2012 Member Bios - Montana

Todd Hunkler | Montana Project Coordinator
Todd graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a bachelor's degree in construction management and is a LEED-accredited professional. Todd served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with NCAT for a year helping to launch the Montana Energy Corps program. His interests lie in in green building, conservation efforts and renewable energies.

Ryan Ayers is in the process of receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in community and regional planning with an emphasis in environmental planning. Ryan has worked in the past leading canoeing trips in Wisconsin as well as doing trail and conservation work in Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. Despite growing up in the desert, Ryan has been playing hockey for the last 15 years as well as driving a Zamboni for a few years. Ryan is interested in community development and natural resource conservation planning.

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.

Nate Condron grew up in Pennsylvania, graduating from Penn State University with a degree in English literature and language. Interested in sustainable agriculture and alternative energy, he works on individual-scaled projects including permaculture gardening and solar power. Energy Corps offers Nate the opportunity to gain valuable experience addressing those issues at the institutional level.

Steven Eagle Feathers is currently a junior at Montana State University Northern pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer engineering. Growing up in Browning, Montana, Steven is no stranger to the Hi-Line. He was a participant of Opportunity Link's Project Green Build and has been working as Community Development Assistant for Opportunity Link since August 2010. Steven plans on contributing to Opportunity Links Energy programs. Steven has two children, 2-year-old Peyton and 3-month-old Silas. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning new things, reading, basketball and watching football on the weekends. Steven is a proud member of the Northern Cheyenne and Blackfeet Nation.

Steven is serving his second term of service with the Energy Corps and Opportunity Link.

Martin Knight is currently working towards an associate in applied science degree in energy technology at the University of Montana in Missoula. Previously, Martin attended Montana State University and received a bachelor of science degree in physical geography. His experiences include working as a land-use planner for the city of Bozeman, working on an economic inventory project with the Missoula Downtown Association, and a variety of other GIS and land-use type of positions. In his third term of service with AmeriCorps, he is hoping to gain valuable, hands-on experience in practical applications of renewable energy technologies and systems. Ultimately, Martin is interested in holistic land-use practices and is hoping to integrate his land-use planning experiences with renewable energy technologies.

Patty Jean Morning grew up on the Rocky Boy Reservation. She is interested in solar energy and how it is able to power a car or a home. Patty Jean graduated from Montana State University Northern with a major in computer engineering technology. She joined the Energy Corps to get experience and gain knowledge on how to use the resources provided.

Patty is serving her second term in the Energy Corps with MSU Northern Bio Energy Center.

Kaleena Miller is a New York native who grew up with a passion for sports and spending as much time outdoors as possible. She has a bachelor of science degree in environmental economics from the University of Rhode Island and a master's degree in environmental policy from Bard College in New York. Kaleena gained valuable work experience through an internship in Zagreb, Croatia with a small non-government organization who's mission is effective promotion, education and communication of sustainable development and energy efficiency issues. She joined the Energy Corps because she saw it as an opportunity to apply her knowledge of energy issues while at the same time gaining valuable information and skills in the energy field.

Kaleena is serving her second term as an Energy Corps member with the city of Butte having served a half time position with NCAT the previous program year.

Kim Pekar grew up in suburban Chicago. She recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems, Environment, and Society. She completed an internship with the Student Sustainability Committee at the university where she wrote and obtained a grant to initiate a battery recycling program on campus. Kim is currently working towards earning her LEED Green Associate accreditation. Over the summer, she took a college course in Yellowstone National Park and was looking for a chance to return to Montana. She joined Energy Corps because she saw it as an opportunity to affect change and promote sustainability within Montana's State Parks.

Kiran Singh hails from the great state of Washington. She graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio with a bachelor of arts degree in environmental studies and geology. As part of her program, Kiran gained valuable experience studying resource management and small-scale energy solutions in the Zanzibar Islands. She joined EnergyCorps to get hands-on experience in the energy field, and learn more about working within a community-centered non-profit. Kiran will be stationed at the NCAT headquarters in Butte. The small sadness she feels for parting with her dearly beloved Puget Sound is more than made up for by her excitement for the wealth of outdoor activities Montana has to offer.

Andrew Valainis was born and bred in the Ocean State, Rhode Island. He attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated from the International Engineering Program (IEP) with degrees in ocean engineering and Spanish. As part of the IEP, Andrew lived in Spain for a year—five months of which were spent interning for a small, start up renewable energy company, Ibaia Energias. He is most interested in sustainable behavior practices and how they can influence energy savings. Andrew joined Energy Corps seeking an opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience and to see a different part of the country. After having an amazing summer in Butte working at NCAT, he decided to sign up for a second term with the city of Missoula. When not at work, Andrew can be found looking for live music, playing frisbee, or riding a bike around town.