Leadership

Greg Robbins, Executive Director of Children and Family Services

Greg began his career with LSS on Sept. 8th, 1969 – over 41 years ago! During his long career, Greg has served in numerous leadership roles, both at Homme Youth and Family Programs and within the agency. For the majority of his career, over 30 years, Greg served as Director of Homme Youth and Family Programs, and also served as a Regional Director. Under his leadership Homme established many new treatment programs, achieved many special certifications, and grew and developed into becoming a nationally known and recognized residential program. In Greg’s present role as an Executive Director in the Children and Family Services (CFS) line of service, he serves as a member of the CFS Collaboration Team and member of the agency Accountability Team.

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Heather Yeager, Director of Children and Family Services

Heather began with LSS as a therapist and supervisor working with adolescent girls at Homme Youth and Family Programs. At Pathway Heather provided family and individual therapy, lead development of treatment programming and supervision of staff.  Heather has presented on trauma informed care, sexual offense, and other topics.  She most recently served as a Director in the Children, Youth and Family line of services, overseeing the Homme Programs and directing the marketing and admissions departments at Homme.  Heather graduated with a B.S. in psychology and completed graduate coursework in clinical psychology.  After completing her studies, Heather worked at Winnebago Mental Health Institute for 6 years, completing psychological testing and running group therapy on a variety of treatment units.  Heather now joins the programs of adoption and foster care, with over 15 years of experience in serving children and families.

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Maureen Radford-Eckstein, MSW, ICSW, Manager of Adoption and Special Needs Adoption

Maureen started at LSS in 1989 as an intern in the adoption program. In 1990, she was welcomed to LSS as an adoption social worker in the birthparent, domestic, and international programs. As Maureen developed experiences she progressed into the position of adoption manager and a director, traveling internationally to support the international programs within LSS. Maureen is an expert in Attachment and works as a co-therapist in the LSS Attachment Therapy Clinic, providing services to youth with Reactive Attachment Disorder. Maureen leads the way for LSS’ domestic adoption, special needs adoption, birthparent services and Relative adoptions.

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Sue Steinfeld, CSW, Supervisor of Domestic Adoption Services

Sue has been employed with LSS since 2001 within the adoption programs.  She is a licensed social worker with a B.S. degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin - Stout.  Before coming to LSS, Sue worked for the State of Wisconsin, where she worked in the Special Needs Adoption program and the Indian Child Welfare Department for seven years.  In the last 17 years, Sue has worked in all aspects of child protective services, from child protection investigation through adoption.

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Emily Tofte, CSW, Treatment Foster Care Program Supervisor for Appleton, Janesville, Madison, and Wausau

Emily has been with LSS since 2006.  She has a B.A. Degree in Social Work and is pursuing her M.S. Degree in Social Work through the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Emily has experience in child welfare (child protective services, group home care, and treatment foster care) family preservation, and working with adults with disabilities.

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Kim Westfahl, Inter-Country Adoption Supervisor

Kim graduated from Carroll University with a B.S. Degree in Psychology in 1991 and is currently pursuing a M.S. Degree in Counseling at Mount Mary College.  She has worked her entire professional career with LSS, starting off as a Community Living Specialist at a group home for adolescent females in 1991.  Kim then progressed through a series of promotions, culminating in the responsibility for the supervision of several diverse community service programs, serving adults and children with special needs.  She began working with the Adoptions program as an Adoption and Birth Parent Counselor in 2001.  In the fall of 2008, she assumed her current position as Inter-Country Adoption Supervisor.  Since then, Kim's had the opportunity to participate in the LSS Attachment Therapy Clinic, serving families with children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder.  She's also traveled to Russia, Guatemala, and most recently the Philippines, where she had the opportunity to visit the orphanages she works with and experience the beauty of their culture.

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David N. Larson
President & CEO

David N. Larson is the president and chief executive officer of Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. He joined the agency in 1995, and is the sixth chief executive in the 125 plus year history of Lutheran Social Services taking office July 1, 2002.

Larson, a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, served on the LSS Board of Directors for six years before joining the staff as director of church relations in 1995. In this position, he helped lead the church phase of the agency’s successful $15.7 million Touch a Life fund appeal and developed the Shared Ministry concept to create and maintain partnerships between congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and LSS to better help LSS customers improve the quality of their lives. In 1998, Larson assumed the position of vice president of resource development and was responsible for directing the fund-raising, church relations and marketing and communication efforts of the agency.

