Honore Bray, hall
Honore Bray is a native Montanan. She retired in the Spring of 2022 after spending 18 years teaching High School in Jordan MT and 31 years working in Montana Libraries. In 1995 she moved with her husband and two children to Hall, MT, and became the Director of the Hearst Free Library in Anaconda. There she led a handicap access project in a historic building creating ramp access to the main floor with a three-story elevator while automating the library and becoming one of the first 17 libraries in the Montana Shared Catalog. After 10 years at Hearst Free she became the Director of Missoula Public Library where she spent the next 17 years. During her tenure at MPL she led the planning, construction, and opening of a new award-winning library. Throughout her education, Honore received a BS in Home Economics Education and Extension from MSU, a BS in Elementary Education from MSU, a Fifth Year in Library Science and Curriculum from UM, and Master’s of Information Science from University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign. Her passions are education and family.
Kris Goss, helena
Kris grew up in Richland County and graduated from Sidney High School. He credits the Sidney-Richland County Library for his appreciation of learning and dedication to public service. Kris serves as the Director of the Library Learning Hub at Helena College. He is also an attorney with Jackson, Murdo, & Grant, PC in Helena. 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.
Bruce Newell, 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.
Kelly Reisig, MOntana Library Association
Kelly Reisig currently resides in Wyoming and works as the Benefits Manager for Admiral Beverage Corporation. Like many, her love of libraries began as an enthusiastic library patron at the local library in her hometown of Alliance, Nebraska. Her love of libraries only grew during her college years at the University of Nebraska while obtaining her bachelor’s in history. She utilized her MBA to work in public relations for school districts in Nebraska, Alaska, and Minnesota. She was honored to serve the Sidney-Richland County Library as its Director for over 8 years. Although her family has relocated for her husband’s work, Kelly’s devotion to libraries and the critical role they play has never wavered. She currently serves as the Past President for the Montana Library Association.
John rogers, 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.
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, Conrad
Heather Tweet was born and raised in Montana. Prior to moving back to her hometown of Conrad, she lived in Forsyth where she was Rosebud County Library Director from 2014 to 2021 after serving as the Teen/Technology Librarian. 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 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. After a few years in the insurance industry, she is now teaching 7-12 Special Education and pursuing her master’s degree. A book she would encourage everyone to read is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.