Volunteer Activities

Statewide:

I was appointed by Attorney General Mike McGrath to the Montana Forensic Science Advisory Council in 2003. The advisory council assists the lab in better serving the public and law enforcement community. The state crime lab is responsible for performing DNA testing on crime samples, fingerprint analysis, toxicology testing, firearm and bullet comparison, and many other tests on evidence from crime scenes that can help catch the guilty or exonerate the innocent. These tests require a great deal of expertise and experience and Montana can be very proud of the analysts working there because they do a great job in what can be very stressful work.

I was also appointed to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners by Governor Schweitzer in the spring of 2007. This board oversees the licensure of all medical professionals who wish to practice in Montana and also investigates accusations of the unlawful practice of medicine in the state. Keeping unqualified people from practicing medicine in Montana is an important task, as is providing assistance to medical professionals who are in need. The board's website can be found at the following:

http://mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/med_board/board_page.asp

Local:

I currently serve on the board of directors for United Way of Ravalli County. This organization runs an annual fundraising campaign, which then provides aid for many local charities, including SAFE, local food banks, Kids First, and many other wonderful agencies in the valley.

In 2005 I volunteered to give lectures and a scientific demonstration to the SPECTRA program in Hamilton Schools. I used this opportunity to show how what the students are studying can be applied to real careers in science and engineering fields and to perform a fun science experiment I remembered from my days in school.

I coached soccer for the Ravalli United Soccer Club for 2 seasons. In 2003 I coached the U-15 boys team, who went on to win the Montana State Championship that season. In 2005 I coached the U-17 boys team, and although we didn't win the State Cup, we had a successful season and they were a great group to coach.

I served on the executive board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bitterroot, which helped provide mentors for children in need. This organization is now defunct here, but is still active in Missoula and can provide help for families in the area.

I have worked as a tutor for high school kids on the math sections of standardized tests in Hamilton and Corvallis. These classes can be very expensive and I wanted to offer this service to kids who couldn't necessarily afford them. I have given these free classes to students from Hamilton and Corvallis High Schools and also to home schooled students. Corvallis also received a grant for several years for test preparation and hired me as a tutor for this program. This has been a great opportunity to share my test taking experience and knowledge with local students and hopefully take some of the stress out of these important tests.