Joseph House Names New Executive Director

Joseph House, an Over-The-Rhine organization dedicated to providing treatment and counseling services for veterans battling drug addiction, has named Alicia Harter as its new executive director. Harter joined Joseph House in 2016 as a chemical dependency counselor and has been serving as associate director since summer 2017. She is the organization’s first female veteran employee.

“The Board of Trustees is very excited to have Alicia serve as the organization’s first female executive director,” said Michael Mattingly, board president of Joseph House. “Over the past two years, Harter has diligently provided therapeutic intervention to clients with substance abuse issues, and she inspires others to work with and help the veteran community.”

An Ohio native, Harter served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps in Lima Company, 3/25 4th Marine Division (Columbus, Ohio), and was stationed at Camp Lejune (Jacksonville, N.C.). After serving in the military, she received her master’s degree in counseling from Webster University, specializing in substance abuse therapy. She spent eight years working in Tampa, Fla., at BayCare Behavioral Health before returning to her home state to join the Joseph House team.

“My career has been dedicated to veterans and their unselfish commitment to serve others,” said Harter. “Seeing our clients’ hard work motivates me to continue to serve those looking for help and a better future.”

Harter replaces Nate Pelletier as executive director. Pelletier served as Joseph House’s executive director for five years. During his tenure, the organization expanded its support to the veteran community, providing outpatient support for non-homeless veterans who were not experiencing homelessness and female veterans.