People of EPC

Since 2003, hundreds of volunteers have spent thousands of hours working to make the Endorphin Power Company one of Albuquerque’s most respected and admired non-profit organizations, especially in the field of addiction recovery. Volunteers continue to be some of EPC’s most valuable assets along with its staff and board of directors. It is their love and kindness that sustain the EPC community and its important work.

EPC Staff

Jeff Holland — Program Director

Jeff Holland Sometimes referred to as EPC’s version of Siddhartha, Jeff has traveled a journey that’s included seeking empty pleasures and paying the price for his choices to searching for meaning and truth through education and service. The fact that some of Jeff’s lessons have not been taught, but rather have come from his own struggles and experience, makes him an invaluable leader and mentor as EPC’s Program Director. “I am passionate about helping people and I love to see people succeed in life. If there is a way that I can help facilitate that then I am more than happy to do what I can. I love my family, I love my friends, I love music, I love my dog, and I love life. I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be here at the Endorphin Power Company (or should I say the Endorphin Power Family).” Jeff is currently pursuing a dual Masters in Social Work and Business Administration.

Janice Mancuso — Executive Director

Janice Mancuso Janice is serving her second term as Executive Director. While living in California, in 2007 she began her love affair with EPC as a volunteer during construction of the Waterman Power House. She moved to Albuquerque and assisted with the launch of the residential housing program as EPC’s first ED and then returned to San Diego. In 2010, Janice was drawn back to New Mexico, this time by the opportunity (under the auspices of EPC) to make her 20+ year dream to produce a wellness conference for doctors a reality. Because of EPC’s incredible team, Janice is able to work on the conference and oversee EPC. “I believe my experience, skills and interests complement the mission and purpose of EPC. I have said for many years that my best work is in front of me. Now is the time. This is it!”

Board of Directors

Pat Barr

Pat Barr I was born in Albuquerque and have lived here my whole life. My father came to Los Alamos in the early 40’s to work on development of the atomic bomb and never left. I have childhood memories of dirt roads where our freeways now exist, and I’ve watched Albuquerque grow from a small rural setting to a city that now fills the entire valley we once called our backyard.

Albuquerque has grown in the last 50 years five-fold, and the city’s alcohol- and drug-related problems have grown at ten times that rate. I’ve observed the ramifications of the predicament, but always from the sidelines.

In a chance meeting in 2008 with Sam Slishman, I became involved in the construction of the EPC climbing wall. I worked side-by-side with doctors, other volunteers and recovering addicts. Visitors to the site couldn’t tell who was who; we were all just people working on a common goal. I learned how hard it is for even highly motivated individuals to reclaim their lives. After witnessing several men and women of EPC’s Waterman Power House successfully begin their recoveries I knew I wanted to stay involved and continue to contribute in some way. Besides it’s a lot of fun hanging out at EPC and being part of the community.

I am a proud father of three children, Ashley, Sara and Kyle, who are also happy to have been born and raised in Albuquerque. For the last decade I have been the President and Managing member of Specialty Manufacturing LLC, a local company that specializes in the wireless industry and related tower products.

William Campbell — Board Chair

William Campbell William is a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of New Mexico. His research interests include listening, dyads, self-regulation and behavioral interventions for addictive behaviors. He wandered in off the darkling plain to help build a stone patio for EPC in 2005, and then, sensing something special, hung around. He joined the board in 2007, and, along with Sam, chaired a committee to develop EPC’s Four-Pillar program. His personal and professional interests revolve around the idea that intimate relationships provide humanity special means for healing, growth and insight. For this reason, he feels very fortunate to be a part of the EPC experience.

Regina “Gigi” Gallegos, EMT-I, LPN — Secretary

Regina “Gigi” Gallegos Born in Southern California, with time divided between the west coast and central New Mexico, I now call Albuquerque my home. I grew up loving horses and later in life became very involved in horse racing; owning two horses that raced in the NM racing circuit. I left horse racing behind after a horse accident that resulted in a head injury. In 2003, when the closure of an Albuquerque semiconductor plant put over 600 people out of work, including me, it was time for a career change. I left behind my family in the device engineering group and trained as an emergency medical technician, and during my preceptor practicum in the emergency department I began nursing school.

My involvement with EPC began in late 2003. I found myself unemployed and returning to school to try out some new paths. I had been involved with the Girl Scouts for many years. But in 2003 I also felt interested in assisting the homeless population. I became acquainted with EPC and I attended meetings in the UNMH cafeteria. I found what I was looking for; the ideas and concepts had me hooked, not to mention the people.

