Our Board of Directors

On August 26, 2016, just three days after picking up a fly rod, I made the decision to live my own personal truth - a life without alcohol. Fly fishing soon replaced my daily whiskey and wine consumption. It was a reprieve from the stresses of my day-to-day life, and showed me the importance of slowing down. When I’m fly fishing, I’m not thinking about my lists of things to do, money or family struggles, or my stage IV breast cancer diagnosis. When I’m standing in a stream I’m able to live in the moment. Something I could never do in my days of active addiction. I want to share this experience with the recovery community. So here we are. Thank you for being a part of our story.

Sue Collins is a journalist based in Atlanta who found fly fishing through friends in northern Michigan where she spends summers. She is currently editor of five monthly City Lifestyle magazines and writes travel features for print and digital outlets across the country. Sue enjoys every aspect of fly fishing, from the hunt to the release. When she joined Georgia Women Fly Fishing, Sylvia Huron was the first member she met and was immediately welcomed into the fold. The friendships and fellowship found on the water, along with the personal healing that happens outdoors are what brings Sue closer to the sport every time she fishes. She and her husband Jim have three grown children and a grandson.

Andy is a longtime publishing professional, avid fly angler, and author of the award-winning children's fly fishing book Down By the River. He is passionate about recovery as the son of a recovered alcoholic, Jack B. Weiner, author of many recovery books including the seminal recovery book A Day at a Time and the novel The Morning After. Andy currently resides in California.

Elizabeth Meloy was born in Northern California where she grew up with 3 older brothers. Her father exposed her to nature, outdoor sports and fishing at a young age backpacking through the Sierra Nevada mountains. She moved to Southern California to attend college and stayed there until relocating to Atlanta in 2019 while working for Chick-fil-A. She is an avid fly angler and enjoys spending time exploring the local mountains with her friends and dog Samara. She enjoys giving back, and is the Chair of the Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish events.

Fishing has been a part of Thomas’ life for as long as he can remember. Outside and on the water is where he has been the most at peace. Sober since November 2014, he picked up a fly rod for the first time in years shortly thereafter. Some of his best friends are men he travels to fish with and also men he goes to meetings with. Finding a platform to introduce people in recovery to fly fishing has been a longtime goal of his. A huge part of his success in recovery has been learning how to have fun sober, and he hasn't found anything else quite as fun as catching fish on the fly.

Barbara Austin, MN, RN earned her Bachelors of Nursing-Primary Health from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her Master’s in Nursing Administration at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia. Barbara completed Dr. Frawley’s American Institute of Vedic Studies and holds a certification in Ayurvedic Wellness counseling. In addition to a rewarding clinical practice, Barbara spends her time volunteering with the Georgia Nurses’ Association and is serving her second term as GNA- Secretary. Barbara has been involved with the Georgia Nurses’ Association Peer Assistance Program (GNA PAP) for over 12 years, and currently is a part-time Case Manager. Barbara also volunteers her time at the Metro Atlanta Recovery Residence (MARR).

Jarrett Voiles has been an angler nearly all of his life. Starting with a spinning reel and bobbers with his family early in life, then pursuing fly fishing with the guidance and encouragement of family since his early teens. Before going through recovery himself, Jarrett recognized the joy and excitement of fly fishing. It wasn’t until going through recovery, and in the years since becoming sober that he realized the power, healing nature, and peace that fly fishing can bring. Jarrett works in the fly fishing industry, as owner of Brook Fishing Equipment and as a fly fishing guide. Meeting and talking with many anglers, he is impressed and amazed at the positive impact that fly fishing can have on a person, and is excited to be part of an organization that shares that with others who are in recovery.

Jon Klein, father of RiS founder Becca Sue Klein, has been an avid saltwater fisherman for over 40 year. While he’s never dabbled in fly fishing, he has a strong connection to water which dates back to his childhood in New York when he used to steal stew meat from his mother’s kitchen to fish for eel with the old old man who fished from the bridge near his home. Recovery did not play an active role in Jon’s life until 2016 when Becca made the decision to stop drinking and using drugs. He is proud to support his daughter during her recovery journey, and looks forward to helping RiS grow in the years to come. Jon and his wife Jennifer reside in Sebastian, FL with their German Sheppard Misty.

Jason grew up in College Park Georgia, graduated from Woodward Academy and went on to attend the University of Georgia. Currently the Convention Center Manager for the Georgia International Convention Center, he is also a board member for the Historic College Park Neighborhood Association and volunteers his time for The Atlanta Food Bank and Atlanta Track Club. Sober since 2014, he is forever grateful to Preston Moore, his sponsor and spiritual advisor. Since getting sober he lives one day at a time through the Grace of God and with the support and love of others in the program.

Charles is a retired Pharmaceutical industry scientist and executive. He is an engaged citizen contributing to civic affairs and philanthropic activities related to environmental sustainability, urban ecology, maternal health, at-risk children, and scientific advancement. He has seen firsthand the destructiveness of alcoholism, both to the individual and to friends and family. It is very difficult for an individual to first acknowledge the problem and then complete the arduous process of recovery. He considers Reeling in Serenity is an indispensable asset for assisting alcoholics in the process of recovery.

Zack Davis took up fly fishing in the mountains of North Carolina over a decade ago and has used his passion for trout fishing to help his journey through recovery since 2014. Since beginning his journey, fly fishing has opened the door for many opportunities, friendships and positivity that he hopes can inspire others to live one day at a time. He works as a full-time fly fishing guide and guide coordinator in Asheville, NC where he resides with his husky mix Sitka.

Jon Easdon was born in Leadville, CO. and has spent his entire life outside in some form or fashion. From elk hunting to chasing cutthroat in high elevation lakes, he loves it all. He has a wonderful and supportive wife and is the father of two amazing girls. He fell in love with fishing around the age of 4 and cast his first fly rod at 12 years old. Little did he know that these roots would play a huge part later in life for him. He chose to get sober in July of 2004 and hasn't looked back.

Jon has been a professional fly fishing guide for 17 years and currently works as the Director of Services at a prominent fly shop in Colorado. Jon is also a signature fly tyer with Umpqua Feather Merchants and finds a lot of solace in tying flies. He spends much of his free time volunteering for various nonprofits and is deeply passionate about giving back. His belief is that you have to give it away to keep it, and Jon lives by this. He is active in recovery and is elated to join Reeling in Serenity. Jon says. "I am grateful to be able to walk this path of life sober. All I wanted to do was to be able to stop drinking, but what I found was much more than that. I found a blueprint to live a fun, successful, and fruitful life." Fly fishing is his medicine, and he looks forward to sharing that with everyone he meets.