Vince Hillyer, ACSW, LCSW, BCD

President, Boys & Girls Town of Missouri

Vince Hillyer began working in the childcare field in 1985 as a counselor for Bernice Howe Shelter for Boys and Girls in Denver, Colo. He later held positions with Forest Heights Lodge Residential Center in Evergreen, Colo., and Child Advocates of California, where he developed and implemented treatment programs for troubled youths.

Hillyer started at Boys & Girls Town in 1993 as a social worker. He quickly rose to associate director of treatment and oversaw the implementation and management of the newly created Outreach Department that assists clients and their families in a home setting. In 1996, he was promoted to associate director/vice president of treatment services. In this new role, Hillyer was responsible for the coordination of services and programs on three campuses. Hillyer achieved the position of executive director in 1999. In 2006, the position was renamed "president" to better reflect the size and variety of services available through Boys & Girls Town.

Hillyer also has served as a foster parent. He was named 2006 Child Advocate of the Year by the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families.

Cindy L. Burks, MA, MSW, LCSW

Senior Vice President of Treatment & Utilization Management

Cindy Burks has dedicated her professional career to the betterment of children and their families. She has earned an in-depth understanding of the social service system, particularly in Missouri. She worked for the Missouri Division of Family Services (DFS) and the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) in the Kansas City area. Burks served many roles at DFS, including assistant Jackson County family services administrator and county director for Holt and Cooper counties. As a welfare reform coordinator with DCSE, she co-facilitated a work group that developed the Parents Fair Share program that assists non-custodial parents in becoming self-sufficient so that they can meet their child support obligations.

Burks earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) and master's degrees in political science and social work from University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC). After completing her graduate degree in social work, she served as adjunct professor at UMC, teaching advanced public policy, cultural diversity and social welfare policy.

Her extensive knowledge of the social welfare system garnered her participation on the Fragile Families Peer Learning College, sponsored by the National Center for Strategic Non-Profit Planning and Community Leadership of Washington, D.C. in 1998 and 1999. Her tireless work in the field of social work earned her the 1997 University of Missouri-Columbia School of Social Work Alumni Organization's Outstanding MSW Student of the Year.

Todd Martensen, MSW
Director of Woodland Spring Lodge

Todd Martensen began his professional career working with children and families in 1984 as a residential counselor at Four Oaks, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While at Four Oaks, he also served as a child care worker for emotionally disturbed boys and as a therapist and case manager in a comprehensive residential treatment program. He also served on the staff of Forest Heights Lodge, a residential program for emotionally disturbed boys.  Todd joined Boys &Girls Town of Missouri in 1997 as director of social services. In his 13-year commitment to Boys & Girls Town, Todd has also served as director of outreach services, where he managed all clinical and family therapy services, and as resident director, coordinating resident programming to meet children’s therapeutic, education, medical and recreational needs. For the past five years, Todd has been the cottage life activities director, where he has continued to fulfill his mission of helping children and families and providing for their physical and emotional needs. Todd holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa.

Pat Banton, M.Ed., LPC, LCSW
Account Executive-Woodland Spring Lodge/Admissions Information
(314) 705-1709
Pat.Banton@woodlandspring.org

Pat brings 20 years experience in mental health treatment services to Woodland Spring Lodge.  She holds a master’s of education in general counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  She has extensive experience in treating PTSD, substance related disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and psychotic disorders.  Pat began her work in the residential treatment field in 1982, working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and an administrator at Woodhaven Learning Center in Columbia, Missouri.  She completed graduate school in St. Louis and began working in hospital-based behavioral health programs.  In 1994 she established a private practice with clinical specialty in sexual trauma, domestic violence and relationship issues.  Pat has experience in family education, parenting skills training and serves as a guest lecturer for St. Louis area mental health agencies.

Clinical Staff

Michael R. Banton, M.D.
Psychiatrist

Dr. Banton is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry.  He brings 19 years of clinical experience in private practice, encompassing both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry in the private and public sector, as well as more than 10 years of residential experience.   In addition to clinical work he is an instructor in the department of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 

Bethany Horna, MS, PLPC
Therapist

Bethany Horna is the therapist in the girls’ cottage and has been with Woodland Spring Lodge for more than three years.  She earned her master’s of science in counseling from Missouri State University.  She enjoys working with teenagers because they provide fresh outlooks on life daily.  Hiking trips and outdoor activities are some of her favorite programming activities. 

Ruth Ridenhour, MSEd, MC, PLPC
Therapist

Ruth earned her master of science degree in elementary and special education from Missouri State University and her master’s in counseling from Webster University.  She has extensive experience working with children and families within the school system, private agency and in home.  She began working with children and their families in 1992 as a school liaison and an at-risk coordinator in the school setting.  She has worked with high-risk children and families in their homes by helping families build skills to reconnect and foster healthy family relationships through the Intensive In-home Services Program and Department of Social Services Children’s Division.   Ruth has experience in family education, parenting skills training and teacher education by serving as a guest speaker in both conference and university settings on such topics as parenting, dealing with emotionally disturbed students at home and in the classroom, ADHD, child abuse and neglect, mandating reporting and the importance of confidentiality.

Kathleen Kallman MA, LPC
Family Therapist

Kathy Kallman is a dynamic and insightful family and individual therapist. She hails from New Jersey and settled in her present home in central Missouri when her husband retired from active duty Army service. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Drury University and her master’s in psychology and counseling from Troy State University. She is licensed to counsel in the state of Missouri.

Brett Bailey
Director of Outdoor Recreation Therapy

Brett Bailey has an extensive background in creating, resourcing and conducting safe, therapeutic outdoor adventure programs for youth and adults. He has several years experience as a child care worker and administrator at a residential treatment center for children. He holds multiple certifications including American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager, Professional Climbing Guides Institute Top Rope Guide, Wilderness First Responder, Combat Life Saver, Life Guard Instructor, Leave No Trace Trainer, Safe Crisis Management Instructor, and multiple other safety and technical certifications.  Brett holds a bachelor’s degree in social science education and missions studies from Evangel University.

School Staff

Todd Uffmann
Principal

Todd Uffmann spent has more than20 years’ experience in education as a social studies teacher and coach.  He successfully coached teams to four Final Four championships, two in basketball and two in baseball.  He enjoys playing golf and vegetable gardening.  He and his wife have two children. 

Nathan Allen
Assistant Principal/Teacher

Nathan has more than three years experience teaching children in a residential setting.    Nathan earned his bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Drury University and is currently working towards a master’s degree in educational administration at Lindenwood University.  He enjoys running with his wife and dog, and spending his time in the outdoors.

Karon Dixon
Teacher

Karon Dixon has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with certifications in language arts, library science, psychology, learning disabilities, mentally handicapped/emotionally disturbed (formerly known as behavior disorders).  She enjoys spending time with her husband, grown children and grandchildren, loves baseball and the outdoors.