About Us
MEET THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Amy Taylor, Board Chair
Amy Taylor, a former police officer and spouse of co-founder Russ Taylor. Amy attended the West Coast Trauma Retreat’s Spouse program in 2018. She is actively involved in the organization’s spouse and family programs.
Jessie Huizenga, Board Secretary
Jessie Huizenga is a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in project management and campaign execution. She is married to Aaron Huizenga, a retired Police Officer. Jessie is a Michigan transplant originally from Wyoming. She currently resides in West Michigan with her husband and two children, ages 13 and 10.
Anne Harig, Board Treasurer
Anne Harig has a passion for ensuring the wellbeing of others. She has been an educator for 33 years and a high-school counselor for the past 16 years. She served on the Board for West Michigan Counseling Association for 6 years where she carried the President role for 3. She is the sister of one of SST’s co-founders, Pat Harig (retired law enforcement and veteran), a Navy spouse & proud mother of a critical care nurse.
Nicole Puckett, Board Member
Nicole Puckett is an expert in non-profit strategic management. As Practice Administrator, she leads a multi-location counseling organization in West Michigan, ensuring staff have the support they need to deliver high-quality care. Nicole has also partnered with mission-driven organizations, including Hope Network, creating operational solutions that drive meaningful impact. She is dedicated to strengthening community connections, expanding access to mental health resources, and supporting networks that help people and programs thrive.
Richard Wells, Board Member
Richard is a big Veteran & First Responder supporter with friends and family in the line of duty. He is currently a pharmacist living in Greenville MI with his two children.
Joseph House, DC, Board Member
Dr. Joe House is the owner of Outlook Chiropractic and Wellness. He is a 2010 graduate of Greenville High School and is married to Kelly. Together they have a beautiful baby boy.
Patrick Harig, Lead Peer Program Director
Patrick Harig retired from the Grand Rapids Police Department after a 34-year career. He spent 9 years in the Jail Unit, 4 years on patrol, 10 years on the full time SWAT unit, 10years on the Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force with the FBI, 1 year in the Training Unit, and was also on the Departments Bomb Squad for 15 years. Pat attended the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat in 2017, as a client, and was a guest speaker for First Responders Resiliency Inc. in 2018. Pat was a peer for WCPR Indiana in June of 2023 and 2024.
Gina Essex MA LPC-S, NARM Post-Master Level Therapist & Consultant, Clinical Advisor & Program Developer
Gina Essex has been in private practice for 19 years, with a special focus on working with individuals who experience symptoms related to Complex Trauma including Post-Traumatic Stress Injury, Acute Stress Response, Developmental Trauma and Relational Trauma. Gina’s approach to working with First Responders, Veterans and their families is based on a solid foundation of 20 years of clinical experience, 10 years of training and consulting for therapists and health practitioners world-wide using the Neuro Affective Relational Model for Complex Trauma and many years of engaging in her own personal growth and healing from trauma. Gina’s approach to working with individuals includes psycho-education, somatic mindfulness, relational attunement and therapeutic connection. Gina has agreed to train and mentor SST’s Lead Peer Group Members as a way to offer clinically informed, peer-led support, trainings and workshops to area Departments, First Responders, Veterans and families as a way to provide more effective means and a path to health and wellbeing for those suffering from symptoms related to traumatic stress in addition to creating cultural competency trainings for Mental Health Therapists and Health practitioners working with individuals suffering from traumatic stress.
