GVLT Board and Staff

Stephen Johnson - Executive Director
I am honored and delighted to have been chosen to lead Gallatin Valley Land Trust at this pivotal moment in its history. GVLT has a great track record of conservation and collaboration in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem preservation efforts, and the "Main Street to the Mountains" trail system.

Still, I know GVLT aspires to even greater achievements. Board and staff are eager to gear up and I'd like to engage more of you in accomplishing this mission. I bring over 20 years of experience in science, government, real estate development and land trusts, which I will apply to help you find creative strategies to accelerate the pace of land conservation in ways that respond to the unique assets and challenges of this region.

I grew up in New England which naturally meant I grew to love fishing and hiking in the White Mountains. However, I have always dreamt of bigger mountains and wilder places. Later, I had the opportunity to study for a semester in Kenya. It was an incredible experience set in a vast landscape, amid herds of wildlife beyond count, affording me the chance to explore new ideas about balancing environmental stewardship and development in a completely different context. Just recently, I spend a summer canoeing the Missouri River and exploring Yellowstone and Grant Teton National Parks with my family. These formative experiences shape how I will approach helping you to conserve what is best about Montana.

I can't imagine a better place to live and to work in conservation. I am thrilled to be involved with conservation of one of the earth's natural wonders Of course this is also a great place for my favorite activities - fly fishing, cross country skiing, mountain biking and backpacking. My wife Johanna and daughters Caitlin and Sarah share my enthusiasm for this new adventure. We look forward to meeting and working with all of you - please stop in to our new offices and say hello!

406-587-8404
Ext. 105
stephen@gvlt.org

Gary Vodehnal - Trails Program Coordinator
My family and I thank our lucky stars for the Gallatin Valley Land Trust every time we transport ourselves along the "Main Street to the Mountains" trail system. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help build, maintain, and manage our community trail system. Growing up on a farm in Nebraska taught me to love the land and appreciate the hardships and joys of agrarian living. My two older brothers helped nurture my appreciation of mountains and trails by taking me on my first backpacking adventure to Glacier Park. Miraculously the farm boys survived their first hiking adventure and Gary was smitten by the lure of wild places. I headed for the mountains of Idaho and Montana after receiving a Bachelor's degree in wildlife management and resource conservation from the University of Nebraska. I kept busy working with the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service before settling permanently in Bozeman in 1985. I served as an intern with GVLT while completing my Masters degree in Land Reclamation from MSU and took the land trust bait - hook, line, and sinker, (that's Nebraska pond fishing talk). My job with GVLT takes me back to those cherished Nebraska roots as I work with landowners who want to protect open space and farmland, or are interested in helping with community trails. When I'm not working for GVLT, I spend my time trying to keep up with my wife Carola, and my two children Luka and Liam. I also spend an inordinate amount of time fixing up an old house and occasionally get to do fun stuff like canoeing, camping, swimming, reading, and gardening. Of course, our favorite family activity is hiking and biking on public trails.

Gro Aase Lunde - Finance Director
I first traveled to the US in 1986 primarily to ski for the University of Wyoming and secondly to earn a Bachelor’s degree in General Business. It was quite the culture shock for an 18 year old Norwegian girl to land in Laramie in the middle of the kind of western cowboy culture that I had only seen in movies. I was fortunate enough to qualify for NCAA all four years and in 1986 we even won the championship title right here in Bozeman. Ever since then I always envisioned coming back to the area which struck me as so beautiful.

After settling on the southwestern coast of Norway for 10 years, starting a career in accounting and having two daughters, my American husband was transferred to Houston, Texas. They OK’d living a day’s travel away and so I talked him into moving to Bozeman based on those Nordic ski trips while in college. I have since spent 10 years here in the Gallatin Valley, enjoying the surroundings through various outdoor pursuits, and working in accounting jobs at MSU and at the now non-profit Project WET for 5 years. In 2000, I received a Masters degree in Accounting from MSU and passed the CPA exam. I have been heavily involved in the Bridger Ski Foundation on the Nordic side as a coach for juniors and masters and also in administration during my time in Bozeman.

