Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
Josh Arrants
BOARD PRESIDENT
Decent skier, average golfer, and huge hearted. Lance came to the Flathead Valley to run the local paper and has since shifted to real estate. He volunteers much of his time for local nonprofits and gets into the mountains as often as possible.
Dee Mann Aust
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Sue brings over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance to our team, and is owner of The CFO Agency. She believes education is the key to change and loves the Glacier Institute’s commitment to using education to connect people to the outdoors. Sue is a self-proclaimed foodie, enjoys camping, gardening, good friends, good wine, and aspires to spend more time quilting in the future.
Sue Thompson
BOARD TREASURER
A Wyoming native, Dee is a natural leader with over 25 years of leadership experience in a 40 year healthcare career. She is proud to have opened the first Social Work department at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Dee is happily married, loves to laugh, is soothed by nature, driven by music, and has been passionate about photography since receiving a Pentax K1000 in college. She comes to the board with a long list of leadership certifications and a perpetual instinct to always be prepared.
David Fetveit
BOARD SECRETARY
David Fetveit is a third-generation Flathead native who returned to the Valley in 2005 after 10 years as a corporate executive for a national firm based in Phoenix. His background in real estate investing, business and appreciation for the local dynamics provide an extensive and unique understanding of Flathead Valley real estate markets. David is a licensed real estate broker with PureWest Real Estate, working with the same brokerage since 2007, and joining the ownership group in 2019.
David takes pride in his active involvement in the church and local community and is actively engaged in all of Montana's outdoor activities with his four boys – golf, fishing, hiking, and boating. He’s passionate about sharing Montana with those who love and appreciate what Northwest Montana has to offer.
Nancy Lundgren
BOARD MEMBER
A native of New England, Nancy has called West Glacier, Montana home for over 40 years. She has a Masters Degree in Education with a career focused on youth. Nancy has been a Board member of the Glacier Institute since 2013 and remembers her two daughters adventures attending camps at Big Creek. She looks forward to having her three grandchildren participate as soon as they are of age. Always attracted to the wild, Nancy’s current adventures include managing communications at various checkpoints for the annual Iditarod Dog Sled races in the Alaskan Bush and monitoring Common Loons at backcountry lakes in Glacier National Park.
Lives by “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”
Jeff Ellingson
BOARD MEMBER
After his second year at Flathead Valley Community College, Jeff got a summer ranger job in Glacier, which he managed to stretch into three seasons at Rising Sun and three more at Polebridge and Logging Lake. Between summers of hiking, climbing, and helping visitors in Glacier Heaven, he finished college at UM and Stanford Law School, before returning to Kalispell to be near family, and start his 40-year law career. Jeff and Susan and their blended family of five children (and grandchildren and multiple dogs) love Glacier and the Flathead Valley.
Lance Fahrney
BOARD MEMBER
As a kid growing up in South Carolina, Josh Arrants always dreamed of seeing Montana. What he never imagined possible was that he’d one day have the opportunity to teach classes in the most beautiful classroom he’d ever seen, Glacier National Park. A naturalist with over 20 years experience managing natural resources and teaching natural history, Josh has dedicated much of his career to protecting endangered species populations on military installations, state and federal lands, as well as private properties. He lives in Kalispell with his wife, Aimee, and can be found fishing, wandering in the woods and staring at the mountains for hours.
Mike Carpenter
BOARD MEMBER
Born and raised in South Dakota. Bachelors degree in Computer Science with a Masters degree in Management. 35 year high tech management career mostly in Minnesota. Now seasonally migrates between Montana and Florida. Fly fishing obsession, fly casting instructor, Florida Master Naturalist.
Art Burch
BOARD MEMBER
Beau Servo
BOARD MEMBER
Beau Servo grew up on the streams of Northwest Montana. With Glacier Park as his backyard he was taught at an early age to love nature and learn from it. He followed his passion for fly fishing to the University of Montana where he studied fisheries and received a degree in Wildlife Biology. When offered a job on the North Fork of the Flathead River after university he couldn’t refuse. Working for the Glacier Institute at Big Creek Outdoor Education Center he discovered his love for teaching. There he met his wonderful wife, and after 6 seasons he returned to university to earn another biology degree and teaching certificate.
After teaching high school science for multiple years, he found himself back in the Flathead Valley and is currently teaching woodshop at Flathead High School.
The Glacier Institute Staff
Anthony Nelson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anthony is a husband, father of three, amateur rock skipper, musician, and listener of audio-books. The highlight of his job is getting youth out to Big Creek to create lasting memories that spark a love for the outdoors; experiences he was fortunate to have in his own childhood and considers irreplaceable. Brunch meetings are a close second.
Dawn Glynn
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Dawn runs a tight ship at the main Glacier Institute campus in downtown Columbia Falls. She’s a huge fan of camping with her family, reading a good book, and kayaking at the lake.
Garrett Tovey
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Email: garrett@glacierinstitute.org
Jeremy McKeen
LEAD EDUCATOR
Jeremy is passionate about getting youth exploring and learning about the wilderness. He has a degree in outdoor education. During his days off you can find fly fishing the local waters, skiing, and mountain biking.
Email: jmckeen@glacierinstitute.org
Kelly Minear
LEAD EDUCATOR
Kelly grew up running on the trails of beautiful northeast Iowa where she developed a passion for the outdoors. She has a degree in English Literature and Education and taught middle school language arts before moving to Montana. While in Montana she found joy in teaching others about the beauty Montana has to offer. In her free time she can be found admiring wildflowers, birding, running, skiing, or smelling ponderosa pine trees.
