Board of Directors (2025-2026)

Sara is the CFO of ALPS P&C Insurance Company and a UM grad. Sara loves to rides bikes and ski with her husband and dog.

Tim has been employed at the Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) for over 30 years.  He is a life-long resident of Montana. He is an alumnus of the University of Montana, earning bachelors degrees in accounting and economics, a masters degree in business administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Tim currently teaches courses in intermediate accounting, income tax, governmental accounting, and strategy.  His research interests are related to accounting education.

His professional certifications include; Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA), and Certified in Financial Management (CFM). Tim has been married to the former Valerie Clark for 25 years and has three sons; Michael, Alex, and Andrew.

Russ works and plays in Missoula. He has been in public accounting for over a decade and been doing taxes for closer to two. Born and raised in Butte, he understands the value of hard work and strong relationships. With degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Montana, Russ's focus has been on business and individual taxation and consulting. He prides himself as being in the people business of partnering with clients to help them succeed. He is returning to the board and looks forward to continuing to foster meaningful bonds with his peers across this great state. When not in the office, Russ enjoys being active and outdoors. He spends his limited free time chasing kids and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Whether playing on Flathead Lake or cheering on the Griz, he is never far from his wife, two daughters, son, and dogs.

Russell is a tax partner in the Billings office of Eide Bailly LLP with fifteen years of public accounting experience.  Russell provides tax and compliance services to individuals, partnerships and corporations and works extensively in multi-state taxation.  Russell has also worked for the Montana Department of Revenue as a pass-through entity auditor and in the wealth management department of US Bank. 

Russell graduated from Montana State University-Billings in Business Management and Accounting with a minor in Spanish.  Russell is a past president of the MTCPA board and is also the AICPA elected Council Member for the state of Montana. 

Outside of work, Russell enjoys spending time with his amazing wife and two wonderful kids. He is a big baseball fan and is always rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Brigitte manages the bookkeeping and payroll department at Jordahl & Sliter in Kalispell. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Montana State University Billings. Brigitte has previously worked in both public and private accounting, with a focus on tax and financial statement preparation. Brigitte enjoys helping clients with their tax and bookkeeping needs, so they can focus on running their business.

Melanie Bengtson arrived from Germany to earn a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Montana in 2002. After a short stint with a biotech company in Colorado, she sensed there was no opportunity for a chemist and started at an automotive shop as a lube and tire technician. She earned an Associate of Occupational Science – Automotive Technology from Westwood College and advanced to ASE certified master mechanic. She moved back to Montana and after a substantial life changing event decided to return to the University of Montana to earn a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Montana in 2016. Melanie started as a tax season intern in January 2015 and has been in public accounting in tax practice since then. She is currently on the board of the Healthy Acres Healthy Communities Foundation.

Megan has over 15 years of experience providing quality attest and consulting services to her clients as a Principal at Pinion. She specializes in financial statement audits, Single Audits, and other attest consulting primarily for clients in the healthcare industry and nonprofit organizations. Megan also holds her Certified Fraud Examiner license and enjoys working on fraud examinations. 

She was a member of the original BAR group for the MTCPA and is a past President of the Great Falls Rotary Club. She currently also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the St. Thomas Child and Family Center.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys attending concerts, traveling, cooking, and raising her two children, Rosemary and Callen, with her husband Luke.

Carrie is the CFO at Beartooth Group in Bozeman, MT. Carrie holds a Master’s of Professional Accountancy from Montana State University and has been a CPA for over 20 years. She loves hiking, biking, snowboarding, and water sports with her husband and 3 kids.

Connor Larson, CPA, is a Billings native and graduate of Montana State University and MSU Billings, where he earned his degree in Business Administration with an Accounting Option. He became a licensed CPA in 2021 and specializes in individual and corporate tax, business accounting, payroll, and advisory services.

Connor serves as Treasurer of the Partners for Parks Foundation and is active on several MTCPA committees, including Federal Tax, State Tax, and Legislative & Government Affairs. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and spending time with his wife, two kids, and their dogs.

Tymber is a dedicated Tax Manager at Eide Bailly, bringing over seven years of experience in public accounting and tax services. She specializes in serving high net worth individuals, with a focus on the dealership and professional services industries.

She chooses to be involved with the MTCPA to continue advocating for and advancing the CPA profession by sharing insights from her professional experience. Most recently, she was part of the 2023–2025 BAR group.

Outside of the office, Tymber enjoys playing board games, exploring new places through travel, and cherishing time with her husband, Jake, and two children, Amelia and Theo.

Hillary graduated from CCDHS in 2002, and from The University of Montana in 2007.  She received her Bachelor of Science with a major in Accounting.  Hillary became a Certified Public Accountant in 2008 and a Certified Fraud Examiner in 2018.  Hillary has worked in the public accounting and banking industries, with experience in tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, auditing, and fraud investigations. 
 
She is married to Reyer, and they have two children, Dessa and Mina, mules, dogs, and other animals that keep them busy.  Hillary and her family enjoy trail riding, gardening, exploring Montana, and keeping up with friends and family.  Hillary also serves as the Miles City Backpack and H.O.P.E. Pantry program bookkeeper and is a board member of CNADA.

Becky provides accounting services to clients in the Southwest Montana area through her firm RDT Accounting. She previously spent 15 years in internal audit work within the financial institutions industry. Becky has been involved with the Society in various capacities since 2008, including work on the Professional Development, Industry, and Annual Conference Planning Task Forces. Outside of work and MTCPA involvement, Becky lives her best life spending time with her husband, daughter and pets, along with enjoying all things Montana has to offer.

David brings a wealth of leadership and life experience to the Student Board Representative role. A former Navy pilot and officer, he held various leadership positions - from platoon commander at the U.S. Naval Academy to Assistant Operations Officer and department head in the fleet. He later managed large teams in manufacturing and now flies for FedEx.

Currently earning his Master’s in Accounting, David plans to sit for the CPA exam by 2026 and start a firm with his wife, focused on small business accounting and financial planning. His broad background - spanning military, corporate, and entrepreneurial settings—gives him a unique ability to connect with Montana students from all walks of life.