Management Team

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Kathy Rex, CTRS - Executive Director
Kathy graduated from Brigham Young University in 1989 with a degree in recreation therapy and is nationally licensed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She has certifications as a Ropes Course Facilitator and Wilderness First Responder. After spending five years as a recreation therapist at a CPC hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kathy fell in love with the powerful magic of desert therapy and moved to southern Idaho. She began working for SUWS in 1984 to 1994 as a Field Supervisor/Therapist, has worked in every capacity at SUWS, and has been serving as Executive Director since 2002.

Chris Edwards, Ph.D. - Clinical Director
Chris supervises therapists, oversees the treatment plan of every student, and provides a complete understanding of existing psychological evaluations or facilitates new testing at the optimal time during a child’s stay. He oversees the clinical training of our field staff- the direct care staff responsible for the day-to-day work with students. Chris received his doctorate in Psychology from Hofstra University in 1994 and has over 15 years of clinical experience.  As the Director of the Counseling Center for Tennessee Technological University, he provided education and supervision to over 10,000 students.  He also provided psychological consultation and evaluations as well as psycho-educational assessments for school-related issues.  Chris was the Clinical Director for the local EMS department for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services. Chris served as a special staff officer to the Commander for the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment- Delta at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and provided a full range of psychological services to the soldiers and their family members within this command. He has also worked for a variety of clinical programs and has had his own private practice since 1999. Chris, his wife Melissa, 5 kids, 3 dogs, and 4 cats enjoy spending time together…family time is everything!

Dan Kemp - Admissions Director
SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs is pleased to announce Dan Kemp as Director of Admissions. With over 15 years experience working with adolescents and young adults, Dan brings an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. His experience includes being involved in start up Residential Treatment Programs, Transitional Therapeutic Boarding Schools, Academic Boarding Academies, and Outdoor Therapeutic Programs. Dan‘s leadership and growth through these experiences continues to drive his passion and dedication for the students, families, and professionals we serve.

Dan’s experience and leadership is a strong addition to the experienced team at SUWS and Kathy Rex is excited for the partnership. “His personality, enthusiasm, and solid business ethics make him a perfect fit!” says Rex.

Dan‘s expertise in working with diverse family dynamics and needs, as well his highly intense and committed professionalism, will provide excellent support and guidance to the many professionals, and families seeking assistance at SUWS. Dan is excited about this wonderful opportunity.

Cliff Stockton - Program Director Cliff came to SUWS in March of 1998 with an extensive background in developing safe outdoor activities for families and students for the juvenile detention facilities in Montana. He has served in several capacities including Field Supervisor, Field Director, and is currently SUWS Program Director. In the outdoor therapeutic industry, Cliff has the reputation as a leading authority on wilderness safety. His personal integrity and beliefs drive him to maintain communication with other programs throughout the US so he and they can be the most up-to-date on safety issues and possible hazards that can affect staff and students. Cliff leads the Seasonal Safety Committee at SUWS to ensure that student's needs are met in all seasons.

Cliff has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Montana State University. He has been a member of the National Ski Patrol, volunteers for the local Gooding County Search and Rescue and teaches high ropes to the local interagency SWAT team and Search and Rescue. He also teaches a yearly Wilderness First Responder Course at the University of Columbia in Missouri. Cliff teaches this same course to all of the SUWS Head Instructors, debriefs any incidents or close calls and is a reference for other programs in the industry as well as Aspen Education Group. He enjoys sailing, kayaking, and skiing. Cliff has a goal of someday living with his wife on a boat in the Caribbean.

Dr. Thomas Pryor, M.D. - Consulting Physician Dr. Pryor. is a well-respected Board Certified Physician who obtained his M.D through the Oklahoma University College of Medicine. From 1996-1997 Dr. Pryor held a fellowship in surgery at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City and served as an Emergency Room Physician from 1994-1997. He has extensive knowledge and experience in rural medicine, having been on yearly medical missions in third world countries since 1993. Dr. Pryor moved to Idaho in 1997 and started his own practice in 2000. He has helped to shape the laws and regulations used to govern Idaho Outdoor Programs by working with state agencies to decide what medical procedures and protocols should be formulated to ensure student's safety in a rural setting. Dr. Pryor's guiding hand helped SUWS become the first licensed wilderness program in Idaho in 2003. He continues a close relationship with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to uphold the highest standard of integrity and medical treatment for SUWS students.

Pat Lockwood - Logistics Manager
Pat has been with SUWS since February of 1993. As the Operations Director, Pat is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and physical operation of the program. Pat comes to SUWS with a B/S degree in Ag Business/Animal Science from the University of Idaho. Prior to SUWS, he worked as a supervisor for several agricultural businesses in the Magic Valley. He also owns and operates a successful ranch operation. Pat has had continuing education in accounting, farm record keeping, finances, banking industry options, futures, computer operation, and general educational information necessary for business. He was recognized as the SUWS Employee of the year in 2005 and the Aspen Education Group Employee of the Month in January of 2005. Pat is the perfect mix of a hard-working rancher with the mind of a businessman and the compassion of a family man!

Ilene Thompson - Office Manager
Ilene is truly a SUWS pioneer (she more commonly uses the term “fossil”). She has been a part of SUWS almost since its inception, joining the program with her husband in 1984 as one of its first wilderness instructors. Field operations were directed out of their home in SUWS’s early days, with husband Dennis as field director and Ilene and her mother eventually managing office operations out of their home in Hagerman, Idaho. The Thompsons’ five children manned the commissary, prepared field rations, and son Matthew facilitated the program’s move to computers and improved technology. Ilene is currently Office Manager and Operations Director for SUWS and an essential member of the management team. She maintains a steady presence of calm and reason. She is amazingly efficient and was instrumental in drafting many of the policies and procedures that resulted in SUWS becoming the first program of its kind to be licensed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The claim to fame she loves most at SUWS, however, is not her attention to detail and drive for excellence. It is her role as SUWS’s “Grandma Lene,” with always an ear to listen and a treat to share, that she prizes most. It also just happens to be her favorite role away from the office.

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