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MEET OUR STAFF


Kenneth M Huey, Ph.D
CEO & Founder

After completing his BA in English, Ken Huey received a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Florida State University. He then earned his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University. Dr. Huey has been working with troubled youth for 13 years. He started his career in the helping professions as a therapist in community mental health. He then spent time in a private practice focusing on family preservation/in-home therapy. As part of that practice he also worked on custody evaluations and provided expert witness testimony for courts in Indiana. Dr. Huey moved to Utah and began work with troubled youth in a residential treatment setting. He joined Provo Canyon School at the beginning of 2003 and was named as their Director of Business Development in June of 2004. He left Provo Canyon in July of 2005 and joined West Ridge Academy as their Director of Clinical Services. In November of 2006, Dr. Huey launched CALO (Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks). Dr. Huey has presented at conferences around the country on issues of parenting, couples communication, and residential care. He and his wife, Jo, live in remote Linn Creek, Missouri with their 6 children. Prior to the Huey family arriving in Linn Creek, the population was 280. The Huey family increased the Linn Creek population by 3% (288). Chiggers and ticks are their only neighbors.

Landon Kirk, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Director/ Chief Operations Officer

Landon is originally from Jacksonville, Florida although he has also lived in Kansas, Idaho, Minnesota, and Utah.  Since he was a youth Landon has always wanted to be involved in positively changing the lives of others.  Prior to graduating with his Master of Social Work degree, Landon had already spent years working with at risk populations including children, adolescents, young adults, families and the mentally ill in settings such as transitional living, community mental health centers, residential treatment, court-ordered programs, outpatient, and so forth. 

After graduate school Landon was hired as a full-time therapist in Logan, Utah.  Landon provided individual, family, and group therapy and supervised the agency’s therapy and addiction groups.  Landon also worked extensively with birth parents struggling with the option to marry, single-parent, or place their child for adoption and provided counseling and resources to help them make their important decision.  An adoptive parent himself, Landon also spent much of his therapeutic efforts counseling, approving, and placing prospective adoptive families with children.  Landon feels very close to many adoptive parents and the shared issues of infertility, longing to have children, and post-adoption issues.  In December of 2005, Landon joined West Ridge Academy as a full-time therapist.  In July of 2006, Landon was promoted as the Campus Administrator of West Ridge Academy; supervising, coaching, and training 35 residential staff on how to mentor and engage male and female students in treatment.  Landon was hired as Clinical Director and Chief Operations Officer of Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks (CALO) in January of 2007.  Landon joins CALO with over eight years of working with adolescents and their families.

Not one to be intimidated by Florida or Missouri humidity and heat, Landon enjoys many sports and outdoor recreation including football, basketball, and golf as well as camping, hiking, and fly-fishing.  Top on his list of interests is spending time with his wife Jill and his son Tanner.  The Kirk’s reside in Osage Beach, Missouri

Nicole Fuglsang, M.A., N.C.C., L.P.C.
Admissions Director

Nicole has worked for over 13 years with the adolescents and their families as a youth leader, therapist and admissions director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary. Her graduate focus was in child, adolescent, and family psychotherapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia a Nationally Certified Counselor and is currently working through the reciprocity process in the state of Missouri for state licensure. Nicole's clinical experience includes work in community and crisis counseling centers, national youth service and ministry organizations, long-term residential treatment programs, and short-term behavioral health care facilities. In these environments she has provided a broad range of mental health and general support services including individual, group, and family psychotherapy, clinical assessments, treatment planning, case management, and referral services. Her areas of clinical expertise include facilitation of adolescent behavioral interventions, treatment of mood and motivational difficulties resulting from acute low self-esteem, eating disorder treatment and prevention, and family crisis management. Nicole is a member of the American Counseling Association as well as the American Association of Christian Counselors. As a trained and experienced clinician, she provides a depth of expertise to inquiring families and referral sources not often found in admissions departments. Nicole was employed at Hidden Lake Academy and Ridge Creek for over seven year prior to being hired by CALO (Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks) in January of 2007. Nicole and her husband Matt, CALO’s Academic Director, live in Osage Beach, Missouri with their two children, Jacob & Abigail.

