Zachary Bib
President
Zachary Bib is a life long Delaware resident whose entire family has been affected by addiction. After experiencing active addiction for 20 years, God intervened in his life on October 20th 2010 through prison, Gateway foundation, Oxford House, and 12 step fellowship. After six and a half years of continuous recovery God changed his heart.
He began attending The Journey Church and Strength In Recovery, a Christian 12 step group in 2017. He accepted Christ and was Baptized with his son, Zachary Joseph Bib Jr., in November 2018. God began to use him through service in Church and 12 step Fellowships. He had a vision for a long term recovery model that would bridge the gaps in Delaware with God at the center through a life giving relationship with Jesus Christ. In July of 2019 that vision became a mission when Firm Foundation Recovery was started. This mission of helping to heal communities one recovery at a time continues to be the call he faithfully answers. He married his beautiful wife Beth on June 19th 2021, and continues to be blessed. Matthew 19:26 “With God all things are possible.”
Rev. Kenneth J. Stanford
Vice President
Rev. Stanford was raised in New Castle, DE and is a graduate of DeVry University in Columbus, OH with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering. He is on the ministerial staff at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, DE where he serves under his distinguished Pastor Rev. Dr. Silvester S. Beaman. He accepted his call to ministry 26 years ago and has served on numerous ministries throughout the church.
Rev. Stanford is married to his wife, Karen and they have three lovely daughters, one wonderful son, and four adorable grandchildren. Out of all Rev. Stanford’s many accomplishments, the one thing that he holds dear in his heart is that he has been given another chance through the 12-step program in which he has been clean for 26 years. His love is to always motivate people to see that they have value and worth because they have been divinely made by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Barbara Exter
Board Secretary
Having lost numerous family members and friends to the disease of addiction, Barb is committed to Firm Foundation’s vision of creating a long term, Faith Based recovery center. Her passion is to not only help the addict recover, but to provide resources for family members of addicts. In addition to her career in Financial Services Compliance, Barb is an Area Coordinator at the Journey Church and a volunteer with various other charitable organizations. Whenever possible, she also enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and two rescue dogs.
Jim Sommer
Treasurer
Jim Sommer is the oldest of 4 boys growing up in Townsend, Delaware. By his teenage years he had found comfort and ease in drugs and alcohol. After 10 years of addiction, tragic circumstances, and prison he was introduced to recovery in 2012.
God was working to use these things to help him understand his true nature and what he really suffered from. With this understanding Jim dove into action in 12-step recovery and also decided to go to college.
Jim graduated from Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) in 2019 with two associate degrees. One in Human Services and the other in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
He began working in the field of treatment and recovery in 2016 first as a behavioral tech In Pennsylvania then as a counselor in Maryland. In 2020, Jim obtained the opportunity to work as a counselor in a men’s rehabilitation program which gave him much gratitude because he was able to carry the message of recovery back through his own home state, Delaware.
Since 2021, still in Delaware, Jim had been working as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and as a Supervisor of Peer Specialists (CSPS) in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Jim is a loving husband to a wonderful wife since 2017 and father to a beautiful girl since 2018. He gave his life to Christ November 9, 2023 and continues to carry a message of recovery through surrendering to God. Jim is most passionate about his family, his close friends in recovery and inspiring others to see that change is always possible and Nothing is impossible with God.
Chuck Taylor
Board Member
Chuck Taylor has dedicated his life to glorifying God and the body of Christ and is a humble servant leader, advisor and teacher. In 1992, Chuck surrendered his life and accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Two years later while on a park bench; he got clean and was delivered from all drugs and alcohol with recovery literature and a Bible. He has been active in the rooms of recovery since August 20, 1994. There he continues to Sponsor men and continues service work as his story is a source of hope and inspiration to countless individuals.
Chuck has an extensive background in the drug and alcohol field and previously served as a House Manager, Program, Clinical and Mental Health Technician. He worked in the Mental Health Field where he functioned as a Life Skills Trainer and Case Worker. Chuck Taylor served this country courageously in the United States Army and is a service connected disabled veteran. He is currently employed for the Department Of Veterans Affairs. As if that isn’t impressive enough he is a “Take Charge of My Life” and “My Health Group Facilitator” as well as a “Whole Health and Wellness Coach”.
Since 2004 Chuck has also been involved in giving back to Celebrate Recovery community and body of Christ by serving as needed as a Trainer Coach and Ministry Team Leader. Since 1996 the Lord has been using Chuck to serve in ministry and further advance the kingdom of God. He is compassionate and kind and is a mentor and friend to many.
Chuck currently attends Brightside Baptist Church in Pennsylvania where he utilizes his teaching gift to teach Sunday school adults once a month, teens twice per month and also serves in the Bible Study teaching rotation. He also serves as the Ministry Center Lead for the church which oversees several para-church ministries including Outreach.
Denise Rodriguez
Board Member
Denise worked in the recovery field well over 20 years. She is a Program Manager at Horizon House Peer Recovery Center. She loves her work. Denise is a member of the Journey Church where she enjoys being a team lead for Code Red focusing on homelessness and hunger. She also helps on the missions team where she is able to travel to help those less fortunate in other countries or areas of need.
Denise chose to work on the recovery field because she has lost a nephew to drugs and has family members currently in addiction. She is very passionate about helping others.
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