Meet our Staff!
Brett Knutson, MS, LPC
President & CEO
Brett is one of the founders of Driftless Recovery, Inc. Brett holds a dual license, allowing him to work with both substance use disorders and mental health issues. Brett consults on many inter-agency task forces, coalitions, and panels and spends time in many area schools helping to promote the mental health of young people. He was nominated and appointed to the Hazelden Betty Ford National Youth Advisory Council for his ongoing work with youth addiction treatment.
Brett is passionate about working with young people and helping them develop into healthy adults. He utilizes strengths-based and solution-oriented treatment to help young people navigate adolescence. Brett also works with many local and regional athletes in performance mental health training. He promotes the use of sports as a way to keep young people active and help guide them through the difficult developmental transition of adolescence.
Outside of Driftless, Brett is a football coach in Caledonia, MN, and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
Austin Reinhart - Co-Founder
Austin is one of the founders of Driftless Recovery, Inc. With a passion for the La Crosse community, Austin serves on boards and coalitions in the Coulee Region and often shares his experience, strength, and hope at local speaking engagements.
Austin enjoys spending his free time with his family. Austin is a person in long-term recovery.
Martha Wilms - Office Manager
Martha graduated from Viterbo University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Substance Abuse Counseling. She joined the Driftless team in March of 2016. Martha brings her strong organizational management skills to Driftless, making sure the front-end day-to-day operations run smoothly.
Outside of work, Martha enjoys spending her time with her fur babies. She also enjoys hiking, biking, spending time in her garden and being on the river.
Ryan Frank, MS, LPC-IT, SAC-IT
Ryan is a dual-licensed therapist in training who completed his undergrad and masters degrees from Viterbo University. Ryan has facilitated our evening Structured Outpatient Program, Relapse Prevention Program, Dual Diagnosis Program, conducts AODA and mental health assessments, and meets with clients individually. Ryan is also our staff assigned to the La Crosse County Drug Treatment Court.
Ryan developed a very close relationship with us at Driftless Recovery Services while he was an intern in 2015 and he is eager to utilize his skills to make a positive influence in our community. In his spare time Ryan loves to watch his nieces and nephew play sports, play with his dog Dewey, longboard, hunt, fish, and cheer on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.
BethAnn Reas, M.A., LPC
BethAnn graduated from the University of San Diego with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health. With her family in Wisconsin, she moved back home to continue her career. BethAnn has training in Trauma Therapy, Women's Health, and Substance Use Disorders. She has experience working with teens, families, and adults and is passionated about working with underserved communities to bridge the gap that exist within mental health services. BethAnn believes in the importance of holistic wellness; caring for you mind, body, and spirit. She created and currently facilitates the Women's Mental Wellness group.
Outside of Driftless, BethAnn enjoys yoga, reading, and spending summer weekends on the lake with her family. She frequents crystal shops and loves DIY projects. At home, she has three lively cats and a dog who keep her busy.
Dr. Tom Trannel, M.D.
Dr. Trannel is board certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and has worked in many different treatment settings in the local area over the past 25 years. His clinical interests include community care and team-based treatment. He has provided consultation to the staff at DRS for the past several years.
Outside of work, developing his faith, spending time with family, and an avid interest in sports keep him busy.
Sarah Novinska, SAC-IT
Sarah is a Masters level intern for Driftless Recovery Services. She is currently finishing her master's degree in clinical mental health with an emphasis in substance abuse counseling at Winona State University. With a love for the La Crosse community, Sarah looks forward to getting more involved with community organizations to help make our community an even better place to live. She works with adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Sarah currently facilitates Relapse Prevention and Teen Group.
Outside of Driftless, Sarah is kept busy raising her two young children. She is an animal lover, with 4 cats and 3 dogs. Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors and has recently started gardening.
Kayla Fausti, LPC-IT
Kayla graduated from Viterbo University with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Addiction Studies in 2019 and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at Viterbo University in Counselor Education.
Kayla has training in Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and substance use disorders. Kayla has a passion for helping individuals create a meaningful life in recovery that works for them. Kayla currently facilitates our 10-week Structured Outpatient programming for those in early recovery. She also facilitates our Dual Diagnosis group for individuals wanting to address relapse prevention and mental health skills. Kayla also enjoys working with victims of domestic violence, those that have experienced trauma, and individuals struggling with grief and loss, to help create a path of healing and empowerment.
Outside of Driftless, Kayla enjoys being a mom, reading, traveling, and spending time with her handsome and sassy Siberian Husky, Ezra.
Todd Hoffe, CSAC
Todd is a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor and Clinical Supervisor. From operating his own agency, Hoffe Counseling, for 20 years before selling to a non-profit, to volunteering in his church community, or helping out at any number of local high schools, Todd is constantly trying to help people discover the best version of themselves.
Outside of Driftless, Todd is the family guy we all aspire to be. Spending time with his family in the outdoors was always his #1 favorite, then he became a Grandpa, his greatest joy in life.
Brent Bentzen - Housing Operations
Ryan Bilskemper - Housing Operations
Jake Lorenz - Housing Operations
Harper Rees - Social Media
Drifty, P.S. (Professional Snuggler)
Drifty joined our team in January 2020. Rescued from the humane society, he loves greeting each client at the door and providing you with warm snuggles when needed most. He is playful and loves being a part of the team here at Driftless.
In his free time, Drifty enjoys snacking between meals, playing with his toys and clients, watching pigeons fly by the windows, and napping.
