Board & Staff

Meet Our Board & Staff

CAN seeks alignment with professional, disciplined, and like-minded individuals of impeccable integrity to accomplish our mission and vision. CAN currently has three distinct body’s of accountability: the volunteer board of directors, the administrative staff, and the clinical team.

Board Of Directors

President: John Havenar

VP Of Hurwitz & Associates

John H. Havenar graduated from University of Houston, Clear Lake in 1995 with a BS in Finance and started working for The Associates in Financial Planning (AFP) Group in early 1996. He has 30+ years of experience in the world of finance serving a vast cross section of the Houston area populace. In 2016 he was asked to serve on the leadership team at Hurwitz Associates Inc.

John founded Cease Addiction Now (CAN) Inc., a non-profit 501c3 in 2007 after becoming aware of the void of viable resources within the community of Baytown. Along with currently serving as the President and CEO, he is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and facilitates a CJAD accredited Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) when needed. John has been active in the treatment process for patients and has implemented unique old school techniques resulting in outstanding recovery results.

Financial expertise coupled with understanding substance use behavior are a skill set used proficiently to direct families with wealth transfer and preservation concerns as well as counsel family members through elements of the addiction process.

John has seven children with his wife of 36 years, Denise, along with seven children. John was an active member in Boy Scouts of America and received the Eagle Scout Award. His personal hobbies and interests include learning languages (Spanish & Hebrew currently), building renovation/design, history, tennis, and jogging. He has also volunteered as a mentor for inmates at the Texas Criminal Justice System for the last nine years.

Secretary: Candace Gilbert

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT AT KBR

Candace Gilbert works extensively in the energy industry. She has worked as a Senior International Accountant for 18+years. She graduated from Lamar University in 2009 with a BS in Accounting. In 2018 Candace joined CAN’s board of directors. Candace brings a diverse view for project planning and accounting with an edge in strategic planning. Candace grew up in Baytown. Working with CAN is her way of giving back to the community.

Treasurer: Mike Wilson

VP Texas First Bank

Mike Wilson was renowned as the Baytown Citizen of the Year in 2007. He has been living in the city for about 43 years now with his Wife DiAnne, his three children, and three grandchildren. He is a board member and the “O” Team founder for Cease Addiction Now, along with being the Senior Vice President for the Texas First Bank. Mike gives back to his community as an elder at the Faith Presbyterian Church and by being active in numerous civic groups.

Board Members

Board Member: Steve Levine

Editor At SBT Magazine

Steve Levine holds a few different positions. He is the President/CEO of Legacy Publishing Group, LLC and the Executive Publisher of Small Business Today and Health Under Government Employment (H.U.G.E.). Steve has been in Publishing/Advertising Sales for over 39 years and has also additionally founded The Metro Houston Apartment Guide, The Jacksonville Communities Guide, and the Perfect Wedding Guide.

Steve’s clients in Business, Property Management, Real Estate, Federal Unions, Entertainment and Sports read like a “Who’s Who” in each related industry. Speaking of “Who’s Who”, Steve has been featured in both “Who’s Who in Sales & Marketing” and “Who’s Who in Professional Speaking”.

Steve brings his expertise in providing cost efficient results and a reputation for excellence to every publication and project that he is involved with.

Board Member: Walter Littlefield

Account Manager At Stauf Usa

Walter Littlefield began his career with Al-Jubail Petrochemical; a joint venture between Exxon Arabia and Americas. He built his skills there in five different business functions and separated from Exxon in July of 2000.

Walter then went on to pursue his entrepreneurial career in Business Administration and Finance as the President of IBIM Consultants, Inc. until February of 2005. Currently, he is the Southeastern Sales Director at a European Chemical Company named Stauf USA, LLC. He overlooks 13 different States where sales teams are trained to sell Stauf’s innovative products to Flooring and Professional Supply Distributors.

Administrative Staff

Office Administrator: Valeria Gomez

Volunteer

Jennifer Havenar

Jennifer is a veteran of the United States Army and is currently seeking a degree in Health Care Administration from University of Houston Clear Lake. Her professional interests involve working with people who are struggling with addiction as well as non-profit organizations. She has a strong desire to work with veterans and plans for Cease Addiction Now to offer specialized services to this community in the near future.
To stay balanced, Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling, running and watching football (Go Texans!).

Intake Specialist: Christal Kuehler

Christal is a second year student at San Jacinto College. She will graduate and work towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling at University of Houston Clear Lake in the upcoming year. Christal’s passion, to aid those suffering from addiction, comes from her own personal recovery from addiction. She enjoys praising the Lord and spending time with her family.

Clinical Team

Md, Medical Director: Mary Hewitt

LCSW, Clinical Supervisor: Linda Kelly

Linda has over 40 years of experience holding different licenses such as an LCSW, LPC, and LCDC. She has worked with people from varying cultures and has counseled on a wide range of issues. She has also worked as a probation officer in the state of Texas. She is trained to offer services to individuals, couples and families, and she believes in utilizing several different modalities for mental well-being including using play therapy with children. She maintains Diplomat status with the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

Linda spends a great deal of time with her husband and family. She is a Certified Dive Master and is a Tai Chi Chuan enthusiast.

LCDC, BIPP Coordinator: James Fulton

Registered Nurse: Barbara Rogers

Barbara Rogers, RN, MSN, CRRN, has been a practicing nurse in Texas for over ten years. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of Texas Health Science Center with her Masters’ degree in Nursing Healthcare & Administration in 2013.
Barbara is currently a member of the Texas Nursing Association, the Association of Rehab Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau.
Barbara has practiced in a variety of settings, including administration, mental health and education.
Barbara is currently married with two children, Abigail & Axel. In her free time she enjoys biking, kayaking, & swimming.