Jerome Piper is a Bakersfield native who has been in the alcohol and drug counseling field since 2017. Having struggled with substance dependence himself, Jerome has always had a passion for helping others in recovery. To this end, he graduated from the Drug & Alcohol Studies program in 2019 and the Bachelors program in 2020 from Cal State University Bakersfield. He currently holds the title of Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC) under the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs and an Associates of Arts degree from College of the Sequoias since 2001. Jerome did his internship at Clinica Sierra Vista Ebony counseling center, working with diverse populations in individual and group settings in an intensive outpatient treatment center before joining the Aspire team in 2019. In his free time he enjoys participating in community self help groups, being of service to his community, and spending time with his two daughters and his son.

Krysten Fielder is a Pismo Beach native who moved to Bakersfield in 2017. Krysten is an Aspire Counseling Services® alumnus who decided she wanted to give back by becoming a counselor and helping those still battling the disease of addiction after completing the Aspire program to treat her own alcoholism. Krysten completed the Drug and Alcohol Studies program at Cal State University Bakersfield in 2020. Krysten has been working with a variety of demographics in the community since 2018, but in 2020 began working in Admissions which puts her in contact with the families and protentional clients from the very beginning offering guidance, referrals, setting up appointments, consultations, and intakes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and hanging out by the pool with her children.

Gage Horn is a native to Bakersfield CA. Gage is an Aspire Counseling Services alumnus who decided he wanted to give back by becoming a counselor to help those still battling addiction. Gage attends CSUB Drug and Alcohol Studies program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, listening to music, and playing games.

Rhyan Harris is a Bakersfield native who has been in the drug and alcohol counseling field since 2015. Having dealt with his Mother in Law struggling with substance abuse and her unfortunate passing away from her addiction, Rhyan has always had a passion for helping others in recovery and wanted to save others from losing love ones from addiction. Rhyan completed his Bachelor of Science in Human Services minor in Child and Family Development in 2020. He is currently a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT I) and Substance Abuse Disorder Registered Counselor credential (SUDRC) in the process of getting certified as a (SUDCC III). Rhyan has volunteered throughout his education with diverse populations since 2015 before joining the Aspire team. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 kids and doing various family activities.

Charles Vancill is a Bakersfield native. Before entering the addictions field, Charles worked in the corrections (private and with state for almost 15 years). Charles saw firsthand the effects Drugs and Alcohol had on people and how adversely a person’s life could be affected. After being injured on the job and subsequently medically retired, Charles found himself on a path to rediscovering who he was as a person. Charles decided he wanted a career in which he could affect real and meaningful change in people’s lives. In January of 2019 Charles enrolled in the drug and alcohol studies program at CSUB extended university, subsequently completing the program in May of 2020. During that same time period, Charles became a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT) with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Charles started interning at Aspire Counseling Services in Feb. of 2020 and was subsequently hired on as a counselor in July of 2020. Charles enjoys spending time with family and friends. Charles has found that maintaining deep connections with those around him is essential to his well-being.