As of April 2012
Executive Committee
Board Chair – Clifford A. Knesel, Jr.
2012 – 2014
Cliff Knesel
Cliff has nearly 30 years of experience at all organizational levels. He has worked extensively within the private sector and possesses a comprehensive background in management and leadership. Past employers include Exxon Minerals Company and Peabody Energy’s Powder River Coal Company, which is one of the largest and most productive coal operations in the country. Cliff’s most recent assignment was Vice President and Director of Safety, Training, and Employee Relations with Powder River Coal Company. His daughter and business partner, Melissa Noah, earned her Gold Award. Cliff lives in Gillette, WY.
Board Vice President – Chris Stevens
2012 – 2013
Chris Stevens
Chris has been working at the Billings Clinic since 1996 where he is currently a Vice President, CIO. He has served on other boards and in Billings, including board member for Tumbleweed. Presently is a board member for HSM, based in Helena. He is active in his church, has worked with the Boy Scouts, and has been a coach for youth sports. He has experience in accounting, community service, adult and children education, finance management, human resources, performance appraisals and properties.
Board Treasurer – Barry Nolan
2012 – 2014
Barry Nolan
Barry served on the Board of the Treasure Trails Council from 2001 to 2008 as board chair and as a member of the finance and policy committees. He served on the Council Realignment Committee and then joined the GSMW Board. A retired manager with the Exxon-Mobile Refinery and a professional engineer, he is a past president and past district governor of the Rotary Club. He also serves on the Board of the United Way of Yellowstone County and lives in Billings, MT.
Board Secretary – Beth Hill
2012 – 2014
Beth Hill
Beth was President of Big Sky Council from 2004-2006, on the board prior to that as an officer and member-at-large. She was also a member of the Council Realignment Committee before joining the GSMW Board. She was a girl member, council trainer, leader, service unit manager, and chair of many committees. She is also active in the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society. Beth is veterinarian and partner/owner is the Westside Animal Clinic in Great Falls, MT.
Board Members at Large
Board Member – Margaret Johnson-Ayres
2011 – 2013
For her contributions to her community and individuals impacted, Margaret received the 2010 Woman of Distinction Award. She has served as a Board Member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has contributed in other volunteer capacities with Growth Thru Art, Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA), and Self-Help Center.
Margaret was raised in Helena, Montana. After her marriage to Scott Ayres, she sold her jewelry businesses in Billings and relocated to Casper, Wyoming to work in the family business, which has been established for 80 years. Her grandchildren are participating in Girl Scouts, and Margaret enjoys being a part of their experience.
Board Member – Wendy J. Keating
2012 – 2014
Wendy Keating is the former Commissioner of Labor and Director of the Department of Labor and Industry for the state of Montana. She spent over 35 years working with the state and Federal programs in the employment and training field.
Wendy has been recognized at the state and national level as a leader of change and a strong visionary in workforce development. She is the recipient of two international awards for her work in organizational culture change, as well as numerous local, state and national awards for development of business-driven initiatives that now serve as a model for the national labor-exchange system.
Keating has extensive experience in working with non-profit and community organizations. She is especially interested in activities that promote education and opportunities for women. She is a past chair of Dress for Success-Billings, P.E.O., (a philanthropic and educational organization that supports scholarships for women) and the Billings Zonta Club.
Wendy is a native of Billings, and an alumni of both Billings Senior High and MSU-Billing, where she also did her post graduate studies in Vocational Counseling. She is a grandmother and great-grandmother, a watercolorist, and carries a deep passion for her cabin in the Beartooth Mountains. Keating is a former Brownie and Girl Scout.
Board Member – Nancy MacCracken
2012 – 2014
Nancy served as Secretary on the GSMW and Treasure Trails boards, and she has served as a Brownie Leader in the Livingston Service Unit. She joined the GSMW Board in 2008. Attorney and Senior Law Clerk for the Sixth Judicial District Court, Nancy has served with the Boy Scouts and the Livingston Junior Women’s Club. She lives in Clyde Park, near Livingston, MT.
Board Member – Anne Marken
2012 – 2014
Anne Marken is a teacher with the Natrona County School District and is completing a one year teaching position in Quito, Ecuador. She was a Girl Scout member at the Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Mariner, and Campus levels. In addition, Anne served as a leader for Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior troops from 1988-2002. She served as Board Member-at-Large and as the first Vice President on the Girl Scout Council of Wyoming from 2004 – 2008, as well as on the Council Realignment Committee. Anne has volunteered with the 1st United Methodist Church youth group in Casper, WY, and served on numerous committees with Natrona County schools.
Board Member – Albert Parisian
2012 – 2014
Al Parisian, CIO, joined Montana State Fund (where he is also responsible for strategic planning) in March 2005. He came to Montana after a successful 26-year career with Verizon/GTE where he had policy responsibilities in Washington D.C. (communications, IT, industry structure) and spent twelve years as a GM starting and running multi-state IT companies marketing to businesses and consumers. He also ran small (<$5M) and medium (<$100M) scale venture capital funds.
Two of his many assignments with Verizon happened to be in Florida, providing Mr. Parisian with an opportunity to participate with a major children’s non-profit, the Guardian Ad Litem. After serving in other capacities, he became Chairman of the Board of this organization until his transfer to Texas.
Al and his wife, Linda, live north of Helena, MT. Al was born and raised in a U.S. Air Force family and has a MBA from Santa Clara University with emphasis in Finance and Information Technology.
Board Member – Claudia Perkins
2012 – 2014
Claudia became a Girl Scout leader when her daughter entered Girl Scouting as a Brownie. Claudia found Girl Scouting helped her daughter to grow in ways other than just school, and finds Girl Scouting an important organization for today’s girls. She is interested in fund development and providing girls opportunities only Girl Scouting can provide. Claudia is a retired comptroller with Excal in Casper.
Board Member – Thomas (Tom) Richardson
2011 – 2013
Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Big Sky Council and was a member of the Governance sub-committee of the Council Realignment Committee. He joined the GSMW Board in 2008 and co-chairs the Property Committee. For the past 24 years he has been the General Counsel of Town Pump where he oversees the company’s legal affairs. Although he and his wife are empty-nesters, when their children were living at home he was involved in their many activities, including Girl Scouting. Tom is active in his church, serves on the Board of St. Vincent de Paul in Butte, MT, and has offered free legal services to indigent clients through the Montana Legal Pro Bono.
Board Member – Jill Wright
2011 – 2013
Jill Wright is a second generation Wyoming Native and has taught health class to eighth graders for 13 years. She’s currently employed with the Natrona County School District in Casper and holds a degree in Leadership and Human Development. Jill was a committee member in 2008 – 2009 for the Public Health “Real Aids Prevention Project.” She believes that when given encouragement and opportunity, girls achieve wonderful things.