Meet the Board of Directors

Tim knows personally the devastating effects alcoholism and substance use can have on people, families, and communities. He is a person in long-term recovery who retired from a corporate position in 2002 and then drew on those transferable corporate skills to actively serve the recovery community. In 2011, he became a volunteer recovery family group facilitator. He opened Hearthstone Houses recovery residences in 2018 based on NARR (National Alliance for Recovery Residences) and TROHN (Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network) standards, and the residences are i-STARR accredited. He is also recognized as a recovery housing collaborator and is a former Housing Committee co-chairperson for the ROSC Houston Recovery Initiative.

Matthew's professional background includes more than 15 years as a licensed funeral director and more than five years as president of a private equity real estate investment firm. He draws from his experiences helping individuals in crisis when assisting the residents of Hearthstone Houses. Though Matthew is not in recovery, he — like 90% of Americans — has lived under the same roof with individuals who have struggled with alcohol and substance use. He holds in high regard the importance and potential of every human life.

Don Hall is a person in long-term recovery, which to him means he has not had a needle in his arm for recreational purposes in over 35 years. Since beginning his recovery, he became an LCDC in 1993 and has spent most of his career working with people affected by substance use, homelessness, indigence, the criminal justice system, and mental health concerns, including many years with people who misuse opiates and seek medication-assisted treatment. He has worked at SEARCH Homeless Services for 28 years, most recently as a counselor and case manager at a Housing First site for people experiencing chronic homelessness. He also works part-time at Adult Rehabilitation Services, a medication-assisted treatment facility, where he was the lead counselor for more than 21 years and is now the site manager. Don is an adjunct professor in Human Services at Houston Community College and Lone Star College–Houston North. He is Housing Committee co-chairperson and Opioid Task Force chairperson for the Houston Recovery Initiative. He is involved with the Houston-Harris County Office of Drug Control Policy and the Coalition of Behavioral Health. He completed a BS in Human Services and an MBA in Non-Profit Management in October 2021.

Samantha Hepford has been an integral member of the Hearthstone Houses team for two years, dedicating herself to compassionate care and support for individuals and families impacted by substance use. She has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in recovery and consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering positive, lasting change in their lives. Her experience includes facilitating support groups, conducting one-on-one coaching sessions, and collaborating with community organizations to ensure holistic care. Her work is grounded in empathy, active listening, and belief in each person's potential to achieve recovery and personal growth. She has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that well-structured support systems and evidence-based approaches can have on individuals struggling with substance use. Samantha has a background in corporate management and restructuring within the finance and healthcare sectors. For the past 20 years, she has been an entrepreneur, successfully leading companies nationally and internationally.