To contact staff, use their last name @ bigskyeda.org

ie. lastname@bigskyeda.org

ADMINISTRATION

Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director, has extensive public-private sector project experience including: downtown capital improvement development; water resource management; and community visioning projects. He received his Bachelor of Science, Society and Technology/Public Policy degree from Montana Tech in Butte. Steve holds a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Direct Line - 869-8401

Cheri Galt, Executive Assistant, works closely with the director and the organization's Board of Directors. Previously she served as Executive Secretary to the Director and Registrar for Billings Catholic Schools. Direct line - 869-8405

Jim Tevlin serves as Yellowstone Development's Controller. He has a BS from the University of Alabama and a MBA from the University of South Alabama, and is a Certified Public Accountant (TN-inactive). His experience roster includes positions with Arthur Andersen & Co, Federal Express Corporation, and Big Sky Airlines. Direct line - 869-8402

Mary Lou McMillan serves as receptionist. She also supports the Small Business Development Center, the Community Development program, and the Member Investor Program. 256-6871

FINANCING & TAX INCENTIVES

Brandon Berger has a BA in Business Finance from MSU-Bozeman. Prior coming to Big Sky EDC, he worked for 12 years for Wells Fargo in Billings in Trust Tax, Retirement Plan Administration, and Credit Analysis. He is a board member of the Billings Downtown Exchange Club and is a member of the United Way Volunteer Center Advisory Council. Direct line - 869-8403

Pam Bolin works with Brandon as a loan assistant primarily focused on the SBA 504 program and the Revolving Loan Fund. She was formerly with 1st Citizens Bank for 24 years in loan processing.

BEAR - BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RETENTION
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT

Linda Beck's work in corporate leadership, workforce training and organizational effectiveness spans various multinational companies including US Steel, Ralston Purina Company, Chicken of the Sea Tuna, and The Earthgrains Company. She consulted for over 20 years with clients including Bumblebee Tuna and Montana Power. She holds a BS from MSU Billings. Direct line - 869-8416

Kathy Moody is an Economic Development Specialist with the BEAR program and the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center. She is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the International Economic Development Council and has completed the Business Retention And Expansion course, as well as the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Strategies course. Direct line - 869-8413

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Patty Nordlund who holds an AA in business from MSU-Billings, leads the community development team with 18 years of experience in fund development, community relations and project management. She holds memberships in the American Association of Grants Professionals, MT Economic Developers Association, and National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, and is active with both the Billings Job Service Employers Committee, and the MT State Employers Council. Direct line - 869-8408

Dianne Lehm has over 10 years experience in fund development, and 18 years expertise in marketing. She is serving on the board of directors for Big Sky Senior Services and ZooMontana and is president of the ZooMontana Zoological and Horticultural Society. She holds an AA from Montgomery College, a BS from the U of Maryland, and a Masters in management from the University of Mary. Direct line - 869-8409

Rebekah Wales has a BA in English from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Alabama School Of Law. She currently represents Big Sky EDA on the Billings Area Affordable Housing Task Force. Direct line - 869-8407

Steve Zeier is a Community Development Specialist. He holds a BA from MSU-Billings and a MA in Planning from Kansas State University. He specializes in rural community collaboration, Federal, State, and private grant writing and project administration. Direct line - 869-8420

THE ONE HUNDRED MEMBER INVESTORS

Shari Nault, Certified Economic Development Specialist, served as a consultant to the NFS and MSU-Bozeman to develop a national model for community economic diversity. She was Travel MT's first Cultural Specialist for seven Indian reservations and small communities, served as a chamber director, and PR Director for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, WY. Direct line - 869-8406

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Rebecca Helvik, Certified Business Advisor, has completed NXLevel Entrepreneurial Training. She is continuing her studies with the National Development Council Economic Development courses. She holds a BA from the University of MT and currently operates her own home-based business. Direct line - 869-8412

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

John Klaman, Senior Area Manager of the Montana SBA District office, has worked with SBA for seventeen years. He began his career with the SBA as a loan officer with the Fargo District and advanced to the manager of the Finance Department. He recently transferred to Billings to establish an alternate work site and he is responsible for marketing SBA programs to Billings and counties in southeast Montana. Direct line - 869-8421

MONTANA PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

Maureen Jewell, Statewide Program Manager for the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, there are four PTAC Centers located across Montana, and the Center for the Yellowstone region is located within the Big Sky EDA. Maureen is past president of the National PTAC Assoc. Maureen holds a Level III Certified Contract Assistance Specialist Certificate in Contract Management from The National Assoc. Of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. She is certified in Contract Administration, Procurement Methods and Requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and Contract Law. She has degrees from Northern Arizona, Georgia Southern, and Northwestern. She was included among the Federal 100 Top Executives from Government Industry and Academia. In 2002, the Assoc. of Government Marketing Assistance Specialists awarded the MT PTAC the National "PTAC Center of the Year."

Jason Porch, MTPTAC Sub Center Manager and has an excellent back ground in procurement procedures and processes. He is certified as an Associate Contracting Assistance Specialist and has over six years of experience in working with businesses in government contracting. He will complete his MBA Degree from University of Montana spring of 2008, he was selected to attend a MBA course in Copenhagen summer of 2007, and traveled to China and India recently. He has small business management experience in both marketing and retailing, and work experience in both construction and technology development. Jason also worked for two years as a Small Business Development Center Counselor.

MONTANA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION

Dale Detrick is the founding principal and served as president of DM Engineering, Inc for over 25 years. The company specialized in equipment design & manufacturing for companies like Ford Motor Co., Kodak & Monsanto. He also spent seven years with ConnStep, a MEP Network Affiliate as a manufacturing consultant. Dale holds a MS in Engineering from Yale University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Direct line - 869-8414