Speakers

Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

Central Florida HIDTA Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)

Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

Central Florida HIDTA Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)

In January 2021, Paul began his position as the DIO for the Central Florida HIDTA. Prior to this position, he was a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for over 23 years. With the DEA, Paul served at the Miami Field Division; DEA Headquarters; and finally, as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee District Office. Paul retired from the DEA in November 2020. Prior to the DEA, Paul served over six years of active duty with the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman and a Special Agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID). John’s background in medical research led him to a career of working with physicians. For over a decade, he worked in operating rooms, training and advising on thousands of advanced procedures with some of the most advanced and respected companies in healthcare. With 15 years of experience with physicians, John brings leadership expertise in pain management, surgical techniques, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, and clinical program implementation. He holds a bachelor of science in biology degree from the University of Iowa. An Iowa City resident, John enjoys spending time with his wife and three children whom he’s raising to be diehard Iowa Hawkeyes fans.

Brittany Brown, MA, MPH

Central Florida Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy, in cooperation with the CDC Foundation and the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

Brittany Brown, MA, MPH

Central Florida Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy, in cooperation with the CDC Foundation and the Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)

Brittany Brown is a seasoned public health professional with expertise in project management, behavioral health, and clinical research. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling. With over a decade of experience, Brittany has led diverse initiatives, including overdose prevention programs and mental health crisis response teams. Currently serving as a Public Health Analyst with the CDC Foundation, Brittany collaborates with local partners to develop data-driven strategies addressing substance use and public health challenges. Her prior roles in Florida include Clinical Research Coordinator at CNS Healthcare, where she managed pharmaceuticals clinical trials, and various leadership positions at LifeStream Behavioral Center, where she implemented innovative programs to support community mental health. Brittany is passionate about advancing equitable access to care, synthesizing complex data into actionable insights, and building cross-sector partnerships to address pressing public health issues. Troy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida. He is married to Claudia and has two daughters, Emilia and Aitana.

Kirby Salerno

CEO, Playbl

Kirby Salerno

CEO, Playbl

Motivated by improving outcomes for youth in the US and abroad, Kirby has spent over 2 decades building early stage technology enterprises in the education sector. His work includes successfully commercializing products focused on substance use prevention, teacher professional development, adaptive math curriculum, hip-hop based curriculum, and special education data collection and sharing in schools. Following an acquisition, Kirby spent time as an executive at Amazon, building go-to-market teams in the K12 education space. In addition to his work as an operator, Kirby is a Venture Partner with Boston-based LearnLaunch, a fund and accelerator helping to scale early stage EdTech ventures. Kirby volunteers in his hometown of Needham, MA having served as a board member of the Needham Education Foundation, Noah's Ark Preschool, Co-President of the Pollard Middle School PTO, and as founding board member of TEC Connections Academy, a Commonwealth Virtual School. He’s currently a member of the Technical Advisory Council of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Adult Literacy and on the board of the Boston chapter of the American Lung Association.

Emily Pope

Youth Outreach Coordinator, Here Tomorrow

Emily Pope

Youth Outreach Coordinator, Here Tomorrow

As a teenager, navigating life is scary, and uncertain. The cool part is you don’t have to do it alone. Not knowing how you might make it to tomorrow is exhausting and definitely takes a toll on us as individuals. With the right tools, and the drive to conquer our challenges, recovery is possible. Being able to be that steppingstone in teenagers’ journey to their mental health recovery is something so special, and something I am so grateful I get to do every day. Here Tomorrow is a place I wish I had in my adolescent years, and the mission means so much to me. Every day we get to change lives and that is so special.

11250 Old St. Augustine Road
Suite 15 – 314
Jacksonville, FL 32257
904-204-4211
information@ccafl.org

Jacksonville, FL
904-256-5903
support@nfhidta.org