Andy Rumford

Founder: Andy Rumford

On March 12th 2013, Andy Rumford and his wife Donna founded Kacie’s Cause upon the death of their daughter Kacie Erin Rumford. Andy has served on several Boards in past years which have raised well over 1 million dollars for charities geared towards Cancer Research and Special Needs Children. With Degrees in Education from Kutztown University and Penn State University and a Masters in Computer Sciences from Widener University, Andy has contributed most of his free time during the past 25 years towards assisting groups in raising money for charities. Andy and his family have lived in the Kennett Square area for the past 30 years and are proactive in raising awareness about the Opioid Epidemic gripping this country. Andy has been very active in the Car Show Community for decades and has utilized that avenue with Cars for Kacie to spread awareness on the Disease of Addiction. Andy is currently employed as a Special Education Teacher in the Kennett Consolidated School District.
Luis Tovar

President: Luis Tovar

Abstracted from comments written by Ms. Joan Holiday in the Daily Local News

Community advocates have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that they are not idle dreamers; they are activists in supporting and making visible the needs within a community. Luis Tovar is one of these advocates. Luis stands out as personifying and living the qualities of a true advocate. Luis has two arenas that he engages the advocate role—one with the Latino community and the other with those impacted by drug addiction.  Having been affected by heroin drug addiction in his own family, Luis deeply understood the need for parents, families and friends to have support and reassurance as they navigate through this nightmare of addiction. He joined Kacie’s Cause, an organization started by Andy Rumford after Andy suffered the death of his daughter, Kacie to a heroin overdose. Since 2013, Luis and Andy together have built an organization that serves as a leading outreach and advocacy group for issues related to drug addiction.  Luis Tovar is passionate about his advocacy role, which helps inspire others to face the reality of the needs of the community’s vulnerable.

Luis knows that he must walk the talk and demonstrate his own commitment in whatever he engages. And, compassion is at the top of the list. Luis understands the pain of the disenfranchised community members, whether they be forgotten in the community mainstream or are affected by an addiction. Luis listens, counsels and promotes, which is the true balm for healing wounds. Southern Chester County is fortunate to have a person like Luis Tovar, who has essentially devoted his life to being a community advocate.

Board Members

Barry Tomasetti

Dr. Barry Tomasetti

Barry is the retired Superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District (2010- 2020) In the past, Dr. Tomasetti previously served as the Superintendent of the Mifflinburg Area School District in Central Pennsylvania, and Director of Elementary Education in Harrisburg’s Central Dauphin School District. He also served as an elementary principal in both the Easton Area School District and the Fort Bend Independent School District in Texas. Barry and his wife Linda are the proud parents of three boys, Barry Jr., Cory Gino, AND Kerry Angelo. To read more about Barry check out this wonderful article that appeared in the Daily Local News upon Barry’s retirement.
Kristen Audette

Kristen Audette

Kristen is a Penn State University Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Kristen formerly worked as a parole officer for the Chester County Adult Probation and Parole Department for 10 years. She did specialized work with chronic substance users and is currently employed with Ameriprise Financial. She is committed to working within our communities and schools to promote awareness of the heroin epidemic, substance abuse, and addiction of our youth. Since 2014, Kristen has been an active member of the Kacie’s Cause Parkesburg Chapter. She is also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She loves spending time with her 6-year-old daughter, riding horses, and enjoying quality time with family.

Francis Miller

Francis C. Miller, Esq.

Francis is a lifelong resident of Chester County. He was employed as a police officer, serving Chester County for seventeen years. Mr. Miller is currently an attorney in private practice in West Chester. His criminal defense and family law practices help many clients and families affected by addiction. Miller Law works closely with Chester County’s Drug Court Program. The firm’s clients have many success stories; as well as tragedies. Too many clients to count have died from addiction and overdose during Mr. Miller’s twenty-one year practice. The firm’s legal assistant, Tracey Norcini, is very active with Kacie’s Cause Parkesburg Chapter. Mr. Miller has a child addict currently living in a sober living facility and working for a treatment center in Florida.

Adam Sledd

Adam is a person in recovery since 2011 and Recovery Support Services Director at Unity Recovery in Philadelphia. He began his career in social services two decades ago as a special education teacher. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 1998 and his Master’s degree in Social Work in 2018 from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Adam was a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society and a recipient of the David Siegel Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Policy in 2018. Adam has been training and supervising peer specialists since 2016, and is certified as a Recovery Specialist and as a Family Recovery Specialist. Adam has worked with the Pennsylvania Certification Board to develop the examination for Certified Recovery Specialists as well as the standards for Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisors. He serves on the Collegiate Recovery Task Force at West Chester University and lives in Chester County with his wife and son.
Rob Strauber

Rob Strauber

Rob began his career in the addictions field managing the operations of a 19-bed recovery house outside of Reading, PA. Rob developed the Recovery Oriented Community at Malvern Institute before coming to Recovery Centers of America. Having performed over 700 interventions and as an Certified Intervention Professional (CIP), an Advance Certified ARISE Interventionist (CAI-II) and a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), Rob works with the entire family unit to help create plans to seek, support and sustain recovery. A person in long-time recovery himself since 2007, Rob is an active member of the recovery community, Chester County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board Member and his church. Rob can be reached at 484.716.1435 or rstrauber@recoverycoa.com

Daniel Nicewonger

Pastor Daniel Nicewonger

Originally from upstate NY, Daniel has spent time in Harrisburg, PA, Malden, MA, Cortland, NY, Springfield, MA, and Locust, NC before moving to Kennett Square in 2014. Daniel previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. His passion is to help people encounter God in the midst of their everyday lives. Daniel has worked to support the efforts of Kacie’s cause over the past four years. First Baptist Church has hosted events such as the Annual International Overdose Awareness Day. A Kacie’s Cause parent support group formerly met at Daniel’s church. Daniel has a B.A. in Christian Education for Messiah College and a Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Daniel has experience working to start and sustain non-profit organizations. While in North Carolina he helped start Live Again Ministries. Together, Daniel and Nancy (Dan’s wife) started and sustain A Place in the Conversation. Daniel and Nancy have two adult children, Joseph and Rayann. Joseph recently graduated from UNC Charlotte and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Rayann is a student at West Chester University. To learn more about Daniel visit danielnicewonger.com.