Flathead Chapter
MCV has a community chapter in Flathead County for grassroots action and accountability work.
Flathead Chapter Contact:
MCV
P.O. Box 9335
Missoula, MT 59807
406-542-1055
Chapter Leadership
Dave Hadden, Chairperson
Dave, Big Fork, has been active in Flathead Valley conservation for over two decades, and has been involved with MCV since the chapter began. He serves as director of Headwaters Montana, is president of the Flathead Coalition that works to protect the Trans-boundary Flathead River from harmful energy and mining projects, and is president of the North Shore Nordic Club that operates the Blacktail and Foothills Ski Trails. Dave also has served six years on the Bigfork School Board.
Michelle Tafoya, Secretary
Michelle, a native of Kansas, first came to Flathead to work as a seasonal ranger in Glacier National Park, where she worked for five seasons. She then worked as the Clean Air and Climate Coordinator for the Glacier Field Office of the National Parks Conservation Association. Currently, Michelle is Montana Business Outreach Organizer for Climate Solutions, an climate advocacy group based in the northwestern US, and is working towards a Master's in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.
Daniel Short, Representative to MCV Board
Daniel, Kalispell, is a long time hunting, fishing, floating and hiking enthusiast. He is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, where he has worked for 12 years. Dan is involved in a number of conservation groups and is currently the Vice Chairperson of the State Council of Montana Trout Unlimited. He has participated in MCV's Flathead Chapter, has been active with MCV endorsement interviews, and has helped with candidate campaigns including meeting voters at their doors and helping with fundraising. He has two children and one grandson who he is teaching how to fish.
Maibritt Bennett, Director
Becky Edwards, Director
Steve Gniadek, Director
Steve, Columbia Falls, served as wildlife management biologist in Glacier National Park from 1987-2009, and also worked as a wildlife management biologist for the Bureau of Land Management in Eastern Montana, as a seasonal biologist and naturalist in Yellowstone NP, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia. Steve studied elk and cattle in the Gravelly Range of SW Montana for his Master's Degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. He has served on the board of the Flathead Audubon Society, and seeks a first term on the chapter board.
Ryan Hunter, Director
Rod McIver, Director
Rod, Kalispell, brings a lifetime of interest in natural history, ecology, forestry, and agriculture to the organization. He is a founding member of Montana Conservation Voters, and has been involved in many get out the vote campaigns. He seeks a first term on the chapter board.
Jan Metzmaker, Director
Jan, Whitefish, has lived in Whitefish since 1972. Served on the WF City Council on 3 different occasions not to mention a host of committees. Jan has previously been Senator Baucus' field director and former ED of The Glacier Fund. She is presently the Director of the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau. Jan is married to Pete Metzmaker and has twin sons, Grant and Luke.