Wayne Juliano, M.A., Ed.S.
Academic Director

Wayne is originally from Sewell, New Jersey. However, since he moved to Missouri with his family at age 10, he has lost all traces of his East Coast accent. Wayne, his two older brothers, and his younger sister enjoyed their rural setting surrounded by cows, goats, pigs, and chickens. This helped to foster a deep love and respect for the outdoors which continues even to this day. After graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1991, Wayne taught in several schools all across Missouri. From inner city St. Louis to rural portions of Missouri, Wayne always appreciated and cherished his strong rapport with students no matter what their background. Having a double major in science and social studies allowed Wayne to teach in an across the curriculum style which students appreciated.

After 16 years of being a teacher and a principal in the public schools, Wayne, his wife, and there four children eventually found their way back to the same small town where Wayne grew up. Currently they live in Iberia, Missouri on a small farm. This proximity to Lake of the Ozarks allowed Wayne to find CALO. After tutoring only a few days at CALO, Wayne realized he had found what he had always been looking for-an opportunity to be both an administrator and a teacher at the same time. It is that love of teaching, of being close and connected to student learning, that brings Wayne such intense personal and professional satisfaction. Wayne has wide and varied interests including chess, classical guitar, motorcycles, and log cabins. Currently he is building a log cabin on the family farm using only traditional handtools. His wife Cassandra, and their four children Falaena, Fabien, Falen, and Finn have all worked on the cabin and support Wayne towards his goal.

Wayne’s ultimate goal at CALO is to create an academic program that gives his students a foundation and understanding of the larger world. This foundation, coupled with traditional therapy, canine therapy, and recreational therapy, will empower them to go forward to lead happy and successful lives.

Rob Gent, M.A., P.L.P.C.
Therapist

Originally from San Clemente, California Rob headed south to San Diego where he graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication.  He then headed to the Midwest where he graduated with honors from Webster University with a Master of Arts in Counseling.  Rob has had a passion for working with youth since he was in college.  He feels extremely privileged to be able to participate in the emotional and behavioral growth of adolescents and their families.  This passion led Rob to complete all of his practicum units at a child advocacy center where he became intimately experienced with the therapeutic healing and growth of children and their families faced with varies types of trauma and abuse.  This invaluable experience motivated Rob to work in private practice where he specialized in testing, assessment, group therapy with adolescents in a school setting, and individual therapy.  Being a part of CALO has allowed Rob to utilize his education, experience, and passion in a therapeutic environment focused on providing the highest quality of treatment.  Rob lives in Osage Beach with his wife Katy and their son Bailey.

Christy Jones, Psy.D
Therapist

Dr. Christy Jones is originally from Virginia however she came to CALO (Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks) by way of Georgia, where she has lived for the past 2 ½ years.  Dr. Jones worked as an Associate Director of Counseling at a well respected therapeutic boarding school prior to joining CALO’s Clinical team. As an Associate Director of Counseling, Dr. Jones supervised eight masters level therapists,  facilitated parent workshops, was the lead therapist for all post-graduate students and provided group, individual and family therapy for students in the program.  She reviewed student’s psychological reports and assisted in the development of treatment plans.  Dr. Jones also facilitated treatment team meetings to discuss struggling students, regularly evaluated counseling staff skills and training needs, traveled to job related conferences and met with referral sources. During her last few months at Hidden Lake Academy she transitioned to the Director of Admissions position where she supervised and facilitated the acceptance and enrollment process for students and their families. 

