Meet your 2018 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Headshot of Wayne Nelson
Wayne Nelson '83
Chair
Degree:
Business administration

Residence:
Billings, Montana

Profession:
President, Stockman Bank in Billings

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? Forester’s Ball, early 80s fraternity experience, and sitting in the old business school building with all the windows open (old fashioned air conditioning).

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life?UM is second to none in the education arena. The skills I learned have been put to use every day in my banking career. The relationships that I formed while in school have served me well in my 30+ years since graduating. It’s fun to watch what everyone does after graduation. And its particularly fascinating to network and actually do business with my fellow alums.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? Knowing that I am working on behalf of 100,000 alums and really getting to collaborate with campus leadership to pursue and accomplish strategic goals.



Head shot of Chris Newbold
Chris Newbold '01
Vice Chair


Degree:
Law

Residence:
Missoula, Montana

Profession:
Executive vice president, ALPS Corporation; author/owner, University Pride Publishing

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?UM provided me a host of extracurricular experiences as a cheerleader, Delta Gamma sorority member, KUFM broadcaster and ROTC.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? I received a world-class education in journalism at UM that remains applicable in many professional realms.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? Advancing and promoting what the University has to offer to individuals and to the world.


DIRECTORS


Portrait of Erin Billings
Erin Billings '95

Degree:

Journalism 

Residence:
Washington, D.C.

Profession:
Public relations/media strategist, Global Strategy Group

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? It’s difficult to pick one favorite memory of UM because there were so many – hiking the M, losing my voice screaming at Grizzly football games, walking across campus in the snow. If I had to pick a standout, however, it would be working at the Montana Kaimin, spending so many late nights with other passionate students trying to finish the perfect story and put out a perfect newspaper (and break the news before the Missoulian did).

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? My education at UM set the course for my career. It prepared me in ways I could never have imagined. UM made me a better writer and editor, taught me how to meet and exceed deadlines, communicate to different audiences and conceive and deliver persuasive and compelling arguments. Without a doubt, studying journalism at UM equipped me for a successful and fulfilling career as a political reporter and now as a strategic communications consultant.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? As a new member of the board, I am looking forward following through on my father’s contributions as a board member and giving back to the University that afforded me so much opportunity. I hope that by working with the UMAA Board in the months ahead, I can help strengthen UM’s national footprint, grow its support from alumni and other stakeholders and build on its already strong brand. This is an important time in UM’s history, and I am excited to work with the board to help keep it on a path of progress.



Picture of Moraine Byrne
Moraine Byrne '78

Degree:

Radio/television

Residence:
Arvada, Colorado

Profession:
President and CEO, Moraine Byrne Associates, Inc.
Consultants in the field of aging services


What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?
There are many good memories, but one that stands out was my first day on-air with KUFM radio. It was a time of excitement and fear, and when it was over, I felt very humbled to be part of the KUFM experience representing UM. My father listened to me on that first day and said how proud he was to hear me on the radio. Dad continued to tune in when he knew I was on-air. I later joined the KUFM staff and loved every minute of it, learning and working with the entire team.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life?
As a journalism student, I was exposed to a broad, liberal arts education and was encouraged to expand my education through multiple classes, programs and community involvement. That exposure to a broader world-view was especially helpful as I embarked on new experiences while traveling the United States. The confidence which I gained during my undergraduate studies helped guide me as I responded to positive career moves, further education and business opportunities.

What aspects of serving on the UMAA board are you looking forward to most?
It’s a privilege to serve as a member of the UMAA Board of Directors and to represent alumni and the University throughout my service tenure. I have served on several committees and have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to chair the Recognition Committee. The Recognition Committee reviews nominations and selects UM Distinguished Alumni annually. We also review applications and select student recipients of Legacy Scholarships. And most recently, we have established a new award called Grizzly of the Last Decade, to recognize graduates who are excelling in their early careers. It is an honor to serve with dedicated board members to make these selections and to carry out the work of the association.



Head shot of Ken Dunham
Ken Dunham '70

Degree:

Radio/television

Residence:
Folsom, California

Profession:
Executive director, West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association


What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?
Lots of them! This is maybe not a traditional memory item, but I recall the tremendous access I had to the various professors at UM. One might expect good access in your major department, and I certainly did in the School of Journalism, but also in other departments in which I just took classes. Especially beneficial to me were some drama and stagecraft classes. I just enjoyed the contact with the professionals in the department.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life?
I transferred into UM as a junior from another unnamed Montana university when I made the decision that being an engineer was not what I wanted to do. Switching majors meant I had some catch-up credits to fill, and I took that opportunity to get a broader education. Who knew several years later, when I was a television news director, I also would use that knowledge to build studio stage sets and do television lighting, as well as present the weather reports better because of my geography classes. I still tell anyone who will listen to me that in college, take unusual and varied classes -- you never know where it will be of value years ahead.

What aspects of serving on the UMAA board are you looking forward to most?
It’s hard to say yet. If I can help encourage someone to attend UM and get that broad liberal arts education, that would be great. Many of us wind up in several different careers in our lives, and that more wide-ranging education makes a person more flexible and employable.



What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?
By far my fondest memories at UM while a student were attending Griz home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Nothing beats a crisp, fall day on campus looking up at the “M” on Mount Sentinel. The energy in the tailgates and stadium is unrivaled.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? The education at UM is top-notch. The University is fortunate to pull in so many talented instructors who come to the University because of its solid educational reputation as well as the Montana quality of life. My tenure at UM set me up for success in my career by teaching me the skills necessary to compete in today’s workforce. My time at UM also honed my appreciation for the great outdoors, given Montana’s abundance of recreational opportunities.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? UM grads are extremely proud of the University and the state of Montana. No matter where in the United States I encounter a UM grad, they always speak fondly of their time at the University and in Missoula, which is the quintessential college town. Serving on the UMAA Board helps me to connect with Griz Nation all across the country, individuals who share a passion for the University and appreciate its ongoing commitment to excellence and growth.



Head shot of Denise Evans Grille
Denise Evans Grills '80

Degree:
Business administration, computer science

Residence:
Greenwood Village, Colorado

Profession:
Vice president of software development, JD Edwards


What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? 
So many … Still in my memory is how the trees looked on the Oval after a frost. Blue skies and the coating of frost on the limbs, with Main Hall and the M in the background, in the early morning before a class when it was quiet. Spectacular.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? I grew up at UM. My sisters and I were the first in our generation to attend college, and had to support ourselves and each other financially. We did not take our education for granted.
I was on scholarships and maintained my grades and was involved in leadership roles on campus. Although I had a lot of fun, I developed my work ethic at UM. I learned that hard work paid off. My sisters tease me that I used to go to the Liberal Arts Building before midnight on weekends and stay overnight to do my computer science exercises. Once you were in, you could stay all night and the graduate students helped you. Those were the days long before personal computers where you had to go to the computer lab and submit your jobs and wait for them to process. Learning to optimize scarce resources is an important skill in business – even if it did make me a nerd at UM!
Although I was a business and computer science major, my liberal arts classes were really challenging and gave me a love of fiction and the arts that stayed with me. I am grateful to Professor Todd in Humanities, who told me to “not let anyone tell me because I was a woman and a business major that I wasn’t smart.” I work in the software industry for a company headquartered in Silicon Valley and now mentor women in business. Women still need to be given that encouragement today.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors?
After my first year on the board, I am so impressed with the varied experience and knowledge of its directors. By design, the directors are chosen across different majors, class years and geographies. This provides a great range of experience and expertise in the Board’s work. In our Homecoming discussion, we had input from board members with lobbying, military, business, banking, consulting and other expertise. The intelligent level of discussion coupled with a love for UM leads to extraordinary leadership and decisions. I’m also impressed by the amount of time President Engstrom spent with the Board. We had a great deal of his time at our Homecoming meetings and updates during the year.



Headshot of Jennifer L. Hensley
Jennifer L. Hensley '98

Degree:
Cellular and molecular microbiology

Residence:
Helena, Montana

Profession:
Government relations manager, Pacific Source Health Plan


What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?
I remember how it felt when I walked out of my last final, the smell of the warm leaves along Daly as I walked to class in the fall, the excitement of catching a random Frisbee thrown across my path in the Oval one afternoon and being able to fling it back without embarrassing myself, and sitting with a row of my friends in Urey Lecture Hall for a general anthropology lecture. These are all special memories, but my highlight was having my favorite mentor, Dr. Garon Smith, hand me my diploma upon graduation with a hug. I was so proud.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? I was deliberate about seeking out classes outside of my major, and because of UM's diverse liberal arts offerings, I participated in classes in the humanities, philosophy and dance. My profession today isn't in my field of study in college, but because of my broad educational approach at UM, I have been very successful in my chosen field.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? Sitting around a table of fascinating, smart, engaged individuals and knowing we are all working together for the good of our University. I learn from my fellow Directors at every meeting.



Head shot of Roy Korkalo
Roy Korkalo '66

Degree:
Biological sciences

Residence:
Vancouver, Washington

Profession:
Career U.S. Army officer


What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM?
I actually have many good memories because I spent six years at UM. Sigma Nu Fraternity. Great classroom instructors. Six years as a Smokejumper and as a UM Silvertip Skydiver.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? Army ROTC launched me into a great career in the military.

What aspects of serving on the UMAA board are you looking forward to most? I look forward to meeting the members, being in Missoula for Homecoming and to continue to inform my community and associates about UM.



Head shot of Peter Loftus
Pete Loftus '84

Degree:
Political science, economics

Residence:
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Profession:
Senior sales executive, Fijitsu Consulting


Head shot of F. Bruce Posey
F. Bruce Posey '77

Degree:
Business administration

Residence:
Billings, Montana

Profession:
Retired mortgage banker and owner, Streeter Brothers Mortgage Corp.


Head shot of Kent Price
Kent Price '65, '67

Degrees:
B.A., history and policital science; M.A., Russian history

Residence:
Danville, California

Profession:
Current chairman of Fluid, Inc., with previous experience in banking, industrial companies, venture capital and high tech

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? The nurturing and mentoring that I received from Mel Wren, Burly Miller, Harry Adams, Bob Turner, Oscar Hammon, Vern Snow, and the other wonderful professors who supported me to achieve my potential.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? I learned to read, write, question and think.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? Helping to ensure the continued greatness of the wonderful university that has given so much to so many.



Picture of Vanessa Y. Bucklin
Vanessa Yeager Bucklin '04

Degrees:
M.B.A.

Residence:
Conrad, MT

Profession:
Financial Services Professional and Owner of Pondera County Insurance

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? As with all students, it is difficult to pick just one memory at UM. The smell alone on a beautiful, crisp fall day walking through the leaves of UM campus is enough to make you smile! I get chills every time I enter Washington Grizzly Stadium and with all the energy and memories of games and celebrations. I cherish all my experiences at UM, but lining up at the Oval proceeding graduation ceremonies was probably my favorite.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? The University of Montana has an outstanding faculty of experienced, practical, and dedicated Educators. I am always so proud to hold a degree from the UM because it is a reflection of substance and excellence. In addition, the relationships I built with my Professors and fellow students have made a positive impact in my career and development.

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? It sounds a little cliché, but I have wanted to serve on the Board since my graduation of UM. This is really a dream come true for me to give back to the University that has given me so much. I am so proud of my deep roots at UM, as my Grandparents, my Parents, my Siblings, and my Husband are all UM Grads! I am thrilled to represent them and all the Alumni of the University and so encouraged to spread our good word and action!



Picture of Emily Ferguson-Steger
Emily Ferguson-Steger

Degrees:
M.Ed.

Residence:
Missoula, MT

Profession:
Director of Undergraduate Admissions

What’s your favorite memory from your time at UM? I have so many amazing memories from my time at UM as a student, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Overall, my most poignant memories include many of UM’s world-class faculty members, who were at one point my professors who through my tenure here on campus became my friends/colleagues. These individuals held the bar higher than I thought I could reach and supported my success while catching me when I stumbled.

How has your UM education benefited you in your post-college life? UM ignited my passion for not only higher education but also for this place we all love…UM

What’s your favorite aspect of serving on the UMAA Board of Directors? As a passionate UM graduate and new member to the board, I am excited to learn about how my voice and experience can not only enhance the amazing work done by this group of diverse and talented people, but to continue to strengthen UM’s connection to proud Griz Alums around the world.


EX OFFICIO


Seth Bodnar, President, University of Montana

Jed Liston, '82, '00 Director, Alumni Relations & President/CEO, UM Alumni Association

Mary Olson, '81, '89 Chair, UM Foundation Board of Trustees

Alex Butler, President, ASUM