Zowie Caouette
LEAD EDUCATOR
Zowie is originally from New England, with her family hailing from Quebec. After graduating high school, she embarked on a 7 week long road trip visiting 25 states and 11 national parks. While she only spent 24 hours in Glacier, she fell in love with the park so much that it changed the course of her life. Returning to New England, she was now on the path to empower learners of all ages to become stewards of the natural world. She received a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Education at the University of Vermont. After working as an outdoor educator and Park Ranger for the Forest Service, she moved to Montana in 2021 to work for Glacier National Park as a Park Ranger in the Interpretation Department. She is excited to mentor the Outdoor Education Specialists as the Lead Educator at Field Camp. In her free time, Zowie can be found nature journaling her favorite wildflowers and fungi, backpacking in remote areas of Glacier, and playing ice hockey as a goaltender.
Mady Rigg
MARKETING MANAGER
Mady Rigg, a life-long Flathead Valley local, is in charge of events, social media, and merch at the Glacier Institute. She studied communication at Eastern Washington University and served as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta after graduation. Mady was Miss Montana Teen USA in 2014 and is returning to compete for Miss Montana USA this year! She’s an avid public radio listener, obsessed with long drives around the state on backroads, and soaking up the goodness of Flathead Lake all summer long.
Josef McKee
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Josef McKee grew up in Paw Paw, Northern Illinois, exploring the woods and rural fields. After graduating from Kishwaukee Community College, he earned a degree in Zoology, specializing in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from Southern Illinois University. Josef worked as a technician for the Wildlife Department of SIU, capturing and tracking bobwhite quail, and studying grassland ecosystems. He interned with the Glacier Institute in 2021 and is now back for another adventurous summer of fly-fishing, hiking, and working with the Glacier Institute. Josef's love for the wilds of America was cultivated during family vacations to places like Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Glacier.
Mikaela Joerz
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Mikaela Joerz, a nature enthusiast, was born on the East Coast but spent most of her childhood in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. She is currently pursuing a degree in ecology, building on her previous experience surveying birds and vegetation. Her passion for the natural world is reflected in her hobbies, which include exploring the great outdoors through hiking in the woods, and capturing its beauty through watercolor painting. In her free time, she can also be found hanging out with her pet chickens, which she lovingly cares for. With her deep connection to nature, Mikaela hopes to make a positive impact in the field of conservation.
HANK
OFFICE PUP
Hank is the most lovable office puppy. He adores taking naps, keeping the office safe from crows, and tormenting his big sister. He LOVES making friends with other neighborhood dogs in Columbia Falls.
Caitlin Roberson
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Caitlin Roberson is a true adventurer at heart, with a passion for the great outdoors that has taken her all over the world. Growing up in the beautiful town of Bigfork, MT, she was always in love with the majestic mountains that surrounded her. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Social Services, Caitlin decided to embark on a new adventure and spent the last 6 years working in Granada, Nicaragua, where she made a significant impact on the community through her work in community development. Now back in her native Flathead Valley, Caitlin is excited to continue exploring Glacier National Park and all the beauty that Montana has to offer.
Haley Anderson
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
The five words that describe Haley’s essence is energy, possibility, hearth, integrity and adventure. She has a passion for supporting people to achieve their goals. Loves to pickle food, hike, and being an aunt. She has a goal to learn about the world through experiences and exploring all 7 continents.
Haley grew up riding bikes, climbing trees, and building bug homes in the suburbs of Washington state. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in organizational leadership. After completing her college education, she became a trained life coach.
Before coming to Glacier, she lived and volunteered on a pig rescue, taking care of 150 pigs. It was the end to her 5 month long solo backpacking journey across 20 countries, making the total count of countries she visited to 39.
At Glacier Institute Haley will work to empower young girls and women through outdoor education to feel confident and powerful.
Abby Caspersen
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Abby grew up in a cozy little town outside Fredericksburg, Virginia, surrounded by woods. She and her sister spent countless hours in their backyard treehouse, built by their dad, where Abby discovered her love for nature. After graduating from CU Boulder with a degree in Elementary Education and a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement, Abby packed up her stuff and headed to Montana to start her first seasonal job at Hungry Horse Dam. When she's not working, you can find Abby skiing, hiking, jamming to live music, and binge-watching Parks and Rec. She's excited to combine her passion for nature and her education background at Glacier Institute, hoping to make visitors fall in love with Glacier National Park just like she did. Abby's other interests include left-handedness, golf, cooking, and painting.
Liz Heneghan
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Liz Heneghan, hails from Cleveland, Ohio, and holds a B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She spent two summers working for the Glacier Conservancy and is thrilled to continue fostering connections to the natural world. Liz is passionate about making the outdoors a safe, inclusive, and fun space for all and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental field. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, cloud watching, and playing Animal Crossing. Liz hopes to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of nature and to explore the outdoors.
Natalie Wright
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SPECIALIST
Originally from New York City, Natalie attributes her love for the outdoors to sleepaway camp in Long Island and field trips to the American Museum of Natural History. Natalie’s work volunteering with political campaigns In NYC made her understand how important people’s attitudes and ideologies are in the fight to protect the environment— a reality which ultimately pushed her to pursue an undergraduate degree in both Environmental Studies and Political Science. Before coming to the Glacier Institute, Natalie did education and interpretation for Shenandoah National Park. She is passionate about hiking, simply existing outdoors, and inspiring others to cultivate a healthy relationship with the natural world.
Adelaide
QUEEN OFFICE PUP
Addie is the queen office pup. She loves chasing tennis balls, keeping the squirrels away from the window, and being the fun police. She LOVES skiing with her dad and showing off for belly rubs.