News Release
Governor Announces Appointments to Various Boards and Councils
5/19/2009
Sarah Elliott 406-444-9725
Jayson O’Neill 406-444-9844
selliott@mt.gov
Building Codes Council
• Deborah Kane, Bozeman. Qualification: licensed architect. Kane is an architect in private business (Kane Architecture, PC) and received her bachelor’s and master’s in architecture from Montana State University. She also serves on the Gallatin County Board of Parks.
• David Broquist, Great Falls. Qualification: professional engineer. Broquist is a mechanical engineer with GPD PC. He received his engineering degree from Montana State University.
• Mick Wonnacott, Butte. Qualification: building contractor industry representative. Wonnacott is a field representative for Laborers 1686. He’s worked construction both as a laborer and a carpenter for contractors in Helena and Butte, as well as for Montana Resources.
• Mike Seaman, Kalispell. Qualification: manufactured housing industry representative. Seaman is general manager of Patty Seaman Homes, and has a business degree from Montana State University.
• Ron Bartsch, Montana City. Qualification: home building industry representative. Bartsch is a certified green building professional and owns Sussex Construction. He has a degree in business from Montana State University and is active in the Helena Building Industry Association. He was instrumental in starting the Montana chapter of the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program.
• Bill Qualls, East Helena. Qualification: representative of the Board of Electricians. Qualls is a master electrician with Electro Controls. He’s active in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and has been an instructor for the Montana Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council.
• Scott Lemert, Livingston. Qualification: representative of the Board of Plumbers. Lemert is the owner of Ranger Plumbing and Heating, and also serves on the Montana Board of Plumbers. He is a licensed master plumber in Montana and Wyoming.
• Rodney Driver, Bigfork. Qualification: elevator mechanic. Driver is an elevator mechanic with KONE Elevator Company. He’s been involved in the elevator industry for 27 years, and is active in the International Union of Elevator Constructors.
• David Gallik, Helena. Qualification: public member. Gallik is in private law practice and served in the Montana House of Representatives from 2001-2008. He’s a graduate of C.M. Russell High School, received a degree in political science from the University of Idaho and earned a J.D. from Gonzaga University.
• Steven Meismer, Missoula. Qualification: building inspector. Meismer is a plans examiner/inspector for the City of Missoula. He earned a civil engineering degree from Montana State University. Meismer is a director for the 5 Valleys Archery Club.
• The Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (Anna Whiting-Sorrell) and the state Fire Marshall (Allen Lorenz) serve on the Building Codes Council by virtue of their positions.
Community Service Commission
• Karin Billings, Helena. Qualification: agency representative. Billings is the education program manager for the Office of Public Instruction’s Health Enhancement & Safety Division.
Montana Grass Conservation Commission
• Leo Solf, Winnett. Qualification: grazing district director. Solf is on the board of directors of the Williams Coulee Cooperative State Grazing District, and along with his brother, operates an active cow-calf ranch. He served on the Fergus Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for 27 years.
• Alvin Windy Boy Sr., Box Elder. Qualification: public representative. Windy Boy has served as Chair of the Chippewa-Cree Tribal Council (1999-2004) and also served several terms on the tribal council. He’s active in the Montana/Wyoming Indian Stockgrowers Association and the National Inter-Tribal Agricultural Council.
Humanities Montana
• James Shanley, Poplar. Qualification: public representative. Shanley has a doctorate in educational administration from the University of North Dakota. He received his master’s degree in education from Arizona State University and his bachelor’s degree from then-Eastern Montana College. Shanley is president of the Fort Peck Community College.
• Ruth Towe, Billings. Qualification: public representative. Towe has an MA from the University of Montana. She’s served as president of the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras, executive director of the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, president of the Montana Association of Museums, president of the Yellowstone Historical Society and board member of the Billings Cultural Partners, along with other board service.
• Bruce Whittenberg, Billings. Qualification: public representative. Whittenberg is the executive director of Leadership Montana, and works on outreach and special projects for Montana State University-Billings College of Technology/College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning. He’s also been publisher of several Lee Enterprises newspapers, including the Helena Independent Record and The Billings Gazette.
• Sidney Armstrong, Helena. Qualification: public representative. Armstrong is a consultant for nonprofit organizations and foundations. She’s a board member for the Helena Rotary Foundation (former chair) and the Holter Museum, and previously worked as the executive director of the Montana Community Foundation. She has a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Montana.
State Emergency Response Commission
• State Agency representatives appointed are: Ken Mesch, Administrator, Disaster and Emergency Services Division and Bob Levitan, Safety Officer, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Statewide Interoperability Executive Advisory Council
• Local government representatives: Hill County Commissioner Kathy Bessette and Bozeman Assistant City Manager Chuck Winn.
• Law enforcement representatives: Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton and Glendive Chief of Police Alan Michaels.
• Emergency responder representatives: Jeff Logan, Missoula fire department; Jodi O’Sullivan, Polson volunteer fire department; Rick Poss, Central Montana Medical Center EMS manager; Heather Roos, Miles City police department dispatch/911 coordinator; Ed Joiner, Northern Cheyenne Tribe disaster and emergency services coordinator.
• Department of Administration Director Janet Kelly (or her designee) was named as chair and Attorney General Steve Bullock (or his designee) was named vice chair.
• State agency directors and personnel who serve in a non-voting capacity are: Mary Sexton, Director, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; Jim Lynch, Director, Department of Transportation; Mike Ferriter, Director, Department of Corrections; Anna Whiting-Sorrell, Director, Department of Public Health and Human Services; Joe Maurier, Director, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Christian Mackay, Executive Director, Board of Livestock; Ken Mesch, Administrator, Disaster and Emergency Services Division; and Sheena Wilson, Governor’s Office.
• Federal agency representatives who serve in a non-voting capacity are: Brenna Neinast, Havre, U.S. Border Patrol and Jodi Camrud, Billings, Bureau of Land Management.
Teachers' Retirement Board
• Jeff Greenfield, Shepherd. Qualification: teacher. Greenfield is a teacher in the Billings Public Schools system. He has a MA in science education from Montana State University-Bozeman. He’s a member of the Billings Education Association and is secretary-treasurer of MEA-MFT.
Tourism Advisory Council
• Bill McGladdery, Butte. Qualification: resident of Goldwest Country. McGladdery is director of hotel operations for Town Pump, Inc. He has a degree in hospitality/tourism from Grand Valley State University.
• Jackie Yellowtail, Garryowen. Qualification: tribal government representative and resident of Custer Country. Yellowtail is tourism coordinator for the Little Big Horn College Extension Service. She has also served as tourism director for the Crow Nation.
Trauma Care Committee
• Jonathan Weisul, Missoula. Qualification: representative of the Montana Hospital Association. Weisul is the chief medical officer for Community Medical Center. His MD is from Harvard University, and he’s also been licensed to practice medicine in Hawaii and Louisiana.
University Local Executive Boards
Montana State University Local Executive Board
• James W. Bentley, Bozeman. Qualification: public representative. Bentley is a licensed real estate broker and has also worked as an appraiser, developer and property manager. He was founder and chef of the Continental Divide in Ennis, and owns the Mint Bar and Cafe in Belgrade. Bentley has an AA degree in history/education from Harris University.
MSU-Billings Local Executive Board
• Lane Larson, Billings. Qualification: public representative. Larson is a graduate of Forsyth High School and attended the University of Montana. He is a journeyworker electrician and is active in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He served one term in the Montana State Senate.
MSU-Great Falls College of Technology Local Executive Board
• Bryan Dunn, Great Falls. Qualification: public representative. Dunn served as the superintendent of schools in Great Falls (1997-2007). He also worked in a middle management position in the Cherry Creek District in Colorado and served 15 years as assistant superintendent for instruction in the Bozeman School District.
MSU-Northern Local Executive Board
• Jupe Compton, Havre. Qualification: public representative. Compton is a graduate of Northern Montana College (now MSU-Northern) and is former teacher from Chester. He has owned the Palace Bar in Havre since 1974 and served as president of the Montana Tavern Association from 2005-2007.
University of Montana Local Executive Board
• Bob Ream, Helena. Qualification: public representative. Ream has a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Wisconsin. He was a professor with the University of Montana College of Forestry from 1969-1997. Ream also served several terms in the Montana House of Representatives.
UM-Helena College of Technology Local Executive Board
• Cheryl Lamb, Helena. Qualification: public representative. Lamb earned a BS degree in education from the University of Montana and an MS degree in special education from MSU-Billings. She has taught in the Billings and Great Falls schools, and has also been an adjunct professor at Carroll College.
• Philip Campbell, Helena. Qualification: public representative. Campbell receive a degree in education from Indiana State University, and has performed graduate work at the University of Montana. He previously served on the University of Montana Local Executive Board.
UM-Montana Tech Local Executive Board
• Anna Gallus, Butte. Qualification: public representative. Gallus earned a nursing degree from St. Joseph School in Lewistown. She worked as operating room nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester and Frank Cuneo Hospital in Chicago before returning to Montana to raise a family.
UM-Western Local Executive Board
• James Womack, Dillon. Qualification: public representative. Womack served in various capacities for previous Governors, including an appointment as Montana’s Adjutant General. He taught school and was also superintendent of Dillon schools. He received a degree in education from UM-Western following service in World War II.
Youth Justice Council
• Glen Granger, Butte. Qualification: juvenile probation officer. Granger is the chief probation officer for the second judicial district of Montana.
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