Gov. Gianforte Announces Board Appointments

• March 31 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the following appointments: 

Board of Medical Examiners

• Ana Diaz, Billings: Serving on the Board of Medical Examiners since 2013, Diaz has a strong command of the issues and has been reappointed to another term. Diaz’s term will run through September 1, 2025.
• Christine Emerson, Helena: Reappointed to the Board of Medical Examiners, Emerson brings more than 25 years of experience as a health professional. A licensed nutritionist, Emerson was nominated and elected president of the board by fellow board members. Emerson’s term will run through September 1, 2025.
• James Guyer, Billings: Leveraging more than 30 years of experience as a medical provider and over 14 years of experience as a physician educator, Guyer will continue to ensure the medical providers licensed to care for Montanans are qualified and provide high-quality care to their patients in his second term. Guyer’s term will run through September 1, 2025.
• Tony Pfaff, Deer Lodge: As a hospital CEO and small business owner, Pfaff has seen firsthand issues he’ll work to solve serving on the board. Pfaff’s term will run through September 1, 2025.
• Connie Wethern, Glasgow: A Glasgow native of 43 years, Wethern has served as a volunteer EMT since 1986 and director of Valley County EMS for the past four years. Wethern’s term will run through September 1, 2025.
• Brooke Yates, Red Lodge: A Montana native practicing in the state for 13 years, Yates has been a physician assistant for nearly two decades and currently provides care in rural Montana. Yates’ term will run through September 1, 2025.

Board of Public Education 

• Timothy Tharp, Savage: Born and raised in Montana, Tharp has spent his career actively engaged in educational policy in rural Montana and has served on various boards in leadership positions. A licensed educator and administrator, Tharp currently serves as the vice chairman of the Savage School Board. Tharp’s term will run through January 31, 2027.

Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission

• Ben Jones, Billings: A petroleum engineer for nearly 15 years, Jones brings experience from both the private and public sectors and currently serves as the petroleum engineer and technical advisor for the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation. His term will run through December 31, 2024. 

Montana Arts Council

• Troy Collins, Hamilton: A nationally renowned western landscape impressionist, Collins paints with brilliant color, texture, and insight from his studio nestled in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains. Collins’s term will run through February 1, 2027.
• Julie Macalister, Whitefish: An experienced television host and content producer, Macalister’s term will run through term will run through February 1, 2027.
• John L. Moore, Miles City: Born in Miles City and raised on his family ranch, Moore served in the United States Air Force and is an award-winning journalist, author, poet, and photographer. Moore is also a member of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame. Moore’s term will run through February 1, 2027.
• Greg Murphy, Billings: A native Montanan practicing law in the state for over 40 years, Murphy played French horn in the Billings Symphony for 23 years. He also served on the Board of Directors and as an officer of the Billings Symphony Society. Murphy’s term will run through February 1, 2027.
• Bridger Pierce, Missoula: A Missoula-based independent television producer with over 80 full time employees, Pierce has served for 13 years as vice president of general operations for Warm Springs Productions. Pierce’s term will run through February 1, 2027.

State Workforce Innovation Board

• Mary Armstrong, Glasgow: A Valley County commissioner, Armstrong formerly held various executive leadership positions for The Boeing Company and was named by Financial Times as one of the top 50 women in the wings of business leadership globally in 2011. Armstrong’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Dean Bentley, Butte: Reappointed to the State Workforce Innovation Board, Bentley serves on the Business Department Industry Advisory Council at Montana Technological University and at Highlands College. Bentley has long been a champion of apprenticeships in the Butte community. His term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Bo Bruinsma, Billings: Bruinsma previously served as apprenticeship specialist and equity coordinator for the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program. Bruinsma currently serves as the career outreach director for Billings Public Schools. His term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Paddy Fleming, Bozeman: A fifth generation Montanan whose family first came to the state in 1862, Fleming has over 27 years of experience in leading, managing, and improving manufacturing businesses. Fleming’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Adam Gilbertson, Laurel: With 22 years of experience in leadership roles with the military as well as the largest agriculture and construction equipment dealer in North America, Gilbertson is a longtime advocate for expanding access to trades education and various workforce development initiatives. His term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Paul Hopfauf, Glendive: Reappointed to the State Workforce Innovation Board, Hopfauf currently serves as director of strategic planning and growth for Montana-Dakota Utilities and on the Montana Chamber of Commerce board. His term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Heather O’Hara, Helena: A registered nurse for over 20 years and currently serving as vice president of the Montana Hospital Association, O’Hara has been reappointed to the board. O’Hara’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Jason Palin, Big Timber: A native Montanan and seasoned mining professional with nearly two decades of experience in engineering and leadership roles, Palin brings an expertise in strategic operations leadership to the board. Palin’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Quinton Queer, Butte: A journeyman plumber and training coordinator for Silver Bow JATC, Queer has firsthand experience developing Montana’s workforce in the field. Queer’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• David Smith, Helena: Executive director of the Montana Contractors Association since 2018, Smith previously served as president and CEO of the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce for 14 years. Smith’s term will run through June 30, 2024.
• Jim Wonnacott, Butte: Beginning his career as an iron worker apprentice, Wonnacott now serves as the business manager for Iron Workers Local Union 732 in Helena. Wonnacott’s term will run through June 30, 2024.

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