Vern Johnson co-founded Axiom Care in 2012 with a vision of ending addiction for the most vulnerable through compassionate, evidence-based substance use treatment for underserved populations.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of North Dakota and has spent more than 35 years in healthcare-related fields.

He began his career as a social worker and spent decades working with hospice and home health care organizations across Arizona and throughout the US.

With extensive experience in both health care and commercial real estate, recovery housing has been at the center of his leadership and history of client success.

Vern has served in numerous leadership and board positions for nonprofit and industry organizations, including the National Hospice Care Organization, Arizona Health Care Association, one n ten, The Arizona Recovery Housing Association and the City of Phoenix Planning and Zoning Group Home Working Committee.

In 2023, he was appointed to the Governor’s Independent Prison Oversight Commission.

ViVRE Recovery Housing, operating as Axiom Care today, was Duane Mantey’s vision. He has worked tirelessly since 2010 to develop partnerships and support to inspire and change lives.

His passion is focused on improving the lives of those involved in the justice system, specializing in low level offender re-entry, and providing a safe and structured living program for otherwise homeless releases.

Duane is originally from Washington, but made Arizona his home many years ago. He is involved in many social organizations including DACA and Toastmasters.

He can regularly be found presenting at community events on recovery related topics. Mantey previously served as President of Axiom Care and Board Chair for the Arizona Recovery Housing Association.

John Pokorney serves as Axiom Care’s Chief Financial Officer, a role he has held since October 2023. John brings more than 30 years of financial management expertise across a variety of industries and organization sizes to the role. His extensive experience includes financial crisis and turnaround management, new business development, capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions, financial modeling, data analytics and managing companies through growth and restructuring. His business philosophy is based upon communication, collaboration and contribution.  

He earned a bachelor of science degree in Economics from Ball State University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Marcia Scott joined Axiom Care as Chief Communications Officer in May 2025, bringing 30+ years of strategic marketing and communications experience to the role.

Prior to Axiom Care, Marcia served as CEO of Clearwater Communications, representing local and national clients including Helios Education Foundation, Alliance Residential Company and Chef Mark Tarbell.

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Valleywise Health Foundation, she led the organization’s rebrand, the launch and messaging for the $54 million ALL IN for Valleywise campaign and all communications throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, securing recognition as Arizona Business Magazine’s Healthcare Nonprofit of the Year. Past clients include Banner Health, NotMYKid, PetSmart and The Coca-Cola Company.

She previously served as Director of Corporate Communications for Mesa Airlines (American Eagle/United Express), PR Supervisor at Lavidge, VP of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for Premiere Global Services (PGi) and Director of Corporate Communications for ValuJet Airlines/AirTran Airways (acquired by Southwest).

She serves on the boards of Xavier College Preparatory and Florida-based Veteran nonprofit GratitudeAmerica.

Marcia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida.