2010 Recipients
Earl Hightower, Hightower Intervention Services
Studio City, California
As a person in long-term recovery since 1980, Earl Hightower has dedicated his life to sharing his own story of recovery and to helping others find recovery. For over 25 years, Mr. Hightower has worked in the treatment and recovery community as a consultant, educator, public speaker, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Board- Registered Interventionist. President of Hightower Intervention Services, LLC., Mr. Hightower is highly regarded as a leading expert in the process of helping addicts and alcoholics transition from treatment to recovery. Mr. Hightower’s appearances take him across to globe speaking to over 100,000 people annually on the subject of recovery. As a Board Member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), Earl has been tireless in training law enforcement, attorneys, and other criminal-justice professionals about recovery and the advantages of treatment over incarceration. Mr. Hightower lives in Studio City, CA with his wife and two dogs.
Joe Powell, Association of Persons Affected by Addiction
Dallas, Texas
Joe Powell is a person in long term recovery, which means he has not used alcohol or other drugs for 21 years. As a result of his recovery, Joe has been actively working to support recovery on many different fronts for the last 18 years. Joe is a passionate advocate for recovery and a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. He is the Executive Director of the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA), a recovery community organization for people seeking or in recovery, family members and allies in Dallas, TX. Joe serves on the boards of numerous addiction and mental health organizations at the local, state and national levels. He volunteers much of his time to committee work and as an advisor to others. One of his greatest accomplishments has been his work to serve the needs of people in recovery from addiction and mental illness. He has been responsible for building the important bridge between addiction recovery advocates and recovery advocates from the mental health community. Joe lives recovery, demonstrating exceptional energy and leadership. Joe has been married for 20 years to his wife, Lt. Colonel Sylvia Kemp-Powell, and has two sons, Max (21) and Tery (17).
Art Zwerling, Anesthetists in Recovery
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Since finding recovery in 1987, Art Zwerling has devoted his professional and personal life to serving those seeking or in recovery. He is an addictions counselor, a family/group therapist, researcher, lecturer, anesthesia school program director, writer, educator, and AA sponsor to many. Dr. Zwerling is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and focuses much of his talent, energy, and passion to helping other Nurse Anesthetists find and sustain their recovery. A true vanguard, Art has greatly impacted the field of anesthesia by changing systems, programs and practices so that there is more awareness about the risks of the field and better supports for those who need help. He is constantly developing new and innovative strategies for educating others, eradicating stigma, and advocating for better systems. For example, Art successfully advocated for the addition of chemical dependency education in the curricula of all anesthesia training programs in the U.S. He has also helped put together several web-based forums that make it easier for anesthetists to gain valuable insights into how to deal with issues of early recovery. Art’s advocacy has been instrumental in helping countless others. Dr. Zwerling lives in Elkins Park, PA with his wife.
- About the Joel Hernandez Award Recipient
- About the Vernon Johnson Award Recipients
- About Joel Hernandez and Vernon Johnson
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Faces & Voices of Recovery and Hazelden's Center for Public Advocacy have joined together to host America Honors Recovery honoring the legacies of Joel Hernandez and Vernon Johnson. All contributions to the America Honors Recovery awards event will go to Faces & Voices of Recovery. For questions, please email or call Dannie Greenberg at (202)737-0690.
