The Central Montana RC&D is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization. The Central Montana RC&D Council is made up of one appointed member from each conservation district board of supervisors, each board of county commissioners, one representative from each incorporated town and the chairman of each resource committee.

The Board of Directors represent town/city and county governments, conservation districts and affiliations of interest. Sponsors include the region’s conservation districts, boards of county commission and towns and city councils. The Central Montana RC&D Council meets every other month. The Central Montana RC&D Council includes the following:

Central Montana RC&D Council members

• Edgar Lewis, Chairman; Golden Valley County
• Dick Ellestad, Vice Chairman; City of Lewistown
• Diane Ahlgren, Secretary/Treasurer, Petroleum Conservation District
• Cody McDonald, Judith Basin County
• Richard Moe, Wheatland County
• Ken Ronish, Fergus County
• Larry Lekse, Musselshell County
• Carol Ann Schaeffer, Winnett/Petroleum County
• Chris King, Petroleum County
• Dan Stilson, Fergus Conservation District
• Ron Ahlgren, Grass Range
• Neil Rich, Winifred
• Rose Schindler, Stanford
• Doug Hitch, Judith Basin Conservation District
• Bill Edwards, Roundup/Musselshell County
• Ken Minnie, Roundup/Musselshell County
• Joseph Otte, Denton
• Dale Longfellow, Hobson
• Sidney Boe, Lavina
• John Peccia, Harlowton
• Mark Solnosky, Ryegate
• Shirley Parrott, Lower Musselshell Conservation District

Resource Committees 

Natural Resources: The Natural Resources Committee is a resource committee of the Central Montana RC&D that meets as needed to stay abreast on issues that affect natural resource development in Montana and in our region. The committee consists of the Central Montana RC&D Executive Board and another member county commissioner. The role of the natural resources committee has been to research topics such as bio-mass energy production, alternative energy development, mercury emission rules in Montana, Wilderness Study Areas and Roadless Designations in Montana. Based on their findings, the Central Montana RC&D Council has gone on record supporting or opposing these various issues related to natural resources in Montana.

Snowy Mountain Development Corporation: Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) serves as an economic development arm of Central Montana RC&D. It was founded in 2001 under the umbrella of Central Montana RC&D and achieved its own non-profit status the following year. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two organizations and many of Central Montana RC&D board members also serve on the SMDC board of directors. Central Montana RC&D's Assistant Coordinator Carrie Mantooth also is an employee of SMDC. SMDC’s mission is: “To improve economic and social conditions through conservation, utilization, expansion and development of all accessible resources in the area.” SMDC has achieved recognition as an Economic Development District by EDA and is a Certified Regional Development Corporation through Montana Department of Commerce. It also is a Bio-Product Innovation Center (BPIC). SMDC provides technical assistance to businesses for creation, recruitment and expansion; manages county and regional revolving loan funds to help businesses with gap financing; and works on a variety of community development and planning projects.

NeighborWorks Montana: Central Montana RC&D has been working with NeighborWorks of Great Falls (formerly Neighborhood Housing Services) and its statewide affiliate, NeighborWorks Montana (formerly Montana HomeOwnership Network) since 2000 on affordable housing issues. A partnership was formed between Central Montana RC&D and other RC&Ds in the state to deliver homebuyer education to first-time homebuyers. Most of the attendees are in the low to moderate income bracket and qualify for closing costs and down payment assistance programs or a reduced mortgage interest rate. At least one eight-hour course is held monthly to educate potential homebuyers about the home buying process, as well as credit basics, budgeting and home maintenance. These assistance programs are often the catalyst that allow families to become homeowners, helping to build more stable economies in our region. In addition to group pre-purchase education, Central Montana RC&D staff will provide one-on-one counseling to potential homeowners to help set up a budget, read a credit report, etc., and provides foreclosure prevention counseling.

Financial Review Committee: The officers of the Central Montana RC&D Council also serve on the financial review committee. The committee reviews the result of the RC&D Council’s annual audit prepared by an independent financial evaluator. The committee also serves to review internal accounting methods, principles, practices and control and other expenditures by or for the Board of Directors, officers and RC&D staff.

 Staff Support

The Central Montana RC&D Council is comprised of individuals who volunteer their time to oversee and guide the organization. Central Montana RC&D has a coordinator, Monty Sealey, who is an employee of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). He has served as the coordinator of Central Montana RC&D since its organization. Carrie Mantooth has worked as the part-time assistant coordinator since 2001 and the contract position is funded by DNRC. She works out of the SMDC office in Lewistown. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also contributes funding to the organization. The coordinator and assistant coordinator are responsible for conducting the day-to-day functions required to implement the Central Montana RC&D Plan of Work.

To contact staff:
Monty Sealey
P.O. Box 660
Roundup, MT  59072
Phone: (406) 323-2755
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Carrie Mantooth
613 NE Main St.
Lewistown, MT  59457
Phone: (406) 535-2591
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