Alan Block

Alan Block joined the Board in 2022. A resident of Ashtabula since 2013, he has served on numerous boards throughout his career in Ohio and Wisconsin. He holds a BA in Literary Studies from Beloit College and an MA in Adult Education from Ball State University. Alan has spent many years as a senior leader, manager, and college instructor in the academic, financial services, and healthcare industries. He has been an active advocate for employee mental health services and benefits throughout his career and has personal experiences receiving and supporting mental health care services. Alan is also a strong believer in the healing power of nature and is an avid gardener, beekeeper, and homesteader.

Megan Burnarski
Ms. Brunarski was admitted to the practice of law in 2013 and has served as a full-time staff attorney for the Ashtabula County Public Defender’s Office since July 2016. Prior to joining the public defender’s office, Ms. Brunarski worked as a solo practitioner focusing on criminal and juvenile law. Ms. Brunarski understands the issues that contribute to her clients becoming involved with the criminal justice system and assists them in obtaining the recovery services that lead to successful behavioral change.

Deborah King

Deborah King earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach Florida and her Doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Ambassadors in Duluth Georgia. Deborah is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement |Award from President Donald Trump as well as Humanitarian award from Trinity International University of Ambassadors as an outstanding leader for her visionary guidance, exceptional leadership and world class humanitarian service.

Deborah is the CEO/ Founder of It Takes a Life to Save a Life organization whose primary focus has been to advocate for the sick and suffering, lost or dissuaded victims and or survivors of Mental Health, Addiction, Domestic Violence, Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Deborah currently serves as a member of the Ashtabula County Community Corrections Board. Deborah’s intense passion and love for people has caused her to dedicate her life to being a change agent for the perseverance of life one person at a time.

Joe Loftus

Mr. Loftus has been an associate attorney at Andrews & Pontius, LLC since 2019 after being admitted to the practice of law. Mr. Loftus’s primary areas of practice consist of domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal defense. As an attorney practicing in these areas, Mr. Loftus sees firsthand the effects of addiction and untreated mental health on clients and is devoted to striving for accessible and effective recovery and mental health services in the county.

Joseph Owens

Joseph Owens has committed the past 2-3 years of his life to giving back to the community, which has helped him through his hardships including homelessness and mental health. In the year 2021 he moved to Ashtabula County as someone who was homeless and seeking out solutions to his situations. After discovering a youth program called youthOPPORTUNITIES in the year of 2021, he utilized them to find current success in his career. Since finding the program, he went from homeless, jobless, and desperate for answers; to renting his own trailer in Ashtabula County, his own career, and his own transportation. Currently, he is employed as the Youth Housing Navigator for youthOPPORTUNITIES!, helping give back to others in need of housing, mental health, and solutions to their situations. Recently he was given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services for Ashtabula County to further his desire to help those in need. He is looking forward to serving Ashtabula County and finding solutions to problems and circumstances people are looking for.

Susan Deak
Susan Deak has served on the MHRS Board since August 2016. She holds an AA in Human Services from Kent State and a BA in Community Health Education from Youngstown State. Susan was the former Director of CONTACT which was Ashtabula’s Crisis Helpline and the former Director Wellness & Total Learning Center. Although currently retired, she is the Chairperson of NAMI-Ashtabula (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She serves on the Suicide Prevention Coalition as well as the LOSS Team.