Our Staff

staff

Rising Peak Academy takes great pride in the amazing and passionate team that we developed to ensure each facet of the program is driven by motivated and capable people in every position. The culture we have created is based on leadership, opportunities for growth and a support system for each employee. This provides each member a mission to accomplish both personal and professional goals throughout their career here and beyond. This is a campus of continuous learning and development as well as a whole lot of fun.

We were all teenagers once!

Administrative Team

Matt Brekke

Program Director

Matt has been a part of the treatment industry for the past 37 years while his family started, lived on and still operates Wilderness Treatment Center in Marion, MT. In 2013 he returned to Montana to run the operations at WTC after a 15 year career in Denver, CO having worked in multiple marketing and business leadership positions as well as his own consulting company. In 2018 the family opened Rising Peak Academy and have been helping young men since the first day the doors opened. When Matt isn’t chasing big rainbows with his fly rod he’s chasing the wind as an avid Kiteboarder.

Nancy Brekke

Chief Financial Officer

As co-founder of Wilderness Treatment Center and owner of Rising Peak Academy Nancy has had a lifetime of experience in the treatment industry. She and her late husband John have established a quality of care that is expected for each and every patient or resident that comes through both programs. Nancy not only works closely with all staff, but knows each patient very well and is committed to helping these young men on the road to recovery. Most of Nancy’s time is spent running after Riley, her new Labrador Retriever. After 37 years treating adolescents and young men from all over the world, Riley is the biggest challenge yet.

Clinical Team

Dr. Timothy Stutsman, MD

Medical Director

After growing up in the Flathead Valley, Dr. Stutzman received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif. He completed his residency at Family Medicine of Southwest Washington in Vancouver, Wash. Dr. Stutzman is board certified by the American Board of Family Practice and is a member of the Academy of Family Practice.

Mark Lyga – MAC, MSW

Clinical Director

Mark joins RPA coming from Wilderness Treatment Center where he worked since 1998. He began his career as a counselor and became the clinical director at WTC. He has a B.A. from State University of New York and an MSW from Syracuse. He is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and is a NAADAC certified Master Addiction Counselor. Mark hails from Upstate New York and moved to Montana to fulfill his love of the outdoors while pursuing his career in substance abuse treatment.

Jesse Gable, LCPC

Therapist

Jesse earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University (TCU) and a master’s degree in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has been a counselor in the field of recovery since 2009. He began his clinical experience at Gaston House Transitional Living in Dallas, TX where he learned the hope in recovery and the importance of true community. He then joined the counseling team at Wilderness Treatment Center (WTC) where he helped “the light come on” for young men moving from slaves of addiction to freedom in recovery. Prior to joining RPA, as the clinical director for Alpha 180, he developed programming for college-aged students in early recovery and guided them to learn that, through recovery, the whole world opens up to them. He is grateful to be back in Montana to work once again with young men seeking a new life. When not working, he enjoys all the outdoor activities that the Treasure State has to offer with his wife and young family.

David Nadel, LAC-E

Case Manager – Addiction Counselor (Eligible)

David grew up just outside of Boston in Brookline Massachusetts and pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a minor in Art History in New York. After graduating from college, he stepped right into working in the fashion and commercial photography world in New York City and San Francisco. I very quickly traded modern art museums for mountain tops and amazing dining out options for harvesting my own food from the land. During that time, he spent over seven years working for the Department of the Interior in Glacier National Park doing forestry work often working with youth groups from all backgrounds. From there David started applying his years of outdoor skills learned professionally and personally to working at different wilderness-based therapeutic boarding schools and truly embraced the work finding pride, pleasure, and purpose in it. All this has led him to a Licensed Addiction Counseling degree from Montana State University Graduate School and the pursuit of a dual license as a Master of Social Work.

Julie Kiewatt, LCPC

FireFly Equine Therapy – Therapist

Julie is an owner and lead therapist at Firefly Horse Co and Firefly Healing Arts. She’s had a private counseling practice for 10 years and is a Certified Equine Assisted Therapist through Human Equine Alliances for Learning (HEAL). Julie has a Bachelor’s Degree is in Education, specializing in Spanish. She also was near completion of a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Development when she decided to switch into the Psychology field. Her Master’s Degree is in Mental Health Counseling specializing in Alternative and Holistic Therapies and she is licensed therapist in the state of Montana. She has many additional certifications and specialties that are body and trauma focused including mindfulness-based therapies, meditation, tapping (EFT) and ThetaHealing (energy work). Julie includes movement and mindfulness into her practice and works with each client differently depending on their needs. Julie now focuses primarily on Natural Horsemanship, and the horse / human connection, and feels this can heal humans AND horses.

