MDA Board Members
Bill Buseman
Bill Buseman is serving as MDA President in 2008. Bill served as MDA President in 1989 are we are happy to welcome him back for a second round of fun. Bill is a Marketing Consultant with Cherry Creek Radio. He has has worked in the downtown area on and off for 21 years and has lived in Missoula for 31 years. Bill is concerned with finding a growth strategy for downtown with more room for foot traffic. He is also eager to work together with the city for the common goal of having Missoula be a destination for the rest of the country and the world.
Bill is married to Lisa and has 3 children, Lexie, Connor, and Carson. In his free time Bill enjoys fly fishing, rafting, hiking in the Rattlesnake, and coaching baseball and football.
Kim Murray
A multitalented individual, Kim Murray has been a member of the MDA for 19 years and has been on the Board of Directors since 1996. Kim will be serving as the Past-President of the Board for 2008. She manages two business, Joint Ventures and New Quest Distributing, that she and her husband, Bob, operate from their home, and in her spare time is the Marketing Coordinator for Biolife Plasma Services. She has been instrumental in the success of the Out to Lunch program, and she has also been heavily involved in the Caras Park Pavilion. She is passionate about continuing to hold ongoing events in Caras Park, the "heartbeat of the Missoula Community."
Originally from Tujunga, Calif., Kim moved to Western Montana with her family in 1978. She studied Journalism at The University of Montana. Kim is married to Bob, and they have two sons: Chad and Chase. Active with both the YWCA and Big Sky Community Church, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, working in her yard, and getting together with friends Downtown.
Rich Hamma
Rich is the Treasurer for the MDA and is also a CPA for Galusha, Higgins and Galusha. He is a native of Missoula and has lived in Missoula for more than 40 years. He is a Sentinel High School graduate and received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Montana.
Rich has been active with the MDA for four years and has served on the Parking & Transportation and BBQ committees. He is most concerned with Downtown transportation and keeping Missoula’s downtown area an attractive, inviting and a vibrant place to be.
Rich is also affiliated with the Montana Society of CPAs, United Way of Missoula County, Missoula Medical Aid and the Institute of Management Accountants.
In his spare time Rich likes to golf, run, work in the yard at home and watch the Lady Griz kick butt.
Rod Austin
Rod Austin is the Assistant General Manager for the Missoula Osprey. This year Rod is serving as the MDA's Vice President of Advocacy. Rod is most interested in the the continued viability of downtown, and parking and vagrancy issues.
Originally from Vermont, Rod moved to Montana in 1972 with the United States Air Force in Great Falls. A graduate of the University of Montana Business School 81', Rod has lived in Missoula three separate times over the years. Rod is committed to community activities and is also affiliated with Mount Jumbo East Little League, the American Heart Association, the Ronald McDonald House Project, and the Heart of Missoula Neighborhood Council. He is married to Tina and they have six kids: Rod Jr , Ryan , Regan, Chris, Josh and Reid. In his free time Rod enjoys fly fishing, gardening, coaching and playing baseball, camping and spending time with his kids.
Diane Lanning-Nicklay
Diane has been actively engaged in the MDA for seven years and will serve as the Vice-President of Marketing and Events for 2008. Diane has proved to be a valuable asset for a variety of downtown businesses, having worked at the Bon Marche and the Missoula Independent. She is now employed by both St. Patrick Hospital and J. Elaine's Boutique. Diane has been instrumental in planning the Garden City River Rod Run,MDA Barbeque, and Parade of Lights as well as volunteering her time to help with River City Roots Festival and Downtown flower baskets. Diane is also involved Relay for Life.
A native of Helena, Diane enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, snowboarding and visiting her property near Townsend.
Colleen Rudio
Colleen has been with the MDA for 10 years and will serve as Vice-President of Membership for 2008. Colleen is an Organizational Development Consultant for JCCS. She plays a key role in fundraising, strategic planning, membership and special events. Originally from Butte, Colleen is a graduate of the UM Business School and has lived in Missoula for 14 years. She is also involved with the Garden City Exchange Club, Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Missoula County, Missoula Building Industry Association and Missoula Realtors Association.
Colleen has been married for 16 years to Jeff, and has a son Zach and a daughter Jordan. Colleen enjoys camping, fishing, drafts, and games.