Last year, I brought my two daughters back to Norway for a year in order for them to experience life again in their mother’s land. They went to school and I got a job as an accountant in Oslo. Their language skills improved tremendously and I believe we accomplished our goal of feeling at home in Oslo as well as in the Gallatin Valley. Now back in Bozeman, I am truly thrilled to be part of the GVLT team. My goal is to contribute positively to the great work that GVLT does for our surrounding lands and inter-connecting trails used so extensively by this community.

Sara Anderson - Outreach and Events Coordinator
I started working for the Gallatin Valley Land Trust in November of 2006 as a part-time temporary employee. I am so excited to become a permanent part of this dynamic team of individuals working for an incredible mission. I am originally from New England, where I was raised with a deep appreciation for the natural world and the importance of protecting it. My grandmother, Kathleen Anderson, an inspiring naturalist and ornithologist, conserved 90 acres of her farm through the Mass Audubon and Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts. I know and appreciate first hand the importance of having the legacy and history of your family land protected for generations to come.

I received my bachelor’s degree in public policy and social change from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. After college I worked in Boston for the Fund for Public Interest Research Group, directing a fundraising office for Save the Children. From the moment I moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2004, I knew that the west was my home. I instantly fell in love with the big sky and open land, which called to my adventurous spirit. While in Phoenix I worked with at-risk children. My desire for a smaller town atmosphere drew me to Montana. I am so happy to be a part of the Bozeman community with its active trail system, mountains, and backyard wilderness. I am proud to be taking an active role in protecting the heritage of this beautiful land. I am currently in the process of completing a Masters of Public Administration from MSU.

Ted Lange - Community Trails Planner
My family and I moved to the Gallatin Valley not only for the incredible landscape, but also because of the great sense of community we found here. GVLT's success is a reflection of this community's strong commitment to conserving important agricultural landsand wildlife habitat, and creating urban greenways for future generations. GVLT's impressive resume of accomplishments also reflects many years of hard work and dedication by a team of staff and volunteers that I am proud to be a part of.

Since joining the GVLT staff in 2002, I have worked with Gallatin Valley landowners to save a place for agriculture and wildlife in the face of rapid development; and I have worked with local government, developers, neighborhoods and many other partners to ensure that our community trails network grows to keep pace with development. I see our Land Conservation and Community Trails Programs as complementary and critically important to maintaining the quality of life we are so fortunate to enjoy. In my current position as Community Trails Planner, I am excited to play a role in GVLT’s many initiatives to build community by building trails.

Growing up in the suburbs of New York, I learned to deeply value urban greenways and preserved areas of undeveloped land. Later in the small rural town in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts where I went to college, I came to appreciate how protecting forests and agricultural land were critical to maintaining a sense of community and preserving the essential character of that region.

After earning my bachelors degree in geology with a concentration in environmental studies from Williams College, I spent nine years in Montana working for the Northern Plains Resource Council, a Billings-based conservation and family agriculture citizen's group. At Northern Plains, I worked with eastern Montana farmers and ranchers and gained an understanding of the economic struggles they face to keep their working lands working. Montana's agricultural producers face many challenges and I believe that agricultural land preservation is a critical piece of the solution.

Shortly after my wife, Christine, and I moved to Bozeman in 2000, our son Ian was born. We can't imagine a better place to raise a child, especially as a member of GVLT's family of urban and rural people dedicated to preserving the landscapes and quality of life that make Montana such a great place to live.

Kelly Pohl - Land Protection Specialist
As GVLT's Land Protection Specialist, I am thrilled to collaborate with landowners to explore conservation options and to draft and negotiate conservation easements that protect open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural landscapes.

My love for the Gallatin Valley not only stems from my personal roots as a Bozeman native, but also from my background in ecology and geography. I completed a B.S. in geography at MSU and a M.S. in geography at Portland State University. After working as a naturalist for Colorado State Parks, I spent three years as an ecologist with The Nature Conservancy working on conservation issues related to wildland fire. I'm thrilled to return to Bozeman-where the unique landscapes and diverse communities guided me to a career in conservation-and to contribute to the important work of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust in maintaining and protecting the region's exceptional ecology and quality of life.

