About Us

The National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network, Inc. (NRADAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to equip providers serving rural communities affected by substance use, behavioral, and mental health conditions with the tools they need to evoke change.

The purposes of NRADAN, Inc. are:
• To provide an annual training institute and other learning opportunities.
• To provide leadership and advocacy for the solution of rural substance use, behavioral, and mental health conditions.
• To represent rural issues at the national and international levels.

Rev. Joe Amico

M.Div, CAS, LADC-1

Board President

Massachusetts

Desiree Grin, PhD

Wisconsin

Board Vice President

Jereme Rose, BS

Secretary

Kentucky

Paul Mladnick, LADC, LMFT

Board Member

Minnesota

DeAnne Pridis, PhD

Treasurer

Tennessee

Paul McKenzie, Ph.D

Board Member

South Carolina

Tom Farley

Board Member

Wisconsin

Christy Alten

LAC, LPCMH (SD), LMHC (IA)

Past Board President

Iowa

Dani Mortenson, MSEd, LPC

Board Member

Wisconsin

Our History

Brief highlights of the founding and history of NRADAN, Inc., and the National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions (NRIADA)

First Institute
1983
Larry Monson, Paul Mladnick, and Michael Early Collaborated and planned the fist Institue.
NRADAN, Inc Founded
1991
NRADAN, INC gains IRS standing as a private foundtion
First Annual Awards
1991
First Harold E. Hughes Awards of Excellence awarded at the 1991 Institute.
Conference Location Change
1998
The site of the annual Institute moved from UW-Eau Claire, to Menomonie, Wisconsin, on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
First NRADAN, Inc Board Retreat
2019
Recognizing the expanded work that needed to be planned and completed, the board held its first retreat in August 2019.
Renaming to Recognize Expanded Needs within AODA
2019
"National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse" renamed the "National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions".
Pandemic Impacts
2020
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, for the first time since its beginning, the Institute was cancelled.
We're going virtual!
2021
COVID-19 remained a force to be reckoned with during 2021. So, we practiced our pivoting skills and hosted a fully virtual event.
We're Hybrid!
2022
In 2022, the National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions moved to a livestreamed hybrid format. We've been hybrid ever since!

Harold E. Hughes

Larry W. and Louise Monson

Louise Sterlinske Monson