Tracy Timmons, Executive Director
“RLACF is doing so much to help our community, by convening, incubating, and directly serving community initiatives. I’m proud to be part of this dynamic and impactful organization.”
Tracy Timmons is a Montana native. She pursued a corporate career in Spokane, WA, serving in every operational capacity before being selected to facilitate cross-functional management training to teamsters, managers, and support staff in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. When she and her husband Dustin started a family, she transferred back to Montana, where she was promoted into sales and successfully developed four new company territories in Billings, Great Falls, Cheyenne, and Casper.
On her oldest daughter’s first day of school, she left her corporate position and joined the Parent Teachers Association. Twenty-five years later, nonprofit work is still her passion. Tracy served on the Roberts School board, Roberts Community Foundation, established the Roberts Community Council, and expanded the Rock Creek Ranchers 4-H club by creating the club’s first youth leadership team, which is still going strong 17 years later.
In 2001, realizing that the greatest need in her unincorporated rural community was funding, she took classes and certified in grant writing and management, successfully generating $1.5 million in grants for the school playground, library, fire hall, and the community’s wastewater treatment system. Tracy was hired as one of the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s first staff to further develop the annual Fun Run for Charities, which generated over $2.6 million for over 60 charities in its first 15 years. She soon became the Executive Director. Immediately, she successfully requested to have a $340,000 building donated to the Foundation. It is now called the Nonprofit Shared Services Center, which operates as a meeting, staffing, and back-office services center for over 55 local nonprofits.
She’s worked within the community to grow the Foundation’s balance sheet from $80K to $1.9M in under 10 years. She loves to serve others and leading the Foundation allows her to do so in many facets of the community. The largest project, the Roosevelt Center, has well-developed plans of creating a $15M, indoor/outdoor facility renovation for an Arts and Culture, Conference, Reception, and Education Center that strives to deepen the community’s cultural roots while providing significant economic opportunities for arts, main street, and the community.
Luke Doucette, Associate Director
“I feel fortunate to work at the Foundation and to have met so many people who are passionate about the good work they are doing in our community.”
Luke is originally from New Hampshire and received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and English at the University of New Hampshire. For 16 years, he worked for a Massachusetts-based software company that created technology to improve the reading experience for people of all ages. In 2013, he was offered the opportunity to move to Montana and continue to work remotely, and he and his wife Melissa came to Red Lodge.
Luke began working at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in 2017 as the part-time Information Technology Support person, and has since grown into other supporting roles in marketing, accounting, and fundraising. He enjoys working in Red Lodge, and being part of a team that works so closely with the community to provide programs and services that strengthen connections and improve lives.
Luke and Melissa have two young daughters. He loves to camp, fish, hike, and explore Montana; and is grateful for the opportunity to raise his children in the extraordinary community of Red Lodge.
Kat Healy, Roosevelt Center Director
“In the very short time I’ve been here, I’ve been able to see the Foundation’s mission at work— connecting people and building community. From the new CART van, to the community firewood donations, to the new pool, and the amazing response to our annual appeal after a rough year… I can’t wait to see what happens in the next few years seeing how much has been accomplished in just a few short weeks.”
Kathleen Healy is a Montana native with a passion for local arts, businesses, and nonprofits. She worked as a Program Manager at First Interstate Foundation for the past 4 ½ years — but gave it up to live closer to the mountains.
She has strong ties to Red Ants Pants Music Festival and was one of the mentors for the inaugural Girls Leadership Program through the Red Ants Pants Foundation. She worked as the Events Coordinator for the Yellowstone Art Museum and launched the annual Masquerade Party at the YAM. Before that she was an Educational Therapist, specializing in helping kids with pervasive developmental disorders. She served on the Board of Yellowstone Public Radio, the Art Auction Committee for the Yellowstone Art Museum, and the Programming Committee for the Alberta Bair Theater.
Brad Caton, Resilient Community and Connected Youth Programs Director
“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation is simply essential across a wide variety of efforts in the area and does amazing work to promote a thriving, connected and vibrant region.”
Brad grew up in southeastern Montana and graduated from the University of Montana. Before joining the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation, he completed a career in the United States Army with service in Infantry, Recruiting, Financial Management, and Legislative Liaison positions. His international experience included assignments in Iraq, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Jordan, and Germany. Since 2023, Brad has focused on sustaining and enhancing opportunities related to attainable housing, transportation, early childhood and connected youth, resilient community, and aging in place.
Maryvette Labrie, Grant Manager
“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation gives everyone a connection to the community. I love the creative ways the staff at the Foundation has managed to address the needs of the underserved, and how it creates a ripple effect of good that grows stronger. “
Maryvette Labrie is a Certified Grant Writer and Grant Manager for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in Red Lodge, Montana. A graduate of the University of Montana, she has spent over 20 years contributing to non-profit work in Red Lodge. Maryvette served 9 ½ years on the Red Lodge City Council from 2008-2018. She is an active community member, currently serving on the County Historic Preservation Commission, and volunteers for other nonprofit groups when their need arises. A life-long learner, Maryvette enjoys reading, exploring, and spending time with her dogs.
