Our Staff

Jeremy has been in the field of addiction treatment for 10 years. Prior to founding Recovery Connections of Maine he worked in several cities in Maine. Jeremy has a strong passion for serving those suffering from addiction issues. He has a strong belief that adverse childhood experiences play a role in the development of substance use disorder. Jeremy's philosophy is embedded in unconditional positive regard and that no client that walks through the doors can do anything that would cause them to be viewed in a negative light. Jeremys core beliefs are that people do not fail treatment that treatment fails people. Jeremy places a strong emphasis on community collaboration.

Jeremy has a background in advocacy. He is a former chapter lead of Young People in Recovery and has joined them in Washington D.C advocating for common sense legislation for substance users and people in recovery. Jeremy has spearheaded community events that include block parties in his community. He has volunteered his time in the Maine Correctional Center for the past 12 years and is currently doing so. Jeremy facilitated an Adult Education class on substance use disorder and language training. Jeremy places a lot of emphasis on community integration organizing men in treatment o donate their time to local soup kitchens. Jeremy has spoken to countless high school, college classes, and events in the community.

Jeremy is also a youth sports coach football, baseball and basketball in his local community and has also sponsor teams to attend tournaments.

Michael has been in the recovery field since October of 2015, and has been working with individuals in treatment as a licensed counselor in Maine since November of 2016. He served as a board member, and treasurer of a grassroots advocacy organization in Belfast Maine called W.e.C.A.R.E. (Waldo encourages community assisted recovery efforts) from August 2014, until relocating to Lewiston full time in January of 2016.

Michael was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but was raised in Maine, with a brief amount of time being spent in North Carolina, attending school in the south in the eighties.(YOWZERS) He spent his adolescent years between Wiscasset and Brunswick, Maine, switching between their school systems. He was raised predominantly by his great grandmother.

Michael believes in treatment and recovery, as he himself battled with his own addictions from the age of 12. "I think that I was addicted the first time I ever used. As soon as I got that first substance in me I wanted more, more more....That was actually my substance of choice, more. Whatever I used I always wanted more." Michael believes his addictions all started from his trauma from early childhood, and believes most folks with substance use disorders come from trauma as well. "I really wasn't using to get high, I was using to get relief." Now that he identifies as a person in long-term recovery, he wants to work with folks to help them accomplish their goals and live a life of recovery. "Coming to work is not a chore for me, it's a privilege. I am grateful that I get to ride this roller-coaster with folks, and accompany them for a small part on their journey to a recovery, whatever that looks like for them. I love to see their progress, their hope, their determination. Often, I get the see the sparkle come back to their eyes."

Brandy Hiltz is the Co-Founder and Director of Administration at Recovery Connections of Maine. Brandy has over 12 years of administrative experience in office management and human resources. She assists in the development and implementation of practice policies and procedures; manages and oversees the administration of HR policy and procedure as well as the billing for the practice. Brandy also has a case management background which is also useful for clients. Although most of her time is spent behind the scenes, she makes time to get to know the clients as much as possible.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, boating, organizing get togethers, watching sports, and spending time at the family camp.

Katlyn has been in the recovery field since 2015 and has been certified to treat people struggling with addiction since 2018. Katlyn has experience working in the Lewiston community as a Case manager, Patient Navigator and Peer support to those struggling with substance use. I am currently studying for my LADC.
Born in South Boston Mass
Moved to Maine in 2005
Attended UMA and earned my degree the unconventional way
I believe that we are human beings before anything, our substance use does not define who we are but is a direct result of trauma we faced at some point in our lives. I am passionate about helping others, this community helped me when I did not know how to love myself.
I believe in this work, I battled my own demons and have been in recovery since 2010. It works! And coming here everyday does not feel like work , it feels like purpose. I fought so long to find my purpose and through my own recovery and our recovery community i have found my purpose.
I look forward to growing professionally here, but more importantly i look forward to watching our clients grow into who they are meant to be.

River has worked in recovery since 2017, starting as a live-in house manager with a recovery housing non-profit. River continues to manage recovery houses to this day. His own recovery journey led him to pursuing obtaining his MHRT/C and CADC to be able to work with individuals in the field of addiction. River is passionate about recovery and helping others.

