About
Semper Liberi

Diverse members of the community, many who are in recovery themselves, decided to form a non-profit to provide transitional resources to those in early recovery.

Our History

While so many individuals leaving treatment clean and sober is very beneficial for those members and the community, many of them return to the same circumstances they came from; unemployed, poor or no housing, and no transportation. Many referrals to the treatment center would be through the jails and judicial system, completing treatment with no employment, no housing and no drivers license or means to get to/from work. Sobriety can only get them so far in re-integrating back into the community.

Semper Li grew out of the recognition that those in early recovery in rural areas like West Virginia needed three additional resources to succeed: recovery supportive housing, transportation, and vocational services.

WV Mountains

Since forming in 2018, Semper Liberi has acquired grants for all three areas of service. It has hired a vocational re-entry specialist to assist with employment, purchased and opened the Ashley House for women, and provided transportation to its clients to acquire necessary documentation such as a social security card, ID card, and attend interviews.

With so many people completing residential treatment, more entry level housing was needed, additional vocational services were required, and more transportation needed. In 2020, Semper Li opened the Ashley House. This home provides six women with a recovery residence with supportive services from recovery peer who manages and oversees the house.

The Ashley House has been a tremendous success, providing women with a stable launching pad from which they could gain employment and stability, and also provided employers with stable, reliable, and competent employees. The success of the Ashley House and the demands for more like it led the Board of Directors to develop the Recovery Village concept.

The Village idea is to provide a neighborhood of residences for people in early recovery that could also include a fellowship hall and training center for technical schools as well as provide a centralized place for employers to provide transportation to/from their places of employment.

Meet our board

Semper Liberi's Board of Directors are volunteers who provide a broad representation of key community agencies and are dedicated and passionate about helping us achieve our goals, while expanding our impact in the community. Our board members have a strong commitment to Semper Liberi's mission and values and together bring experience in non-profit governance, fundraising, and related fields with the ability to provide leadership and guidance to the organization.

Neil McLaughlin

Neil McLaughlin

President

Neil McLaughlin has served in healthcare leadership roles over the past 30 years in WV, NC and PA. For the 5 years immediately prior to his current position, Neil was concurrently president of two WV hospitals. An Eastern Panhandle native, Neil holds master's degrees in business administration (WVU) and adult education (Penn State) and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Alderson-Broaddus College. Early in his career, Neil was very active in pre-hospital and emergency care and for fourteen years he was engaged at the national level in the organ and tissue procurement and transplantation field. He presently serves on the boards of several area civic and public organizations and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Jonathan Hartiens

Jonathan Hartiens, Ph. D.

Program Manager

Dr. Jonathan M. Hartiens, Ph.D is the volunteer Semper Liberi Program Manager. By training he is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. He has over 30 years of experience and developed an expertise in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Addictions. In addition to being a prominent therapist, he is frequently invited to speak at national conferences and to general audiences on addiction treatment. He was on the medical staff at the VAMC Medical Center, Martinsburg, from 2001 to 2011 where he worked at the Center for Addiction Treatment as its Director. From there he opened his private practice, Christian Psychological Services in Martinsburg. He's authored and been awarded over $14M in grants to expand the range of addiction treatment and social services into rural areas. Dr. Hartiens served as a Navy Psychologist from 1994 to 2001. He is a frequent public speaker providing practical insights and helpful tools for diverse audiences. He is sought out to lead marriage retreats and blends a unique delivery of humor, warmth, and insights on the day to day stressors which can so easily drain today's marriages. Dr. Hartiens is married to his wife of 35 years and has three grown children. He is a member of Independent Bible Church in Martinsburg, WV.

Collin Alexander

Collin Alexander

Treasurer

Collin Alexander holds an MBA from The Robert H Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, as well as an undergraduate degree in accounting from University of Maryland University College (Global Campus). He is currently working at Shepherd University in the Finance Department, serving as the Director of Finance/Controller for the University. He has over 25 years of strategic management experience and almost 15 years’ experience in various high-level finance positions in the non-profit and government space. In addition to volunteering as Treasurer for Child Care Counts and Beauty for Ashes, he also serves on and off for a Finance Committee of a local non-profit in his community.

Mary Beth Blair

Mary Beth Blair

Board Member

Mary Beth is the owner of Kisner Communications, a full-service advertising, graphic design, and marketing firm serving a broad range of clientele for over three decades across West Virginia from healthcare and banking, to tourism, non-profit and small business industries. Born and raised in Berkeley County, Mary Beth has a passion for serving her community and is actively involved with many organizations, donating much of her professional and personal time to support and help market these non-profits. Mary Beth and her husband of 30 years, Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair, serve as Ministry Leaders of Airborne Church, where she also serves as Community Liaison. They reside in Martinsburg and have three adult children; Robby (wife Esther), Brady (wife Sarah) and Lexy. They are committed to making Berkeley County a better place for all, including their two grandchildren William and Hazel.

