Key Personnel
Jeff Holland, Executive Director. Jeffrey is a Master’s level Clinical Social Worker. He is a native New Mexican and grew up in Albuquerque’s International District. He is founder and Executive Director of Endorphin Power Company.
Matthew Pettit, Program Director.
Alaina Garcia, A recent addition to the Best Chance organization, Alaina started with us as an intern from the New Mexico Highlands Social Work program, nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree. As a valuable member of the organization, Alaina was hired to be a Peer Support Worker while also completing her social work degree.
Allanna Butler, Also a recent addition to the Best Chance organization, Allanna is currently completing her bachelors degree in social work at New Mexico Highlands School of Social Work. As a valuable member of the organization, Allanna was hired to be a Peer Support Worker as she is also completing her social work degree.
Board of Directors
Jeff Hoppe, M. Div. – Board President – Rev. Hoppe formerly was head of Presbyterian Hospital’s Chaplaincy Department. He is currently the Manager of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program—an inter-faith chaplain training program—at Eastern Oklahoma Veterans Administration Health Care Services.
Scott Sibbett, PhD – Board Vice President – Dr. Sibbett headed Intel Corporation’s external research programs. He is a recently-retired Research Professor at University of New Mexico.
Jacob Tolk, CFA, CRPC, – Board Treasurer – Mr. Tolk is Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Management Director at the Compass Rose Group at Morgan Stanley. Additionally, Jake is a summa cum laude graduate of New Mexico Tech, and is a published author in the International Journal of Finance and Economics.
Clifford Blaugrund – Mr. Blaugrund is an attorney, businessperson, philanthropist and community leader with extensive experience on numerous nonprofit Boards of Directors.
Barbara Schwartz, Pd.D., L.P. – Dr. Schwartz is a retired psychologist who has returned to Albuquerque after a lifetime dedicated to incarcerated individuals. Dr. Schwartz started and ran sex offender treatment programs for Departments of Corrections in a number of States. She is an author, editor, and presenter of resources and curricula involving treatment of sex offenders.
Alexandria Viszolay – was the Curriculum Development Coordinator for the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of New Mexico, Clinical Research Coordinator for the Emergency Department at Presbyterian Hospital Downtown, and is a researcher with the SOM Community of Scholars. Alexandria is currently training to be a Doctor of Medicine at the University of New Mexico with a focus on addiction medicine.
Gary Hernandez
Advisory Board
Mike Alberti, MFA, received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Minnesota in May 2016. He has worked as an investigative journalist and is an award-winning writer. Mike taught classes with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) since 2014. He also has experience with a mentorship program and support group for the recently released in Minnesota. Alberti received the 2015 Scribe for Human Rights Award from the University of Minnesota.
Larry Cotter, MDiv and a Masters degree in Counseling, has served in a broad variety of comforting and advising roles. Larry graciously shares his wisdom and insights with our Peer Support Workers and the entire Best Chance team.
Jesse Tatum, LMSW. In addition to Jesse’s education in social work, she has experience working for an advertising and public relations firm. Jesse also is a professional flutist and frequent chamber music soloist in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Donald Hume, CPSW, is a Supervisor of Peer Support Specialists at Presbyterian Healthcare System. Donald has years of experience as a Peer Mentor. He is considered a pioneer in the field of Peer Support and one of its earliest advocates.
Jaymes Fairfax-Colombo, JD, PhD, is Assistant Professor in University of New Mexico’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is the Fellowship Director. His clinical interests include forensic mental health assessment, competency restoration, and reentry of both criminal offenders and psychiatric patients.
