Leadership

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. 

Michael Guns
Vice President & CFO

Michael H. Guns is vice president and chief financial officer for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. Guns assumed his position with LSS in 1998. In addition, he serves as treasurer for the LSS Foundation. Guns is charged with leading the finance, accounting, treasury and various risk management functions at the agency. LSS has an operating budget for 2009 of $95.9 million.

Meg Groves
Vice President, Program Services

Meg Groves, MSW, became the vice president of program services in 2008, overseeing Adoption & Foster Care, Behavioral Health and Urban Ministries. She joined LSS in 1990 as an Adoption/Birthparent Counselor in Madison and after several years of direct service she began developing and overseeing the agency's international adoption programs. In 2000 her role as Director was expanded to include Behavioral Health Services. Meg is an Adjunct Professor in the Schools of Social Work at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, where she teaches graduate courses in human services administration. Both her undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Social Work, for which she attributes her passion for serving individuals in need, and her desire to improve the way we as a society care for those less fortunate.

Ted Hakala
Vice President, Program Services

Ted Hakala is a vice president of program services 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, Program Services

Ron Hauser is a vice president of program services 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.

Kari Humphrey
Vice President, Human Capital

Kari Humphrey is the vice president of human capital for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.  She began her role with LSS in 2009.  Kari is responsible for overall Human Capital processes and programs, which build on the commitment of LSS employees.  Kari has spent over 13 years in the Human Resources field; including both non-profit and corporate organizations.  She earned her undergraduate in business from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MBA from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Denise Pilz
Vice President, Performance & Quality Improvement

Denise Pilz is the vice president of performance & quality improvement (PQI) at LSS. Denise joined the agency in 2005 as the director of foster care services in partnership with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, and transitioned in 2007 to a regional director position overseeing shelter, group foster care and refugee resettlement programs. Denise grew up in the Milwaukee area and obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master of Social Work Degree at the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. Denise has over 18 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, community mental health services and quality improvement. She is a certified Quality Service Review specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Division of Quality Assurance who is responsible for providing independent reviews of child welfare practices across all 72 counties of the state.

Robin Pitts
Executive Support Manager

Robin Pitts is the executive support manager for Lutheran Social Services (LSS).  In her role, she is directly responsible for supporting the needs of the President/CEO and COO.  She also manages the support needs of the board of directors, corporate office and senior leadership.  Robin serves as a member of the senior management team at LSS.  Prior to this role, Robin supervised the Intake Unit in the First Choice for Children foster care program of LSS in Milwaukee County.  Robin started with the agency in 2001.  Robin received secondary education from Alverno College and Concordia University-Milwaukee, studying Business and Management and Management of Criminal Justice with aspirations to practice law after graduating.  She is also a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals, American Society for Administrative Professionals and Meeting Professionals International.

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.