Our team

Our Team

Sherrie Arey

Executive Director

Sherrie leads our team in all aspects of our work - development, fundraising, and neighborhood revitalization.

Jenel Figarelle

Deputy Director

Jenel handles operational duties and human resources. She coordinates with the executive director in leading our team with the organization's strategic goals.

Rosie Kiernan

Homeownership Director

Rosie leads our homeownership team, including all pre- and post-purchase education as well as financial counseling.

Kevin Mellinger

Director of Construction

Kevin helps oversee all construction projects and the Owner Built Homes.

Jeff Neiffer

Chief Finance Officer

Jeff has a long background in the financial world and oversees all finance and accounting responsibilities for NWGF.

Jenna Schuff

Director of Lending

Jenna oversees all aspects of our Lending Department.

Janet Brown

Accounting Assistant

Janet supports our Finance Department and handles accounts payables and receivables.

Nathan Enochs

Assistant Supervisor for Self-Help Build

Nathan is responsible for helping out with construction projects at the Owner Built Homes site.

Charles Goodman

Property Management Coordinator

Charles helps manage our rental properties.

Ashly Graham

Homeownership Program Manager

Ashly leads our Homebuyer Education courses and assists with homebuyer counseling.

Allen Heisler

Housing & Financial Counselor

Allen plans our Homebuyer Education classes and helps our neighbors get ready for homeownership.

Seth Johnson

Senior Staff Accountant

Seth assists with most accounting functions including budgets, cash flows, and monthly financials.

Brenda Kukay

Owner Built Homes Coordinator

Brenda coordinates all the moving pieces in our Owner Built Homes program. From application to move in, she's your gal.

Emma Nelson

Community Engagement & Communications Manager

Emma assists with increasing our visibility in the community and implements our marketing efforts.

Keith Nelson

Senior Construction Advisor

Keith retired as our Director of Construction after many years of dedicated service. He now supports NWGF through major land development and construction grant projects.

Declan Okes

Construction Assistant

Declan works with the construction team on our in town projects.

Ashlee Pearson

Resource Development Manager

Ashlee ensures our fundraising goals are met and leads donor cultivation.

Hillary Randels

Housing Compliance Coordinator

Hillary is part of our property management team, making sure our rental homes are in compliance.

Teran Sowers

Construction Supervisor for Self-Help Build

Teran helps oversee the construction projects for Owner Built Homes.

Beverly Talbert

Office Supervisor

Beverly oversees our front office and provides valuable support to all departments.

Cheryl Ulmer

Loan Processor

Cheryl works in our lending department, helping closing go smoothly.

Jessica Wakeford

Community Specialist at Golden Valley

Jessica looks after our senior living in Belt, MT and is the first point of contact for the residents.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Celia Blewett

Board President, Slate Law PLLC

Celia is our board president and joined our team in 2017. She brings a wealth of information from the legal world as an attorney with Slate Law PLLC.

Kari Young

Board Vice President, Wipfli

Kari is our Vice President and has 9+ years of experience in accounting, taxation, and consulting. She is the newest member of our board and is happy to get involved.

Susan Humble

Board Secretary, Retired, Anderson Steel

Susan is our board Secretary, and she brings with her an array of business knowledge as President of Anderson Steel.

Tim Lightbourne

Board Treasurer, Cogswell Insurance

Tim is our board Treasurer and bond manager and owner of Cogswell Insurance Agency. He is an active member in the Great Falls community.

Jim Dea

Past Board President, ERA Advantage Realty

Jim is our past board President and a local Realtor and broker. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge to our real estate decisions. Jim is co-chair of our real estate committee.

Mike Banks

Opportunity Bank of Montana

Mike is a lender at Opportunity Bank of Montana and has been NeighborWorks Great Falls’ Lender of the Year for six years in a row. He is very familiar with NeighborWorks programs and the housing market.

Pam Blackwell

Benefis Health System

Pam is the Human Resource Manager at Benefis and brings years of HR experience to the NeighborWorks Board of Directors.

Susan Crocker

The Good Wood Guys

Susan has a background in education and construction that will be greatly utilized for the board. She wants to help support the mission to create strong neighborhood and successful homeowners in our city. She is a Northside Resident.

Troy Lane

Target Neighborhood Resident

Troy has experience in the construction industry and is active with his neighborhood council, living in the downtown target neighborhood.

Steve L'heureux

Target Neighborhood Resident

Steve is a long time supporter and board member. Steve is a local architect and co-chairs our real estate development committee.

Terry Miller

Black Eagle Resident

Terry is a long time board member and engaged community activist – she is chair of the neighborhood advisory committee.

Mike Parchen

Target Neighborhood Resident

Mike was a member of the original founding board for what is now NeighborWorks Great Falls. Mike and his wife have lived in their neighborhood for 46 years.

Kristi Pollard

D.A. Davidson Companies

Kristi has several years of experience in the finance industry. She recently purchased a home & is passionate about homeownership.

Rose Schuster

Target Neighborhood Resident

Rose, along with her husband, operate Wadman Construction. She brings a plethora of business management knowledge to our board.

Sean Sturges

D.A. Davidson Companies

Sean brings great financial knowledge to our board meetings and endowment committee meetings.

Allison Tangen

Northside Resident

Allison lives in a NeighborWorks property and is committed to improving the lives of those in Great Falls through business and job creation through her position as a Human Resource Manager.

Carley Tuss

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Carley is originally from Black Eagle, and provides a wealth of knowledge about the community.

Morgan Yegerlehner

Northside Resident

Morgan is passionate about affordable housing and is also a founding board member for Housed Great Falls.

Kari Young

WIPFLI

Kari is our Treasurer and has 9+ years of experience in accounting, taxation, and consulting. She is the newest member of our board and is happy to get involved.