Meet the Board and Staff of the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation
We have a diverse team of staff, board members and volunteers who respond to community opportunities and needs. Together we work for a common purpose, to help our nonprofits thrive, ensure our community members have their needs met, and to help meet the needs of our community.
TARA MASTEL, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Term 2022
“RLACF plays such an integral role in the community and it would be an honor to support the organization.”
Tara Mastel works to support rural community vitality and local leaders at Montana State University Extension where she is an Associate Specialist and Program Leader for Community Development. She served nearly ten years as a Community and Economic Development Extension Agent in Jefferson County, Montana, where she led a range of projects including historic building renovations, industrial park development, farmers markets, and local community foundations. Tara grew up in Wolf Point and began her career at a national marketing firm in Minneapolis.
Affiliations
Ex-officio board member of the Elkhorn Community Foundation and Jefferson Valley Community Foundation, Governors Agricultural Development Council, and volunteer with the Whitehall and Boulder Chambers of Commerce.
Jo Ann Eder, First Past President of the Board of Directors
Term 2022
“RLACF is involved with so many projects that make our community such a vital, resilient place. We want to invest in people who are building interconnections for the long term.”
When asked to list special projects during her lifetime, JoAnn, a retired astronomer, answers modestly “mapping the universe.” After earning her Ph.D. in astronomy from Yale University, JoAnn was a career research scientist at the world-renowned Arecibo Radio Observatory in Puerto Rico. She also has a master’s degree in cross-cultural education from the University of New Mexico. In addition to serving as RLACF board chair, she is president of the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation. Edwards is a family foundation, which grants over $2 million to nearly one hundred organizations serving youth at risk in multiple countries, states, and U.S. Territories. JoAnn was the Red Lodge Citizen of the Year in 2011. She was married to the late Bert P. Eder, Sr.
Affiliations
Current board service with Montana Community Foundation, Trust Montana, and Yellowstone Public Radio; past board service with Philanthropy Northwest, Baretooth Cupboards, and Montana Children’s Trust Fund; member of Leadership Montana.
Merv Coleman, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors
Term 2022
“We’ve gone from a Fun Run committee to a fully-fledged organization that’s fully engaged in the community in the short time of about 10 years. Great organizations don’t just happen. It takes time, vision, leadership, and willing people to serve. We have all of that energy and then some, with Tracy and Jo Ann, board members, staff, and a host of volunteers. I am especially proud of the Fun Run but also that we are involved with youth, poverty, veterans, affordable housing, the Old Roosevelt project, swimming pool, and other aspects of community, interacting with many nonprofits. I always tell people that when I go to a board meeting, I have to take a seat belt along to stay in my chair because there are so many good things happening.”
Merv decided to be a full-time photographer more than 35 years ago after photographing wild horses as a range conservationist for the Bureau of Land Management. Lucky for us, he chose Red Lodge for his home and gallery. Among his many professional honors was the 2001 London Museum of Natural History / BBC award for wildlife portrait photography. Merv was named 1986 Red Lodge Citizen of the Year, was a founding member of both the Beartooth Front Community Forum and RLACF, and is a Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his effort and leadership, he has often donated his photography expertise to bolster community projects. Merv and his wife, Lynette, have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Affiliations
Local: Red Lodge Lions Club, Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce, United Church of Christ.
Professional: Montana Professional Photographers Association, former aviator with U.S. Marine Corps.
Mark Schubert, Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Term 2023
“Being an RLACF board member gives me an opportunity to serve our nonprofit sector in what I call a broad manner. We strive to help each group succeed and build its impact.”
In addition to running his accounting firm, Mark can be counted on to lend his expertise and enthusiasm throughout the community. He was instrumental to launching the Fun Run for Charities and was a founding board member of RLACF as well as the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (then Beartooth Nature Center) and the Red Lodge Public School Foundation. Mark helped build the original Nature Center site and local baseball / softball parks, and he raised funds to complete the new high school gym. He also raises funds for and participates in awarding local scholarships. Mark has three children and two grandchildren, and he loves the outdoors.
