Leadership Staff
Hildegard Messenbaugh, MD
Founder and Medical Director
Founder and Medical Director

Renee Johnson, LCSW, CAC III
Executive Director
Executive Director

Earlier in her career, Renee worked at Community Counseling Services in Schenectady, NY where she provided individual, family and group counseling services for those with drug related problems. She also worked at the Bridge Center, a residential drug treatment center in Schenectady serving as an intake outreach counselor as well as residential and outpatient counselor.
Renee holds a B.S. in Sociology from State University College in Fredonia, NY and an MA in Social Work from the University of Denver; She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Addiction Counselor. Renee has been instrumental in Third Way Center’s growth and development over the years.
David Koehler, MBA
Assistant Executive Director
Assistant Executive Director

David earned his master’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Regis University. He holds a BA in Agriculture Business from Colorado State University. He is a highly accomplished and a well-rounded business professional with a solid background in budgeting, forecasting, and accounting processes with past responsibility of managing revenues and expenses in excess of $100 million.
Kristi Edmonds, Ph.D. LPC
Clinical Director
Clinical Director

Kristi Edmonds has worked at Third Way Center since 1989. She started as an intern and accepted a full time position as a therapist in March 1991. Kristi has brought her talents to multiple facilities within Third Way Center as her career has grown. Since 2014 she has served as Clinical Director overseeing training and supervision of the five residential programs and two schools.
Kristi completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University in 2019. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Development Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Kristi has presented at local and national conferences on counselor burnout and vicarious trauma, staff retention, and counselor wellness.