Governor Gianforte Announces Board Appointments

• February 23 2024

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

Future Fisheries Review Panel

• Zachary Bashoor, Arlee: A University of Montana graduate with a degree in Forest Resource Management and Wildland Fire Science, Bashoor is an accredited logging professional and professional forester. He will serve the panel as a member with expertise in silviculture. His term will run through July 1, 2025.
• Peter Skidmore, Bozeman: With over 30 years of experience protecting, restoring, and conserving rivers, Skidmore provides professional guidance on river restoration and conservation to state and federal agencies. His term will run through July 1, 2025.
• Gabrielle Thorsen, Bigfork: Bigfork High School student and Eagle Scout, Thorsen is eager to learn more about fisheries and environmental conservation. Her term will run through July 1, 2026.

Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC)

• Ronald Pifer, Stevensville: Vice Chair of the Montana Water Pollution Control Advisory Council and an ecologist and environmental scientist, Pifer brings his experience in fisheries and botanical research. His term will run through July 1, 2026.

Board of Clinical Laboratory Science Practitioners

• Cara Bushmaker, Hamilton: Serving as laboratory manager for Bitterroot Health Daly Laboratory, Bushmaker has over 16 years of experience working in clinical laboratories. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.
• Michelle Griffin, Helena: With 26 years of experience in the laboratory field, Griffin serves as the Montana Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Surveyor. Her term will run through July 1, 2026.
• Will Peterman, Hardin: With over a decade of experience in laboratory science, Peterman serves as the Laboratory Manager for the Big Horn Hospital Association. His term runs through July 1, 2024.

Board of Optometry

• Joshua Campbell, Great Falls: A licensed attorney and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce board member, Campbell will represent a member of the public who is not involved in optometry practice. His term runs through July 1, 2027.
• Joseph Vincent, Great Falls: Former president of the Montana Optometric Association and owner of Treasure State Eye Care with over a decade of experience in the field, Vincent is committed to advancing optometry and providing the highest standard of care to Montanans. His term runs through July 1, 2025.

Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

• Hillary Carter, East Helena: A clinical audiologist for nearly two decades and owner of Comprehensive Hearing Services in Helena, Carter has been reappointed to continue serving the board. Her term runs through July 1, 2026.
• Barbara Doughty, Great Falls: Serving as a speech therapist for Great Falls Public Schools and member of the Montana Speech Language & Hearing Association, Doughty brings over two decades of experience to the board. Her term runs through July 1, 2025.
• Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Missoula: Schoffer Closson is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Montana specializing in speech, language, hearing, and occupational sciences. Her term runs through July 1, 2024.

Board of Realty Regulation

• Patti Dundas, Billings: Owner of Landmark Realtors of Billings, Dundas brings her professional real estate expertise to the board. Her term runs through July 1, 2025.

Board of Real Estate Appraisers

• Peter Fontana, Great Falls: A University of Montana graduate, Fontana formerly served as a Montana Department of Revenue appraisal specialist and supervisor and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Appraisal Foundation and the Great Falls Association of Realtors. His term runs through July 1, 2025.
• Gregory Thornquist, Helena: Navy veteran and Carroll College graduate, Thornquist is a certified general appraiser and owns and operates Elkhorn Appraisal Services in Helena. His term runs through May 1, 2024.

Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

• Brace Hayden, Missoula: A credentialed clinical instructor at the University of Montana, Hayden is also the clinic manager at Alpine Physical Therapy and a member of the Montana Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. His term runs through July 1, 2025.
• Douglas Martin, Corvallis: A licensed physical therapist and owner of Hamilton Physical Therapy, Martin brings nearly 30 years of experience in physical therapy to the board. His term runs through July 1, 2026.

Ground Water Assessment Steering Committee

• Walter Sales, Manhattan: As a farmer and rancher in the Gallatin Valley, a former member of the Gallatin Water Resources Task Force, and Montana State Senator, Sales brings a strong voice for the agriculture community to this board. His term runs through July 1, 2027.
• Mark Thompson, Butte: Serving as Vice President of Environmental Affairs for Montana Resources, Thompson is being reappointed to the board. His term runs through July 1, 2027.

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