At the end of my first semester of nursing school and the last semester of EMT-I training I became a resident at the EPC facility. My studies in school kept me busy and the work at EPC kept me sane. Since graduating from nursing school I now work as a nurse and the rest of my time is spent doing many different innovative tasks at EPC.

Steve Harmon — Treasurer

(photo and bio to follow)

Laura Marsh, PhD(c), RN, MBA, FNP-S

Laura Marsh It almost seems appropriate to use “once upon a time in a galaxy far away” as the opening convention to illustrate two and a half decades in the nursing profession. Kidneys and livers have followed me throughout my career and I am somewhat of a crusader for the prevention and management of diabetes, hepatitis C, and substance use.

I crossed paths with Sam when he visited Project ECHO, a UNM telehealth program where I was working at the time. EPC and Project ECHO were similar in many ways, the common denominator being service to the underserved. I continued to watch the progress and growth of EPC from its infancy and applauded and cheered from the sidelines.

Recently I discovered a beloved family member had silently struggled with an opiate addiction for four years. This information was given to me the day after she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Slowly, and somewhat painfully, I learned a new meaning for the word “struggle.” I gained a new perspective for the concept of “success” and I know now that success, like sobriety, is a journey and not a destination. Professionally, this event altered the trajectory of my nursing career. Personally, I turned to the community of EPC where I found a process for healing in the form of helping.

My approach to participating with EPC embraces humility, sensitivity, and a healthy respect for where the organization has been, what it’s doing now, and its plans for the future. The EPC lens has always focused on its core values, mission, and goals and this is what motivates me to serve.

Bill McMordie

Bill McMordie Bill is a respected member of Albuquerque’s business community and brings a much needed level of business sense to the EPC board. “Born and raised in Albuquerque, I like most natives have seen a significant change to the city I say has ‘the best climate ever.’ I have spent the last 25 years in the insurance field, and this presented the opportunity to meet Sam and the entire family of EPC. Insurance in a strange way aligns itself with the mission of EPC… ‘Helping others when in need.’ I have been married for 30 years and am lucky enough to have one great son. Baseball, snow skiing and golf are my passions.

Sam Slishman, MD — Founder and Vice-Chair

Sam Slishman Sam's a strange man in the world of substance dependence. He's called a "normie," having never even smoked pot. Actually, that probably makes him more of an ab-normie. But in any case, he certainly comes to the addictions world from a different place. His interest in the topic probably came from his alcoholic grandfather Milton, who just quit one day never to drink again for his remaining 20+ years (while still brewing brandy for his friends), as well as his work in emergency medicine. After finishing his residency at the University of New Mexico in 2000, he spent a few years traveling and day dreaming about societies and systems. The "Endorphin Power Company" name came to him in 2002 after a trip to the Eiffel Tower, where he thought he'd rather pay people to generate electricity than to buy dust-collecting miniature Eiffels. Over the next 6-8 months the EPC picture began to crystallize and in 2003 he returned to Albuquerque from Tasmania with intentions to give it a go. Naively, he submitted the nonprofit paperwork, began a listserv, posted weekly notes to anyone who seemed interested, and ran weekly meetings to bring EPC to life.

Today Sam still works the odd emergency medicine shift to stay fed. He also dabbles in medical device design. But helping EPC along remains his primary focus. Sam is extremely grateful to everyone who has helped EPC to grow to what it is today.

Seth Sparks

Seth Sparks Seth is a shareholder in Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, PA and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. He practices in the areas of trucking litigation, insurance bad faith, and professional liability (including legal malpractice), and products and general liability. Seth was a law clerk for the Honorable John Edwards Conway, Senior United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico from 1994-1996.

Seth is an Albuquerque native and attended the University of New Mexico as an undergraduate and for law school. He is married to Ronni Sparks and they have a son, Kenny. Seth is a rabid Lobo fan and can be found with Jeff Holland at Lobo basketball and football games. He is very active in Albuquerque community activities. He is a board member of the Evergreen Institute and the New Mexico Anti-Defamation League and is the Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico's JCRC.

Seth first learned of EPC in 2010 and immediately felt its pull. EPC is already a stronger organization because of his involvement and contribution to the board.

Manjeet K. Tangri, AIA, AICP

Manjeet K. Tangri Born in India, I have lived in the United States for nearly 40 years – in Boston, Minneapolis and, since 1990, in Albuquerque. I hold degrees in architecture from Punjab University, India and Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

I first learned about EPC in 2003 and was struck by its mission and the vision of its founder, Dr. Sam Slishman, when he made a presentation to the board of my neighborhood association. A few days later I visited 509 Cardenas; the variety, commitment of volunteers, staff and now the residents won my heart and I have been a volunteer ever since. I love and totally believe in the mission of EPC.

