Meet the Executive Team
LINDSAY HERNDON, LMHC
Chief Executive Officer
Lindsay Herndon, LMHC, has served as Caz Recovery’s CEO since 2023. She brings a particular emphasis on Trauma-Informed Care and creating progressive, evidence-based programs. Lindsay is passionate about strengthening the behavioral health workforce by supporting staff to effectively manage their life-saving and oftentimes challenging work.
Since assuming her role with Caz, she has already guided the organization through substantial change including significant reimbursement rate updates, a successful staffing restructure, and the completion of multiple major capital projects. Her next goals for the organization include continuing its growth and ensuring high-quality services for people with substance use disorders.
Lindsay has an MA in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a BS in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has led multi-faceted, diverse, and talented teams in behavioral healthcare for nearly a decade.
Outside of work, Lindsay spends most of her time with what she calls her “small zoo.” This includes her husband, three children, three dogs, five cats, three frogs, and a koi pond. Along with this, Lindsay loves the outdoors and tries to go running or hiking when the Buffalo weather allows.
ANGELA ANGORA, ADVANCED CASAC
VP of Housing & Community Services
We brought Angela on board in 2013 to manage Liberty Hall, our former program in Batavia for homeless veterans. She quickly became such a valuable part of our team that she began overseeing other programs throughout the agency, as well. Angela is now our Vice President of Housing and Community Services and oversees our Step Toward Success and Supported Housing programs, along with Amherst Station Apartments. She’s been invaluable in expanding our Supported Housing programs recently through new federal and state models.
“These kinds of programs are so important,” Angela said. They’re often a critical point in the journey to independence for people with substance use disorders. Typically, residents begin looking for jobs or start going back to school during this period in their recovery. “When people have things to look forward to and be proud of, they’re much more successful,” she said.
Angela has over twenty years of experience in behavioral health and holds a bachelor’s degree in Community & Human Services with a concentration in Counseling from Empire State College. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).
DIMARIO BELL, LMHC-D
VP of Clinical Services
DiMario Bell, LMHC-D, is Caz Recovery's Vice President of Clinical Services, and he joined the team in 2026. His experience spans outpatient, private practice, clinical training, and residential services, where he began as a frontline staff and worked up to Campus Director. "There truly is nothing like residential work," said DiMario. He graduated from the now-extinct Medaille College where he earned a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
At the age of 18, while speaking with an older adult, they remarked that he "really should become a counselor one day". DiMario scoffed, and twenty years later, he is now a leader in clinical and counseling services. "Sometimes others can see things in us, good things, that we cannot see ourselves," said DiMario. "I believe this directly ties to the work we do here at Caz as we work alongside our residents to help them discover the true value they have within themselves."
ED CICHON
VP of Development and Strategy
Ed oversees all aspects of the agency’s advocacy, communications, grants and DEI efforts. He joined the Caz Recovery team in 2014 and built the agency’s marketing efforts from the ground-up. He greatly enjoys collaborating with local and statewide partners to advance causes for both people with substance use disorders and providers where it matters most.
Likewise, he’s passionate about telling uplifting stories throughout the nonprofit sector, and has over fifteen years of experience with local nonprofits. “We’re a great organization. It’s an honor telling the stories of the people we support and our amazing staff members,” he added.
Ed has a bachelor’s degree in Art from the University at Buffalo, a master’s degree in International Relations from Webster University, and serves on the board of the Western New York Chemical Dependency Consortium as their Public Policy Chair. He’s currently on a digital nomad journey traveling around the East Coast escaping Buffalo’s winters.
KEITH JAROSZ
VP of Facilities Development
Keith joined Caz Recovery as VP of Facilities Development in 2026 after a long and extensive career in construction. His expertise in project management, estimating, heavy equipment operations, and field supervision has allowed him to seamlessly step in and help Caz with large scale building projects currently underway, and in planning future projects of all sizes throughout our entire network of residential facilities and offices.
An Air Force Veteran, husband, and father to one son, he has a large extended family he enjoys spending time with while also taking to time for his other passions, like seeing live music, fishing, and hunting.
JENN LEUMER
Chief Financial Officer
Jenn has been a member of Caz Recovery’s team since 2018, and she quickly moved up within our Finance Department. Jenn is now serving as our Chief Finance Officer, and she has helped guide the organization through challenging fiscal realities. Thanks to her leadership, our organization is now the strongest it’s been financially in years.
Numbers come naturally to Jenn, and she enjoys the “more analytical” approach found in financial and accounting work. That’s what drove her to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College in Finance and Economics with a minor in Business Administration.
She lives in Elma with her husband and two children. Together, her family enjoys the ample outdoor activities that Western New York has to offer. Hiking is one of her favorites. Jenn also likes to cook, though she admits that she’s “not very good at it.” However, those who’ve tried her dishes at our Administrative Office’s holiday potluck lunches would disagree.
KRISTIN MINERVINI, PHR, SHRM-CP
VP of Employee Services
Kristin Minervini joined Caz Recovery in 2021 and is our VP of Employee Services. She has over seventeen years of Human Resources experience with extensive knowledge of human services agencies. Kristin is a credentialed Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is a Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP). She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo’s School of Management and an associate’s degree from Erie Community College in Office Management & Administration.
Since joining us, Kristin has been instrumental in bringing transformational and well-regarded initiatives to our Human Resources department at a time of significant challenge for the sector’s workforce. She lives in Amherst with her husband, two children, dog, and chickens. Kristin and her family love spending time outside, riding four-wheelers, and going on trips together.
ANDREA OCASIO, ADVANCED CASAC
VP of Compliance, Quality, and Risk
Andrea has been with Caz Recovery since 2010 and has over 20 years of experience in behavioral health. Today, she oversees our compliance and quality assurance operations in order to ensure that the best possible services are being provided throughout the agency. Our success over the last few years can be attributed to the decisive role Andrea has played. Through her leadership, our programs have adapted well in demanding times.
Gratitude is a major value that Andrea promotes in her work. As such, she is grateful for the dedicated work of our staff. Their unyielding support for our residents has made Caz Recovery what it is today. “We have a great reputation because we do so much and we’re thorough,” said Andrea.
Andrea has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Buffalo State and an associate’s degree in Substance Use Counseling from Erie Community College. She is an Advanced Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and is certified in trauma counseling.
BRIANA PETERSDORF, ADVANCED CASAC
Director of Clinical Services
Briana Petersdorf is one of Caz Recovery’s longest-serving employees, as she’s been with the agency since 2008. Throughout her extensive career with us, she has successfully managed multiple programs throughout Caz Recovery’s history. She now serves as our Director of Clinical Services overseeing our three Rehabilitation programs.
She graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and from Niagara University with a master’s of science in Counseling. Briana has been a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) since 2013 and completed the Trauma Informed Care & Counseling certificate program through the University at Buffalo. She has two kids and a puppy named Goose she loves dearly, and when she’s not at work, she enjoys boating, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family.
DR. TOM PRIESTER
Director of Recovery Support Services
With over twenty years of experience across higher education, behavioral health, and nonprofit program development, Dr. Tom Priester is passionate about creating pathways that help people rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose. Guided by the belief that “every person deserves a future they’re excited about,” Tom brings energy, compassion, and vision to every space he serves.
As Director of Recovery Support Services at Caz Recovery, Tom leads strategic program development and operational oversight for the agency’s vocational rehabilitation and wellness programming. Tom also strengthens partnerships with colleges, training providers, and employers, often noting that “transformation happens when the right support meets the right moment.”
Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI Buffalo & Western New York and holds an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University, an M.S. from SUNY Buffalo State, and a B.A. from SUNY Fredonia.