David Kallenbach, CART Transportation Manager
David has enjoyed living in Red Lodge for over 20 years after he came to work here leading backpacking trips in the Beartooths for the Voyageur Outward Bound School in 1996. It’s hard to imagine a more appealing place to live for an outdoorsperson like David, but what has further kept him here has hands-down been the exceptional community of talented and generous people that purposefully choose to live here. Since living in Red Lodge, David has been a substitute teacher in the public schools, served for 13 years as a field instructor & Program Director of Outward Bound in Montana, spent five years as a part-time lifty at Red Lodge Mountain, sold gear and clothing at Sylvan Peak Enterprises, and helped build the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation from the ground up, serving as its first Director and leading volunteer stewardship work for the benefit of the A-B Wilderness
Affiliations: Former Peace Corps Volunteer, former member of Carbon County Search and Rescue, and the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon Country. Currently a Board member for the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA), and Jane Ferguson Wilderness Adventures. Member of Carbon County Resource Council.
Angela Getchell, Workforce Housing Manager
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ~Helen Keller
I was fortunate enough to grow up and go to school in Red Lodge….. yes, I attended kindergarten at the Roosevelt School. After spending 18 years in the Helena area working as a Mortgage Underwriter, I returned back “home” to be closer to my family and enjoy the outdoor adventures that Red Lodge provides. I am married, have two wonderful grown boys, a sweet daughter-in-law and two grandkids that bring me lots of happiness.
I began working for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in July of 2022 as the Workforce Housing Manager. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of an amazing team that continues to make a difference in the lives of many people in and around our community. I look forward to this next journey and working with people that are passionate about what they do for others.
Laura McHugh, Thriving Nonprofits Manager
“I’m thrilled to grow my passion for mountains and community service as the Captain Multitasker for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation.”
Laura supports a mixture of program and administrative tasks. She enjoys finding efficient ways to operate and make more resources available for the community. She also administers the grantmaking funds. One of her favorite roles at the Community Foundation is putting on the Fun Run for Charities, which is perfect for her drive to streamline operations and passion for collaborating with many different people.
Jennifer Drinkwalter, Roosevelt Center Event Manager
“Make It happen!”
Jennifer has been involved in nonprofit management and events for Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Billings Clinic, YMCA, Montana Women’s Run, past Beartooth Trails board member and president, and currently operates Montana Tour.
Jennifer Drinkwalter founded Montana Tour, a nonprofit with a mission to help communities support non-motorized tourism. Montana Tour is primarily funded by events including Big Sky Gravel, Beartooth La Femme, donations, and grants. Proceeds support the Red Lodge Community Bike Center which re-homes used bikes by reusing parts and purchasing new parts; the endeavor is completely accomplished by volunteer work. She has been an event director of large cycling events, triathlons, running races, Big Sky State Games, served on the board of directors for Beartooth Trails, Pedal United, Montana Women’s Run, and others. She continues to partner with Red Lodge Events for 24 Hours of Elk Basin and other outdoor events.
Affiliations: Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Billings Clinic, YMCA, Montana Women’s Run, Beartooth Trails, Montana Tour
Alexis Gora
“It is incredible and inspiring to see how involved the RLACF is with the community. I am grateful to be part of this experience and to watch the community flourish.”
Alexis grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She later moved to Montana in 2020 and has lived in this quaint little town, Red Lodge, for 3 years.
She graduated from Montana State University – Bozeman with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics- statistics in 2022. After graduation, she worked with a few local businesses in the Red Lodge area until she became employed with the Academy of Veterinary Imaging in an Administrative and Education Coordinator role. During this time, she was also a volleyball C-Squad coach at the Red Lodge High School for two years.
She now is part of RLACF as the Connected Youth Program Manager and is excited to grow with the community by striving to help understand the community’s and youths’ relationship with each other. She is also the head coach for the Beartooth Rangers Volleyball Club in Red Lodge.
Schyler Allyn, Photographer and Videographer
“Being able to work for the Foundation has helped cultivate my aspirations for not only my career but also who I want to be as a person.”
Schyler Allyn attended two years at Northwest College in Powell Wyoming, garnering multiple awards, and was published in DieselTech Magazine. He became the photo editor of the Northwest Trail for one semester and graduated with his AAS degree in photography. Schyler moved to Bellingham, Washington, for almost a year, where he worked for a video production company for 5 months before moving back to Wyoming. Shortly after he moved to Red Lodge, he met Tracy Timmons and spoke of photography aspirations. Starting as a part-time photographer, he’s grown into a communication/photography role at the Foundation. Schyler, with over seven years of photography and video experience, can be seen around Red Lodge walking his dog Po or working on his business Greys River Photography.
Affiliations: Northwest College, Greys River Photography
Coy Snyder, Information Technology Specialist
“It is truly amazing to see the passion and drive from the foundation and the impact it has on Red Lodge. I am honored to work with such great people.”
