MCV Education Fund Staff
Theresa M. Keaveny, Executive Director, is the founding staff person for MCV and MCVEF. She is responsible for program and budget development and fundraising, staff coordination, and strategic planning and evaluation. She has been a community organizer and director of rural environmental organizations in the Dakotas and high plains since 1982. Keaveny also has extensive political experience, having worked on several legislative and statewide political campaigns and ballot measures affecting water protection, mining, out-of-state waste, tax reform and sustainable agriculture. She is an active member of several conservation and environmental groups, is the Secretary of the Good Earth Market in Billings, and serves on the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund program committee. She is based in Billings.
Sarah Cobler, Program Director, works for MCVEF out of its Missoula office and coordinates MCVEF’s Government Accountability Project and communications work. She coordinates the Conservation Working Group in the 2011 legislature. She also does outreach and public education in and Flathead and Lake counties, and with the University of Montana, Salish-Kootenai Community college and Flathead Community college student communities. She is completing her masters in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, and is an active volunteer with a sustainable agriculture community group “Grow Montana.”
Eric Halstvedt, Database Admin./Webmaster, is responsible for MCVEF’s nationally-recognized List Enhancement Project, manages the web site, data base management, coordination of direct mails and volunteers, and administrative support to the MCVEF board, committees and staff. Eric also undertakes design and layout for several MCVEF publications. He serves as MCVEF’s IT staff person, has extensive computer data base experience and is trained in international business.
Ross Prosperi, Program Associate, coordinates MCVEF’s Community Organizing and Outreach Program and non-partisan voter activities in Missoula, Flathead and Lake counties and assists with local government accountability work. Ross received his undergraduate degree in international business management with a minor in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He worked for Montana Public Interest Research Group and served two terms as a student body Senator for the Associated Students of the University of Montana.
Shelbi Dantic, Legislative Intern is a student at the University of Montana majoring in Political Science. After serving on the Montana Public Interest Research Group student board and lobbying in Helena during the 2011 legislative session, Shelbi served on the Senate of the Associated Students of the University of Montana in 2011-2012. Shelbi most recently worked for the League of Conservation Voters on their policy and lobby team.
Topher Williams, Intern is a Junior at the University of Montana studying Community and Environmental Planning and minoring in Climate Change. He has been involved on campus by serving 2 terms as an ASUM Senator, Chairing the ASUM Transportation board, and previously working with MontPIRG. Topher also works for the Student Involvement Network doing event programming for students. When he isn't on the clock or the slopes, Topher also enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking and climbing.
Darci Hertz, CPA has served as MCVEF’s accountant for 7 years, and provides full service bookkeeping and accounting, including payroll, financial statements and compliance reporting.
MCVEF Consultants/Contractors
Jeanne Marie Souvigney, Contractor, is MCVEF’s liaison to the national LCV/EF on federal policy work, and chairs a coalition of groups in Montana working on federal clean energy and clean air work. She has 28 years of environmental policy and organizing experience, have worked for several regional groups including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Northern Plains Resource Council and American Rivers. She was a founder of the MCVEF. Souvigney formerly served on the state Environmental Quality Council and is involved in several local groups including Montana Women For!
MCVEF also engages a wide range of consultants and contractors:
- Amy Frykman, Resource Media, Communications
- Mary Ellen Wolfe, Strategic Planning and Meeting Facilitation
- John Russenollo, Beldon, Russenllo and Stuart: Public Interest Research
- Karen Uffleman, Groundwire, Online Communications
