The Team
Who We Are
2024
Michele Engh
Chair
Pastor Michele Engh has been involved in ministry and faith formation for over 20 years, both as a volunteer and paid staff. Prior to her calling to ordained ministry, Pastor Michele has worked as a Nurse, Violence Prevention, Flood Recovery and Economic Development as well as Faith formation. She has served on the board of the Long-Term Recovery Committee (now R2RDR) since 2007, when she worked with flood recovery in her employment at Couleecap. She now serves as the Treasurer of Couleecap’s Board of Directors and has served as the past President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Seven Rivers Region as well as many other committee and board appointments. She and her husband live in Westby as well as farm in Coon Valley, with their daughter Grace. Their four other children live in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon and Berlin, Germany. They are also foster parents. She is committed to the principal that Shirley Chisholm first voiced: “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time”.
Pastor Michele currently serves the Immanuel Lutheran Church-Viroqua congregation. With a long history of flood recovery and community, she brings a wealth of resources to R2RDR.
Brandon Larson
Vice Chair
I am the Director of Emergency Management for Vernon County. I manage the County Emergency Operations center along with many Emergency Response Plans. Planning, Preparing, Responding to, and Recovering from disasters is my circle of work life. The Vernon County Type III Hazardous Materials Response team is under my direction as well with a response area that covers four Counties. I hold certifications as a Wisconsin Certified Emergency Manager along with an Associate Emergency Manager certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers. I have been in Emergency Services for over 15 years and been involved in Emergency Management since 2011. I also sit on many State level committees, workgroups, and Board of Directors. I live in Viroqua with my wife and three daughters and love to spend time with them outdoors and going camping. My passion is to help people in times of need. Public awareness and preparedness efforts are always a top priority for me. I have worked with the US National Weather Service to get Vernon County designated as a StormReady County as well as managed the County Emergency Operations Center through 3 Federal Disaster Declarations along with other smaller local disasters.mative to keep your visitors engaged.
Lindsey Murphy
Treasurer
I am the Community Disaster Program Specialist for the American Red Cross- WI Region, SW Chapter. I grew up in SW WI and recently moved back to the area 3 years ago. While being away, I attended college at UW-Eau Claire and then moved to Milwaukee. I worked as a medical social worker in the Milwaukee area for 13 years working in a nursing home, hospital and hospice care. I received my Master of Social Work at UW-Milwaukee during that time. I am happy to be living back in SW WI. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love being outside with my dogs, gardening and reading. I love working with the American Red Cross and helping people during times of disasters. I appreciate all of the talented volunteers and passionate partners I get to work with every day.
Ashley Lacenski
Secretary
I have lived in La Crosse since 2003. I graduated from UW-L and I have two dogs. I spend my free time enjoying anything outdoors and spending time with friends and family. I have worked in a variety of roles at Couleecap since 2008. I am currently the Community Development Director and oversee all homeownership, affordable housing and economic development programs. These programs include affordable housing development, homebuyer assistance, the Coulee Community Land Trust, home rehabilitation programs, housing counseling services, affordable rental properties, business development programs, work-n-wheels and job skills/education programs.
