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

W. Paul Brinkman serves as executive vice president and chief advancement officer with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.  He also serves as the President of the LSS Foundation, Inc.  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 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, Operations

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.

Joyce Feaster
Vice President of Human Capital

Joyce Feaster has more than 20 years of increasingly responsible experience in the private, public and  non-profit sectors in a number of disciplines including business, finance, governance and human resources.  She joined LSS in January 2012 as the vice president of Human Capital of LSS.  In her role, Joyce contributes to LSS success through the application of human capital knowledge and expertise to our strategic business and human capital planning.  As a member of the senior management team, she plays a critical role in recommending human capital solutions in partnership with the LSS leadership team and for bringing value added human capital support to the agency.  Joyce, a Sr. Professional in Human Resources, earned both Masters and Bachelor's  degrees in business and management from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Staci Wellentin
Vice President of Administration

Staci Wellentin is the vice president of administration 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

Robin Pitts is the director of operations logistics for Lutheran Social Services (LSS) and started with the agency in 2001.  In her role, she is directly responsible for supporting the needs of the chief operating officer and agency operations.  Robin serves as a member of the senior management team at LSS.  Prior to this role, Robin was the executive support manager working with the President/CEO and also the intake supervisor in the LSS First Choice for Children foster care program.  Robin studied Business Management and Management of Criminal Justice at Alverno College and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

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.