Dr. Jones received her undergraduate degree from Christopher Newport University in Early Childhood Psychology.  After completing her Bachelor degree she continued her education, receiving her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Regent University.  For three years during her doctoral training she worked with children, adolescents and adults in individual and family sessions. Dr. Jones moved to Bakersfield, California for a year where she completed her doctoral internship.  Her clinical internship focused on the forensic population and she worked with adjudicated adolescents at Kern County Crossroads Facility.  She also performed Competency to Stand Trial evaluations and worked with probationed adult sexual offenders for Kern County Mental Health.  At both facilities she performed intake and full psychological assessments, developed and implemented treatment plans, and facilitated individual and group therapy sessions.  Dr. Jones currently lives in Osage Beach with her 3 pets, Lulu, Rascal and Lola.

Kim Kucsik, L.C.S.W.

Therapist

Kim graduated in 1992 from the University of South Dakota with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Social Work with a minor in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies.  She graduated from Arizona State University in 1995 with a Master of Social Work.  She is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.  She has over 15 years experience working with children, adolescents and their families.   Kim’s experience includes work in many mental health settings.  These include a college HELP center, elementary school, Level 1 Trauma Center, two residential treatment centers for adolescents, and two outpatient mental health centers.  She has also worked as an Adoption Caseworker and did home-based therapy with children and adolescents and their families.  Her experience in adolescent residential treatment includes 5 years as a coach/behavioral health specialist.  She has provided a wide variety of services, including assessment, crisis intervention, individual, family, group, marriage and employee assistance counseling.  She has lived in Missouri for over 10 years.  She has been employed as a therapist for the past 12 years, aside from taking two years off to be a stay-at-home Mom.  She and her husband, Robert, live in Four Seasons, MO with their two children, Ethan and Ella.  

Amanda Byler, M.A., P.L.P.C.
Therapist

Amanda graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. She began working with children and families in residential treatment facilities and private practice in Kansas City, Missouri and domestic violence shelters in Maryville, Missouri. In these environments she provided counseling, case management and crisis intervention services. Amanda graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling and Guidance. During her graduate studies, Amanda conducted an exploration of Western Europe. Backpacking through Ireland, Scotland, England, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Greece, Amanda experienced endless cultural diversity. This voyage would prove to be the backbone of her passion to incorporate multicultural awareness and sensitivity into therapeutic interactions. Amanda has a rich history of working with culturally diverse populations and is a member of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, the American Counseling Association, and the Missouri Mental Health Counselors Association. Upon returning to the United States, Amanda continued her work with children, adolescents and families in community mental health centers in Kansas City, Missouri where she provided diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, case management, and individual, group, and family counseling. Amanda’s interests include spelunking, hiking, camping, kayaking and racquetball. She currently resides in Four Seasons, Missouri with her loyal goldfish, Brutus.
 

Caleb Cottle
Residential Coach Supervisor & Recreation Therapist

Caleb has been working with adolescents and their families in a recreational setting since 2003 when he worked as a lead guide at Red Cliff Ascent wilderness program in southern Utah.  His educational pursuits brought him out of the wilderness and into the residential setting where he worked for two years as a staff supervisor at Maple Lake Academy.  In 2006 Caleb became a licensed Recreational Therapist in the state of Utah with West Ridge Academy.  As a Recreational Therapist he lead monthly camping trips with boys and girls where they participated in camping, hiking, rock climbing, rafting and canyoneering.  In the summer of 2007 Caleb began working at CALO as Recreation Therapist and Residential Coaching Supervisor.  Caleb and his wife Raylene have one daughter, 21 month old Skyla. They are currently expecting their second child in April 2008.

 

Russell See
Lead Residential Coach

Russell moved to the lake area from Des Moines, IA, where he spent two years working with youth as a staff member at Boy Scout Camp Mitigwa. While there, he facilitated high and low adventure ropes course, and assisted in the aquatics program. Russell has always been very involved in athletics, and is currently enrolled in Moberly Community College.  He is working toward a degree in education with a focus on health/physical education. Russell found great team building and learning opportunities while participating in physical education activities and athletics.  He hopes he can provide adolescents with the same skills and opportunities he experienced. Russell is a very hard working, family oriented individual. He is very dedicated to assisting in the treatment and developing relationships with the students at CALO. His patience, compassion and understanding help him to accept, walk with, and guide the students along a path to healthy, successful lives.