Mike Caryl

Mike Caryl

Board Member

Mike is currently of-counsel with the Bowles Rice LLP law firm at its Martinsburg, WV office. He primarily practices in the areas of tax planning and tax controversy work at all levels — federal, state and local. He graduated from WVU in 1968 with a degree in Business Administration and, then, after serving in the US Army, graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 1974, and, after passing the WV Bar Exam later that year, has practiced law ever since. During that time, he also served as West Virginia State Tax Commissioner from 1985 to 1988 and was president of the 12-state Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators, 1987-1988.

Stew Borger

Stew Borger

Board Member

Stewart M. Borger, AAI, is president of Smith-Nadenbousch Insurance, Inc. an independent insurance agency that has two locations in the Eastern Panhandle. He has been involved in the insurance industry on the local, state and national level for over 50 years. Stew has served on the board of directors of numerous community non-profits and was a charter board member and president of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. He serves as the vice-chairman and was one of four men who founded the Eastern Panhandle Recovery Foundation whose mission is to provide a safe, drug free environment for 12 step meetings for individuals in recovery. This foundation currently operates a local "Clubhouse" in Martinsburg where over 20 meetings are held on weekly basis. Stew and his wife Candy have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Kristie Hadley

Kristie Hadley

Board Member

Kristie Hadley, a native of the Eastern Panhandle, is a Sr. Vice President/Market Leader at BCT (Bank of Charles Town), with more than 29 years' experience in the financial industry. Kristie, her husband Keith and three daughters reside in Hedgesville. She is actively involved in her church, Airborne Church, along with several non-profit organizations; Children's Home Society, the Berkeley County BackPack program, Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary, and Women of Distinction Committee. She is an active member of the Community Bankers of WV and awarded the Robert “Bob” F. Baronner Jr. Outstanding Community Banker Award in 2019. For her contributions to the Eastern Panhandle community, she was awarded Musselman High Outstanding Alumni in 2019 and the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital “Women of Distinction” honor in 2024. She contributes her successes by following the quote; “You have two hands, one to help yourself and the second to help others.”

Cara Henry

Cara Henry

Board Member

Cara holds an accounting degree from George Mason University. She has worked as an internal auditor for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 13 years. Prior to working for the VA she worked 2 years in public accounting. In her free time, Cara stays busy traveling with her family, keeping an active fitness lifestyle, and keeping up with her kids sports schedule.

Anne Washington

Anne Washington

Board Member

With over 35 years of experience serving her community in various capacities, Anne brings valuable insights and dedication to our vital cause. She has served as a 911 Dispatcher, worked at the Eastern Regional Jail, and spent five years as a Federal Police Officer. Additionally, she has dedicated 19 years to serving as a Physical Security Specialist for the federal government. These roles equip Anne with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction, as well as the importance of providing compassionate support and effective intervention. Moreover, her commitment to community service extends beyond her professional life. Together with her husband, who is an ordained minister, they engage in numerous community outreach programs aimed at uplifting those in need. She also serves on the Community Executive Board for the Department of Corrections, where she collaborates with various stakeholders to improve rehabilitation efforts and support systems for individuals reintegrating into society. She is deeply passionate about helping others, and firmly believes in the biblical principle that “what you have done for the least of these, you have done unto me.”

Eric Gates

Eric Gates

Board Member

Eric is the owner/president of Eric Gates Insurance and Financial Services Inc., DBA State Farm Insurance, Eric Gates Agency. He has been with State Farm for nearly 30 years with the last 20 years in Martinsburg. A native of Parkersburg, WV Eric attended Marshall University and eventually met his wife of 32 years, Lisa. They have 2 sons, Eli (wife Lauren), and Breck. Eric has served on various youth league boards and has also coached in youth football, little league, and high school football. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time at his cabin with his family and friends. He is an Eagle Scout and is passionate about giving back to his community.

Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson

Board Member

Nick has served as a pastor in several churches over the last 30 years. For the last 12 years, Nick, a Recovery Alive Coach, has served as the Recovery Pastor at New Life Community Church. He also manages the facilities and operations at New Life. Nick has held several corporate management roles and is a Certified Ramsey Financial Coach. He has served on the steering committee for the Bridges/We Care Collaborative and works with his wife, Kim, to promote recovery and healing in the community.

Contact Us

Get in touch and we' ll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!

Or reach out to our program manager, Jonathan Hartiens, directly at:

jmhartiens@semperli.org