Celebrating Drug-Free Businesses

The Coalition recently held its annual Drug-Free Business Partnership luncheon to recognize businesses in the community that value drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplaces. The luncheon featured Charlie Gagen, Advocacy Director for Texas and Oklahoma for the American Lung Association, as the keynote speaker. Mr. Gagen shared information about the current state of regulation for e-cigarette products and provided solutions for reducing youth use.

The Coalition also recognized several businesses in attendance for their continued commitment to drug-free workplaces. Special recognition was given to the Drug-Free Business Partnership’s new and upgraded members. Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes, and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. The Coalition is one of the oldest substance abuse prevention community coalitions in the United States. For information about participating in the Drug-Free Business Partnership, contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

New Members

Three businesses were honored as new members of the Drug-Free Business Partnership of The Coalition. Pictured from left: Brent Tanksley, Hughes Center Counseling; Tiffany Nash and Deanna Waites, Lemon Seed Marketing; Not pictured, Angie Whitley, APRN FNP-C, Sophie Hill, APRN FNP-C, and Sapphira Clark, APRN FNP-C, First Choice Family Medicine.

Upgraded Members

In appreciation of their dedication to a drug-free community, The Coalition recognized several businesses as upgraded members of the Drug-Free Business Partnership. Pictured from L to R: Melissa McKnight, Texas Department of Transportation; Melissa Roberts, Integra Insurance Services; Sarah Morgan Taylor, Morgan, Bartlett, Baggett and Shands Insurance; Kelly Morris, Texas Department of Transportation; Not pictured, Ashley Berry, East Texas Alliance of Hope; Phillip La Corte, Heart Institute of East Texas.

Angelina County Drug-Free All Stars, Say What! Members & Drug-Free Council Member

Angelina County Drug-Free All Stars, Say What! Teen Ambassador, Say What! Member, and Drug-Free Council Member represented The Coalition at the annual Drug-Free Business Partnership luncheon. Pictured back row, from left: Say What! Member, Braydon Nava, Lufkin High School; Drug-Free Council Member, Logan Smith, Zavalla High School; Preston Jelinek, Lufkin High School; Mehki Matthews, Huntington High School. Front row, from left: Jordan Hardy, Hudson High School; Erin Jones, Central High School; Rachel Bonnin, Lufkin High School, Dayenara Lopez, Diboll Highs School, Shadye Forrest, Pineywoods Community Academy; Say What! Teen Ambassador, Jaydn Burns, Diboll High School. (The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County are funded by a grant through TxDOT with the goal of reducing underage drinking.)

Sustaining Platinum Members

Drug-Free Business Partnership Sustaining members at the Platinum level were honored at the annual Drug-Free Business Partnership luncheon. Pictured, back row from L to R: Melissa McKnight, Texas Department of Transportation; Donny Webb, Hudson ISD; Justin Risner, Central ISD; Kurt Stephens, Lufkin ISD; Jeff Pownall, Lufkin Daily News; Kelli McCleskey, Hospice in the Pines; Martha Hernandez, Angelina County & Cities Health District; Whitney Burran and Kelly Carver, Family Crisis Center of Deep East Texas; Dolores Perez, Lufkin ISD; Erik Cozadd, Boys & Girls Club of Deep East Texas. Front from left: Kelly Morris, Texas Department of Transportation; Conssandra Williams, Angelina College; Kim Garcia, Burke; Maci Dover, Whataburger/GVCS; Kim Herman, Hospice in the Pines; Ellen Wood, Lufkin State Supported Living Center.

Sustaining Gold Members

Gold level Sustaining members of the Drug-Free Business Partnership include back row from left: Shanie Sanford, Pregnancy Help Center; Zach Crawford, Zavalla ISD; Michelle Briley, Commercial Bank of Texas; Amanda Crocker, Lufkin/Angelina Chamber of Commerce; Phillip La Corte, Heart Institute of East Texas; Brittany Burke, Pregnancy Help Center. Front row from left: Erica Rounsavall and Kimberly Abeldt, Abeldt’s Gaslight Pharmacy; Sarah Morgan Taylor, Morgan, Bartlett, Baggett and Shands Insurance.

Sustaining Silver/Bronze Members

Silver and Bronze Sustaining members of the Drug-Free Business Partnership include back row from left: Lauren Cox and Chris Gaw, VeraBank; Kendall Beattie, Elite Medical Home Care; Melissa Roberts, Integra Insurance Services; Jennifer La Corte, Elite Medical Home Care. Front row, from left: Brent Tanksley, Hughes Center Counseling; Chase Luce, Austin Bank; Becca McMahon, Skelton, Slusher, Barnhill, Watkins, Wells, PLLC; Deanna Waites and Tiffany Nash, Lemon Seed Marketing.