Gene Detherage Jr., a lifelong Kentuckian from Knox County, has been in long-term recovery since 2014 and dedicates his career to addressing substance use disorder’s social and economic impacts. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Morehead State University and helped launch Kentucky’s Recovery Ready Communities initiative. Gene has advanced recovery housing through the HRSA Rural Center of Excellence, served as President of the Kentucky Recovery Housing Network Advisory Board, and helped pass HB 248 (2023) and HB 462 (2024). Gene was selected as a fellow for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute for 2025-2026 and is currently the Advocacy Chair of NARR and Treasurer of KYARR, he works as a Recovery Support Specialist at Bluegrass ADD.