Governor Gianforte Announces Board Appointments

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the following appointments:

Board of Veterans’ Affairs

• Chauncey Parker, Box Elder: A veteran of the Montana Army National Guard and a Carroll College graduate, Parker serves as the Executive Director of the Great Plains Veterans Services Center and is the Post Commander for American Legion Post 67. His term will run through August 1, 2025.

9-1-1 Advisory Council

• Bridger Mahlum, Helena: A graduate of Wake Forest University, Mahlum serves as the General Manager at BroadbandMT representing locally owned broadband providers that serve rural Montana. His term will run through September 1, 2027.
• Gary Evans, Great Falls: A fourth generation Montanan, Evans has a background in engineering and data center services and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Vision Net, a telecommunications company. His term will run through September 1, 2027.

Montana Agriculture Development Program

 Tyson Reese, Missoula: An AgVision Ambassador with AgWest Farm Credit, Reese is a graduate of Montana State University and brings experience working on a cow-calf and yearling operation. His term will run through January 5, 2025.

Motorcycle Safety Advisory Commission

•  Aleric Hebert, Great Falls: An Air Force veteran with 24 years of active-duty experience, Hebert is active in the Great Falls community and is an advocate for motorcycle safety as an avid rider. His term will run through July 1, 2027.

Montana State Workforce Innovation Board

•  Jennifer Cronk, Kalispell: Serving as the Workforce and Special Initiatives Director at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Cronk is an integral part of the Flathead Valley business community. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.

Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

•  Katie Fontana, Great Falls: Fontana is an experienced appraisal professional with experience in advertising and marketing. Her term will run through July 1, 2027.

Historical Records Advisory Council

•  Rich Aarstad, East Helena: As the Montana State Archivist, Aarstad has vast experience in historical records maintenance. His term will run through February 28, 2026.
•  Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Bozeman: Serving as the Head of Archives and Special Collections at the Montana State University Library, Allison-Bunnell has background experience in historic records management. Her term will run through February 28, 2026.
•  Aaron LaFromboise, Browning: A Director of Library Services at Medicine Spring Library, LaFromboise has experience in maintaining Blackfeet Tribal archives as well as coordinating community and academic engagements with the library. Her term will run through February 28, 2026.
•  Donna McCrea, Missoula: Head of Archives and Special Collections at the University of Montana, McCrea also brings her experience as a professor. Her term will run through February 28, 2026.
•  Andy Ritter, Helena: A graduate of Carroll College with experience in business analysis and management, Ritter serves as the Operations Manager at the Montana Secretary of State’s Office. His term will run through February 28, 2026.

Youth Justice Council

1.  Mike Chavers, Billings: Serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Chavers brings experience in administering behavioral health services to high-risk youth and their families. His term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Tina Eblen, Missoula: A Training and Technical Assistance Specialist with University of Montana’s Montana Safe School Center, Eblen brings experience in health resource coordination. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Wyatt English, Miles City: A Shift Supervisor at Pine Hills Correctional Facility since 2017, English has a background in working with residential treatment programs. His term will run through March 1, 2026.

• April Gabler, Missoula: A teacher with Arlee Public Schools, Gabler has been an educator in many fields, including special education, for over two decades. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Lilla Guiberson, Dillon: A freshman at Beaverhead County High School, Guiberson is an involved community member and an accomplished student. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Christy Hendricks, Helena: Serving as the Federal Grants Coordinator for the Office of Public Instruction and through her extensive work with foster care, Hendricks brings her experience helping to coordinate quality care for Montana youth. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Judge Mary Jane Knisely, Billings: With a wide background in law and justice, Knisely is also an advocate for the establishment of treatments courts, having pioneered the first misdemeanor Drug, DUI and Mental Health Court in Montana. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• George Real Bird, Hardin: A Big Horn County Commissioner, Real Bird has a background in substance abuse and mental health services administration. His term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Maegan Rides At The Door, Missoula: The director of National Native Children’s Trauma Center at the University of Montana, Rides At The Door has a background in behavioral health and counseling. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Randy Shipman, Dillon: Serving as a superintendent in the Dillon Elementary School District, Shipman brings his 36 years of experience working with students. His term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Brie Shulman, Missoula: A program therapist and executive director with Inner Roads, Inc., Shulman has a background in primary and family therapy. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.

• Rachel Wanderscheid, Polson: Director of The Montana Afterschool Alliance, Wanderscheid also has a background in public defense and civil law. Her term will run through March 1, 2026.