Affiliations
Nonprofit: Beartooth Elks Lodge, Red Lodge Community Church, Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, Red Lodge Public School Foundation, Beartooth Little League Board. Professional: Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Steve Hanson, Secretary
Term 2023
“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation (“RLACF”) came to my attention shortly after moving to Red Lodge in 2012. It seemed to me that RLACF’s reputation was that of a community organization striving to build up the community by enhancing the quality of life for all of its members, no matter what their particular interests might be, so that everyone could have a better experience living in this area. That appealed to me.”
Steve was a lawyer in general practice for 40+ years, first in Minnesota and then in Montana/Wyoming (Billings and Red Lodge) since 1995. Steve’s wife, Linda, taught 7th grade Language Arts in both Minnesota and Montana, retiring shortly before the couple moved to Red Lodge. Linda now does lots of volunteering with different committees in the Red Lodge Community Church and at Kids Corner downtown. Steve is nearly retired from the practice of law, and he expects to spend more time doing the kinds of things he has always done in his spare time: seeing the grandkids, traveling with Linda, hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ridin’ and ropin,’ and singing (in Homebrewed Harmony along with two other Board members). Steve is the Secretary of RLACF, and he sits on the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Affiliations
State Bar of Montana, Yellowstone Area Bar Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, Red Lodge Community Church. Past President of the Minnesota Distance Riding Association, Crow Wing – Aitken County Bar Association, and Enderlin (ND) Jaycees.
Kathleen Delahanty, Board Member
Term 2024
“Being a member of the RLACF Board is an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity it gives me to serve our community. It amazes me that what began as a local Fun Run for nonprofits has grown into a big, beautiful, innovative organization that enriches and supports the people and the place of Red Lodge and the surrounding area.”
I moved to Red Lodge over 35 years ago for a summer job and have worked and played here ever since. And why not? It’s such a fun and dynamic place! Over the years, I have worked with for-profit businesses and entrepreneurs in office management, human resources, and administration. In addition, I have done volunteer work for many committees and boards in Red Lodge and hope to continue to do so.Red Lodge – Roberts Ambulance District Board.
Alan Schuyler, Board Member
Term 2024
“I serve on the Foundation board as a way to give back to the communities I live in, and I can serve as a liaison between the communities of Roberts and Red Lodge.”
We would sing Alan’s praises, but he can do it much better himself. He sang with the Anchorage Opera Chorus for decades and now sings with a local group called Homebrewed Harmony as well as the Roberts United Methodist and Red Lodge Community Church choirs. Alan returned to his family farm in Montana in 2008 to care for his parents after 30 years of regulatory compliance and environmental permitting work in California and Alaska with one of the largest U.S. energy companies. He has served on boards for organizations promoting the performing arts, preventing environmental pollution, and assisting people with HIV/AIDS. His local board service includes the Roberts Community Foundation. Alan is an avid international traveler and recently spent the summers of 2022 and 2023 (July-October) volunteering at a guest house in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Affiliations
ARCO/ConocoPhillips, Anchorage Opera Guild, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (Seattle), Green Star, Inc. (Anchorage), Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, Rimrock Opera Board of Directors (Billings), Roberts Community Foundation, Roberts United Methodist Church.
Don Redfoot, Board Member
Term 2022
“I am so impressed with the work that the Foundation does for the greater Red Lodge community. It is so rare that a community of our size has such a resource for thought leadership, resource and volunteer development, and incubating new ideas and programs. The Foundation is one of the things that makes Red Lodge such a special place to live.”
Don is retired from a professional career as a public policy researcher for AARP on livable communities and long-term care issues. Now that he is retired, an age-friendly community is a more direct and personal interest. His skills and interests are policy development, nonprofit experience, community service, education and instruction, and outreach and advocacy. He loves living in Red Lodge, an engaging community with opportunities for involvement for people of all ages.
Current Affiliations
Steering Committee of the age-friendly community initiative; mentor with the DSVS program in the Roosevelt Middle School; and tenor with the Homebrewed Harmony’s barbershop group.
Former Affiliations
Board member of the Pioneer Network, a national organization to promote cultural change in long-term care; founding board member and past president of the National Center for Excellence in Assisted Living; and former chair of Culpepper Garden, a subsidized housing and assisted living facility for older persons in Arlington, Virginia.
