Our staff is made up of highly skilled professionals with many years of experience. The majority of our professional level staff hold advanced degrees in addictions, counseling, divinity, psychology, social work, management and other disciplines. We have two doctoral level psychologists and a nurse who specialize in addictions and co-occurring disorders.

 

David J. Vennes, MPNA – Executive Director

David is a doctoral student in public administration at Hamline University School of Business and holds a Master’s Degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University. David's undergraduate studies include a Bachelor of Arts (individualized in addictions) from Metropolitan State University and Certificate in Chemical Dependency Family Treatment from St. Mary's Junior College. David has developed and restructured more than a dozen programs locally and nationally. David started his career with NuWay in 2006 as a Chemical Dependency Counselor, becoming the Clinical Director then Executive Director in 2008.

Niki Bohne, CPA - Finance Director

Niki has over 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Her positions have included management consulting services at a number of CPA firms, accounting software sales and implementation, and she has served as Director of Finance for a wide array of local organizations. Over the past 10 years, prior to accepting a position at NuWay, Niki was self-employed and provided CFO services to organizations not needing full-time staff in that capacity

Denise S. McAlpin, MA, LADC – Program Director

Denise has been in the chemical dependency field over two decades providing direct client care in both outpatient and residential settings. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a Training and Development concentration and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Augsburg College. Ms. McAlpin has been in management and program development for the last 15 years and co-founded the Opening Doors Youth Conference in Wisconsin.

Mary Jean Dunn, BS, LADC - Program Director

Mary Jean began working in the chemical dependency field more than twenty years ago as a counselor and has more than ten years of experience in program management and direction. Mary Jean has worked in diverse populations in numerous clinical settings. Mary Jean earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Leadership from Augsburg College.

Brian C. Loots, BS, LADC - Program Director

Brian has worked in the chemical dependency field with many diverse populations for over 10 years as an LADC, supervisor and administrator. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychological and Experiential Approaches to Behavior Change and Addiciton from the University of Minnesota.  He is currently finishing his Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University. Brian has also published articles in various addiction related magazines and is an active leader in the Minnesota addiction treatment community.

Paul Rockswold, MA, M Div, LAMFT, LADC

Paul has been in the helping professions for 15 years. He has had a wide range of professions within that helping field. Pastor, Chaplin, Marriage and Family Therapist, and now Chemical Dependency Counselor. Paul has been working at NuWay for a year and a half now, and feels his life has been truly blessed.

Anne Ferguson, BS, LADC

Anne obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Addiction Counseling at Metropolitan State University. Anne is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Psychotherapy from Adler Graduate School. She has a strong desire to help educate and empower those in the recovery process and understands first hand that going through the recovery process can be challenging and uncomfortable. Throughout her career, Anne has worked with diverse populations in various settings to promote recovery for clients with both chemical and mental health issues.

Laura L. Hiller, MA, LADC, LPC, BCC

Laura received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from St. Olaf College, and received her Master’s Degree in Addiction Studies from Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. She has worked in both primary and extended care and has a history of working with both men and women.

Tim Young, MA, LADC, BCC

Tim has multiple years of experience in the chemical dependency field. Tim has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies.

Katie L. Shaughnessy, MSW, LICSW

Katie has experience working with adults diagnosed with chronic mental illness and a history of chemical dependency. She has worked with men and women from various cultures and backgrounds. Ms. Shaughnessy received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin and her Masters of Social Work degree from Yeshive University in New York City. 

Daryl Holloway, MA, LADC, BCC

Daryl recieied her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas. She went on to earn Master of Arts in Addiction Studies from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Daryl has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with culturally diverse populations. Daryl is currently completing her LPCC licensure.

Will Bohnen, MA, LADC, BCC

Will received his Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management and received his Master's degree in Addiction Studies from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addictions Studies. Will has experience in primary, extended care, and outpatient settings with both men and women. Will is in the process of completing his LPCC licensure.

Gregg has a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas. He completed two years of training with the Twin Cities Gestalt Institute. With over twenty-five years of experience in the chemical dependency field in outpatient and inpatient settings with both adults and adolescents, he maintains a strong interest working with recovery issues. In addition to work as a psychotherapist, he is an adjunct faculty member at Metropolitan State University and teaches a course on chemical dependency. Current interests include studies in Integral Psychology and Zen practice at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center where he has been a member since 2006.

Dr. David Swarthout, Psy D, LICSW

David obtained his doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas. In addition to his private practice, he also works as a clinical supervisor of Emergency Behavioral Medicine at North Memorial Hospital. Dr. Swarthout has worked for nearly 30 years in chemical dependency and is also an adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota.