Meet the GTD Team
Izzy Alvarado
Founder | Executive Director
Over 20 years ago, Izzy made his home in Portland, Oregon where he found a passion for running. Izzy has completed 19 marathons with his ultimate goal being to qualify and compete in the Boston Marathon. As a member of the sober community, Izzy found that he was able to share his love and enthusiasm for running with this incredible group of people and help guide them on their quest for sobriety. “Together we will strive to meet our goals One day at a time, one run at a time!”
Connor Stephens
Director of Operations
Connor moved to Portland in 2019 to seek treatment for a 16-year battle with addiction. While at Depaul inpatient treatment center, Connor was introduced to GTD, and it was love at first run. Thanks to GTD and the experience of recovery and community through fitness, Connor knew he found his way to recovery. Health and fitness have become more than a recovery pathway for Connor— he has turned his passion into a career!
Gregg Griffin
Run Supervisor
Mr. Gregg GA Griffin received his B.S. degree in Education, focusing on curriculum Development from Southern Illinois University and a dual Master of Computer Information System/Finance from Webster University while serving in the United States Navy. Originally from Chicago IL, he moved to Oregon in 1998 to pursue a Systems Analyst position with Regions Blue Cross/BlueShield. Inspired by Portland's advocacy spirit, he has volunteered with several local organizations, including OPB/KMHD, Portland Street Medicine, Keep Oregon Well, Qcenter, Veteran advocacies/Services, and Trillium Family Services. Griffin works with a local Veteran organization that addresses systemic issues around the unhoused and those in the recovery community, for which he has served on different boards for the past 9 years. Against Portland's backdrop of diverse culture and natural beauty, he continually fosters his interests in social justice, physical fitness, community service, the study of music (vocals, guitar, and piano), dance, and supporting local jazz artists.
Sarah Whitney
Volunteer Coordinator
Sarah began her journey with Go the Distance while in treatment at CODA Gresham Women’s Treatment Center, where the GTD program helped her rediscover purpose, confidence, and community. After graduating, she returned as a volunteer and soon stepped into a staff role. Today, nearly two years later, she serves as GTD’s Head Run Leader and Volunteer Coordinator.
Michael Hovey
President
As a man in long-term recovery, Mikey gets to use his lived experience to help uplift and empower others struggling to see the value they have in this world. His addiction caused him to suffer an internal death as he was broken, hopeless and numb to the world. With hard work, determination, and a lot of meditation, he was able to escape a life of ignorance. Cultivating love for self and others allowed him to unlock the hidden chambers of my heart. Having a purpose in a world filled with conflict and challenge is the difference between truly living and just existing. His journey has led him to be part of the leadership team at the largest alcohol & drug treatment facility in Oregon where he gets to be part of the healing of the world on a daily basis. Mikey considers himself an evidence-based walking miracle and proof for others that we DO have the potential to make the necessary changes to live the lives we deserve!
Raelee Jones
Secretary
Raelee is a lifelong Oregon resident with an extreme passion for the commitment the local communities provide to their area residents. The value and benefits of fitness to general health are underestimated and GTD has the opportunity to support a diverse cross section of folks on their road to recovery. It was for this reason that it has been a joy for Raelee to support the cause in a variety of ways.
Matthew Palmer
Board of Directors
Originally from Kansas City, Matt has lived in Portland for the last 10 years as a footwear designer and competitive track runner. He started volunteering for GTD in 2021 looking to help spread the positive impact of running on physical health, mindful purpose, and sense of community.
Mike Marshall
Board of Directors
Mike Marshall is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Oregon Recovers, a statewide advocacy campaign to end Oregon’s addiction crisis.
A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Mike spent the early years of his career learning grassroots organizing within the ranks of the Democratic Party. He worked at the presidential, congressional and city council levels to elect progressive policy makers by marrying modern technology with grassroots organizing.
When the Berlin Wall came down, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) recruited Mike to travel to Romania to build a national civic participation organization, Pro-Democracy Association, that helped ensure that country’s first free and fair election. He has since traveled to more than 25 countries to assist in the creation of election monitoring, voter education and civic engagement organizations.
In 1999, Mike played a foundational role in the creation of the marriage equality movement in the United States, culminating in a national victory 15 years later. In subsequent years he led critical campaigns that fought to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, promote urban greening and demand environmental restoration. Upon moving to Oregon in 2013, Mike served as Campaign Manager for Oregon United for Marriage and then successfully stewarded Governor Kitzhaber’s 2014 reelection campaign. Prior to the launch of Oregon Recovers in 2017, Mike served as Executive Director of the City Club of Portland.
Today, Mike lives in northeast Portland with his husband Rob and their hounds, Ava and Russ. He is profoundly grateful for more than 15 years of continuous recovery from the disease of addiction.
Andrea Bryson
Board of Directors
Andrea Bryson is the Senior Development Manager at Fora Health. In this role, she leads a team to implement development and fundraising programs to provide for our short and long-term needs. She oversees Fora Health’s fundraising efforts by stewarding relationships, seeking financial support through grants and managing corporate financial partners.
Andrea is excited to join the Go The Distance Board to support this amazing cause.
