Interviewee Bios

Jason Prasek is a board member at Bridger Bowl. He is the head snow maker, monitoring the water usage, and the amount of snow that the business produces. Gus (Grade 6) and Poe (Grade 8) interviewed him on March 10th, 2023.

Galen Bugtong is an Engineer aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird. He is responsible for all mechanical systems on board, including water treatment. Everett (Grade 8) interviewed Galen on March 1st aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in Magdalena Bay. Photo: Steve Allison-Bunnell

Mauro Butron was born in Mexico City in 1977. A self-learner, he moved to Baja California Sur in 2001, and became a volunteer at the Serpentario the same year. Mauro has been participating in Sea Turtle Protection programs since 2005, collecting nests, capturing turtles to tag them and monitoring human activity in nesting areas. In the past 10 years he has been participating as a teacher with the Technological Institute of Los Cabos organizing field trips for several local schools. Mauro was interviewed while aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, in Magdalena Bay, March 19th, 2023 by Lilli (Grade 6). 

Josh Charles has been with the Bozeman Fire Department for 16 years and serves as a Fire Captain on Truck 3. With over 23 years in the fire service Captain Charles holds the Fire Officer Designation from CPSE, and has completed the Officer Development Program from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  While continuing to be active member of the IAFF, Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters and the Montana State Firefighters Association Honor Guard 

Captain Charles continues to  serve on the Bozeman Technical Rescue Team, Bozeman/Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team, City Ethics Advisory Board and Equity Inclusion Diversity Team. Captain Charles also engages as a PIO for the City of Bozeman Fire Department and works closely with local media outlets to disseminate pertinent information. When not working with the City, Captain Charles enjoys time with his wife Everdawn,  and 3 active kids while living in Bozeman, Montana. He was interviewed by Olive (Grade 5) and Estyn (Grade 5) on April 5th, 2023 at the station.

 Dragan Danevski has an MS in Exercise Physiology and a BS in Sports and Physical Education and has over 35 years of international Nordic ski coaching experience, spanning from youth development to elite international competition. Danevski was honored in 2002 as USSA’s Nordic Coach of the Year. Dragan is a U.S. Ski & Snowboard level 200 certified coach. He was interviewed by Gus (Grade 6), and has a very interesting perspective on the Bozeman Water Crisis.

Steven Hamilton was a Science Teacher, and Mayor of Threeforks for a long time before his current job. Science is his passion, his favorite studies being natural sciences, Chemistry, and Biology. Steven is currently the Regional Manager of the Lewistown Water Resources Office. He was interviewed by Poe (Grade 8) at Peak Academy on March 4th, 2023. 

Adrian Massey was born and raised in Wyoming. He has been a licensed Montana fly fishing outfitter for 20 years and is currently a graduate student at Montana State University studying aquatic insects. He has spent his entire life wading the rivers & streams of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Adrian was interviewed by Vivianne (Grade 6), and Sage (Grade 6) on April 6th, 2023. 

Linda Houliston is the Hotel Manger onboard Lindblad National Geographic's Sea Lion and Sea Bird. She holds a master's degree from the Université Paris-I Sorbonne and Cardiff Metropolitan University in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. She was interviewed by Alex (Grade 8) in Magdalena Bay, on March 19th while aboard the Sea Bird.

Jennifer Boyer is a mom, a goat rancher, and owner of Farm 51. She grew up in Western New York and has lived in the Gallatin County for over 23 years. Jennifer ran Gallatin County Commissioner because of her love for this place, and is now successfully the Gallatin County Commissioner. She was interzeiwed by Rosie (Grade 5) and Audrey (Grade 6).

Jessica Ahlstrom is the city of Bozeman’s Water Conservation Program Manager. She was interviewed by Cedar (Grade 7) on April 5th, 2023.

Sara Reisig is a current citizen of Bozeman and Stay at home Mom, she currently has 4 children. She was interviewed by Alex (grade 8) about her unique views on March 4th, 2023. 

Kathleen Rolin was born in Michigan and moved to Bozeman when she was 27. She is a nutrition student at Montana State University. She loves to recreate in the GYE. Kathleen worked in the USA Coast Guard and is a mother to three kids. She is a local sous chef, and currently works at Daves Sushi. Kat was interviewed on April 16th, by Whit (grade 4) about her water usages in the kitchen.

Crissy Thomas is a local cattle rancher in Bozeman, and owner of Stillwater Ranch. She is an animal lover, and has been in the agriculture business for 8 years. Crissy was inspired to become a rancher because of the idea of producing her own food and to be slightly off the grid. In Crissy’s interview she mentioned “The main reason I wanted to become a rancher is to produce my own food, and to know what goes into my animals and crops”. With a unique perspective, Crissy was looking to educate people on how important the agriculture community really is to Bozeman. She was interviewed by Josie (grade 7) on April 18th, 2023.

Tim Thomas is a fifth generation cattle rancher in Bozeman Montana, he is also a former owner of Stillwater Ranch alongside Chrissy Thomas. Tim, who has been in the agriculture industry his whole life, was raised on farming and ranching as a kid. He’s still in the agriculture business to this day, raising goats, chickens, and Murray Grey Cattle on Stillwater Ranch. He was interviewed by Josie (grade 7) on April 18th, 2023.