Kate Belinda, Board Member
Term 2022
“I have been enamored with the impact the RLACF has within our community. From the VISTA’s to Lunch in the Sun, this organization cares about the success of this community from the young to the old. I have seen first-hand the help RLACF can give to new nonprofits. The Red Lodge Recycling Center would not be without your support! It would be an honor to offer my time to this organization.”
Kate works as an educator at Red Lodge High School and started the ‘Green Team’. She has experience with public relations, community service, education/instruction, and public outreach. Kate is seeking to offer insight into how RLACF can serve our local school district, engage our youth, and help make our community more sustainable. She is a hard worker and always up for a challenge.
Affiliations
Red Lodge Recycling; Pinedale Community Theater, Vice President 2007-2010;
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole, Data Manager 2008-2010.
Janet Peterson
Term 2022
“RLACF is a leader in our community and sets a commendable example for local organizations. I greatly admire the passion, energy and commitment of RLACF Board and staff and appreciate that RLACF includes a diverse group of individuals at the Board table. Our community is very fortunate to have this group support our nonprofit and, sometimes, for profit efforts.”
Janet’s work was for many years in for-profit businesses, focusing on management and support services. She enjoys looking at the bigger picture, brainstorming ideas, and connecting with those of similar interests. Her skills, experiences, and interests include finance and accounting, personnel and human resources, administration and management, program evaluation, public relations and communications, education and instruction, and special events.
Affiliations
Beartooth Front Community Forum, Red Lodge Area Food Partnership Council, BRTA Kids Ski Program.
Stephanie Baldwin, Board Member
Term 2023
“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation is essential to building a thriving community. I am thankful for the opportunity to help support Red Lodge’s important initiatives and be a part of the Foundation’s impactful vision.”
Stephanie Baldwin is a Carbon County native and is the Director of Human Resources, Quality, and Compliance at Beartooth Billings Clinic. Her primary responsibilities include employment practices, policy and procedure, legal compliance, and quality improvement. She sits on a wide array of committees such as Compliance, Risk/Safety, Policy, and Infection Prevention. Stephanie is also responsible for other initiatives at Beartooth Billings Clinic, such as leadership development, customer services, and employee education.
Her experience at Beartooth Billings Clinic, combined with past experience managing a small, family-owned local business, brings a uniquely-positioned perspective on the wants and needs of our community.
Affiliations
Society for Human Resource Management, American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration.
Jackie Ogg
Term 2024
Like many part-time residents, we come to Red Lodge to “unplug,” but we also realize that creating and sustaining such a vibrant community doesn’t happen by itself. I’m honored to join the RLACF and support their work to ensure the Red Lodge community spirit stays as strong and valued as its mountains, ski slopes, rivers, and fishing holes.
Jackie is a social worker by training and spent a decade working at the Greater Washington Community Foundation in DC. During that time she developed an understanding of – and appreciation for – some of the opportunities and challenges community foundations face. She welcomes the chance to be part of the RLACF’s exciting work.
Affiliations
Professional: University of Maryland School of Social Work, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Southern Maryland Continuum of Care.
Nonprofit: Board of Trustees CaringMatters, Former Board Chair for the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.
Chris Lorash
Term 2024
“I am excited with the direction of the RLACF and have enjoyed my association with them. I hope that my contributions have been meaningful in furthering its mission and mandate. I look forward to serving in my capacity as a board member for another term with energy and enthusiasm as the Foundation moves forward.”
In his efforts to remain community-focused, Chris is a member of the Laurel School Board. It’s a position that has helped him have a meaningful impact on the Laurel Community and demonstrates his commitment to education and those who help shape young minds. He is also very involved in his church organization and works with the youth and those who lead the youth in his church. These positions have helped him develop a professional understanding of the needs in our communities. As a banker, he finds great joy in facilitating programs and lending solutions to first-time buyers and folks in the community who have a focus on those in need. Chris has had the opportunity to fund projects in the Red Lodge area through his work as a lender, and he looks forward to that opportunity in the future.
