Staff
TROSA has 40 staff members. Below you will find information on some of our senior staff:
Kevin R. McDonald, Founder, President and CEO of TROSA
At the request of Durham business and community leaders, Kevin founded TROSA in 1994. Prior to coming to Durham, Kevin spent 12 years with the Delancey Street Foundation, a therapeutic community in San Francisco. His duties there included oversight of business ventures and the therapy program. He also opened and directed the North Carolina facility of the Delancey Street Foundation in Greensboro. Immediately prior to founding TROSA, Kevin directed a program for homeless parolees in Los Angeles that assisted 135 former gang members.
Under Kevin's leadership, TROSA has become an outstanding example of social entrepreneurship in North Carolina using business ventures for career training as well as self-supporting income. Kevin is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the 2001 Leadership for a Changing World award given by the Ford Foundation in partnership with the Advocacy Institute.
Jesse Battle, Director of Men's Program
Jesse provides leadership to the men of TROSA in building their ability to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle while improving their education and job skills. He joined the TROSA staff soon after graduating from the TROSA program in 1997. Serving the TROSA community, Jesse has been department head of several departments, including: Medical, Intake, Front Office, Special Events, Aftercare and Education. As Network Administrator, he led TROSA's technological growth from one server with ten workstations to a five-server 300-work station environment. With the assistance of a Glaxo Wellcome scholarship Jesse earned a degree in network administration from Durham Technical Community College and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He serves on the board of Troy House Community Corrections Center, NC Alcohol and Drug Council, Durham Teen Court, Durham Drug Court, and is a North Carolina Addictions Fellow.
Sandra Alger, Director of Women's Programs
Sandra provides leadership for the women who come to TROSA for help. She is a role model of recovery. Sandra enrolled in the Delancey Street Foundation in 1988 for treatment for her own substance abuse problem. After completing her therapeutic commitment, Sandra stayed on at Delancey Street for the next 12 years working with the women residents in all the areas necessary to enable them to join society's mainstream, obtain employment and lead productive lives. She also served as the assistant to the President of the Foundation and taught remedial reading and basic clerical skills. Sandra joined the TROSA team in February 2004. Under Sandra’s leadership, the women’s program has doubled and we have implemented a wide array of gender-specific treatment. She has a B.A. in Human Relations from Golden Gate University and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.
Michael Keene, Vice President of Business Operations
A graduate of the Delancey Street Foundation's therapeutic community in Greensboro, NC, Mike managed Delancey Street Movers prior to joining TROSA in 1997. Mike is the force behind the success of TROSA Moving Company, the sixth largest moving company in the Triangle area and TROSA's principal source of revenue. As VP of Operations, Mike now oversees many of TROSA business ventures that provide important job training, as well as much needed income. The businesses include TROSA Moving and Storage, TROSA Frame Shop, TROSA Christmas Tree lots and Holidays by TROSA. One of Mike's greatest rewards is "seeing people get a good job when they graduate from TROSA."
Michelle Kucerak, Director of Development
Michelle has worked within the nonprofit field for the past fifteen years and brings significant experience in organizational development, training, fundraising, and community organizing to her role at TROSA. Michelle worked with the State Public Interest Research Groups for six years, most recently as a consumer advocate in North Carolina. She also worked with Refugees International in Washington D.C. for over 3 years, as Director of Development and Administration. At TROSA since 2005, Michelle facilitates fundraising, government relations, and marketing efforts. Michelle holds a B.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.