LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jay Phillips, MBA
Executive Director, Board President
Jay came to Seed Sower, Inc, as a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in military intelligence as a Russian linguist and signals intelligence specialist. He spent the last five year of his military service with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, working in support of international chemical and biological arms control and nonproliferation programs. He completed his military service as an instructor and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Russian Arms Control Speaking Proficiency Course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.
Following his military career, Jay completed his MBA at West Virginia in 2013. His professional history includes both government and private industry employment including foodservice management, classroom instruction, curriculum development, financial management analysis, organizational leadersprogram and process improvement. He is married to his wife, Paige and has 3 wonderful sons - Sam, Caeden and Cooper.
Jay's passion for recovery services has grown over an 8 year span of supporting organizations involved in community recovery efforts. He believes: "Recovery isn’t an “I” thing or a “you” thing. It’s a “we” thing. It’s a community effort that leverages the collective strengths and talents of local and regional governments, community organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to work together toward a future far less burdened by the destructive and pervasive nature of SUD. We don’t recover alone. We recover together.
Dawn Bass Sturgill
Board Secretary
Dawn Bass comes to Seed Sower with a degree in Travel Industry and Marketing and a passion for those in recovery as well as at-risk youth. Dawn also graduated from the Integrative Nutrition Program as a Health Coach. The mission of the Integrative Nutrition Program is to play a crucial role in improving health, wellness, and happiness, and through that process, create a ripple effect that transforms the world. Scientifically, we know that healthy nutritional practices strengthen the overall recovery effort while transforming lives one person at a time. Dawn is also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. Dawn brings to Seed Sower's board of directors an organized mindset, an encouraging personality, and a desire to see the lives of students transformed. Her positive attitude and skills in developing healthy habits make her a great asset to the Seed Sower family.
Dawn lives in Beckley, WV and is married to her husband, Mike Sturgill. She also has 2 lovely daughters, Erin and Anne.
Johnetta Windon
Board Member
Johnetta Windon serves on the Seed Sower board of directors as it's treasurer. She joins Seed Sower with years of professional experience in the hospitality industry and customer care and bookkeeping experience in the nonprofit industry. Her attention to detail, many years of volunteer service in bookkeeping, and personal integrity makes her a great fit for the Treasurer position. Johnetta is also very passionate about recovery and is an active facilitator for "Hurting Moms, Mending Hearts" - a support group that connects mothers that have children in active addiction and in recovery. Her knowledge, experience and compassion will be a wonderful asset both to students in recovery as well as reaching out to help provide healing for families dealing with active addiction and the recovery process.
Johnetta lives in Rainelle, West Virginia and is married to her awesome husband Danny. They have 5 wonderful children.
Amy Bush, MA, LPC
Board Member, Treatment Counselor
Amy Bush serves on the Seed Sower Team as a board member and advisor for the organizations programmatic offerings. Amy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is in good standing with the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling.
She has a Bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University. Her work has been with a variety of mental health needs including substance use as well as with families and individuals to overcome past trauma, depression, and anxiety.
Amy’s personal philosophy of counseling centers around an enduring belief that change is both possible and necessary to reach wholeness as an individual and that everyone is capable of growing. Everyone is worthy of dignity and is so much more than their past mistakes.
Amy lives in Beckley with her husband David, their son August, and their collie dog, Hemingway. Amy serves alongside her husband in local church ministry. She enjoys reading, gardening, music, and welcoming people into her home.
