The Board of Directors of Opportunity Link have recognized experience in providing for or serving the interests of economically disadvantaged or low-income people, and by education or experience, brings to the Board expertise in the area of education, finance, accounting, banking, workforce development, economic development, housing, public transportation, governmental relations, or charitable or scientific activities.
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Chairman
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Vice Chairman
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Randy Barrett
Randy Barret is the Executive Director of the Area VIII Agency on Aging.
Randy's work with the elderly started in 1978. He ran the activities programs at Hillside Nursing Home in Missoula. Later he was hired to run the Great Falls Senior Center in 1981 and progressed to Executive Director of the Area VIII Agency on Aging in 1988. He has worked with Cascade County for 27 years.
In two years Randy and Stu Brumbaugh have produced two, Made in Montana Movies, entitled Iron Ridge and The Vessel. Both play parts in the productions and enjoy the work. His current residence is on the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana with his dog, Jill. He is a proud Grandpa to his three-year old Grandson Lucas.
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Secretary
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Lorette Carter
Lorette Carter is the Community Economic Development Director of the City of Shelby. Lorette holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Montana State University. Prior to her position at the City of Shelby, Lorette owned Shelby Floral & Gift for 15 years. She has participated in numerous community organizations, previously serving as President of the Shelby Soroptimists, President of the Shelby Merchants, President of the Home n’ School Organization and Board of the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently she is again serving on the Board of the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of the Northern Transit Interlocal, Safe Routes to School Task Force and Board of Opportunity Link Inc. A Shelby native, Lorette is married to Tom Carter, a Radiology Physicians Assistant at Marias Medical Center. They have three grown sons.
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Treasurer
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Jeanne Baker
Jeanne Baker heads the Baker & Baker Associates consulting firm which has been in existence since 1996. Jeanne is currently providing contractual services/volunteering as the Business Manager of Ka Nai Ta Pi Wa Corporation. K Corp is a Section 17 Corporation (for profit) of the Blackfeet Tribe, this is a unique status for K Corp, where it is tax exempt. It is one of three currently owned by the Tribe. Jeanne has extensive background in grant writing, facility planning and development, program development and design, community needs assessments, surveys, evaluations, general business assistance and technical support services.
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Board Members
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Dr. Russel Boham
Dr. Russell V. Boham is the Executive Director for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. His background is varied; He was an X-ray technician in the U.S. Army; A Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Forest Service; Director of the Indian Natural Resources, Science and Engineering Program at Humboldt State University where he received a science achievement award from President Bill Clinton for Excellence in Mentoring Minorities is Science; He taught classes in Native American Studies at Salish Kootenai College; Managed the Tobacco Abuse Prevention Program for the Little Shell Tribe and during all that Russell managed to raise 4 wonderful children, earn a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s degree in education, a master’s degree in wildlife management and a doctorate in adult and community education.
Dr. Boham serves on the Montana Advisory Council for Indian Education (MACIE), the board of directors of Neighborworks Great Falls (Neighborhood Housing), the board of directors of Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) and the State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC). His career has been dedicated to Education and improving the understanding between White and Indian people. To likes to spend time with his family and to relax he likes to play his X-Box (on easy).
Dr. Boham's photo is courtesy of Great Falls Tribune, May 11, 2009.
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Karen Thomas
Karen Thomas has been the director of Child Care Link, the child care resource and referral program for Hill, Liberty and Blaine counties since December 15, 2005. Prior to that, she was an educator in an Early Head Start classroom in Havre and also worked as a Head Start/Home Based teacher in Plains. For two years she was the manager of a Missoula based infant center for parents who were finishing high school. Her career includes but is not limited to employment and training work in Superior and Havre and extensive domestic violence work in Superior, Helena, Havre, and Ogden, UT. Also, as a mother she was a consumer of child care. In 1979, she obtained her degree in Home Economics with a concentration in Early Childhood Development from the University of Montana.
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