Vien Emery

Nurse, RN

Vien joined us in 2016 after moving to Montana in 2011. She attended Vermont Technical College where she received her LPN. She has most recently completed an RN Bachelors program from Montana State University. On top of helping out these young men each day, Vien manages a busy household with her husband Seth and kids Wylie, Mason, and Scout. When she is not checking symptoms she is out enjoying everything Montana has to offer in the outdoors.

Cooper

Chief Canine Therapist

Cooper has spent countless hours helping young men struggling to cope the emotions and realization they are in treatment or at a program. For the past 6 years he has been part of the daily grind at WTC and Rising Peak Academy. Originally from the plains outside of Denver, his mother was a top show dog and his dad was a hunter. Fortunately for the birds, he takes after his mother. Cooper loves the lake, rolling in dead things and eating horse ****. All it takes for a lifetime of friendship is one tennis ball.

Clinical Resources

Psychology/Testing

Dr. David Mahoney

David Mahoney, PhD is a licensed psychologist with over 35 years experience serving individuals and organizations through clinical, consulting, and professional coaching services which include individual, marital, and family therapy.

Psychiatrics/Medication

North Valley Behavioral Health

Our goal at North Valley Behavioral Health is to restore your mental health to an optimal level and to help alleviate any symptoms that may be affecting your quality of life, satisfaction and ability to function. Visit our Website for more information.

Academic Team

Damian Estrada,

Math Tutor

University of Montana
M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction (Broadfield Science and Math)

University California Santa Cruz
Bachelor of Science, Biology/ Environmental Studies

Libby Connor, MA Curriculum and Instruction

Academic Supervisor/Teacher

Ms. Connor comes to us from a decade in public education where her the majority of her years were spent working with at-risk youth. As a former intervention specialist she utilizes the Asset-Based Coaching Model and EXCEL Leadership pedagogy to guide the students of RPA. Libby grew up in Alaska and then attended the University of Oregon Honors College, where she coached youth basketball and nannied for children with special needs in the evenings. Upon graduation Libby was recruited by Teach for American to serve in Denver Public Schools while earning a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. Later, as Dean of Students and eventually Department Director for 1,000 students of poverty, Libby pursued training in Cognitive Coaching® and decided instead of attending law school to begin a Doctorate in Educational Administration to develop systemic leadership skills that empower struggling students to move forward. Now, she is thrilled to put her training and experience toward serving the boys and families of Rising Peak. While not on campus Libby can be found hanging out with her two lovable mutts!

M’Liss Heimbigner

Flathead Valley Tutor & Prep

Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science

Texas State University, Teaching Credential, K-12 PE

Simpson University, Teaching Endorsement, Health Education

M’Liss has been an academic tutor for 4 years and is a certified Physical Education/Health teacher. She is a lifelong learner and loves to take courses at FVCC and online to keep her skills up for her students and her 3 children! Teaching in classrooms for 6 years as a Substitute and full time Teacher, M’Liss brings a wealth of experience working with students of all ages in a wide variety of subjects. With a daughter in college, and 2 teenage sons at home, education is at the forefront of her daily life. It is out of her love for student success, instilling strong work ethic and encouraging students to make their dreams a reality that Flathead Valley Tutor & Prep was born!

Tessa Heck

Art/Mural Design
Pacific Northwest College of Art, MFA Visual Studies

University of Montana, Post Bac Art Therapy

Pacific Lutheran University, BFA Painting/Drawing

Heidi Keaster-Blaize

Spanish Tutor

University of Montana
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish and Anthropology, emphasis in Linguistics
Minor Latin America Studies, English as a Second Language Certificate

Montana State University
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Endorsement K-12 Spanish

Melissa (Missy) Jonson

Math Tutor

University of Northern Colorado
B.S. in Mathematics, Secondary Teaching Emphasis (7-12 grade)

University of Phoenix
Masters in Counseling (Secondary Education)

Rising Peak Academy Mathematics Tutor

Erica Lengacher

Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, ACT and HiSET test prep

Yale University, Masters in Public Health, Environmental Health Science

Montana State University, Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Brown University, Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies

Residential Team

Cliff Payne

Residential Manager

Cliff came to Rising Peak Academy in July 2017. Cliff brings more than 20 years experience working with struggling teens and an extensive past working in programs specifically helping adolescents. He has worked as a direct care staff, shift supervisor, administrator, as well as admissions. His role at Rising Peak Academy is to run the day to day operations and manage the support staff. He is always making our program and property shine. Cliff has raised four children of his own, three daughters and a son. When not at work, Cliff enjoys all that Montana has to offer.