Abby Lotz, Board Member
Term 2025
“I believe the Community Foundation helps to integrate and connect all different services and resources within Red Lodge. Serving on the board would be a great way to not only connect and become more embedded in the town, but to be able to serve with a large scope. Volunteering has always been a great passion of mine. I think my leadership and administrative experience will lend well to the Foundation.”
Abby is the Chief Executive Officer for Beartooth Billings Clinic. Prior to moving to Montana, she was involved on the boards of a local Center for Prevention of Abuse, serving persons who need either acute or long-term services and resources, including housing, and the Community Workshop and Training Center which provides full-time occupational opportunities for disabled persons.
Her skills include administration and management, community service, policy development, and program evaluation.
Connie Baehr, Board Member
Term 2025
“I’ve been impressed with the impact that the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation has on our community since I first moved back to Montana. Serving on the Board of Directors and in other capacities is a way for me to become more involved with our community and is an exciting prospect for me.”
Connie received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. She worked in public accounting as a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and Montana doing audit and tax preparation and was Chief Financial Officer for a company in Anchorage, Alaska, for 15 years. Since moving back to Montana in 2021, she and her husband, Ted, built a house here in Red Lodge and have enjoyed becoming more involved in our community.
Affiliations
Red Lodge Area Community Foundation Finance and Governance Committees, DSVS Help Line Volunteer and Mentor, Soroptimist International of Cascadia On-line Club, Soroptimist International of the Americas.
Richard Nolan, Board Member
Term 2025
Richard (Dick) Nolan spent 24 years with the U.S. Navy as a logistics officer followed by two decades working for a management consulting firm helping federal organizations improve. He and his wife, Gretchen, moved in 2003 from Northern Virginia to Red Lodge in search of much bigger mountains and far less traffic. For the next seven years, Dick commuted back east helping the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the Department of Agriculture in Maryland deal with the threat of bioterrorism. After retiring in 2010, Dick joined the board of Beartooth Electric Coop during a period of severe financial stress. When he left in 2022, BEC was healthy and thriving. In the same period, Dick started the monthly Forum for Provocative Issues. Since its first meeting in 2012 when 10 attended, the forum has grown dramatically. Seventy routinely attend, and some forums have attracted well over 100. Recently, Dick joined the board of the Red Lodge Senior and Community Center.
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 & 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, (MT) Cheyenne, and Casper (WY). On her oldest daughter’s first day of school, she left her corporate position and joined the Parent Teachers Association. 25 years later, Nonprofit work is still her passion. Tracy served on the Roberts School board, Roberts Community Foundation, established the Roberts Community Council, expanded the Rock Creek Ranchers 4-H club, creating the club’s first youth leadership team, 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/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 the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s first staff person, to further develop the annual Fun Run for Charities, which has generated over $2.6 million for over 60 charities in the first 15 years. She soon became the Executive Director. Immediately, she successfully requested to have a $340,000 building donated to the Foundation, now called the Nonprofit Shared Services Center, that 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 & 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.
Abby Edwards, Development Director
Abby developed a passion for the nonprofit sector early in her career while working for the YMCA of Greater St. Louis and St Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation. After graduating with a Master of Business from St. Louis University, she moved west and fell in love with the mountains, outdoor activities, and the community of Red Lodge. Abby is thrilled to be a part of the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation as the Director of Development. She looks forward to working with generous supporters to help the Foundation achieve its mission. Abby currently lives in Colter Bay, Wyoming, and enjoys exploring the area via hiking, kayaking, biking, and xc skiing with her partner, Tyler, and two furry pals, Hank and Indy.
David Kallenbach, 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.
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 for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in Red Lodge, Montana. A graduate of the University of Montana, she has spent the past 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 has been an active community member, currently serving on three boards, and finds time to volunteer for other nonprofit groups when the need arises.
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. I returned back “home” after spending 18 years in the Helena area working as a Mortgage Underwriter 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.
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 farm hands, 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 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.
