Bruce Newell, President (Helena)
Born in Eugene, Oregon, Bruce moved to Helena in 1980 and worked at both the Montana State Library and the Lewis & Clark Public Library. Bruce was active in the Montana Library Association, and feels fortunate to having served in the global library cooperative OCLC as first a delegate and later as an elected Trustee. After retirement Bruce served on the State Library Commission from 2014 to 2022.
Bruce is married to a retired librarian. He has two daughters, one a medieval historian and the other a youth services librarian. Bruce likes babies, biscuits, boats, bicycles, books, and rambling around under Montana’s beautiful sky of blue.
Kris Goss, Vice President (helena)
Kris Goss serves as Director of Policy Services/Senior Counsel with the Montana School Boards Association. Kris previously served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administration of Governor Judy Martz. Kris earned a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College. Kris graduated from Sidney High School. He credits the Sidney-Richland County Library for his appreciation of learning and dedication to public service. Kris lives in Helena with his wife and two daughters.
John rogers, Secretary/treasurer (Clancy)
John Rogers, a resident of Clancy, Montana has enjoyed a full career within the economic development community for more than 45 years. Most recently he served with the US Economic Development Administration as a regional representative for 25 years for Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota and later, as the Chief Business Development Officer with the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He continues his work as a sole proprietor of his economic development consulting firm.
Sara groves, (Helena)
Sara Groves directs sales and marketing strategy for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. Prior to her work at Blue Cross, she was VP of marketing and business development at a financial institution and was the first lifelong learning librarian at the Montana State Library where she helped to launch a statewide early literacy program. Sara has also worked as a freelance writer with her work recognized with awards from the Associated Press and the Montana Newspaper Association. She has also taught writing at Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, and Carroll College. Sara has her MFA in creative writing and holds BAs in communication and English literature.
Heidi he does it, (red lodge)
Heidi He Does It is an attorney residing in Red Lodge, Montana, the traditional land of the Apsáalooke (Crow) people. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Heidi has focused her legal practice on child welfare matters, service to Indian tribes and tribal members, and rural practice, including estate planning and real estate transactions. She has lived in the Seattle area and the Olympic Peninsula, as well as Alaska and around Montana. Heidi is an avid supporter of libraries, and is committed to preserving the freedom to read for all. Heidi and her husband are dedicated to cultivating a love of reading, learning, and community for their fierce young daughter and her generation.
Jennie stapp, (Helena)
Jennie Stapp is a Montana native. She holds a BA in International Studies from Rocky Mountain College. She earned her Masters of Arts in Library Science from the University of Arizona in 2002. Jennie worked previously for the Montana Historical Society Research Center and joined the staff of the State Library in 2005. She has been Montana State Librarian since January, 2012.
Jennie loves libraries because they are society’s great equalizer. Her favorite book depends on the day.
Heather Tweet Johnstone (Conrad)
Heather Johnstone was born and raised in Montana and recently returned to her hometown of Conrad as an employee benefits account executive at Leavitt Great West Insurance Services. Prior to her move and career change, she lived in Forsyth for 15 years. She was Rosebud County Library Director from 2014 to 2021 as well as the Teen/Technology Librarian from 2012-2014. During the Covid 19 shutdowns, Rosebud County Library was one of the first to offer mobile hotspots to patrons as part of a pilot program of Montana libraries. Heather has seen firsthand the impact that libraries make in their communities with providing access to technology, educational and informational resources, and as community centers. Heather has degrees from the University of Montana in business administration (management emphasis) and sociology with a minor in communication studies.