2000s

Steven Rinella M.F.A. ’00, Bozeman, moved back to Montana after a decade of city living when the popular outdoor enterprise “MeatEater” moved his company to Bozeman. Rinella hunts, fishes and cooks with wild game around the world for the series. He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from UM. 

Barry Anderson ’02, Chicago, a former Monte and the sixth Chicago Bulls’ Benny the Bull, now travels globally to develop mascots. A theater and dance major at UM, Anderson created a Benny the Bull known for his comedic and sometimes risky antics and coined the phrase “sports theater.”

Joel Hertzog ’02, M.B.A. ’05, Missoula, has become a credit analyst at Stockman Bank Missoula and will analyze financial statements, assist commercial lenders and provide support for account relationships. He has worked for 13 years in risk assessment, contract surety underwriting and credit analysis.

Mollie Bond ’05, Seattle, graduated from Governors State University in 2017 with a doctoral degree in nonprofit leadership and social entrepreneurship. She started a coaching business for nonprofit leaders based on her dissertation, “Mentoring Women of Generation X: Program Elements to Increase Success for Principals or Nonprofit Leaders.” She also mentors administrators and nonprofit executive directors during fundraising campaigns. She continues to work as the director of foundation and corporate relations at Moody Bible Institute in the Seattle area.

Matt Boyer M.S. ’06, Whitefish, was named Fisheries Professional of the Year by the American Fisheries Society for his “above and beyond” efforts. Boyer is the science program supervisor for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1, which spans the Flathead and Kootenai subbasins of the Columbia River and focuses on issues in Canada and Idaho that affect the Columbia River Basin. His team received recognition in 2017 for removing genetic threats to cutthroat trout in the Flathead.

Kristin Pace ’06, Healy, AK, published her debut memoir, “This Much Country,” in March. Kirkus Reviews calls it “a buoyant evocation of a thrilling, hardscrabble life” and Booklist says, “‘This Much Country’ is an honest, heartfelt and exciting memoir and a must-read for all nature lovers seeking a glimpse into a truly Alaskan adventure.”

Jake Pipinich ’06, Tulsa, OK, recently became a partner in the law firm Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, LLP, one of the oldest and most-respected law firms in Oklahoma. Pipinich received a degree in political science and communication studies at UM and attended the Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he received awards for holding top score in his class in constitutional law, civil procedure, estate and gift tax, mergers and acquisitions and land use law. He has made the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List in 2014 through 2018 and is part of the transportation and logistics practice group for the firm. Pipinich credit his success to UM’s rigorous political science pre-law program.

Devon Wootten M.F.A. ’06, Walla Walla, WA, recently received a Fulbright Scholar Grant to teach and research in Galway, Ireland.

Stephanie Krebs Anderson ’07, Spokane, WA, is the new sustainability and energy management corporate counsel for ENGIE Insight Service, Inc. Stephanie lives with her husband, Colin Anderson ’06, and their daughter, Natalie, in Spokane. 

Rachel Kinkie Meredith ’07, J.D. ’10, Helena, joined the Helena office of Doney Crowley P.C. Her practice focuses on water rights adjudication and permitting, real property, natural resource and agriculture law. She is a Montana native.

Caitlin Copple Masingill M.A. ’07, Garden City, ID, founded Full Swing Public Relations, which offers strategic communications for female-owned businesses focused on travel, health and wellness, and social change.

Aarom Bartz B.F.A. ’08, Hamden, CT, made his Broadway debut in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” in March. Bartz attended the Yale School of Drama for his M.F.A, and he has acted in numerous films and productions for Yale Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, the Texas Shakespeare Festival and more. Pictured third row from the front, third from left. Photo Credit: www.pottermore.com

Dylan Laslovich ’08, M.A. ’10, Washington, D.C., became U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s chief of staff earlier this year. A Montana native, he has worked for Tester since receiving a master’s degree in political science from UM in 2010. His previous position was as legislative director, focusing on natural resources, energy and agriculture. Laslovich says his love of public service for his state was born when he first met Tester as a college student.

Rob Watson ’09, Bozeman, will become the new Missoula County Public Schools superintendent, an area including around 9,000 students and three high schools. He led Bozeman School District for seven years and served as the principal of Bozeman High School from 2009 to 2012. He holds a doctorate in education leadership from UM and was named Montana school superintendent of the year in 2018.