AFRC Directors

Tonya Wheeler, CPFS - CEO

A middle-aged woman with short brown hair with purple streaks, wearing a patterned orange, maroon, and white dress and a yellow beaded necklace, standing outdoors in front of green foliage.

A woman in active and sustained recovery since 1990. Tonya has been with Advocates for Recovery Colorado since its inception in 2001 and was named the organization’s first Executive Director in 2009.

Bio

“Tonya is an Earth angel and has helped the community immensely by sharing her experience, strength and hope. AFR is a resources for those who are affected by substance abuse/addiction.”

-Emily Colton (Google Review)

Sean Gartrell, CPFS - Director of Operations

A smiling man with dark, curly hair and a goatee, wearing a green sweater over a checkered shirt and a navy tie, standing outdoors with a green, leafy background.

Sean has been with Advocates for Recovery Colorado since 2021. Sean started with AFRC as a Peer Recovery Coach before stepping into the role of Director of Training and then into his current role as Director of Operations.

Bio
Group of people wearing black T-shirts with a logo, some wearing pink hats, at an outdoor event. One woman with pink hair is raising her hand and smiling, another woman holds a microphone, surrounded by other participants clapping and smiling.

Photo by Tyi Reddick @ the 2025 Rally for Recovery in Denver, CO.