 

Shellie Gavette
Lead Residential Coach

Shellie Gavette is a mother of two beautiful children, Jimmie (6), and Paige (2).  Ms. Gavette is a local resident of Missouri.  She grew up in the lake area, and attended Eldon High School in Eldon, Missouri.  After high school, Ms. Gavette pursued a degree in Business Administration from State Fair Community College.  Shellie graduated in May 2000 with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration, which opened up a whole world of opportunities for her.  She accepted a job working for the State of Missouri.  Working for the State provided many challenges and lots of diversity for her.  She did a variety of different jobs while working there.  Crime Victims' Compensation was the one she enjoyed the most.  She loves to help others, and that is exactly what she did while she worked at Crime Victims'.  In fact, this job helped her develop the passion to support other people with compassion and understanding.  Shellie was drawn to CALO because of this passion, a compassion for other people, and a willingness to help where she can.  These are the qualities that make her unique.

 

Jordan Vincent
Lead Residential Coach

Jordan Vincent was born in Jefferson City, Missouri and spent his school years in Lake Ozark, Missouri.  He attended School of the Osage from Kindergarten through graduation in 2003.  Jordan then moved to Nashville, Tennessee to earn his certificate in Audio Engineering.  After graduating from SAE Institute of Technology he moved back to the lake and started working with the youth group at Christ’s Church while interning with Kikstart Records.  Jordan, with his patience and devotion to today’s youth, looks forward to helping the students at CALO lead lives of purpose.

 

 

Coty Hays

Lead Residential Coach

Coty was born here in Missouri, in the small town of Bolivar. He grew up there, attended school, and was always active in sports, such as basketball, football, and golf. In 2004, he moved to the lake area and he earned his diploma from Camdenton High School. Coty plans to attend Columbia College in the fall of 2008, and with so many ambitions, he will later decide what he will choose as a major. He is a residential coach during the evening shift and loves every minute of it, leaving every day knowing that he has helped in making a difference for the students here at CALO. And as a person who overcame many obstacles as a teen, he takes pride in knowing he is a part of helping these teens overcome their obstacles and leaving their future wide open for great possibilities. Coty is active in his community, including in the Camdenton schools where his daughter just recently began attending, and loves being able to lend a hand wherever he can. He currently lives in Camdenton with his wife, Ashley, and their two children Alyssa and Cayson.

 

Michael Paynter
Residential Coach

Mike was born in the country of Taiwan and was adopted from an orphanage in Taipei when he was 2 yrs old.  Mike has lived in Missouri almost his entire life and is humble for everything that he has received.  Mike will graduate from Lincoln University of Missouri with his B.A in Physical Education / Health with his lifelong intentions to help make a difference in the lives of children at many age levels.  Since the age of 10, Mike has worked in many organized youth programs.  A lot of the programs pertain to sports participation and collective youth care.  Mike is currently a residential coach with CALO and works directly with students to provide the utmost care and attention that each child may need.  He hopes to use his experiences and knowledge to help create change and relate here with the students at CALO so that they may use these experiences to help build healthy relationships. 

Jose Santiago
Residential Coach

Jose, primarily a Day Shift coach, was born in the lovely island of Puerto Rico but brought up by his wonderful mother to live in the United States where he attended school and is currently residing.  Having some understanding of the complexities that torment our youth, Jose is able to help mentor and coach students through their struggles.  Jose has a deep love for his wife and children and shares his love and compassion with the students at CALO.  Instilling healthy social and emotional characteristics in the youth is the most satisfying part of the job to Jose.  He believes such social and emotional traits are essential in living a successful life.

 

Bryan Weaverling
Residential Coach

Bryan has worked with teenagers in a treatment facility for over three years. Prior to CALO Bryan worked for a company called St. Francis Center in Salina Ks. Due to financial reasons this facility was closed in 2006. Bryan relocated to Lake Ozark, Missouri, with his wife and son after that time. Bryan was happy to find out about CALO and joined the CALO team in 2007. Working with teenagers is Bryan’s passion and it is what he believes he does best. Bryan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He spends his free time fishing, hunting, and taking boat rides on the lake. 

