Our Team
We seek to be the organization that helps each person on the road through recovery — beyond treatment and simple sobriety and into a renewed sense of freedom.
About The Team
Those on the journey need a steady source of support. Not a wizened guide with all the answers, but someone who can say, “Here are the options. Here are things that could help you. Take what you need. I have plenty to give.” To accomplish this, we’ve built a leadership team that has varied backgrounds and experiences in addiction treatment and recovery.
Who We Are
Brandon Scarborough
Chief Executive Officer
The Be Free Board sought out a leader not afraid of a big challenge and interested in making a big impact, a strategic thinker, and willing to think outside the box. To develop initiatives that will move the needle requires an experienced leader with vision and the ability to manage multiple programs, The Board chose Brandon.
Brandon has been in recovery from drug and alcohol misuse since 2012.
Brandon has founded three businesses, grew them, and taken them to profitable exits. The Board believes the same entrepreneurial skill that Brandon used to build successful companies will be used to build Be Free.
Brandon joined Be Free in March of 2020.
Louis D. Steele
Partner, Sustainable Development Partners Kansas City, and Principal, SGCC Global
Lou’s daughter started using prescription drugs while in college. After several failures with relapses in Intensive Outpatient Programs, his daughter was accepted into an out-of-state residential treatment program. At the end of her 30-day stay, they strongly suggested that she go to a strong recovery community. Kansas City was discouraged as it lacked many of the recovery supports available elsewhere. Lou is committed to making Kansas City a strong recovery support community with a broad collection of supports and availability. Lou’s daughter now has over 14 years in recovery.
Lou was co-owner of the Prudential CRES commercial real estate firm in Kansas City for nearly two decades. He also has done extensive business consulting in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and China. He has been active in Kansas City’s civic community.
Susan Whitmore
Executive Director, John Graham Housing & Services
As a long-respected leader in the substance use disorder prevention and recovery community in Kansas City, Susan and other co-founders recognized the need to build stronger recovery supports in Kansas City. This meant strengthening and expanding already existing programs and bringing new supports to Kansas City.
Susan has worked in nonprofit executive leadership for over 25 years. She is the current Executive Director at John Graham Housing and Services in Vermont. Until early 2021, Susan served as President and CEO of First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention and Recovery (2016-2021) after serving for six years as the agency’s Vice President of Development. Susan moved to Vermont to be closer to her daughter, granddaughter, father, and siblings.
Susan is in long-term recovery.
Gary P. Henson, CFA
President, Tortoise
Gary’s son started using drugs when away at college. His life ended with an overdose. Gary has committed much of his time since his son’s death to helping others avoid the same outcome his son and family experienced. He is a board member of Shatterproof, a national non-profit and Be Free.
Gary has nearly 30 years of experience in institutional money management for banks, Gary joined the Tortoise Board in 2009 and began employment there in 2016. He now serves as President.
Patrick Sallee
Chief Executive Officer, Vibrant Health of Wyandotte County
Patrick Sallee is the CEO of Vibrant Health, a federally qualified health center that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to nearly 20,000 primarily low-income patients at four Wyandotte County locations.
Patrick has been in recovery since 2012.
Brian Markley
Partner, Spencer Fane
Brian is an experienced and successful trial lawyer working with clients on complex litigation with more than $3 billion at stake. His practice focus has been on agriculture, chemicals, financial and retail industries.
Burt Dickinson
Director of Development, Artists Helping the Homeless
Burt left a career in banking and marketing to devote himself to helping those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor’s degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City.
Burt is in recovery himself. He and his family now reside in Dallas.
Ron Hill
Purpose Sherpa
Guiding & connecting heart-centered leaders and their organizations through conversations that create a framework for clarity.
Roes does 3 types of work. 1) Creation, clarification, or connection with an Organizational Clarity Framework; 2) Online and in-person event design and facilitation; & 3) Helping to build tomorrow’s heart-centered leaders through
Jamie Felton
Business Development Specialist at Signature Psychiatric Hospital
Jamie is a has worked in the addiction and recovery field for several years. Heroin addiction took the life of her 20 year old son and Jamie has dedicated her life to helping children and their families deal with all aspects of the disease of addiction.
Connecting Your Loved Ones To Us
Are you looking for assistance or resources for an individual who is struggling on their road to recovery?
Making a commitment to recovery is saying, “Yes,” to a lifelong journey of discovery and growth. There are ups and downs, forks in the road, and difficult choices to be made. If you know someone who needs us, please fill out our contact form below and a representative will be in touch.