Our mission is to empower people to improve their lives
Assessments
2430 Nicollet Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Give us a Call
612-871-7443
Send us an Email
info@parktx.com
Opening Hours
Mon - Friday: 7AM - 4PM

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Category: Leadership Team - CEO

Melissa Baxter-Lesniak, BS, SHRM-SCP

Melissa has over 10 years of experience working in Human Resources. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and obtained her Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society of Human Resources Management in 2017. Melissa joined Park Avenue Center in 2017 after getting her start in the home healthcare field. She is passionate about working for an organization that makes a difference in their community and helps others to improve their lives. When she isn’t working, Melissa can be found reading a good book, gardening, or attending a concert.

Linda Casagrande, BA

Linda is responsible for the financial management of the company.  She began her career with Park Avenue Center by spending three years in the billing office where she was responsible for implementing the current financial management software. She then returned to her prior career in retail management where she served as a district manager for a major retailer before rejoining Park Avenue Center in January 2009 as the CFO.  She attended school at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Metropolitan State University where she studied retail management and accounting.

Mark Casagrande, MA, LADC

Mark is the Owner and Executive Director of Park Avenue Center. Having been in recovery since 1986, Mark is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who attended the addiction program at Minneapolis Community College (now MCTC), earned a BS in Marketing from St. Cloud State University, and earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Starting with Park in 1994, Mark has had many roles including Counselor, Program Coordinator, Program Director, and eventually purchased Park in January of 2009. Mark is very active in the field of substance abuse and serves on the board of Minnesota’s largest substance abuse trade organization MARRCH where he has also served as President. He has also served on additional non-profit boards including EAGALA and Berkshire Horse Works. Mark regularly lobbies and educates state legislators in addition to working with MN DHS advocating for both clients and providers while implementing many evidence-based strategies. Mark’s passion is leading Park Avenue Center to continue to be “the solution to the broken system”.

John Norwood, MS, LADC

John obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling from Crown College 2016. He began his first internship at Park Avenue Center in 2016 and completed 440 hours here before leaving to complete the remainder of his internship in St. Cloud at Recovery Plus, working with adolescents. John returned to Park Avenue Center as a full-time staff in August 2016 as an intake float counselor, transitioned to a counselor position, a lead counselor position, and then a clinical supervisor for the intake team. John left Park Avenue Center in 2020 to work as a chemical health support specialist, however returned to park to complete his second internship with us as a Marriage and Family Therapy student. He obtained a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella in 2021, and returned to Park Avenue Center in 2022 as a clinical supervisor.