Joe Gregory
Residential Coach/Regroup Coordinator

Joe is a father of two young children and a part time police officer. Joe grew up in Central Missouri on a farm where he raised cattle. After high school Joe attended Drury University of Rolla Missouri where he studied in the field of Criminal Justice. He later joined the Missouri Sheriff’s Training Academy where he graduated in the summer of 2001 with a Missouri Class B Peace Officer Certification. During his seven years as a full time police officer, Joe was involved in teaching DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) as well as working with school resource officers and public relations within local school districts. Joe found that his efforts and training would be better spent preventing people from making poor choices early in life rather than enforcing consequences which are too often too late. Shortly after joining us, Joe decided to sell the farm where he lived and relocate closer in order fully pursue a career here at CALO.

Mike Sinclair
Residential Coach

Mike was raised in the Mid-Missouri area. He is a graduate of Morgan County R2 High School as a part of the class of 1999. After graduating high school, he had the pleasurable opportunity to work in training as a Telecommunications Technician for the family of companies of Four Seasons Group, Inc. He worked there full time for eight and one-half years prior to joining the CALO team. He lives with his wife Christina and has a daughter, Autumn Marie. Fun facts about Mike include his love for expressing himself in writing, enjoying learning or teaching opportunities, studying the spiritual aspect of life, and reading. In the past, he has taught Sunday school to preteens and preached at a local church. He chose CALO due to his love for working with teens, and his desire to be part of bringing hope into the lives of CALO students and families.

Jeff Jordan
Residential Coach

Jeff works both day and evening shifts.  He loves to work with kids and help them to be empowered to work through their struggles. He graduated from Ozark Christian College with a B.S. in Biblical Literature and Pastoral Ministry. He has worked with teens for more than 30 years through the church, in youth camps, on Bible college campuses, in children's homes, school as substitute teacher, score board operator, and as a track coach, as well as raising three children of his own.  His interests include: his grandchildren, guitar playing, building/repair, watching track, Indy and F1 racing. Jeff wants our students to have the opportunity to live a healthy life filled with solid and loving relationships. Jeff also coordinates CALO spiritual activities and visiting pastors/clergy. 

Cathy “Cat” Popp

Residential Coach

Cat Popp is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She grew up in a very small town (Crockett, CA) and attended the same high school her mother and maternal grandmother attended. Cat is the youngest of four children raised by her parent's Janet & Gaylord Brock. Cat has always had a strong since of family and commitment to her family and friends which she credit's to her Italian heritage. After high school graduation, Cat volunteered to coach girls softball and volleyball at the junior high she had attended. Cat has always enjoyed working with kids over the years. She was also a nanny for several years in the Bay Area. Cat and her husband Peter moved from the Bay Area to Tucson, Arizona in July of 1995. While there, Cat was a department manager for the Home Depot and was in charge of running the monthly "Kids Workshop". This is a program where parent's can bring their children into the Home Depot and work side by side with their children teaching them how to use hand tools while building a small project together. This is such a great way for a parent and child to bond while working together. In August of 2001 Cat & Peter moved to Lake Ozark, Missouri. Cat again worked for the Home Depot in Osage Beach, Missouri where she again volunteered to be in charge of the Kid's Workshop. Cat has always enjoyed working with kids and saw CALO as a way to impact the lives of teens in a positive way. Cat has two rottwieler's - Rocky and Betty, and two pugs - Morgan and Mississippi. Cat enjoys motorcycling, cooking, reading and watching football and NHRA drag racing.

Marla Gilbert
Residential Coach

Marla is the mother of two wonderful boys, Sheldon and Quinton. She is originally from the beautiful mountain state of Colorado and lived there until 2007 when she moved to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Marla has past experience in management, and also worked as a job coach for physical and mentally disabled adults. She enjoys spending time with her family, and walking the trails around the lake area. She also enjoys reading, crafts, and home decorating. Marla loves her job at CALO because it is rewarding and gives her an opportunity to help youth. This desire stems from a personal experience and tragedy.
 

