Hello my name is Tina Marie Beltz.
I have been blessed to be born and raised in one of the most beautiful places to me, Alaska. My ethnic background is Alaskan Native Eskimo Siberian Yupik, Inupiaq and Irish. I enjoy being out in nature and all that it has to offer. Hobbies of mine are camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, rollerblading, playing hockey, snowboarding, listening and playing music. I'm very thankful to have this chance to work for Montana Energy Corps.

My name is Sherry Cathel. I have recently moved to Montana from Texas where I worked at a Mercedes dealership as a technician. I am currently in Havre working with the weatherization and self-help mutal housing programs. In my spare time, I spend time with my children and play piano. I also set up workshops to teach women how to perform routine maintenance on their vehicles and inform them what to look for when buying a car. My son and I are working to increase recycling and decrease energy consumption in the community.

Russell Chalifoux is one of two new Montana Energy Corps members working with Opportunity Link. Russell will be researching and providing information on alternative energy and energy efficient technologies to help increase cost-savings and raise awareness in the community and in households. Through community involvement, Russell is hoping to make us understand why green is better. Prior to working with Opportunity Link, Russell worked on various construction jobs; most recently was the north central waterline, which stretched from the Tiber dam, to the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. Russell earned his Certificate in Welding at Montana State University - Northern in 2009. He plans to continue his education and to major in Civil Engineering this fall.

Tom Hlavacek is a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in chemical engineering. He grew up in Great Falls where he developed a love for the outdoors hiking fishing and most importantly skiing. Tom is very interested in green and sustainable energy and is looking foward to helping develop more sustainable energy practices in rural Montana.

Todd Hunkler, Barnesville, Ohio. I have a strong interest in green building, conservation efforts and renewable energies. My previous experience and area of study have been in the construction management field. I graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a degree in Construction Management and am a LEED accredited professional. I joined the energy corps to pursue my interested and to gain experience in the green workforce while helping others in need. I moved to Montana from Ohio and very much enjoy traveling and seeing new places. I'm extremely looking forward to this year of service in Montana!

Taylor Lyon
Sugar Land, TX ( There is no Equal)
I moved up to Montana to discover one of the Last Best Places and to pursue a B.A. in Biology from Carroll College. My current position with the Energy Corps is at the Bio-Energy Testing Center in Havre, Montana to research the use of biodiesel and Pure Plant Oil diesel. My interest in biofuels sparked after converting my pick-up to run on waste vegetable oil collected from restaurants in Helena. From there I moved on to making "backyard biodiesel" from the waste oil I collected. Basically, I like hosing OPEC one tank of Biodiesel at a time-while in the meantime helping to institute a truly patriotic source of energy for our country.

Hi! My name is Chelsey MacNeill. I was initially interested in EnergyCorps to pursue my interests in science, public policy, and economics. Now that I have been working for about 2 months I must say the best part of my job is the satisfaction that has come from helping people in need and helping to promote a sense of community here in Butte. In particular, I am excited about my community gardening project! I have my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. I am also currently applying to Environmental Studies Graduate Programs. When I am not trying to save the world from itself I can be found knitting, skiing, or reading.

My name is Jennifer Reed I am a college student at the Blackfeet Community College with a major in Renewable Energy. I am an enrolled member of the Blackfeet tribe. I'm a wife and a mother of two daughters. Born and raised on the Blackfeet Reservation. My goal in life is to graduate from college and educate my community on alternative energy for a cleaner more sustainable life style.

Saara Snow
Olympia, Washington
I graduated from the University of Montana in December of 2008 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish, and also received an Outstanding Graduating Senior award in Environmental Justice. While pursuing my environmental interests in college, I was active in Students for Economic and Social Justice, a group affiliated with United Students Against Sweatshops that has won a number of worker's rights victories both locally and globally. Eventually I hope to find a way to combine all of my passions- environmental justice, Latin American culture, travelling and the outdoors - in one dream job. This year I am excited to be working in the Energy Corps with Northern Plains Resource Council and learning more about energy issues in Eastern Montana.

Colyn St. Pierre is one of two new Opportunity Link Montana Energy Corps members. During her five-month term as an Energy Corps AmeriCorps volunteer, she will be responsible for organizing several community-wide workshops on energy efficiency and green building to further education and awareness of new cost-efficient technologies in the region. Prior to being an Energy Corps, Colyn worked for four months as an Office Assistant at Opportunity Link where she provided support to various projects. She moved back to Montana from Utah in July 2009 where she obtained a Pre-Apprenticeship in Construction and Trades as well as certifications in OSHA, CPR, First-Aid, Asbestos Abatement, through the Brownsfield Minority Program at Salt Lake Community College located in Taylorsville, Utah. Colyn plans to finish her college education and study Business Management after her term as Energy Corps.

Thomas W. Wagenknecht
I am a recent graduate from the at the University of Montana-Western with a Bachelors in Environmental Science with related areas in Geology and Sustainable Resource Management. I completed a thesis in Renewable Energy, which allowed me to conglomerate much of my previous work experience. My work experience includes forestry, agriculture, mining, railroad, transportation, mechanics and construction. I am a long time resident of Montana and have traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Northern and Eastern Europe, some of where I studied energy issues. My previous education includes an Associates in Diesel Technology and Business Management. I am currently a volunteer EMT/Firefighter for the Beaverhead Ambulance and Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, where I hold national accreditation in both fields. I am a strong believer in community service and the introduction of new technologies and ideas to better our lives, economies and our environment.

My name is Curtis Windy Boy. I am a Native American and a member of the Chippewa Cree nation from Rocky Boy. I was born in Havre, Montana to a Mary Windy Boy. I was raised by my Grandparents, the late Sam and Lucille Windy Boy. I went to school at Stone Child college and got my Natural Resource AA. I have participated in internships in Missoula, MT every summer for four years. The thing that gets me involved in energy conservation is the resources that we as humans are running out of. I was recently recruited by Montana Energy Corps and felt like this was something that I wanted to be involved in because of the goals that they have and the way that they carried them out. My main objective in this life is to make sure that my kids and future generations have a place to live by conserving the resources that we have by looking for other ways to make and use energy to power our homes and offices.