HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the following appointments:
Board of Regents
- Dean Folkvord, Three Forks: A graduate of Montana State University and member of the MSU Leadership Institute National Advisory Board, Folkvord is the founder of Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery. His term will run through February 1, 2031.
Grass Conservation Commission
- Audra Ortega, Glasgow: Ortega is a fourth-generation rancher in northeast Montana and a graduate of Montana State University. She participated in the 2023 M Bar program at the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Her term will run through January 1, 2027.
- Sigrid Pugrud, Winnett: A graduate of Montana State University, Pugrud is a fourth-generation rancher in Petroleum County. Pugrud also serves as Chairman of the Petroleum County Commissioners. Her term will run through January 1, 2027.
Board of Water Well Contractors
- Andy Eslinger, Corvallis: Eslinger is the owner of Eslinger Drilling and Pump Service. His term will run through July 1, 2026.
Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
- Robyn Kiesling, Helena: Kiesling serves as the Executive Director of General Studies and Transfer at Helena College, where she oversees the Cosmetology program, among others. She is a graduate of Montana State University Billings, and obtained her Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. Her term will run through July 1, 2026.
- Cassidy Hartford, Missoula: Hartford attended the Glen Dow Academy in Washington and has been a licensed esthetician for 8 years. She also became a Certified Guest Trainer for HydraFacial in 2021. Her term will run through July 1, 2027.
Alternative Health Care Board
- Jacy O’Neal, Billings: O’Neal is a licensed massage therapist and licensed and board-certified acupuncturist, owning and operating Affinity Acupuncture in Yellowstone County. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.
- Rhianna Weaver, Bozeman: Weaver is the Owner of Big Sky Fertility and Wellness, which supports women with infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care. She is also an acupuncturist and runs a fully operational Chinese Herbal apothecary. Her term will run through July 1, 2027.
- Alisun Bonville, Bozeman: A fifth-generation Montanan, Bonville is a physician and owner of Spring Integrated Health, a naturopathic medical practice. She is a graduate of Montana State University and the National College of Natural Medicine. Her term will run through July 1, 2026.
- Holly Simonson, Plentywood: Simonson is the Infection Control and Employee Health Department Director at Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association, where she has served as a registered nurse since 1996. Simonson obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University and her Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics from University of Colorado Denver. Her term will run through July 1, 2025.
Press release provided by the Governor’s office
