Governor Announces Board Appointments

Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the following appointments: Agriculture Development

Dean Folkvord, Three Forks: On his family’s farm, he founded Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery, expanding the business to sell Montana wheat and wheat products in 40 states. His term will end July 1, 2026.

Megan Hedges, Chester: A Liberty County native, Hedges serves as a Farmers Union insurance agent, working with and educating producers on how to mitigate risk. Her term will run through July 1, 2026. Criminal Justice Oversight

Eldena Bear Don’t Walk, St. Ignatius: An attorney and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she has 20 years of experience in the Montana and tribal criminal justice systems, including service as a tribal judge. Her term will expire July 1, 2025.

Nicki Bell, Sidney: Bell serves as the director of the 7th Judicial District Victim and Witness Program, helping victims of crime get access to necessary resources and services. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.

Melissa Kelly, Bozeman: With over two decades of experience as a substance abuse counselor, Kelly assists Montanans struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. Her term will run through July 31, 2025.

Sharen Kickingwoman, Missoula: A member of the Gros Ventre and Blackfeet nations, she serves as organizing director for ACLU Montana. Her term will end July 1, 2025.

Jimmy Patelis, Billings: Patelis served in law enforcement for 38 years in Montana, including as a probation and parole officer. His term will run through July 1, 2025.

Grass Conservation Commission Travis Brown, Sand Springs: A fourth generation Montanan, Brown owns and operates LO Cattle Company in eastern Montana. His term will run through Jan. 1, 2026.

Craig French, Malta: A fourth generation rancher participating in the Block Management program, French is the owner and operator of C Lazy J Livestock and recipient of the 2020 Leopold Conservation Award. His term will run through Jan. 1, 2026.

Board of Outfitters Ernie Barker, Augusta: A member of the Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, Barker owns and operates JJJ Wilderness Ranch. His term will run through June 30, 2024.

Matthew Greemore, Twin Bridges: Greemore owns and operates Flatline Outfitters, which offers guided fly fishing experiences in southwest Montana. His term will run through June 30, 2025.

John Way, Ennis: Owner of The Tackle Shop, one of the oldest fly shops in Montana, Way was the 2017 Orvis Endorsed Outfitter of the Year. His term will end June 30, 2026.

Board of Hail Insurance

Vince Mattson, Chester: Former president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, Mattson was re-appointed to the board. His term will run through May 1, 2026.

Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors Melissa Ancell, Poplar: As a disability advocate and longstanding member of the board, Ancell was reappointed to a two-year term. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.

Scott Klajic, Helena: A Helena- based psychologist specializing in clinical psychology, Klajic is a mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional illnesses. His term will run through July 1, 2025.

Mary Luinstra, Great Falls: Serving in her second term, Luinstra brings experience as a mother of two sons with mental disabilities. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.

Pulse Crop Committee

Sreekala Bajwa, Bozeman: Dean of the College of Agriculture at Montana State University, Bajwa brings extensive professional experience in the agricultural industry as an engineer, professor, and researcher. Her term will run through July 1, 2026.

Paul Kanning, Flaxville: Owner of TomTilda Farm, Kanning has produced pulse, grain and oilseed crops for over a decade. His term will run through July 1, 2026.

Board of Regents

Garret Yeager, Choteau: A senior at the University of Montana- Western and graduate of Choteau High School, Yeager serves as the President of the Associated Students of the University of Montana-Western and is a part of the rodeo team. His term will end July 1, 2024.

Board of Veteran Affairs

Duane Cunningham, Helena: Cunningham has served at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center for over a decade, working with veterans and their families. His term will run through Aug. 1, 2027.

Jen Dalrymple, Townsend: Dalrymple served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, including six years at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Her term will run through Aug. 1, 2027.

Daniel Griffin, Hamilton: A veteran and Ravalli County veterans service officer, Griffin will serve as the board as the representative for Congressman Matt Rosendale. His term will run through Aug. 1, 2025.

Jeffrey Hagan, Kalispell: A veteran, Hagan will serve the board as the representative for Congressman Ryan Zinke. His term will expire Aug. 1, 2027.

Roger Hagan, Great Falls: With 38 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, Hagan serves as the Vice Chairman of the American Legion National Legislative Commission. His term will run through Aug. 1, 2025.

Kate Hahn, Missoula: A former veteran service officer, Hahn will serve the board as the representative for Sen. Jon Tester. Her term will run through Aug. 1, 2025.

Major General John P. Hronek, Helena: Adjutant General for the State of Montana, Commander of the Montana National Guard, and Director of the Department of Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Hronek is reappointed to continue his service to Montana veterans on the board. His term will end Aug. 1, 2025.

Richard Klose, Laurel: Former Commander of the American Legion of Montana, Klose was reappointed to serve the board to represent Montana veterans in region 4. His term will expire Aug. 1, 2027.

Misty Kuhl, Helena: Director of Indian Affairs for the State of Montana, Kuhl was re-appointed to serve as a voice for veterans in Montana’s Tribal communities. Her term will run through Aug. 1, 2025.

Denny Lenoir, Helena: Military Outreach Coordinator for Sen. Steve Daines, Lenoir will serve the board as the representative for Sen. Daines. His term will end Aug. 1, 2024.

Kurt Nelson, Scobey: A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Montana National Guard, Nelson serves as a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Scobey. His term will run through Aug. 1, 2025.

Michael Stone, Bigfork: A veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy, Stone serves his fellow veterans through Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4042 and the Veterans Coalition of Northwest Montana. His term will expire Aug. 1, 2027.

Joren Underdahl, Columbia Falls: A U.S. Army veteran, Underdahl has over 20 years of combined service in the Army National Guard of Montana and U.S. Army Reserve. His term will expire Aug. 1, 2027.