Citizens For A Better Flathead

Citizens For A Better Flathead
P.O. Box 771, 35 4th St. West, Kalispell, MT 59903
t. 406.756.8993 f. 406 756-8991

Search the CBF Website

Help keep the Flathead Special Forever!

Citizens for a Better Flathead Staff

Mayre Flowers, Executive Director, has helped to shape and guide the work of the organization for the past twenty years, both as a founding member, as a program director, and now as director. Mayre has a Masters degree in Education from the University of Montana and has lived in the Flathead Valley since 1977. Prior to working for Citizens, she spent numerous summers with the Glacier Institute, where she developed and instructed science field camp programs. She raised two children here and now enjoys introducing four grandchildren to the wonders of the Flathead. A quote by Mayre’s desk reads, “The best way to help predict the future is to help create it.” She is enthusiastic about using smart growth tools to help secure planning for the Flathead's future that respects the character of our communities and the quality of our environment as our greatest economic assets.

Bente Grinde, Executive Assistant, joined our staff in July 2011. In this newly revised position, she assumes responsibility for providing comprehensive administrative and communications support to the Executive Director and the organization’s programs. She is a graduate of Yale College with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Bente grew up in the Flathead Valley and recently returned with the goal of giving something back to the place she loves the most. Bente is particularly interested in energy-efficient buildings, transportation, food security and nutrition, ecological stewardship, aesthetic appreciation of the natural world, environmental education, community cooperation toward shared objectives, and the benefits of strong home-grown businesses. In her free time she loves riding her bike, hiking, swimming, skiing, photography, the changing of the seasons, traveling around Montana, learning new outdoor skills, writing, and singing and playing the guitar.

Chris Jolly, Office Administrator, was brought on to fill a temporary gap as we bridged some staff turnover this summer. But once on the job, we realized what a talented and positive asset she would be to our office and we are now scrambling to find funding to keep her ahead of our scheduled 2012 filling of this position. Chris brings extensive office experience, strong graphic design, communication, and customer service skills to this position. She has a life long passion for horses, and a love of the outdoors. She is a smart-growth advocate knowing there is a way to balance the need for growth with the need to preserve the quality of life we all enjoy in our beautiful valley.

Citizens for a Better Flathead 2011 Board of Directors

Lynn Stanley, Co-Chair (Kalispell) has spent the last 36 years working for Oxford University Press/USA. She is a native Montanan who left and then came back, working for Oxford as a telecommuter from Kalispell for the last 19 years. As a resident of Kalispell and the Flathead Valley, she is interested in the life of the community as well as figuring out how to live lightly in this beautiful place. CBF offers a great opportunity to explore both! Board member since late 2007.

Rod McIver, Co-Chair (Kalispell) brings a lifetime of interest and career background in natural history, ecology, forestry, and agriculture to our organization. He has served as a board member for a number of conservation organizations over the past decade. He is excited to be involved as a board member and to contribute to the goals of CBF. Board member since 2007.

Diane Taylor, Treasurer (Kalispell) is an elementary school math teacher at the Helena Flats School in Evergreen. She is a long time resident of the Flathead Valley and has been an active in the peace movement here as well as other social justice issues. Board member since 2006.

Don Schwennesen, Secretary (Bigfork) worked as a writer and journalist in the Flathead Valley for two decades as a regional reporter for the Missoulian, past editor and publisher of the Bigfork Eagle. Currently is part-owner of a real estate business in Bigfork. Don was on our board from 2000-2004 and served as board chair. He has joined our board for a second time and thus brings a wealth of experience to this work. Board member since September 2009.

Sharon DeMeester (Kalispell) has lived in the Flathead Valley for 35 years, serving as a Special Education teacher for 18 years and owner of a local print shop for 25 years. She has been an active and respected leader in neighborhood planning and city-county planning, representing both the homeowner and small business perspective, for well over a decade. She is currently serving on the Impact Fee Board for the City of Kalispell. Board member since October 2009.

BJ Carlson (Kalispell) has recently rejoined the board. She served as Co-Chair with Richard Cohen in the early 90s. She has volunteered in many capacities in the community from Head Start to Board Chair of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. She received the Great Chief award in 2007, a prestigious award, which honors “civic and volunteer spirit,” over the course of a lifetime, from the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. Her major interests are children, fundraising, hiking, art and music. Board member since December 2010.

Anita Ho (Kalispell) is a professor of Geology, Geography, Math, and Science at Flathead Valley Community College. Anita has recently joined the CBF board, hoping to explore the connection of science and policy in the Flathead Valley. Board member since June 2010.

CJ Cummings (Kalispell) is a high school art teacher who is currently working at a school and treatment center for troubled teens. He has lived in Kalispell for 26 of his 27 years and has volunteered for Organizing for America, MoveOn.org, various candidates in state and national elections, and he is a co-founder of United Against Hatred, a local group that works to promote tolerance and education in the face of a growing white supremacy movement here in the Valley. The main reason why CJ chose to volunteer as a board member for CBF is so that his kids might be able to grow up in the same special place that he did. Board member since July 2011.

Rev. Darryl Kistler (Kalispell) is the pastor of the Community Congregational Church in Kalispell and comes to the board with a great deal of experience in non-profits and in community organizing. He has spent much of his time in Kalispell advocating for justice issues as broad as low-income housing to nondiscrimination policies to sustainable land and water use. He hopes that by adding his skills and gifts to this dedicated group of folks that together we can keep the Flathead special forever. Board member since July 2011.

Terry Meyers (Kalispell) has been a resident of the Flathead since 1982 and is interested in local, organic agriculture, thoughtful and sustainable development of land and resources, and preservation of open spaces and wilderness areas. He recently retired from Kalispell School District #5, and is active in Montana Wilderness Association as both a local chapter board member and now as a state council board member. A former English teacher, he believes polite, honest communication is the key to community. Board member since February 2011.