Patrick Loven

Resident Supervisor

Patrick was raised in the cold winters of Northern Minnesota. He is a veteran of two military services and has a college background in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Biology, Criminal Justice, Green House Management and Pastoral studies. Patrick has filled many roles throughout his employment history including a Park Ranger, Forest Fire Fighter, Security, and Greenhouse Hydroponics. When Patrick isn’t pointing out the different beetles eating our trees he spends time with his three children and 3 grandchildren.

Oleg Petrov

Resident Supervisor

Oleg relocated to Montana all the way from Siberia – just a short 5000 miles from home. He is part of a local Russian community that has been thriving in the Flathead Valley for many years. He brings a wealth of past experiences to Rising Peak and a great sense of humor and Russian accent that our young men really enjoy impersonating.

Calvin Beringer

Resident Supervisor

Calvin has over 32 years of law enforcement and military experience. Mr. Beringer spent three years as an Army military policeman and several years as a deputy for the Flathead County Sheriff’s office. He then left for Washington state, where he managed a tire store, a security company and a private investigations group. In 1991, he went to the King County Sheriff Department and, for 10 years, held various positions including patrol deputy, master police officer, community policing team and numerous supervisory positions as a sergeant. Calvin returned to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department and worked there from 2012 to 2015 as patrol commander and, for a short time, managed the county’s 911 center. He has since retired from duty but brings a wealth of knowledge to our Resident Supervisor team.

Health & Wellness Team

Jeremy McKeen

Recreation Specialist

Jeremy started working in the field right out of high school as a wilderness instructor at Building Bridges Wilderness Program in Thompson Falls, MT. After spending some time with the young men at that program he transitioned to a year-round wilderness instructor at Wilderness Treatment Center. Jeremy then moved on to Summit Prep where he has worked as a Residential Counselor for the past 4 years. Jeremy splits time between Summit Prep and Rising Peak Academy as a recreation specialist. When Jeremy isn’t skiing, biking, fishing and rock climbing for work you can find him skiing, biking, fishing and rock climbing for fun. Jeremy has an A.S. Outdoor Recreation -Northwest College, WY.

Christen Rak, Mandala Yoga

Yoga

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Christen is as an avid horse woman at heart. Starting in 2000, Christen began her other life love of yoga with a deep personal practice in college. By 2007, she had found her yoga training home, 7 Centers for the Arts, the first yoga studio in Sedona, Arizona. To date, she has completed all of 7 Centers’ training’s, 200 hours in Hatha, 500 in Yoga Therapy, and 800 hours in Kundalini. Christen moved to Montana in the beginning of 2008 after her first yoga training. She was at first deeply involved with the equestrian side of things, working for Swan Mountain Outfitters and leading people on horseback through the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park. Christen owns Mandala Yoga, well known as the top studio in the Valley.

Caleb Knox

Recreation Specialist

Caleb was born and raised in the Flathead Valley, spending as much time outside and traveling as possible. Throughout his endeavors, from scouting to missions work overseas, he found a love for all things medical, joining this passion with his appreciation for the outdoors by taking specialized wilderness survival and first aid courses. Caleb is currently enrolled at Flathead Valley Community College where he completed an EMT course and is finishing his final class for the LPN program. When he isn’t throwing band-aids on insignificant cuts and scrapes, Caleb spends his time hiking, climbing, fishing, and skiing.

Culinary Team

Chelsea Lipscomb

Executive Chef

Chelsea has been working professionally in the service industry for 9 years starting in a local restaurant called Stella’s Coffee shop as a baker. She then continued to work in various restaurants including fine dining, Japanese fusion, ethic foods, and Sushi. Most recently Chelsea was the head chef at a new restaurant called Bonfire where she built multiple menus that were highly acclaimed in the area. This broad culinary background allows her to approach the meal options at Rising Peak with zero fear of switching it up and teaching the boys different cooking and nutrition approaches. Her interest in the hunter gathering and preservation of foods and lack of waste has come from her background as a descendant of the Flathead Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. The tribe had to learn how to cook based on the seasons and utilize available ingredients as well as how to preserve foods and make everything they needed from scratch. These principles of gratitude are a basis of each meal we prepare at Rising Peak. At home you can usually find Chelsea pursuing other creative avenues working on some sort of art project or ceramics. In addition to her culinary expertise she has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Montana State University, with an emphasis in ceramics, and oil painting.

Ashley Murphy

Cook/Catering Support

" My son has graduated from RPA now, but in his new recovery center they have commented on his leadership and character. I truly accredit this to RPA for fostering an environment in which the boys are allowed to thrive. " Sadia R

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Helping young men succeed for the rest of their lives. Schedule a conversation with one of our Professionals to begin the process of Recovery & Resilience.

Call us at 888-989-8550 or Request more info

Our Staff

We were all teenagers once!

Administrative Team

Clinical Team

Clinical Resources

Academic Team

Residential Team

Health & Wellness Team

Culinary Team

About Us

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