Rich
Boberg
Rich Boberg is the General Manager for Macy's (110 N. Higgins). Boberg has been the GM at Macy's for the past seven years and was a department manager there for a two years in the mid-1980s. His greatest concerns regarding Downtown Missoula deal with parking and image.
Originally
from Wyoming, Rich earned a BS in business from Montana State University.
He is married to Cheryl, and they have three children: CJ, Christina,
and Bill. Rich enjoys spending time with his children, fly fishing, and
working on his home in the Bitterroot Valley.
Brent Campbell
Brent is in his first year as an MDA Board Member and is the President/CEO of WGM Group, Inc. He has been involved with the MDA for five years and co-chairs the River City Roots Festival. Brent is also involved with MAEDC Executive Committee, Mayor's Task Force in Sustainability and the Montana Chapter of American Council of Engineering Companies. He is most concerned with Downtown Redeveopment.
Brent is originally from Helena, MT and is a 1986 graduate of Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He and his wife Carla have three children, Kayla, Katrina and Kyle. In his free time Brent enjoys floating, fishing, skiing and recreating Montana style.
Dan
Cederberg
The longest-standing member of the MDA Board of Directors, Dan Cederberg is an attorney for Cederberg Law Offices, PC (269 W. Front St.). A Missoula resident for 30 years, he has maintained his business downtown for 25 years and has been a member of the MDA for 19 years. He has been instrumental in the renovation of the Caras Park Pavilion, spearheading the fundraising, managing and marketing of the facility. Cederberg believes the pavilion, downtown retail and parking are some of the most important aspects of Downtown Missoula.
Originally from Havre, Mont., Cederberg has a BA in political science and history and a J.D. in Law from The University of Montana. Dan is married to Forey, a teacher at Lolo Middle School, and they have four children: Brad, Jenna, Breland, and Dac. Cederberg enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and he is involved with several youth sports groups in which his children participate. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity in college and continues to play an active role with that organization.
Matt Ellis
Matt is the Vice President/General Manager for the Missoula Osprey Professional Baseball team. He has been a partner of the Osprey in Missoula since the team relocated to Missoula in 1999. He also became an owner of the Uptown Diner in 2006. Matt is most concerned with preserving Downtown as a destination. He is active on the Advocacy committee and the Downtown Master Plan committee. In addition, Matt is involved with Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and Missoula Covention and Visitors Bureau.
Originally from California, Matt earned his Marketing Degree from Arizona State University. He is married to Shelly, and they have one son Michael. In Matt's spare time he enjoys ice hockey, bowling, spending time with his family and traveling.
Bryan Flaig
Bryan has worked Downtown
for 20 years and is a Commercial Loan Officer for First Security Bank.
He is most concerned with Downtown economic growth and quality of life.
He is also affiliated with the Kiwanis Club of Missoula.
Bryan is originally from Missoula. He received his Bachelor of Science
in Finance from Montana State University. He is married to Kerri, and
they have four children. In Bryan's spare time he enjoys playing golf.
John Horner
John is in his first year as an MDA board member and is the Vice-Preident and Commercial Banker at First Interstate Bank. John is on the steering committee for the Greater Downtown Master Plan and is also involved with Missoula County United Way. He is most concerned with Downtown growth and how to manage it properly.
Originally from Missoula, John is a graduate of Loyola High School and Carroll College. He and his wife Judy with a son, Austin (14) and daughter Rachel (12). In his spare time John enjoys spending time with family, reading and golfing.
Kim Klages-Johns
Kim Klages-Johns is the owner of J. Elaine's Boutique (311 N. Higgins). Kim has been active with the MDA for ten years. She is most concerned with vitalizing Downtown. Kim is also active with First Lutheran Church and Hellgate Elementary PTA.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kim earned her marketing degree from Texas A & M University. She is married to Rick Johns, and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her children: Kylie, Travis, Garrett and Cameron.
Matt Loomis
Matt is the owner of Baskin Robbins Missoula and has been a long-time vendor at Caras Park events. He has been actively involved with the MDA the last three years serving on the Downtown ToNight committee. Matt is most concerned with Downtown parking and vitality, rising insurance and utility costs and the ability for locally-owned businesses to survive and thrive.
Originally from Santa Cruz, CA, Matt is a graduate of the University of Montana. Matt also works closely with University of Montana events, Relay for Life, Missoula Little-League and Missoula area schools. In his free time, he enjoys playing softball, working in the yard and spending time with family.