Meghan Crawford
Residential Coach

Meghan Crawford was born and raised in Lake of the Ozarks with her three sisters by her mom and dad. She is married and has a puppy named Jace. She enjoys swimming, boating, wakeboarding, and all that summer has to offer. She went to high school at School of the Osage and later attended Columbia College receiving her Associate of Arts Degree in general studies in May 2007. She is currently exploring her talents and seeing what Bachelors Degree program she would like to go into. She knows she wants to help others in a major way. When she was four years old she began attending church at HBBC which has been a solid rock for her all through her life. Her relationships with her church family really helped to mold her into the person she is today along with great family and friends. Her passion to work along side youth came when she went on her first mission trip to an Indian reservation in Fort Washakie, WY. Seeing the positive difference you can make in the lives of youth when you truly care for them and work towards a solid relationship, changed her life. Since that first experience she has went on to experience more mission trips to various parts of the U.S. including Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. These experiences brought her strait to CALO’s doors with an open heart and mind. She is excited to be a part of CALO’s future.
 

Jennifer Panlilio, B.A.
Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Panlilio was born in Washington D.C. to Steven and Karen Woodward. They moved to Hawaii when Jennifer was 3 years old and this is where Jennifer grew up. After high school in 2000, Jennifer enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a combat medic. She also attended Leeward community college in Pearl City, Hawaii, where she attained her Associate degree in liberal arts in 2004. Also in 2004 Jennifer’s Guard unit was activated to go to Iraq. She trained for almost 6 months as lead medic to be prepared for Iraq. Unfortunately, Jennifer was injured during training and was honorably discharged from the Army. When she returned home from training she enrolled into Hawaii Pacific University where she furthered her education in the field of Psychology. In 2006 Jennifer moved to Missouri to be with her husband RJ. She has a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Columbia College.
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Mark Davenport
Culinary Specialist

 

Mark Davenport came to CALO in June of 2007 to work as a residential coach. Shortly after coming on board, Mark’s skills as a cook became known. Mark was moved to full time Culinary Specialist and has been in that position ever since. Mark grew up in DeSoto, Missouri. After traveling around the country pursuing job opportunities, he moved to the lake in 2002. Mark worked at a water park and then a jewelry store. In between some of the various jobs Mark had he worked as a cook at some restaurants. He found a real joy in preparing well-balanced meals for customers. Still, he missed working at something that had more purpose to it. Mark found that purpose in CALO, where he is able to employ his skills at cooking but also create relationships with teens needing guidance.

Andrew Moore, B.S.
Teacher

Andrew Moore comes to CALO from Eldon, MO., where he spent 17 years as a Teacher / Coach with the Eldon R – 1 School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, Health, and History. He is also certified in the field of Adult Basic Education. Andrew obtained his degree from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., where he also played four years of college football and earned CMC Special Team Player of the Year his junior year and started at defensive end his senior year. Andrew loves kids and loves to use his instincts, experience, and abilities to help students elevate their self–esteem and to motivate them to believe in themselves – Motivation Nation! He also loves family, friends, camping, fishing, football, and all other sports.
 

 

 

David Higgins
Facilities Manager

David joined CALO as Facilities Manager in November of 2007. David was born in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia where he lived with his parents and three brothers and two sisters. He moved to Okeechobee, Florida with his aunt and grandmother when he was around ten years old. There he grew up on a farm raising and showing horses and chickens. David has always had a love for working with his hands. As a child David could always be found using tools to take apart or rebuild practically anything.

David graduated high school in 1982 and moved to California with his father. David moved back to Florida where he lived until 2006 when he moved to Missouri. While in Florida David was in law enforcement and received an Associates degree in criminal justice. He worked with the state of Florida for fifteen years until he retired. During that time he owned his own landscaping business and complete many building and remodeling projects. He has two wonderful daughters, Savannah and Chelsea.