Coy Snyder has brought a wealth of experience to the foundation, having served previously as a District Manager for a large international security company. His background as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army provided him with a strong foundation in security management, which he leveraged to excel within the industry.
After being promoted to Services Manager for the Las Vegas Mobile Division, Coy’s leadership and strategic insights were pivotal in his transition to District Manager in Salt Lake City, where he lived with his wife Melody and their two children. During this period, he honed his skills in forecasting, statistics, data analytics, and management.
In 2020, Coy made a significant career shift, moving to the Red Lodge area to be closer to family. Since then, he has expanded his expertise into data analytics, where he applies sophisticated analytical techniques to drive strategic decisions. His role has also evolved to include information technology, where he manages IT infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, Coy now oversees facility management, ensuring that the foundation is maintained to the highest standards, integrating security measures with facility operations for optimal performance.
Coy’s diverse skill set, combining military precision with modern industry practices, continues to benefit the foundation immensely.
Patty Cooper, Accountant
“I am amazed at all that this organization accomplishes and feel that I am truly blessed in being chosen for their good work.”
Patty Cooper joined the RLACF team in September 2021, after a brief interlude with retirement. She works remotely ten to twenty hours a week, bringing ten years of non-profit social services finance and accounting experience with her.
Her kitchen home office in Newark, Ohio, is a busy place at 3:00 P.M. MT, because it is dinner time for the farmhands, eight in all. Farm animals include: Coco the horse, 10 chickens, 5 dogs, 5 cats, 2 birds, a chinchilla, and a rabbit.
Patty is a homebody and considers her family one of her greatest strengths, but she also enjoys picking up her laptop and traveling the country in the RV with her husband. 2023 goal: 3-month road trip to Montana via South Dakota and home by way of the gulf coast.
Mitch Lagge, Roosevelt Center Building Coordinator and Sound Engineer
“As a new member to the Red Lodge community, I’m excited to dive headfirst into forging connections and making a difference as a part of the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. I’m also happy to get back to my creative roots, helping promote arts, culture and events at Roosevelt Center. I hope to spend plenty of days in the Beartooth Mountains, camping, hiking and skiing while continuing to flex my photo, video and communications skills. If you have an event, there’s a great chance us Roosevelt Center staff can help you make it one to remember.”
Born and raised in Billings, Mitch is a fourth-generation Montanan who moved to Red Lodge in April 2022 to become building coordinator and sound engineer for the Roosevelt Center.
Red Lodge and the Roosevelt Center flooded a few months later in June, and Mitch worked with building staff and countless volunteers to muck out the building and watched as contractors worked on restoration.
Mitch has helped hundreds of clients see their events come to fruition at the Roosevelt Center, helping organize everything from live theater, music festivals, and corporate events to birthday parties and funerals.
Mitch has set up and operated front-of-house sound at the Roosevelt Center and other Red Lodge venues for artists like: Woodbelly, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Brian Bowers, The Local Honeys, The Fireside Collective, Futurebirds, Jeffrey Foucault, Jalan Crossland, and Summer Dean.
Mitch also serves as location sound engineer for Big Sky Bonus Tracks, a Red Lodge-based video production team that records live sessions with local and nationally-touring musicians.
Before Red Lodge, Mitch spent his time working up the ladder at KTVQ Q2 News in Billings. He started out as a newscast assistant in 2017 working behind the scenes to help produce the 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcasts. He was promoted and served as a multimedia journalist from 2019 to 2022, covering daily news stories that ran on-air and online.
Mitch received his higher education at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. There, he earned two associate degrees: one in broadcast journalism and the other in music technology.
Affiliations: Roosevelt Center, KTVQ, Northwest College, Big Sky Bonus Tracks
Kendall Ard, Grant Associate
“I never realized how much people care about their community until I began working with the amazing people at the Foundation. The Foundation gives me hope that we will continue to find solutions to challenges no matter the circumstances. I am honored to work with such compassionate and driven people.”
Kendall is a Montana native and earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and environmental studies summa cum laude from Rocky Mountain College. She worked for several nonprofits in small roles before joining the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in 2023. As the Grant Associate, she has been developing her grant writing skills and administering the Foundation’s first federal subgrant program. In her spare time, she loves to hike and ski, read a good book, or spend time with her dog, Roscoe, and does volunteer trail work in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
Laura Ymker, Strategic Assistant
“I am excited to be part of an organization that spends its energy making the community a better part of the world. RLACF is invested in creating a good today and even brighter tomorrow for Red Lodge and the surrounding area.”
Laura Ymker began her career as a project director for a nonprofit in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. She has a diversity of experience and interests in the business, nonprofit, and religious sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Dakota Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Her primary interests are research, writing, and community development.
In her role at RLACF, she does board support, human resources, website support, and other tasks as needed. As the second Laura in the office and sharing desk space with Laura McHugh, she’s taken on her middle name as part of her first to lower the confusion. If you need to speak with her, call and ask for Laura Kae.