Staff

I am the Executive Director of Healing Addiction in Our Community and Serenity Mesa Recovery Center. I have a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology and a Masters in Business Administration from UNM. In 2011, I started a mission to build something that I wish would have existed for my son – that mission turned into Serenity Mesa Recovery Center. My son, Cameron, was a heroin addict. He became addicted to heroin after a sports injury and subsequent prescriptions for pain killers. My son passed away of an overdose on August 13, 2011. Serenity Mesa is built for all of those who have passed and those who still suffer from the disease of addiction. Our mission is to provide a peaceful, tranquil place for young people to get better, get healthy, and acquire the skills they need to be successful members of their community. It’s not just about the drug, but it is about the recovery.

David began his career in construction in Albuquerque in 1992 sweeping out houses for a local builder, Opel Jenkins/KB Homes. He advanced within the company to Warranty Manager, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, and finally NW Construction Manager. In 2001, David moved to Phoenix, AZ where he became VP of Construction for the Phoenix Division of Stillbrooke Homes. In 2003, David started his own business – Burke Brothers Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona. In September of 2006, his health troubles began and after emergency surgery to remove part of his intestines, David spent a little over a month in a hospital where his addiction to opiates and Xanax began. After four years struggling with his addiction, David found recovery in 2010 and has been in recovery for seven years. In 2012, after meeting Jennifer, David joined HAC. His desire to help build and open Serenity Mesa soon took shape. David has successfully lobbied and was the driving force to obtain close to two million dollars in Capital Outlay funding to purchase and renovate Serenity Mesa. David is a certified CPI trainer, NARCAN trainer and holds a New Mexico Contractors license for his Construction Company – Serenity Construction. He mentors Serenity Mesa residents introducing them to the construction field including concrete, tile, framing, landscaping and basic handyman duties.

Chrissy was born and raised in Belen, NM and moved to Albuquerque in June of 2005. She received a BA in psychology and a BA in Criminology in Dec 2011 from UNM-main campus. She has been working in the mental and behavioral health field since 04/2012. She worked as a Lead Treatment Coordinator at New Mexico Solutions Treatment Foster Care program for 7 years and specialized in working with teens. She began to work in the substance abuse field after losing her younger brother to an 11-year battle with heroin in 2015. She received her License in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling (LADAC) in December 2024. She is passionate about working with youth and believes in helping them to choose a better path for themselves as well as helping them to understand that they are NOT their mental health, they are NOT their addiction, and they are NOT their mistakes. Her journey at Serenity Mesa has inspired her to obtain her master’s in social work to obtain her LMSW, which she will begin in August 2025. She strives to help grow and build resources for our youth in NM.

Kat Cole was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She struggled with substance abuse and through her journey into recovery, she decided to begin a career in the field to help others find their sobriety. Kat is a Certified Peer Support Worker and a mother of one.

Tandi was born and raised in New Mexico. She attended the University of New Mexico and received two bachelors’ degrees – Criminology and Psychology. She has a passion for working with youth and has enjoyed mentoring them for several years as she helps them find their path in life. When she is not working, she enjoys bowling, camping, and riding her four wheeler.

After losing her son, Michael to addiction at the age of 19, Lou has spent the last 14 years as an advocate in our community bringing awareness and education to youth and their families. Her efforts include state-wide presentations in various community events, school presentations, treatment centers, community groups, seminars, conferences, as well as participating in four documentaries. She joined Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC) in 2011 and shared the vision with the group of parents and grandparents who founded HAC to create a safe place for our youth to begin their journey in recovery. She is grateful and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of Serenity Mesa. ~ His Face, My Voice