Chantel has been a member of the RCOM team since 2019. She began her journey with RCOM as an intern and has since become a substance use counselor. Chantel is an involved member of the recovery community. She is the chairwoman and a founding board member of The R.E.S.T Center, Lewiston's first recovery community center. Chantel believes in advocacy and has been active in many advisory committees and community organizing teams to be a voice of hope and create recovery ready communities. Chantel is a strong advocate for person-first language and ending the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. She believes in empowering folks to be the best versions of themselves and supports all pathways to recovery. Chantel puts great emphasis on trauma-informed care and providing ALL folks with unconditional positive regard.
Chantel's love for the recovery community grew from her experience of being a person with substance use disorder. Chantel identifies with being a person in long-term recovery, but also as a mother of two young children, a student, a daughter, etc. She believes folks are multifaceted and hold many roles. She stays busy and is motivated to lead by example as her children are the center of her world. Her free time is spent with her children, enjoying family, and at the gym (sometimes).

Becka has worked in the recovery field since 2010 beginning her journey in residential substance use treatment for mothers and their children. Prior to working there, Becka earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Becka went on to pursue a master's degree through Goddard College in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on expressive therapy. Becka is currently a CADC and a LCPC-C. Becka sees clients in outpatient but is primarily a clinician at the Travas House residential program for men. Becka believes that a disconnection with self that often stems from trauma can create a lack of connection to others. This absence may impact the emergence of an unhealthy attachment and relationship to develop with substances. As human beings we are wired to connect for better or for worse. It is through developing healthy bonds and relationships that a person's substance use and mental health symptoms can begin the process of healing.

Victor is a generally nice guy. An Edward Little High School graduate, he's achieved degrees in Psychology from University of Vermont and Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. He has been in the field of substance use treatment and recovery since 2013. Victor specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing and is certified to provide EMDR by the EMDR Institute.

Before joining RCOM Victor was a counselor at Grace Street Services and a manager at the Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health. He believes strongly that community and connection are the cornerstones of recovery from any ailment, and that addiction thrives in a society that values money over people. Victor loves to talk about youth sports, exercise, hunting, Kurt Vonnegut, chess, music, and renovation projects.

Hi, my name is Kelley Raynor. I have my ADCA and I am a recovery coach here at RCOM. I have been working at RCOM for over a year and a half. I help facilitate Intensive Outpatient Programs, help support clients with resources through recovery coaching and I do intake assessments here at RCOM. I love working here because I get the chance to help people achieve goals and better their lives every single day. I have completed recovery coach training with Portland Recovery Community Center and have volunteered as a recovery coach at the R.E.S.T. center. I have been sober and in recovery for three years. I struggled for over a decade to get sober and stay sober until I found the recovery community and all the resources they offer. I am a mom of two wonderful kids and I love spending time with my family. I enjoy spending time outside camping, hiking and being by the ocean. I am passionate about helping people because that is how I got to where I am, by others helping me. I have multiple resources on hand, such as help with transportation, housing and education. I would love to be a part of your recovery journey and help in any way that I can!

James' interest in helping others through their struggles with substance abuse issues first began as the central piece of his own path of recovery from addiction. After taking a summer job in a residential treatment center, while he was waiting for an electrician's apprenticeship program to begin, he quickly realized that helping others and seeing people grow was his true passion and decided to pursue a career in counseling.

Since 2011, James has worked in a various settings including wilderness/adventure-based programs, Intensive Outpatient, Community Recovery-based programs, and residential. He has over ten years of experience working with teens, young adults, adults, and families.

James is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. In his practice, he utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Mindfulness/Insight meditation, and Buddhist psychology, with CBT and DBT skills. James was attracted to RCOM for its connection to the community that surrounds it, its passionate, mission-driven team, and its reputation for compassionate, trauma-informed care.

As Clinical Director, he is committed to seeing RCOM's strengths multiply to bring hope and healing to the greatest number of people possible. He believes that all people possess the capabilities of healing and growth.

James describes himself as enthusiastic, humorous, and insightful. He enjoys reading, hiking, hanging out with his wife and two dogs, Maya & Ivy, and he can be considered a connoisseur of fine coffees in his spare time.