Vince Hillyer, ACSW, LCSW, BCD
President and CEO

A dedicated and experienced veteran of child welfare for nearly 20 years, President and CEO Vincent D. Hillyer guides Great Circle. Responsible for the coordination of more than 700 staff members on campuses in St. Louis, Springfield, St. James and Columbia, Hillyer leads the strength-based agency that serves children with severe emotional and behavioral problems and their families.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia. 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 youth. Hillyer also has served as a foster parent. 

Hillyer has served on several boards of directors, including Missouri Alliance for Children and Families and Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies. His expertise gained him appointments to the Surgeon General’s Conference of Children’s Mental Health, the Missouri Child Welfare System Task Force and the Governor’s 21st Century Youth Education & Development Summit. He is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Hillyer also was named the Missouri State Representative for the Child Welfare League of America.  In January 2006, Hillyer was appointed to the State of Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.  He was named 2006 Child Advocate of the Year by the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families.

In 2008, he was appointed by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt to the Governor’s Aging Out Task Force task force to review the needs of Missourians coming of age in the state’s care as foster children. 

He is a respected voice on children’s issues and has published many articles and presented at several conferences. Hillyer’s article on “Discipline Issues” was featured in Parent’s Magazine. His editorial piece, “Surgeon General’s Conference: Children’s Warning Signs”, ran in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chicago Tribune and Kansas City Star.  In 2001, he presented “Warning Signs of Disturbed Children” to the American School Counselor’s Association in Washington, D.C.

Peppy Howard-Willms, MS
Regional Vice President
Great Circle

Peppy Howard-Willms serves as vice president of the Eastern Region of Great Circle and also coordinates the educational programs of Woodland Spring Lodge.  As vice president, she is also is responsible for residential treatment, foster care case management, therapeutic services and community-based services.  Her career in special education spans more than 30 years in which she has taught in both public and private schools.  In 1986 she was appointed director of special education at Edgewood Children’s Center, a Great Circle agency.  Since then she was named chief operating officer and subsequently regional vice president.  She is an adjunct professor at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., and a tutor with Webster Groves School District.   She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and is a peer reviewer and team leader for Council on Accreditation. 

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. 

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.

Brett Bailey
Director, Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch

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.

Brandlyn Bristow, MSW, LCSW
Therapist, Girls Cottage

Brandlyn has more than 10 years experience working with youth in a school setting.  She joined Woodland Spring Lodge in 2010. Her passion is working with kids in need.  Brandlyn earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Mississippi and her master’s in social work at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Outside of working with our kids at Woodland Spring Lodge, she enjoys reading, gardening, outdoors and horseback riding. 

Lisa Paulette
Cottage Life Supervisor, Boys Cottage
Lisa is very active and helps organize and coordinate recreation activities as part of her supervisor role.  She has certifications as a trip leader and facilitator for low and high ropes courses, climbing walls and equestrian training. She has worked with Great Circle for more than eight years and has been a member of Woodland Spring Lodge staff for five years.  Recently she was nominated for Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies youth care specialist of the year.  “Watching children grow and meet their full potential,” is most rewarding for Lisa.

Jessica Sharp
Cottage Life Supervisor, Girls Cottage

Jessica has worked with kids of all ages in a variety of settings including daycare and schools. She has been a staff member Woodland Spring Lodge for five years.  Jessica grew up in a military family and moved around a lot – Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, England, Germany, France and various places in the United States.  Relocating so often, she really understands and relates to the need to identify and connect with others. “I love the time I am able to spend with the kids, sitting and talking, listening to their stories, helping them solve problems, or doing different activities with them,” says Jessica.  She soon will complete a double major in psychology and sociology.  She has a young daughter and loves spending time with family, traveling and the outdoors.