University of Florida, Lt. Weeks holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services, combining academic excellence with his dedication to emergency response. Lt. Weeks’ primary focus is now on improving the overall health of the community, with a particular emphasis on assisting populations in greatest need. His dedication and leadership continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact on both his team and the lives of those he serves.

Jesse Blaire,
Co-founder, Coordinator, Instructor, Critical Care Program, UF, Flight Paramedic, ShandsCair, SWAT Paramedic, Captian, Ocala Police Dept

Jesse Blaire is the Co-Founder and Coordinator, as well as instructor of the Critical Care Program, a part of The University of Florida out of Gainesville. He is a PRN Flight Paramedic for ShandsCair Flight Program, and a SWAT Paramedic for the Ocala Police Department. He is also the Captian of Ocala Fire Rescue. When he’s not working at one of his many jobs, he is training others or sitting on executive boards.

Ryan Clemmons,
Paramedic, Gilchrist Fire Rescue

Ryan Clemmons is a north Florida local, born in Gainesville and raised in Union County, and now resides and works in Gilchrist County with his spouse of 15 years. He has lived and worked in rural and economically disadvantaged communities for most of his life giving him a firsthand insight to the unique challenges faced. He started his healthcare career as a Nursing Assistant before entering EMS in 2011. He is very passionate about Mobile Integrated Health and the opportunity it has to positively affect rural healthcare.

Jerrod Pfeffer,
Regional Manager, CarePortal, President, The Nest North Florida

Jerrod Pfeffer is a dedicated advocate for vulnerable children and families, leveraging his extensive experience in care-sharing technology, foster care advocacy, and community engagement. As the Regional Manager for CarePortal in Florida Circuits 3 & 8 and the State of Florida Social Media Manager, Jerrod recruits and trains churches, agencies, and donors to effectively utilize CarePortal’s technology to meet critical needs in local communities. His leadership extends beyond CarePortal as the President of the North Florida Foster & Adoptive Parent Association (FAPA), a board member of Florida State FAPA, and the President of The Nest North Florida, a nonprofit supporting foster families. With years of experience in digital communication, social media, and public engagement, he plays a vital role in connecting organizations and individuals to strengthen families. Jerrod is also a Certified CarePortal Network Leader and a licensed foster and adoptive parent, bringing both professional expertise and personal dedication to the mission of supporting vulnerable populations. His background in graphic design and web development further enhances his ability to create impactful outreach strategies, ensuring communities are empowered with the resources they need.

Devin McKnight,
North Central Florida’s Better Together

Devin currently serves as the North Central Florida Executive Director for Better Together. Devin strongly believes that to make meaningful change in the world, we must nurture families and help them build healthy support systems. He served five years as executive director of his church and 14 years as a learning and development professional in the insurance industry. A dedicated Gator, Devin also holds a degree in family, youth, and community science with a minor in business from the University of Florida. He lives in North Central Florida with his wife, Lashay, and their two children, Laila and Devin Jr.

Cassidy Vaughn,
North Central Florida’s Partnership Manager

Cassidy has been with Better Together for nearly two years serving as their North Central Florida Partnership Manager. She holds an Associate’s degree in business and communication. Before joining the Better Together team, she served as the Admission Director for a local skilled nursing facility. Throughout her career, she has consistently sought positions that enable her to connect with community members, particularly seniors and families, to bridge the gaps they face. Cassidy has always had a passion for serving those within her community and helping those in need, as she knows what is like to struggle when a family falls into crisis as she was born into a family struggling with addiction from both biological parents. Later being adopted, and brought to faith helped her fill the passion to bring others to faith as well.

Dr. Stephen Loyd,
Chief Medical Officer, Cedar Recovery Center, Permanent Director, Office of Drug Control Policy West Virginia

Dr. Loyd is a leader in the addiction treatment industry and uses his platform to help combat the opioid crisis in his community and across the country. He served as the inspiration behind Michael Keaton’s character in the Hulu series ‘Dopesick.’ Dr. Loyd’s advocacy knows no bounds as he passionately speaks at conferences nationwide, raising awareness about the opioid epidemic, the fentanyl crisis, and the science behind medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Another of his key passions is supporting pregnant women in their battle against addiction. His overarching goal is to help individuals discover their ideal path to addiction treatment, underlining his commitment to making a difference.