Board of Directors

Scott J. Adkisson

Interim Executive Director 

Scott Adkisson is the founder of Diversion Solutions, SBC. For more than 25 years, Mr. Adkisson has been a leader in developing multiple diversion programs that support numerous state and local agencies as well as thousands of individuals each year. These programs are beneficial to states, counties, cities, victims, taxpayers, and offenders. Mr. Adkisson was instrumental in the development and legislation to establish the MN Driver’s License Reinstatement Program.

In 2018 Mr. Adkisson developed a successful paid intern program that hires recovering addicts and previously incarcerated individuals. This program helps develop skills that will support their future employers.

As an individual in long term recovery, Mr. Adkisson is honored to be on the board as an advocate of persons in recovery.

Catherine Markey, BS, MA, JD

President

Catherine Markey is a business owner and attorney practicing in the criminal justice system in the Twin Cities area. Ms. Markey has helped support reintegrating individuals throughout her career and believes in the importance of providing that holistic care to her clients.

Ms. Markey worked has spent her career serving her community as a college professor, a high school instructor, and a private investigator.

Recently, Ms. Markey created and implemented a program to provide low-cost expungements to give reintegrating individuals an opportunity to succeed.

Ms. Markey believes that clients need counseling and social support to recover and reintegrate into society, and that removing barriers to employment is the key to preventing recidivism.

Chase Paulson

Vice President

After 25 years of battling alcoholism and drug addiction, Chase completed long term treatment. His whole life, he has had a passion for helping others. Through recovery, Chase has learned by bettering himself, he is able to better help others. He has put God first in his life which has helped him be successful in his recovery. 

Jackie Gordon

Secretary

Jackie Gordon, a third-generation Puerto Rican American, places a strong emphasis on her family and cultural heritage. Raised by her grandparents due to her parents’ struggles with addiction during her birth, Jackie faced challenges in her early twenties as a single mother. This led her to develop alcohol and heroin addiction, resulting in the loss of custody of her six-year-old son. After enduring years of depression and despair, Jackie made the courageous decision to seek treatment at the age of 29. Now more than three years sober, she has become the Supervisor of the Driving Diversion Program with Diversion Solutions. Jackie is married to an active-duty infantryman in the United States Army and has regained custody of her eleven-year-old son. She is also a new mother to a daughter. Driven by a passion for helping others and following the teachings of Christ, Jackie aspires to complete her degree and become a Licensed Addiction and Drug Counselor.

Jill Thompson Ness

Board Member

Jill Thompson Ness comes to Lighthouse Beginnings Board of Directors with experience and a heart for what Lighthouse Beginnings stands for, "To provide continued support for those exploring recovery by honoring all pathways and meeting individuals where they are". As a mom of three boys and grandmother of five grandchildren, she has a giant heart for helping people. One of Jill's sons has battled addiction for over 20 years, which gives her empathy and understanding of what the addicted, homeless, or those in recovery go through. She is excited to serve her community, Lighthouse Beginnings, and to answer the call on her heart placed by the Lord Jesus.

Michael Kylochko

Board Member

Michael Kylochko has lived experience in addiction, incarceration, and more importantly, long-term recovery.  He works in the addiction field, and he is passionate about helping others find freedom from addiction and purpose outside of the system, and seeing families restored.  Michael is married to his loving wife Candy, and together they have six children. Michael also holds credentials with the Assemblies of God.