Board of Directors

Mary Kay was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and later lived in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She moved to the MHC area during her high school years. After graduating from Fieldale-Collinsville High School, she attended Patrick Henry Community College, where she earned an associate degree in Nursing. She later continued her education, earning her BSN and MSN in Nursing from Old Dominion University. She worked at Piedmont Community Services for a number of years as a Nurse Practitioner until her retirement in 2014.  She has been actively involved in the recovery community since 1983. She believes in the process of recovery and the adage “Recovery is possible and recovering people can become responsible members of society.” She has been married to her husband Bruce for over 40 years. She has four grown children and six grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, crafts, and her rescue pets Abby and Monkey.

Sam was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital to career Air Force officer Bob Petty and Bassett native Patricia Philpott Petty, Sam lived in three countries and 7 states until his Father retired to Philpott when Sam was 13. Sam graduated from Bassett High School and attend Ferrum College for a year before transferring to Radford University where he received and Bachelors degree in Management Information Systems.  Sam’s 30 year career as a Computer Network Administrator began with a stint at the State Corporation Commission in Richmond, Sam then worked at Bassett Walker for four years and London Fog for 4 years. When London Fog closed their local operations he moved on to Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville and finally Piedmont Community Services where he has been for the last 20 years.  Sam is a staunch progressive who believes in helping the people of this community gain access to state and local resources in any way possible.   

Ariel was raised in Martinsville/Henry County and is a 2009 graduate of Bassett High School. She initially attended Patrick Henry Community College, but then transferred to Ivy Tech Community College where she proceeded to work towards an associate degree in Human Services with a concentration in Addiction Studies. Ariel then transferred to Indiana Wesleyan University where she graduated in February of 2020 with her Bachelor of Social Work. Ariel is also certified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for Adults.

Ariel has spent the last decade of her life working with a diverse population, comprised of individuals from marginalized and underserved communities. This includes persons with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and Substance Use Disorder, as well as those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness. This experience led Ariel to her previous position as the Drug User Resource Coordinator at the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition, where she provided case management and advocacy for people who are impacted by Substance Use Disorder.  She currently serves as Regional Director for Legacy Wellness, LLC. 

Ariel is an active member of the Martinsville/Henry County community, serving and volunteering her time with many coalitions and organizations such as Drug Free MHC, MHC Warming Center, the Rewired Coalition, and many more. Her passion is serving the community of Martinsville/Henry County and advocating for those that are underserved and too commonly

stigmatized.

Biographical information coming soon