Ann Vinciguerra – Director of Annual Giving
I began working at the Gallatin Valley Land Trust in August 2006. Although my past experience has been with nonprofit arts organizations, I am pleased to get the chance to work for a conservation group. I think we can all agree that preservation of open space and improved trails systems make any area a better place to live and I am happy to be working for an organization that plays that role in our community.

Immediately after graduate school I moved to Big Sky, Montana to ski and to fill out applications for PhD programs. One year later I was competent telemark skier but the PhD applications remained unfinished. I began working in the nonprofit sector while living in Crested Butte, Colorado and continued my work in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I spent six years raising money for the Grand Teton Music Festival and the National Museum of Wildlife Art. In October 2005, I returned to Montana and my only regret is not returning sooner.

I have a B.S. in liberal studies from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.A. in communication from University of Wyoming. In my spare time I enjoy backcountry skiing, mountain biking, yoga and serving as a volunteer d.j. on KGLT, Bozeman’s alternative public radio station.

Kate Burnaby Wright - Stewardship Coordinator
I'm excited to join the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, an organization I have long respected for its work to protect open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural landscapes. I look forward to working with landowners and partners to support quality, enduring land stewardship and - building upon the excellent work of those who have come before me - to continue developing strong relationships that enhance stewardship and understanding of ecology throughout our community.

My roots are in the Pacific Northwest, where I grew up picking blackberries, exploring woods & mountains, and listening to family tales from Oregon territory days - such as the great-great-grandmother who "stared down a cougar." I moved to the Gallatin Valley in 1992, and have been thrilled to call the northern Rockies home ever since.

A field ecologist by training, my drive to understand the land, the people, and the issues that impact our western landscapes has shaped my career. From green ranch-hand and hunting camp cook to forest carnivore researcher, from science coordination for an Aleut village to sustainability projects in northern Mongolia, I've had the honor of working with amazing people - people that approach the land, and conservation, from vastly different world views. I look forward to drawing from these experiences as I work with the incredible network of landowners and partners that help GVLT conserve, enhance and protect land in our rapidly-growing corner of the Northern Rockies.

When I'm not in the office or on a field visit, you'll likely find me - most often with my husband Peter - skiing, trail-running, exploring the backcountry, playing in the garden or kitchen, traveling, or (when I'm lucky) out riding horses with generous friends!

Lisa Tuckerman - President
Lisa is a graduate of Brown University. She worked for over 16 years for Victory SBSF Capital Management. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and specialized in research on healthcare and biotechnology companies. She has been both a managing director and portfolio manager as well as a board member of several venture capital-funded companies. Lisa and her husband, Russell, have lived in Bozeman and been active with GVLT since 1992. This year, she retired to become a full-time mom for their two young sons.

Page Dabney - Vice President
Page moved to Bozeman in 1981 and has worked with D.A. Davidson & Co. since 1984, providing financial management and investment planning. He has a bachelor's degree in geography from Middlebury College and an MBA degree from the University of Denver. He was a founding member of the Gallatin County Planning Board and was involved in writing the county’s first master plan in the mid-1980s. Since 1992, he has been a trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Montana, serving as chairman from 1999-2002. He and his wife, Cyndi, have two teenage children.

Scott Dehlendorf - Treasurer
Scott's family association with Montana began in 1978 with the purchase of a cattle ranch near McLeod. While spending summers working the ranch, it became clear to him that someday he would call Montana home. In 1995 that wish became a reality for Scott, his wife, and two children. His career has been in management with various businesses ranging from film, ski resorts, coal mining, and most recently commercial real estate.