Brian MacDonald
Brian is the Branch Manager at Community Bank-Missoula, Inc.'s Off Broadway Branch. Brian is in his second year as a MDA Board Member, but has been actively involved with many committees for 6 years serving on the Advocacy, Brewfest and Downtown ToNight committees. In addition to the MDA, Brian is also involved with Special Olympics, Missoula Greenhorns, Kiwanis, First Night Missoula and YMCA Youth Sports.
A native of
Julie McFarland
Julie is the Outside Sales Manager for the Missoulian and has been involved with the MDA for nearly five years. Julie is in her first year as a board member, serves on the River City Roots Festival committee and has previously served on the Spring Fling and Parade of Lights committees. She is also involved with Sunrise Rotary and is most concerned with keeping Downtown as the heart of Missoula, family, environment and a strong, healthy economy.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Northern Kentucky University with a minor in French and International Politics. Julie is married to Sean and has a one year old daughter, Cameron. She also has six brothers and 3 sisters. In her spare time, Julie enjoys spending time with family, hiking, jeeping and participating in MCT productions.
Harry Watkins
Harry is the Owner/General manager of Zip Beverage. Harry has been active with the MDA for more than 6 years and is most concerned with keeping Downtown Missoula financially vibrant. Although born in Havre, Harry was raised in Missoula and Spokane, WA. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University. Harry is also a member of the Montana Beer and Wine Wholesaler Association.
Harry is married to Kari, has 2 children and enjoys skiing and hanging out at the lake.
Kent Watson
Kent is the owner of Kent Watson & Associates Landscape Architecture. and is in his third year as a MDA board member. He is most concerned about the aesthetics of our Garden City, especially with the Downtown.
Kent is also active with the Sustainable Business Council, Save America's Visual Environment, and the American Society of Landscape Architects. He earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from N.C. State University and his Master of Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley. A native of Livingston, MT, Kent and his wife Margaret have one daughter, Abby. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, fly fishing, hiking and photograpy.
Ex-Officio Members
Ellen Buchanan
Ellen Buchanan is the director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency. Ellen came to Missoula 4 years ago from Johnson City, TN and has been active with the MDA since her arrival. Ellen is most concerned with sustainability, maintaining Downtown vitality, and promoting residential development Downtown. She is the co-chair of the River City Roots Festival and also volunteers for the Brewfest committee.
Ellen earned her Bachelor degree in Architecture. In addition to her MDA committments, Ellen serves on the Board of Directors for the Downtown BID of Missoula, and is involved with MAEDC and the Milltown Working Group. She has one son, Jason; a daughter, Keenan; and one granddaughter, Tess. In her free time, Ellen enjoys listening to live music, hiking and camping.
Anne
Guest
The director of the Missoula
Parking Commission (128 W. Main St.), Anne Guest has worked downtown for
25 years in various positions. She is a native of Missoula and has lived
in Missoula for 44 years. Parking is the issue Guest is most concerned with.
She serves on the Board of Directors for St. Patrick Hospital and is a member of the Missoula Rotary Club. Guest
earned a BA in education from the University of Washington. She has one
daughter, Elise, who is living and teaching in the Portland area. Anne enjoys
all kinds of play in her free time.
Steve
Earle
Steve Earle is the General
Manager of the Mountain Line Bus Service. He is in his eighth year with the
MDA Board of Directors and has served on the Out to Lunch Committee and
the Parking Advisory Committee. Steve is concerned with traffic, parking,
and accessibility in the downtown as well as safety.
Earle is
from Libby, Mont. and earned his BA in education at the University of
Montana in 1979. He has lived in Missoula for 30 years and has been affiliated
with the downtown for 17 years. In his free time, he likes to be outdoors, travel, and cook.
Dick King
Dick King joined the Board in 2002. He is the President of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation. In partnership with the University of Montana, MAEDC administers the Montana Technology Enterprise Center. Dick is most concerned with the economic vitality of Downtown Missoula. He is affiliated with Sunrise Rotary, Play Ball Missoula, Community Medical Center and the Chamber of Commerce.
Originally from Chinook, Montana, Dick earned his BA and MA in history from the University of Montana. Dick is married to Tove Elvandy and they have one son Alex. In his free time Dick enjoys golfing, gardening, walking, completing home projects and playing bridge.
