Board Members of the Pad for Paws Foundation

Garry A. Pistoria, President

After attending Montana State University and the College of Great Falls, where he majored in Business and Economics, Garry Pistoria started his career with the Cenex/Harvest States corporation. During his thirty-eight years with Cenex/Harvest States, he has directed the Export Division in Portland, Oregon, coordinating trades with Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other Asian countries. In corporate offices in St. Paul, Minnesota, he oversaw the domestic and world sales of wheat merchandising and managed world-wide grain sales. Most recently, he was president of Amber Milling Company, the four milling operations of Cenex/Harvest States until his retirement in 1999.

Dick Morgan, Vice President

Dick Morgan is a native Montanan who grew up in Helena, Montana. After graduating from the University of Montana with a degree in Business and Economics, he entered the banking profession, serving in a number of positions including bank examiner. He is one of the founders of Mountain West Bank and currently serves as its Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Along with serving on the Pad for Paws Foundation, he is also active on boards of the WestMont Foundation and The Angel Fund.

Debra Polhemus, Secretary

Debra Polhemus, a charter member of the Pad for Paws Foundation, obtained her bachelor of arts degree in Business Administration from Boise State University. During her years in Idaho, she held the position of marketing research analyst for a major potato-processing food company and was commercial loan officer for a major bank. Having lived in Montana for the past twenty years, she was the Development Director for the Missoula Children’s Theatre, a large touring children’s theatre company. Additionally, she volunteered her services with many non-profit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Montana Breast and Cervical Cancer Project, the March of Dimes, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Brian Wickens, Treasurer

Brian Wickens is a native Montanan who obtained his bachelor of science in Accounting from Montana State University. He is currently the Branch Manager of the Helena office of Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens, P.C. Brian and his wife Callee have three cats and two dogs.

Ron Stottlemyer

Dr. Ron Stottlemyer is a professor of medieval English literature at Carroll College, where he teaches a variety of literature, linguistics, and writing courses. In addition to his teaching, he has directed business and technical writing workshops in state and federal agencies and local firms. He has also served as a technical editor for the Montana Cancer Report and has worked on writing and editing projects for Robert Peccia and Associates, a Helena-based engineering consulting firm. He has volunteered at the Lewis & Clark Animal Shelter, walking and training dogs and has participated in animal welfare events in the Helena community. As well as serving on the board of the Pad for Paws Foundation, he has served on the board of the Helena Symphony Orchestra.

Heather Kahler

Heather Kahler has been selling radio advertising with Cherry Creek Radio. She enjoys helping business owners better their stores and achieve their goals. She attends the Montana Broadcasters Association Sales Seminars every fall and has been a member of the MBA Jim Manning Society for excellence in sales achievement since 2004 and won an award for the best radio ad in the state of Montana in 2007. She is also member of the Helena Exchange Club which helps children in the Helena community. The newest addition to her household is Abby, her three-year-old, 100 pound Great Pyrennes. A Montana native, her passions naturally include boating at the lake, snowboarding, and, of course, walking Abby.