Dotty Ballantyne
Dotty received a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. For 14 years she worked in the financial services industry managing market research, joint ventures, and a direct response distribution system for a large insurance company. Dotty also started a family of mutual funds, provided international business consulting, and started an educational exchange program with Vilnius University in Lithuania. She moved to Montana in 1995 and soon thereafter donated a conservation easement to GVLT on her Yellowstone River property. For the past 25 years Dotty has been involved in nonprofit organizations from social service agencies to educational institutions and has become increasingly involved in environmental organizations.

Micheline Bisaillon
Micheline has lived in Bozeman for 16 years and is the president and owner of Greenspace Landscaping, Inc., a Design/Build firm. She has a degree in English literature from Syracuse University and a degree in Landscape Design from Montana State University. Prior to moving to Bozeman, Micheline grew up in Guyana, Kenya and England where she kindled her passion for travel, culture and an understanding of the importance of land and animal conservation. She has volunteered for the Peregrine Fund, served on the City of Bozeman Beautification Board for six years and is a CAP Mentor in the Bozeman schools.

Kyran Kunkel
Kyran is an affiliate professor in the Department of Ecology at Montana State University and the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. He also serves as affiliate senior conservation scientist for the Turner Endangered Species Fund, and owns a biological conservation services firm. Kyran received his Ph.D. in wildlife biology from the University of Montana in 1997 and was the regional wildlife biologist of the Alaska Region of the National Park Service from 1997-1999.

Stuart Tilt
Before moving to Bozeman with her family in 2001, Stuart pursued an advertising and interior decorating career in New York and Washington, DC. She has been actively involved in fundraising for a number of organizations. She presently works as a realtor for ERA Landmark Real Estate and her husband is a wildlife conservationist. Her interests are rooted in preserving the combination of open skies, working landscapes and close communities that are special to Montana.

Joe McCarty
After over 30 years of hiking and lately living in this magnificent place, I am still in awe of the beauty of this country. The incredible diversity of geography, wildlife and people make this part of Montana so special. One of my greatest joys is helping GVLT preserve this area for future generations.

I spent my early career practicing law in Memphis, Tennessee. I later moved to Federal Express where I lived and worked around the world as a senior executive. I have lived here for almost two years and now teach at the College of Business at Montana State University. I served as the Interim Executive Director of GVLT during 2005. I now chair the lands committee.

Stuart Jennings
Stuart moved to Bozeman in 1968 ultimately earning two degrees from MSU, one in Geology and the other in Land Rehabilitation. He worked for MSU for 17 years as a researcher and in 2006 was a founder of the Reclamation Research Group, a Bozeman-based business specializing in restoration of degraded land. He has supported GVLT over many years as a trails enthusiast including a ten year campaign to rebuild and restore the M Recreation Area. Stuart is a passionate Nordic skier and has groomed the Bridger Creek Golf Course ski trails since 2001 as a community service. Stuart was formerly a member of the US Biathlon Team and competed nationally and internationally. His wife Karin was the first employee of GVLT after founder Chris Boyd.

Sally Sands
Sally received a Masters Degree in Social work and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Washington University in St. Louis, MO and a PhD. from the University of Minnesota. She has taught clinical psychology, educational psychology and supervised student teachers. Sally also worked as Director of Special Events and Community Relations for Dayton -Hudson Department Store Co. and as an independent management consultant specializing in organizational development. She moved to Montana with her husband Bob in 1995 and has tremendous respect and appreciation for the work of GVLT.

James Noel Smith
Born and raised in western Montana. Jim graduated from the University of Montana, followed by a year of graduate study before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1960 as a staff assistant to Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana; and the beginning of a long career in Washington. Highlights include Executive Director of Lady Bird Johnson’s Beatification Commission, Director of two Legislative Study Commissions, Deputy Director of the National Commission on Water Quality, Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Senior Associate of the Conservation Foundation. Executive Director of a national association involved in municipal infrastructure financing and consultant and advisor to philanthropy, government, industry and the private sector on public policy and governmental affairs.

Jim returned to Montana in 2000, residing in Bozeman with my wife, Camie, also a Montana native and is active in several State and local organizations and occasional consulting. Jim and Camie have two children; a son Mark in Louisville, KY and a daughter, Terry Gallik in Bozeman.