Throughout my long career in urban planning, policy development, urban design and architecture on two continents, I have believed in and successfully created environments that meet the physical, social, aesthetic and spiritual needs of their users. I strongly believe that achieving such a balance does not have to be costly especially if addressed at the beginning of a project. I learned from my public health engineer father that the needs of users of a building, a park, a neighborhood or a city are more important than creating a monument.

Raquel Tello

After almost 11 years working as a paramedic at Albuquerque Ambulance, Raquel Tello decided to pursue her doctorate in medicine. She is currently a student at UNM School of Medicine. It was her love of medicine and helping others that drew her to EPC. She, with the gracious help of others, has begun work on the EPC Clinic. She is currently serving as Clinic Coordinator.

As a native New Mexican, she is fond of spending time outdoors enjoying what New Mexico has to offer. In what free time she does have, she is an avid runner, paints (oil, watercolor and interior design), and plays the cello for fun. Most importantly, she loves spending time with friends and family.

Ethan White

Ethan White is an experimental psychologist who received his PhD from UNM in 2009. He is currently a research scientist at the University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions and teaches occasionally in the University Honors Department. He has been involved with EPC for almost 3 years- from digging holes for the foundation of the Waterman Power House to serving as program director in 2009. In his spare time he likes to restore anything with wheels and a motor.

Emeritus Members

Nancy Hawk, RN

Nancy Hawk Nancy fell in love with EPC the moment she showed up looking for a place to teach yoga nearly five years ago. The fact that she is a cycling enthusiast reinforces her belief that EPC is the perfect place to channel her considerable energy. She joined the board with the expectation of contributing to the continued success of the company and its mission. Nancy is an active member of Mossman Neighborhood Association, the neighborhood where she lives with her wonderfully supportive husband Kevin. During her salary-earning hours, Nancy works as a registered nurse at University Hospital.

Reuben Last, MD

Rueben Last Reuben is one of the original EPC volunteers. He joined the board after working on the EPC van in the early days and on the rehabilitation and construction of the facility.

During his first act Reuben was the 1987 New York City District Council of Carpenters "Golden Hammer" recipient, and was the Committee Clerk for the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. Prior rehab jobs included the first New York City Habitat for Humanity project where he learned sub-flooring installation from President Jimmy Carter. He learned ceiling installation in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center and interior trim in Long Island College Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital. He also helped with the rehab of the Centre de formation en Boulangerie et patisserie franciases orphelinat, in Hue, Viet Nam.

After medical school and prior to completing a surgical residency at UNMH and a vascular fellowship in Sydney, Australia, Reuben did a pediatrics externship in Calcutta, India. Today he works as staff general surgeon at the VA hospital of New Mexico. Along the way Reuben learned about the inexplicable pull of the New Mexico "Bungie Cord"... "Once a person has been in Albuquerque long enough to nail one end down, they may leave, but at some point they will fling back just as fast."

Reuben continues to support the mission and work of EPC.

Marti Miller, RN, MSN, C-ACNP

Marti Miller Marti Miller has 22 years of experience in emergency and intensive care nursing and has participated on the EPC board for seven years. Marti graduated from Syracuse University and George Mason University and obtained her MSN as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from the University of New Mexico. She lived in Africa for seven years and worked on public health projects in Kenya and the Democratic People’s Republic of the Congo.

At present, Marti works as a Nurse Practitioner in rural emergency department settings in New Mexico and is in the process of setting up her own practice. She also teaches pediatric and trauma nursing courses through the Center for Disaster Medicine. The EPC is an opportunity to give back to the community in a creative and innovative environment.

Peter White, PhD

Peter White Peter is a professor of English and American Studies at the University of New Mexico where he has taught since 1977. He specializes in early American literature and religious history and has published books on American literature, technical writing, and the folklore of New Mexico. In 2000 Professor White became the first Dean of University College, where he oversaw the creation of a wide variety of innovative undergraduate programs including the Freshman Learning Communities, Freshman Convocation, Freshman Family Day, the Sophomore Seminars in Career Awareness, and the Research Service Learning Program. Together these programs have helped increase the size of the freshman class and have significantly improved retention and graduation rates at UNM. Peter's successes in these areas led to his appointment in 2006 as Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education. In addition to his commitment to offering high quality undergraduate education at UNM he has also practiced the art of violin making for over thirty years, producing over 200 violins, violas, cellos, and mandolins.

Peter has taught a variety of UNM English classes at EPC cleverly melding academic lessons with community activism and continues to be a strong supporter of EPC.