CEO Ben Harrington, MA Ed, has worked in non-profit health for more than 30 years, including 30 years as the CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, which he has worked at since 1994. After 4 years in the chronic physical health arena, Ben moved to the Mental Health Association of Greater Knoxville which would later become the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee. The agency name was changed to serve persons from the Georgia to Virginia borders and all communities in between. Switching jobs helped him realize how personally connected he is to mental health issues which affect so many. His passion to intervene earlier and in more impactful ways led to the creation of three of our signature programs – the Mental Health 101 program in Fall of 2000 and the Peer Recovery Call Center in 2013 and the Treatment Access Bank in 2022. Ben is married to Norma Harrington. They have two sons Donovan and Jackson and two “fur babies” Baxter Bugtussell (a Jack Russell) and Lady Violet (a Goldendoodle). He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Heidelberg University and a Master of Arts Degree in Education Counseling & Guidance from Bowling Green State University.
Director of Finance and Human Resources Jill Schmudde is a Knoxville native who graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting. Jill loves numbers and is able to support our organization with her keen attention to detail. She and her husband, Andrew, have three adult sons and two rescue dogs whom she enjoys hanging out with during her free time. Active in her church, she shares her talents in the finance department. She loves to read and likes to hike when she can find the time.
Senior Director of Client Services Jan Cagle, LCSW, oversees the Peer Recovery Call Center, the Screening Program, and the Treatment Access Bank programs. She has worked as a mental health advocate for over 20 years. Before coming to the Mental Health Association, she worked in community mental health specializing in the intersection of mental health, substance misuse, and criminal justice. Jan has a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and a Master’s degree in Social Work, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She previously served on MHAET’s Board of Directors. Jan lives in Knoxville with her husband, Mark, and their cat. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, camping, and traveling.
Chief Operating Officer Caitlin Ensley has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work with concentrations in child welfare and organizational leadership. Caitlin has worked for MHAET since 2014. Her favorite parts of the job are educating youth, decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and practicing self care. She is also passionate about creating a workplace environment focused on wellness. She lives in Knoxville with her partner, Spencer, their two sons Oliver and Elliott, and their two kittens Luna and Matilda, and dog, Jackson.
Mental Health 101 Senior Director Mental Health 101 Senior Director Casey Caudill oversees the Mental Health 101 program across 35 counties in East Tennessee. With a background in nonprofit management and community engagement, Casey is passionate about promoting practical, everyday approaches to self-care, educating youth, and building strong, connected, resilient communities. Based in the Tri-Cities, Casey lives in Mount Carmel, TN with her husband, Jake, their two children, Acadia and Elias, and their cat, Moo-Moo. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, playing board games, and visiting national parks.
Jay Clark is the Southeast Regional Director, responsible for the 10 counties in the Southeast region of Tennessee. Jay received a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Psychology, concentrating in cognitive psychology and social sciences. Jay is passionate about mental health advocacy and raising awareness, which is how he found his way into this field. Jay loves the community this position offers and how rewarding the work really is. He brings experience from serving as educator for MHAET before transitioning to this role. Jay believes in the power of early mental health education and intervention for youth, and also support and training for willing parents and professionals. Jay loves comic books, road trips, and being outdoors. At home, he spends his time with his partner Mya and their pets! They have a dog named Ruca, and 2 cats named Sterling and Goose.
Co-Occurring Disorders Program Director Sara O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor is psychology. She is currently working on her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in community health education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as well. Sara is passionate about educating others on mental health and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health care. Sara enjoys traveling, visiting local restaurants, going to Tennessee football games, and spending time with her dog Winston.
Finance Assistant Harriet Greer grew up in Johnson City, TN. She graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. She has been married to her husband, Billy, for 31 years and have two daughters – Jessi and Jackie. Harriet enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and enjoying outdoor activities!
