executive team:

JEFFREY VANN -- FOUNDER 

Recognized as a serial entrepreneur and rainmaker, Jeff has leveraged his years of experience and his extensive relationships to successfully create distribution in various different verticals.  

Jeff is an expert in Life-Change Models, Direct to Consumer Marketing and Senior Level Strategy. His expertise is based on more than 25 years of developing and executing initiatives for large and emerging growth companies. 

Jeff is passionate about his spirituality as well as making a difference in other people’s lives. He serves as an ambassador for Miriam’s House a non-profit that helps women to stay sober, become good parents and develop into productive members of society.

Jeff attended the University of Southern California with a concentration on business and marketing. Jeff was born in Mexico City and is bi-cultural and bilingual. 

Jeff drives THE RECOVERY PLAYBOOK’s brand awareness and is a key evangelist and advocate for the company in various industries.

PATRICIA MEYERS -- PARTNER

Patricia has worked in the field of addiction for 21 years,  is a certified chemical dependency counselor and is trained in family crisis intervention, relapse prevention and the reintegration process of clients returning to their communities. At the 2015 Share! Recovery Awards she was honored with the Ken Schonlau Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Sobriety”. Shortly after, in 2018, Patricia received the “Woman of the Year” Award hosted at the Miriam's House Annual Mother’s Day event.  Patricia views recovery as a long term endeavor that begins with the patient's admission into recovery and develops throughout their life as they learn to deepen their self-awareness, develop personal and relational tools, find or reclaim their place in the world and optimize their personal and professional functioning.

In addition to her previous role(s) as the Executive Director of Alumni and Client Services and Clinical Director of Admissions at Promises Treatment Centers, she also spent five years working as an independent recovery coach and interventionist and does ongoing crisis intervention work.

Patricia also serves on the Board of Directors for Miriam’s House and is an active part of the leadership team.  Miriam's House is a nonprofit home for struggling women that focuses on their reunification with their children and provides support to helping them become more present and effective mothers.

Patricia’s  uncompromising commitment to bring out the best in people has been a source of inspiration to many of us who have had the privilege to work with her. She has consistently set a standard of excellence for professionalism in our field, overcoming never-ending obstacles while remaining undaunted in her determination to live a mission-focused life.

GINA Buccola — THE FAMILY PLAYBOOK

With a major in Psychology and a commitment to be a lifelong learner, Gina grew up in a household touched by alcoholism and addiction. Years ago, she stepped into the rooms of Al-Anon and found a community of others with stories of strength, help and hope. It was through the principles of Al-Anon where she gained the tools to have successful relationships and live a happy healthy life. In doing so, she was able to successfully mend many broken relationships that had been affected by the disease of alcoholism and addiction.

Gina helps the families of our clients with her compassionate and empathetic approach while keeping everyone accountable for their part in the family dynamic. She offers new perspectives, tools and methods for meaningful and lasting change. For loved ones to stay sober, overall family healing is imperative.

SHAYNE ANDERSON, radt, BA -- Coach

Shayne Anderson is a native Los Angeleno; yes, they do exist. Clean and sober since 2004, Shayne has worked extensively as a recovery coach for the last 10 years. Prior to joining START UP RECOVERY, he has worked with Total Life Solutions, Post Treatment Services, and O’Connor Professional Group, to name a few.

Shayne is a recent graduate of The Santa Monica Community Police Academy and holds B.A., in Theatre Arts. He loves to travel, and spent a year abroad studying and playing semi-pro basketball in Uppsala, Sweden.

In his former life, Shayne was a fixture of the Hollywood nightlife industry where he managed several high profile nightclubs and lounges. In addition to his work in recovery, Shayne has a background in security and executive protection.

Realizing a life without service, is not a a life worth living, Shayne has dedicated his career to helping others. He has facilitated men’s retreats, volunteered his time with organizations such as Meals on Wheels and BookPals. Currently, Shayne is training to be a certified interventionist under the illustrious Ed Storti.

In his spare time, Shayne enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, Audrey and August, and their Yorkie Bichon, Mitra the Wonder Dog.

ED T. LACY M.A. — ADVISOR

Edward T. Lacy, M.A., brings over 35 years of national and international experience to the Mental Health field with special emphasis in the training and development of new and experienced mental health therapists. He also trains and develops counselors specializing in the treatment of addictions and eating disorders. Prior to his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps, Ed was the Senior Manager, US Navy's Institute for the development of Substance Abuse Counselors and Director of Curriculum, Australian Institute of Counseling in Addictions, Sydney, Australia. 

Ed, as a consultant, specializes in the development of new Mental Health and Addiction treatment centers to include the providing of a diverse group of services such as Program Development, Organizational Development, Market Analysis, Regulatory Changes and Compliance, Credentialing, Staff Utilization, Strategic Planning and Integrated Marketing Strategy. He has worked for a wide spectrum of treatment centers and Institutions such as Avalon Malibu (CA), The Dunes East Hampton (NY), the Tecnologico de Monterrey in Monterrey and Oceanica (MX), a Betty Ford Center Model treatment center in Mazatlan, Mexico, and many others.

Additionally Ed Lacy is the founder of Avalon, Center for Women, Latin America's first inpatient woman's treatment center specializing in treatment women suffering Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Addictions and Eating Disorders in Mexico City, Mexico.

As Ed travels around the world... being Ed Lacy

leonard bade, msod, sphr — ADVISOR

Leonard earned his Masters of Science Organization Development in the Graziadio School of Business from Pepperdine University. Having practiced as an organization strategist and change agent over 30 years, Leonard enrolled to pursue his aspiration of integrating his proven creative change management interventions with new technologies. The faculty selected Leonard as the William McGowan Scholar for academic excellence and contributions to humanity. The experience with Pepperdine resulted in multi-cultural and multi-industry experience in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He also served as an adjunct consultant for Pepperdine supporting student programs in China.

Leonard is a master at combining his entrepreneurial spirit with being an effective and influential team player. Along with his corporate experience, he has a passion for involvement in social and humanitarian issues. In addition, his civic involvement and professional affiliations includes serving as President and various executive board positions on local/national associations and service groups. His experience and results-oriented focus defines his highly successful career. He can work with diverse groups or individuals and can establish rapport quickly in order to build trust and motivate others to reach their highest potential.