Hope in the Hills is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering recovery, resilience, and renewal across Appalachia. Our all-volunteer board comprises industry professionals who are deeply committed to addressing the challenges of substance use disorder in our region. United by a passion for positive change, our team brings together diverse expertise and a shared vision for a healthier, more hopeful Appalachia.
Interested in getting involved? Reach out to us at hopeinthehillswv@gmail.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities or ways to support our mission.
Your contributions and engagement make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities we serve.
STAFF
Charlie Hatcher
Program Director
Charles “Charlie” Hatcher is a native to WV and is a small business owner, musician, and music event promoter. His skills include artist negotiations, professional audio sales and installation, sound engineering, and lighting. He is the coordinator of Mountain Music Festival, among many other events.
Dave Johnson
Director of Operations
Graduating with a Bachelor's in Business from Marshall University in 1997, Dave has honed a robust foundation in operational management and strategic planning. His decision to join Healing Appalachia was ignited by a conversation with Charlie about the organization's mission. Dave was instantly drawn to the opportunity to ensure the recovery community was represented authentically and effectively. At Healing Appalachia, he leverages his expertise to oversee operations, ensuring that the organization's activities align with its core mission of healing and support.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DAVE LAVENDER
President & Treasurer
Huntingtonian Dave Lavender is a Southern Ohio native and University of Kentucky grad. He has served on more than a dozen community and non-profit boards, and has worked in five states for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and social media. In his day job, Dave Lavender runs the West Virginia Film Office, for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.
IAN THORNTON
Vice President
Ian Thornton was born and raised in Huntington, WV and graduated from Marshall University in 2008 with a degree in Music Performance. In 2010, he founded the Huntington Music & Arts Festival, He founded WhizzbangBAM in 2015, which represents multiple acts including; Tyler Childers, Ona, William Matheny, and Arlo McKinley & the Lonesome Sound.
CHARLES "KEEBIE" GILKERSON
Secretary
Charles "Keebie" Gilkerson holds a Master of Public Administration (Non-Profit Management) degree from Marshall University, and is a proven community organizer. He has served on many Boards and is the former President of Create Huntington. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer of WhizzbangBAM.
QUINCY GRAY MCMICHAEL
Board Member
Quincy Gray McMichael is a person in long-term recovery; a writer, artist, and regenerative farmer. She holds a degree in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic and an MFA from the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University. Quincy grew up in Maine but returned to her Appalachian roots to give back after receiving so much from the land and people of West Virginia. She has directed and collaborated with numerous statewide and community nonprofits, leads the Hope in the Hills Grants Committee, and is always willing to raise her voice to ask tough questions. At Healing Appalachia, you’ll find Quincy beside the stage, ferrying recovery speakers to and fro.
TRACY LEVINE
Board Member
As Executive Director at Healing Housing, Williamson County’s first and only nonprofit sober living community for women, Tracey Levine embraces her role with compassion and commitment. Whether guiding program development, getting to know new residents, engaging the board of directors or driving the mission in any number of other ways, Tracey keeps her eyes on the end goal: helping women heal from addiction in a safe, affordable and supportive environment.
THOM BOGGS
Board Member
Thom Boggs is a Huntington native and a graduate of Marshall University and the West Virginia University College of Law. He is a veteran of several non-profit endeavors and is the co-founder of Hooligans Homecoming, an annual reunion charity show for local 80s metal players. When he’s not playing or organizing shows, Thom is a trial lawyer who represents people in WV and KY against corporations and insurance companies.