Our staff.

Patrick Brown is a pharmacist by training and currently serves as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Public Health Collaboration. In this role he serves to lead the Collaboration’s three organizations: the North Carolina Public Health Association, North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors and the North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies. Prior to joining the Collaboration, Patrick worked in advocacy roles supporting independent community pharmacies, and was part of the North Carolina Division of Public Health COVID response team. He graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

Steven is the Director of Cost Reporting and Financial Consulting Services at the North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies specializing in the Medicaid Cost Settlement and Separate Directed Payment reimbursement process.

He holds a BBA in Banking and Trust Management from Campbell University and a Master of Public Health from Liberty University. His nearly thirty years of expertise in Medicaid Regulation and Reimbursement, developing cost accounting systems and working directly with Local Public Health Finance and Accounting systems gives him an edge to maximize federal revenue to the State of North Carolina’s public health system.

Steven’s expertise and solid background in Cost Reporting and Financial Consulting continues to support federal revenue of more than $75 Million Dollars annually to both the State and Local Public Health Agencies across North Carolina.

In his free time, Steven enjoys time with his family, camping and traveling.

Karen has been with NCALHD, NCPHA and NCAPHA since 2012. Before her work with the North Carolina Public Health Collaboration, Karen worked with State Government for 32 years, retiring in 2012. Karen also worked with NCDPI for 25 years and spent 7 years with the NC Education Lottery.

Upon retirement, Karen was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Originally from Johnston County, she currently resides in Clayton with her rescue dog Xena.

Jessica is a Financial Analyst at the North Carolina Alliance for Public Health Agencies specializing in the Medicaid Cost Settlement and Separate Directed Payment Clinical and Administrative reimbursement process.

She holds a Master of Public Health from Liberty University and nearly twenty years of local and state public health experience. Jessica’s strong background in clinical programs, fiscal management, billing, fee structures, and Medicaid financial and administrative policies allows her to focus her expertise on areas within the clinical setting that may have significant impacts to an agency’s settlement.

In her free time, Jessica loves spending time with her family, enjoying the beach and traveling.

Becky Hughes has been with the North Carolina Public Health Collaboration since 2008 and currently serves as the Sr Director of Finance and Operations. In this role she serves the Collaboration’s three organizations overseeing all financial operations and directs the day-to-day operations of the NC Alliance of Public Health Agencies.

Prior to joining the Collaboration Becky worked in the accounting departments of both WakeMed and Wesley Long Hospital. She started her career as a CPA with McGladrey and Pullen after graduating from UNC-CH with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.

Raymundo Gonzalez is an Accounting and Operations Specialist who joined NCAPHA (Collaboration) in the summer of 2024. In this role, he provides essential accounting and operational support to NCAPHA, NCALHD, and NCPHA. He earned his Business Associate degree from a community college before receiving his BS in Business Finance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).

Prior to joining NCAPHA, Raymundo worked as an Assistant Controller for a family-owned business, where he gained valuable experience in financial management. He then transitioned to a global medical staffing company, further honing his skills in a dynamic environment. With a strong background in accounting and operations, Raymundo is dedicated to supporting the mission of NCAPHA and its partners.

Joanne serves as the Human Resources Director for NCAPHA (the Collaboration.) Prior to working at NCAPHA, she was the HR Manager at another public health nonprofit in RTP. She also worked in HR at IBM and taught business courses at Wake Technical Community College.

She has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Pace University and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development/Counseling from the University of Bridgeport.

She has 3 boys and 1 granddaughter and lives in Raleigh with her husband Scott and her rescue dog, Nova.

Bethany brings a strong public health communications background to her role as Strategic Initiatives Program Manager. Prior to joining the North Carolina Public health Collaboration, Bethany worked in healthcare agency settings, where she focused on translating science into compelling content for communication campaigns, disease awareness initiatives and patient advocacy programs. She also served on the North Carolina Division of Public Health COVID response team, and supported the Division with key initiatives, including the rollout of the AA program and workforce development. Bethany graduated with her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Originally from England, Bethany moved to Charlotte at a young age and has since called North Carolina home. She resides in Wilmington enjoying the coast with her husband and playful dachshund Arlo.

I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Illinois. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Springfield. In 2019 I moved to North Carolina with my husband and two dogs; an English Mastiff and a Mini Goldendoodle. In December of 2022, we welcomed our daughter. In my free-time you can find me watching sports or crafting. I have worked at Alliance Staffing since December 2021.