Cale Burke’s journey of public service, recovery

Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service is proud to celebrate Senior Project Manager Cale Burke, a 2021 graduate of its Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. Today, Burke’s path to public service reflects a lifetime of resilience, reinvention, and a steadfast commitment to helping others.

Before beginning his journey at the Voinovich School, Burke’s life took many turns that shaped the person he is today.

“I was a group home kid. I was in the state of Ohio’s custody from 14 to 17, and I joined the Navy in the delayed entry program so I could get out from underneath,” Burke said. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

His time in the military instilled in him a sense of structure and determination, lessons that continued to guide him long after his service ended. But as Burke transitioned into civilian life, he faced new personal and professional challenges that would ultimately lead him toward a path of transformation.

“I got divorced after a 28-year relationship, and I was in IT and corporate sales for 20 years. After I got divorced, I wanted to reinvent myself,” Burke said. “I'm also a person in long-term recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder.”

Burke has not had a drink since July 3, 2009. For a long time, he sought ways to help on a community level. Eventually, however, he desired a bigger challenge. 

Making a positive difference in the community

“I wanted to learn how to give back on a higher level,” Burke said. “That’s why the MPA appealed to me. I wanted to do more than just one-on-one. I wanted to do something system wide.” 

Burke began his MPA through the Voinovich School in August 2020, where he worked as a graduate research assistant. In this role, Burke founded the first recovery community organization, Recovery Connections of Southeast Ohio (RCO), in Southeast Ohio.

“This was during COVID-19, the overdose rate in Southeast Ohio was at an all-time high, and the 12-step meetings had shut down,” Burke said. While the RCO ran into many speed bumps along the way, it finally clicked when it began to establish safe, sober spaces at music festivals across southeast Ohio.

Bright yellow RCO-branded tents appeared at the Nelsonville Music Festival, the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, and America’s River Roots Festival to promote sober spaces and hand out Narcan. The idea came from Burke’s love of the Grateful Dead.

“There's a movement of safe Deadheads called Wharf Rats that started in the ‘80s,” Burke said. “Now at every jam band concert that ever happens, there's always yellow tents or yellow tables, or tables with yellow balloons that signify it's a safe, sober space.”

Burke saw a need, and he acted. Thanks to his work, these tents still appear at Ohio festivals today.

“That's the thing about the military; they want you to be proactive. If you see something wrong, say something,” Burke said. “I saw gaps in services, and I said ‘Well, why don't we fix what nobody else is doing.’ It's mission first, it's not about the individual. It's about saving lives. It's about making people's lives better. It's about giving people resources to get sober.”

Despite his dedication to the RCO, Burke’s intention was never to be a permanent leader of RCO.

“I'm not Appalachian, I'm from Columbus. It was always my intention to start the center and then turn it over to somebody from the local area, because they're more qualified than I am to speak to those needs,” Burke said. “Working in recovery is different from working on my recovery. Stepping away allowed me to invest time and effort into working on my own recovery.”

Today, the RCO is an independent, nonprofit organization run by individuals in long-term recovery for those seeking or in recovery. While Burke is no longer an active part of the center, he still takes pride in founding the organization.

Taking on new challenges

After completing this project, Burke graduated with his MPA in 2021 and was hired by the Voinovich School as a senior project manager; where he still works today on the Planning, Evaluation, Education, and Research (PEER) Team.

“In the military I learned how to speak to people across the board and treat everybody with dignity and respect,” Burke said. “That translates to being able to speak with the guy who is working on my car to speaking to the CEO of a company and still being able to find common ground and give respect, because in my own personal opinion, I think every single person deserves respect and dignity.”

On the PEER Team, Burke applies this philosophy daily, collaborating with local governments, nonprofits, and community partners to identify solutions that improve lives across the region. His ability to communicate with people from all walks of life makes him an invaluable asset at Voinovich.

“The military teaches you that just because something is hard or there's a challenge in front of you, don't stop; either go above or below or around it,” Burke said. “I'm 56 and I'm just finishing a Ph.D. program. I have not stopped. Just because one part of my life ended doesn't mean that my life was over. I reinvented myself, and I directly attribute that perseverance to the military.”

Burke’s story serves as an example of how purpose can be rediscovered at any stage of life, and how one person’s determination to help others can create lasting change.