Our Staff
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George Waseity.
Executive Director
George, a retired professional from The Timken Company, started working with veterans after retiring from SRCCC in 2016. He became a Volunteer Veteran Mentor for the Stark County Veteran Treatment Court. Later, he took on the role of Mentor Coordinator, a role he continues to fill. In addition to his mentoring duties, George has been certified in Veteran Mentoring, Peer Recovery Support, and suicide prevention, and participates in ongoing training. He is actively involved in various veteran-focused organizations and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Honor Foundation of Stark County.
Michele Hammers.
Associate Director
Michele M. Hammers is the Director of the Stark County Honor Court, with 28 years of experience as a paralegal and judicial assistant. She has served as the program director for the Veterans Treatment Court for four years, providing statistics to the Honor Foundation of Stark County and overseeing the Volunteer Mentor Program. Michele supervises the Mentor Coordinator and mentors, identifies potential candidates for the court, and screens veterans in the Stark County Jail for eligibility. She also coordinates treatment for ineligible veterans with the VA Jail Liaison and reviews all incoming cases for eligibility.
Jay Barton.
Treasurer
Jay Barton, a Certified Public Accountant from Louisville, serves as the Treasurer of the Honor Foundation of Stark County. A veteran of the United States Army Reserve, Jay served with the 350th Evacuation Hospital of Canton, Ohio, in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991. In addition to his role with the Honor Foundation, Jay is actively involved in several non-profit organizations in Stark County, including the Patriot Project, which provides chiropractic care to veterans, and The Louisville Community Foundation.
Jessica Gill.
Board Member
Jessica Gill is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in Addiction Medicine. She is employed by VitalCore Health Strategies at the Stark County Sheriff’s Office. Jessica has served in the U.S. Army Reserves Nurse Corps as a Substance Abuse Prevention Leader and Master Resiliency Trainer. She has over a decade of experience within the nursing profession through roles as a Forensic Nurse Examiner and Addiction Care Coordinator, as well as in emergency and psychiatric nursing. She is passionate in providing care that will start incarcerated individuals on the path to recovery and has established the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder program at the Stark County Jail. Jessica is part of the treatment team for Stark County Honor Court, which supports veterans and individuals with behavioral health needs within the justice system. She also launched the Veterans Information Program, connecting incarcerated veterans with community and VA resources. Her trauma-informed approach focuses on recovery, resilience, and continuity of care. Jessica is dedicated to transforming correctional health care to create lasting impact beyond incarceration.
Hollis R. Burkes.
Board Member
Hollis R. Burkes is a retired veteran of the U.S. Armed Services, serving in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard. She is a resident of Stark County and has also served for over 30 years in law enforcement. She has also served as a PGA HOPE Ambassador for the Northern Ohio Section of the PGA of America since 2022.
Nick Stilianos.
Board Member
Nick Stilianos is a retired U.S. Navy Seabee with 21 years of global experience leading teams through complex missions, from supporting diplomatic efforts to managing critical construction projects. Now serving as the Chief Operations and Project Officer at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he oversees the strategic management of daily operations, facilities, and event execution, ensuring the institution’s legacy is preserved, while directing key projects from planning to completion and leading teams to uphold operational excellence in honoring the greatest of the game.
Dr. Karin Riggs.
Board Member
I have been a 33 year resident of Stark county and have enjoyed raising my family in the city of Louisville. I am employed by Cleveland Clinic as a physician serving the needs of the community for all ages. I have been involved with the Honor Foundation since its inception in 2024, which helps serve the needs of veterans. I am also involved with another non-profit, Legacy of Honor, that assists veteran and first responder families with needs not otherwise met by other means. Being on the board of this newly formed Foundation has allowed me the opportunity to help our veterans in need through the Honor Court. I look forward to what will be new opportunities in the coming years to come.