Known as an inspirational voice on behalf of Lutheran Social Services, Larson has built understanding of the LSS ministry through more than 50 speaking appearances annually, and he has been actively involved in staff training and support.

Larry Lutey
Executive Vice President & COO

Larry Lutey is the chief operating officer (COO) of Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. He joined the agency in November 2007, and is the first chief operating officer in the 125 plus year history of Lutheran Social Services. As COO, Larry is responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day operations of LSS. This includes coordinating strategy throughout LSS and promoting quality, consistency, and accountability in service areas. It also entails being an advocate for programs, employees and customers.

Lutey, a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, brings with him 13 years of experience from LSS of Illinois. He served as the director of training, employee relations, and for the past seven years was the vice president of human resources. Prior to LSS of Illinois, Lutey served as a parish pastor for nine years in the Chicago area.

Lutey received his bachelors of arts degree in education with a focus on adult education from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois and a master of divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Iowa. He also received a master of arts in human resources, management and development from National Lewis University in Illinois.

W. Paul Brinkman
Executive Vice President & CAO

Pastor W. Paul Brinkman serves as executive vice president and chief advancement officer with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.  He began his current position in 2009, bringing together the disciplines of resource development, marketing, communications, church and community relations, government relations and advocacy. 

An ordained pastor of the ELCA, Brinkman has 10 years of experience as a parish pastor and 20 years of experience in development and advancement.  After helping to found and organize the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S. he went on to conduct several major campaigns and serve as Vice President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, Grand View Lutheran College, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois where he was also the Executive Director of the Cornerstone Foundation.

Brinkman, a licensed pilot, also holds credentials as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He received the Master of Divinity Degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, after completing his pre-seminary studies at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota. He did his undergraduate work at Concordia College, Milwaukee, and the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 

Scott Abrams
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Scott Abrams is the interim chief financial officer for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. Abrams is charged with leading the finance, accounting, treasury and various risk management functions at the agency. LSS has an operating budget for 2011 of $77 million.

Ted Hakala
Vice President, Operations

Ted Hakala is a vice president of operations for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. In this role, he oversees the Persons with Disabilities, Prision Ministries and Addictions/Corrections service lines. Hakala has spent his entire professional career with LSS. He joined the agency in 1975 as a child care worker at a group home for adolescent girls in Eau Claire, Wis. In 1982, he was named program services director, and in 1993, he was promoted to regional director. As regional director, he oversaw LSS programs that served clients with developmental disabilities, persons involved with the correctional system and those struggling with alcohol and drug addictions.

Ronald A. Hauser
Vice President, Operations

Ron Hauser is a vice president of operations for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. In his role, he oversees the Children, Youth & Families, Older Adults and Housing service lines.  Hauser joined LSS in 1980 as a youth specialist on the Family and Community Treatment team in Rock County. In 1981, he transferred to the same type of team in Dodge County as the Education Specialist. Over the years, he has moved from that position to team manager, to area supervisor and finally to regional director in 1991. Hauser has had specific training in alcohol and other drug addictions, adolescent behavior, housing management, client rights/confidentiality, wraparound/integrated services, as well as graduate work in community-based family treatment. He is also on the advisory board of Children Come First.

Staci Wellentin
Vice President & CIO

Staci Wellentin is the vice president and chief information officer for LSS. In her role, Staci oversees all aspects of agency-wide information services planning, operations, delivery, and support services. Staci has spent more than 12 years in the information services field. Having come to LSS from the business and technology consulting industry, Staci brings a unique business perspective to the IT organization. She earned her undergraduate degree in business information systems from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Robin Pitts
Director of Operations Logistics

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Lisa Hassenstab
Vice President, Advocacy

Lisa Hassenstab is the Vice President of Advocacy for Lutheran Social Services (LSS). Prior to joining the leadership team at LSS, Lisa worked in the Washington, DC office of Lutheran Services in America (LSA) as the director of advocacy and policy. Before her work at LSA, Lisa was the associate director of church and government relations for LSS of Illinois. Lisa’s background also includes direct service and community organizing experience.