Productive Alternatives Staff
Steve Skauge
President
Steve is responsible for overall operations of the agency, and works directly with the Board of Directors to guide the organization. “I enjoy working in a mission-based agency with dedicated, high-quality staff.” Steve also serves on the Board of Directors for MOHR (Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation).
When not working at Productive Alternatives, Steve enjoys hunting, fishing, sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.
Denise DeMartelaere
Director of Financial Services
Denise is responsible for recording Productive Alternatives’ financial information and preparing reports for managers, vendors, and auditors. She enjoys working with “the wonderful people in the admin department” and meeting the many people served by this agency.
Denise likes to go camping at Minnesota’s many state parks, and in other states, too. She also enjoys snowmobiling and attending sporting events in the area.
Lynette Holtberg
Quality Services Director
Lynette started at Productive Alternatives in 1989 and has held five positions over the years. In her current position, Lynette oversees licensing and accreditation compliance, administers the workers compensation program, and supervises the Adult Day and Staff Development Coordinators. Her favorite aspect of working at Productive Alternatives? “I love the variety of tasks I get to do – nothing is routine.”
Lynette lives in a 120-year-old house and is an avid “DIY-er”. That spilled over into antique restoration, and she’s always looking for a project in need of rescuing.
Heather Meyer
Perham Day Program Manager
Heather plans, coordinates, and oversees client programming. She writes programs based on what the client wants and needs. “What I like best about this job is helping our individuals achieve their goals and happiness.”
Heather loves to be outdoors, gardening, camping, spending time with family and friends, and scrap-booking.
Daryn Toso
Director of Transportation Services
Managing a bus service that moves the public as well as Productive Alternatives’ clients around a huge area of west central Minnesota is a major task, but Daryn makes it look (almost) easy. His favorite part of the job? “Great coworkers, and being able to get involved at the state level with the Minnesota Public Transit Association Board of Directors.”
When not at work, Daryn enjoys sports, relaxing on the pontoon, fishing, deer hunting, traveling, spending time with family and especially his grandson.
Julie Ouren
Adult Day Coordinator
Julie has a very hectic and interesting role at Adult Day Alternatives, juggling many hats as she provides direct care, plans activities, and supervises other staff. There’s a common theme among Productive Alternatives’ staff, when asked what they like most about their jobs. Julie’s answer: “the folks I work with and the fun we have at Adult Day!”
After work, Julie loves outdoor stuff, such as horses, sleigh riding, and camping.
Hannah Frederick
Director of Perham 180
Hannah started here in 2009, and one of the main roles of her job is to create, facilitate, and conduct department-specific training and general corporate-wide training. She really enjoys getting to meet everyone that works at Productive Alternatives, Inc.
When not at work, Hannah enjoys watching her girls’ athletic teams, traveling, reading, quilting, and fitness.
Kevin Larson
Brainerd Branch Manager
Kevin has been with Productive Alternatives since 1997, and handles the day to day management of the Brainerd office and business operations. “I enjoy the diversity of our agency in that we can go after just about anything if it fits within our mission. I’ve met some really great people in this business and I love seeing our consumers grow and succeed.”
Kevin has played in rock and roll bands most of his life, and still finds time to record songs and occasionally plays with friends. He also plays competitive pool, and loves to be outdoors, hiking and hunting and staying physically fit.
Kristie Heisler
Moorhead Branch Manager
Kristie oversees daily operations of the Moorhead office, which includes department programming, job sites, placement, and supported employment. Kristie is passionate about helping individuals improve their quality of life by finding them meaningful employment.
Kristie is a Mom to three active boys, and enjoys watching them in all their activities.
Karla Harworth
DAC Program Manager
I was hired December 2014. My current job title is Program Director. I share this responsibility with Mary Knutson. We do so many different things in this job it is difficult to pinpoint one. Managing staff, paperwork, communication and coordination with outside agencies, communicating with and advocating for the people we serve, etc, etc. The variety, no day is the same. My personal interests are gardening, walking outside, reading, spending time with family and friends, exploring, ancestry, my pets (1 cat and 1 dog), and shopping mostly at second hand stores.
Sue Korkowski
Alexandria Day Services Manager
Sue oversees the day to day operations at the Alexandria Opportunities Center site, where she has worked since 2000. She loves the variety of the day, and the structure of helping staff help the people we support here. Sue is excited to see what opportunities arise, and what the future brings for everyone!
Sue loves to relax by reading, fishing, doing cross stitch projects, and spending time with her husband, Joe, and their three grown daughters and their families. She is also a huge fan of the MN Wild and Twins!
320-762-1146 (fax)
Beth Nelson
Site Treatment Director, CSU
Beth oversees the day to day operations of CSU, including programming, staff, building, supplies, budget, etc. The best part of her job is the collaboration within our communities, and watching miracles happen every day.
“I love to be by one of our beautiful lakes fishing and relaxing with friends and family.”
Chelci Gira
Director of Program Integration
Chelci is responsible for implementing data collection programs, IT services coordinator and variety of other things throughout the agency. Outside of work, Chelci is often attending her children’s activities, or those of the many foster children that have spent time in her family home over the years. You can find her reading, working on one of the variety of hobbies she enjoys or on a motorcycle ride with her husband, when time allows.
Mike Burke
Director of Operations
Mike is responsible for all Day Training and Habilitation Services throughout the agency. He also manages all the production business for Productive Alternatives. Mike is the Past President and currently serves on the Board of Directors for MOHR (Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation) “I love the fact that Productive Alternatives, Inc. is diversified with the services we provide. Our mission is serving everyone that needs our help.“
Outside of work Mike enjoys spending lake time with his family, golfing, and sporting events.
Donate
Productive Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Donations made, where a return of goods or services are not provided, are tax deductible.