Schyler Allyn, Communications/Photographer
“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 comes to the foundation as an experienced District Manager for a large international security company. His previous experience in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer allowed him to excel within the security industry. His attention to detail and motivation did not go unnoticed and he was promoted to the level of Services Manager for the Las Vegas Mobile Division within a few short years. Eventually he would take on the role of District Manager and move to Salt Lake City with his wife Melody and their two children. This role gave Coy a range of experience with forecasting, stats, data and analytics. Combined with his military experience, he was able to excel as a District Manager. In 2020 Coy left his company during the height of the Pandemic and moved to the Red Lodge area to be closer to family.
Mitch Lagge, Roosevelt Center Building and Events Coordinator
“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 start a new role as building coordinator for the Roosevelt Center.
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, turning daily news stories to run on-air and online.
Mitch picked up the Billings City Council and Billings School Board beat, writing many stories about local government and plenty of other happenings in Billings. Some notable events he covered while at Q2: the start and slow ramp-down of the COVID-19 pandemic, George Floyd rally outside the Yellowstone County Courthouse in 2020, and Kanye West’s relocation to the Meeteetse, Wyoming area.
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. You may have heard him as a short-lived voice of Trapper Athletics providing play-by-play commentary for Northwest College basketball and volleyball between 2015 and 2016 on the former 89.1 FM Trapper Radio station (now owned and operated by Wyoming Public Media).
Affiliations: KTVQ, Northwest College, Big Sky Bonus Tracks
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
Brad Caton, 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. He recently completed a career in the United States Army with service in Infantry, Recruiting, Financial Management and Legislative Liaison positions. His international experience includes assignments in Iraq, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Jordan, and Germany. At the end of 2022, Brad returned home to Montana and joined the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation in the role of Youth Programs Manager. Brad and his family are excited to be back in southeastern Montana and they look forward to participating in a wide variety of community and school activities.
Declan Sielaff, Connected Youth Project Manager
“A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.”
Declan was born and raised on a small ranch outside of Joliet, MT. Went on to northwest college for a degree in Outdoor education and got his master’s degree in Outdoor Educational Leadership at University of Utah. He joined the military as a combat medic and joined the Wyoming Army National Guard which he still resides in. He has taught people how to ski and snowboard for eleven years at Red Lodge Mountain. He is dedicated to sharing the beauty of nature with others. At the foundation his mission is to share the wonders of the world with future generations.
Megan Strong, Meadlowlark Children’s Center Director
“If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds.”
Megan moved to Montana in 2016 and has since fallen in love with the mountains and people that are Montana. Since being here, she’s met her partner, adopted a dog and cat and began building her career in early childhood education. In her free time, she can be found reading, baking or sitting by any creek, river or lake she can find. Megan is excited in her new role at the foundation and looks forward to working together with thier community resources to expand childcare for families in Carbon County.
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.”
Growing up in the Rocky Mountains fostered Laura’s love for mountains and mountain towns. She has lived in Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana and takes frequent trips to New Mexico where her parents live. Out of all the amazing mountain towns she has lived in or visited, Red Lodge always held a special allure. Red Lodge provided Laura with not just the perfect opportunity to explore and live in the mountains, but also to express her passion for serving her community at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. She is excited to be putting her many professional skills to use supporting the diverse needs of Carbon County. Her position supports the Foundation’s programs, administrative tasks, and more. On weekends Laura can often be found playing in the great outdoors with her young son, husband, and two dogs.
Kendall Ard, Grant Writer
Kendall is a Montana native, born and raised in Billings. She is a recent graduate of Rocky Mountain College where she received a bachelor’s in environmental science and environmental studies. After recently moving to Red Lodge, Kendall knew she wanted to remain here for a good, long time. Upon moving to Red Lodge, she worked as a summer intern for the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation. Here, she fell in love with working alongside volunteers and the opportunities she had to foster new relationships. Of course, she enjoyed spending copious amounts of time in the woods, hiking around and discovering new areas in the A-B Wilderness, but she is excited to start a new adventure in the world of grant writing. She is hopeful her passion for philosophy and the humanities will help her excel during her time with the RLACF.
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 tomorrow for Red Lodge and the surrounding area.”
Laura Kae 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 spare time, she loves to hike and write novels.