Staff
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Carla Lawrence RC&D Coordinator I have worked the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) since 1991, and served as the coordinator for the Governor’s Rangeland Resources Executive Committee (RREC) for four years (1999-2003) and the Montana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) for the past four years (2003-2007) before joining the Beartooth RC&D as coordinator in January 2008. I was born and raised in Eastern Montana, and graduated from Custer County District High School in 1978 and from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in range management in 2003. During the gap in my education, I was enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1985-1988, stationed in Darmstadt, West Germany and in the Montana Army National Guard until my retirement in December 2004, as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), after serving for 20 years. |
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Charles Egan RC&D Chairman Beartooth Area RC&D has afforded an opportunity to continue my service to the citizens of the five county area. My career began in the mid 50’s with several years working as instructor and in administration on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation at Busby. This was followed with positions as Extension Agent in Glacier and Stillwater Counties and as a specialist at Montana State University, Bozeman. I served as County Commissioner in Stillwater County for 10 years. My passion is to allow citizens a chance to follow their dream for success in whatever they do and provide opportunities for learning. Beartooth RC&D serves as a catalyst for addressing the needs in communities and counties through a broad spectrum of activity and program. |
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Jillann Knutson Revolving Loan Manager-Bookkeeper Jillann Knutson brings to the organization an associate degree in General Business from Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana. Jillann has lived all over Montana, graduating high school from Joliet, then moving to Wyoming for several years, only to return to the area. Away from work, Jillann and her husband Kris own a place south of Bridger where they raise cattle. Jillann started Beartooth in May of 2006. |
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Chris Mehus Community Development, Office Manager Chris Mehus lives in Big Timber with his wife and two sons. Born and raised in south-central Montana, Chris received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Montana Universities in Natural Resource Management and Development. Following over ten years in agricultural production and ranch management, he has since accumulated eight years of economic and community development experience. |
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Elaine Nowak Home Buyer Education Elaine spearheads one of the most successful programs in the area as the instructor for the HomeBuyer education course offered monthly to First Time Home Buyers. Neighborhood Housing Services of Great Falls is the Montana agency and their region is currently first in the nation for placement in homes. Elaine and her husband live in Joliet. |
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Karen Greenwood Administrative Assistant Karen is a third generation Carbon County resident. She had worked at the Boyd School for nine years as the Food Service manager, teacher’s aide, and janitor. She also worked for Carbon/Stillwater Senior programs in the past. She and her husband David have two teenagers, Megan and Tyler, and live in Boyd. “I enjoy working in such an important organization that helps the community that I live and work in.” |
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Joel Bertolino Beartooth RC&C Ag Program Technician Joel has worked at Beartooth as the Ag Program Technician since 2007. He received a BA in Political Science/Public Administration from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2000, and continues to work with vested interests in the family cattle ranch near Roberts, MT. Prior to this position, Joel worked for 7 years as a program technician for the USDA-Farm Service Agency in Carbon County, while also working as a Certified Local Government - Historic Preservation Officer for Carbon County for six years. Joel enjoys fishing and hunting when he isn’t spending quality time with wife Melissa and their three children, Porter, Bently and Adrienna. |
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Dick Rath Forester-Fuels Reduction Program Dick Rath - Retired U.S. Forest Service Fire Manager. During thirty plus years, Dick worked throughout the United States on wild land fires and fuels projects. Most of his career was spent in Fire Management for the Kootenai National Forest in Northwest Montana and the Gallatin National Forest. He retired in 2003 and currently lives south of Big Timber with his wife. They have three grown children and are grandparents. Dick implements the Fuels Reduction Program with Chris Mehus. Dick lives south of Big Timber and is married with three children |
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Al Jones Regional Development Officer Montana Department of Commerce Al, although not officially an employee of Beartooth, serves as an integral part of the program implementation for the area. The Beartooth area is a portion of the South Central Region Al assists through the Montana Department of Commerce. Beartooth's partnership with MDOC is a vital link to state government. |
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