2013 Member Bios - Montana

Jay Ball is an enrolled member of the Nakoda Nation and grew up on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in North-Central Montana. He holds an associate of science degree from Fort Belknap College in natural resource management. Jay is looking forward to completing courses at Montana State University-Northern and graduating with a degree in secondary education. Jay joined Energy Corps to assist educating both Indian and non-Indians in the concepts of green energy. He hope to gain invaluable experience and further his professional development while working for Opportunity Link. Jay is the proud father of three sons Ethan, Julius, and Jacoby. He loves working with thoroughbred and quarter horses, and horse racing, as well as volunteering as a youth football and baseball coach. Jay would like to start a Nakoda language school some day on Fort Belknap in an effort to preserve his native language.

Rachael Bramblett studied at Appalachian State University and is well versed on topics of sustainable development, wind power, micro-hydro, photovoltaic, solar thermal, biofuels, and sustainable/green building design. Rachael will provide renewable energy and energy efficiency education through public outreach. Additionally, she will be installing light weatherization kits in several hundred homes across the state of Montana.

Anthony Cutler is spending his Energy Corps service with Clean Energy Ambassadors in Billings, Montana. A Washington State native, he comes with a background in energy auditing and college studies in building science and sustainability. He is seeking an Energy Manager in Training certificate from the Association of Energy Engineers and pursuing a career path related to energy efficiency. Through the service year he hopes to learn more about the public utility sector and gain experience assisting small, rural public utilities in implementing energy efficiency programs.

Michael Daniel has a bachelor's degree in appropriate technology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He has experience in building greenhouses and working at a wind power demonstration site on Beech Mountain, NC. During his Energy Corps term, Mike will develop infrastructure and growing systems on a demonstration farm in addition to providing renewable energy education to local schools. His work will also consist of researching, designing, and installing of renewable energy systems to service green houses.

Jessica Jenne has lived in Montana since she was two months old and considers herself a Bitterroot Valley native. She currently attends the University of Montana seeking a bachelor's degree in resource conservation with an emphasis in sustainable livelihoods and community conservation. Her greatest triumphs are her three amazing children, Austin, Naomi, and Logan. Jessica joined Energy Corps in pursuit of invaluable experience and the opportunity to provide assistance to her beloved community. She has worked to promote a small community college in the valley where she lives, along with establishing their recycling program. She enjoys skiing, kayaking, camping, hiking, and bike riding with her family. Through Jessica's work with Energy Corps she hopes to become a knowledgeable advocate of sustainability, providing education to communities in need.

Evan Johnson will be assisting Opportunity Link with environmental education and outreach programs to promote sustainable practices in North-Central Montana. I recently graduated from Carleton College with a BA in Geology and thoroughly enjoys outdoor recreation, particularly running and rock climbing. I attended the Indiana University Geological Field Camp near Cardwell, MT and participated in several volunteer trips with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes in places ranging from Hawaii to Kyrgyzstan.

Eileen Munsch graduated with a B.S. from SUNY Geneseo. Eileen went on to volunteer with the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps NCCC. After this, she worked for the YMCA of the Rockies as an outdoor educator, The Oregon Department of Forestry as a Wildfire Suppression Specialist and The Nature Conservancy as a Fire Management Technician. She is looking forward to her year of service with NCAT as a weatherization and energy educator.

Kelli Roemers graduated from the University of Montana in 2012 with a B.S. in Resource Conservation. She has worked in everything from the industrial barley fields to outdoor education in Glacier National Park. She is excited to gain professional experience and development with the Energy Corps program. Kelli will be working with Lewis and Clark County in Helena, MT. She will coordinate the L&C Green Team, the Citizen Conservation Board, assist with the implementation of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for Helena, and educate the public about available energy and water audits in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties.