MEET OUR TEAM

Tim VanReken is the Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer for the Headwaters Tech Hub in Montana, where he works to grow the region into global leader in smart photonic sensing systems. Prior to joining the Headwaters Tech Hub, Tim worked in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Advisor for Technology & Transportation. In this capacity, Tim worked to secure passage and effective implementation for the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, the landmark bipartisan legislation that established ambitious new directions for U.S. innovation policy, including the creation of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program. Earlier in his career he spent ten years as an EPSCoR Program Director at the National Science Foundation and nearly a decade on the faculty at Washington State University.

Courtney serves as the Operations Manager for the Headwaters Tech Hub where she combines her passions for mission driven work and science-based entrepreneurship. Bringing over 20years of experience in consulting and small business startups, including co-founding Headframe Spirits in Butte, alongside many years of work with nonprofit organizations, Courtney is proud to advance the mission for the Headwaters Tech Hub and Montana photonics community. She earned her Bachelor's in English literature in 1999, and her Master's in Public Administration in 2024, both from the University of Montana. She has two amazing adult children, and a sweet golden retriever named Kita. When not working, Courtney can be found cooking, reading or exploring Montana from her home base in Bozeman.

Caroline is the Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH) Program Manager. In this role, she oversees budgets, ensures financial compliance, and manages project reporting while supporting governance and advisory groups. Caroline plays a crucial part in developing a globally leading technology ecosystem in advanced smart photonic sensing systems and fostering equitable job access across Montana, focusing on inclusivity for underrepresented rural and tribal communities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and mountain biking with her dog Delilah.

Karl Unterschuetz has over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurial ecosystems. He grew up in his family’s organic agriculture supply business in the burgeoning organic industry of the late 1980s. Later in his career Karl directed the Northwest Biofuels Working Group, was on the launch team for the inaugural year of the PNW Clean Tech Open. Before joining the University of Montana, Karl was Director of Business Development for Itek Energy, a Washington State based startup, solar module manufacturer. As the Program Director for Accelerate Montana’s Rural Innovation Initiative (AMRII), Karl is supporting the mission to foster lasting successes for rural early-stage and growth stage businesses in Montana. Karl earned a BA from Western Washington University and a MS in business management and leadership from Antioch Seattle.

 Sarah has been with Accelerate Montana since February 2022. She has extensive experience working with startups & entrepreneurs, managing business operations, marketing & outreach activities, event planning, community & relationship building, and is passionate about all aspects of entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Accelerate Montana, she was the Director of a Small Business Development Center at Washington State University & the Director of Business Development for a county in Washington State. Where she assisted small businesses & entrepreneurs with developing & improving their business management skills to effectively start or manage a business, as well as managed co-working spaces, and business incubators.

Jeff was born and raised in Missoula, MT. He studied Math and Computer Science at the University of Montana and has been teaching since 2011. He has completed several of the CompTIA certifications, including the CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst). Currently, he is teaching math and IT courses at Missoula College. Jeff taught at a GenCyber summer camp in 2021 where middle school students were introduced to several STEM topics such as electronics and digital forensics. He is organizing several other similar summer camps throughout Montana for summer 2022.

Bianca is a graduate student at the University of Montana working towards a Master of Science degree in Business Analytics. She is from Malmo, Sweden, and came to Missoula in 2017 to attend the University of Montana where she graduated from in May of 2021 with Bachelors degrees in Management Information Systems and Marketing. Bianca has worked in the Marketing and Technology Consulting field and is the customer point of contact with several marketing efforts at CyberMontana.

Dianne Burke is a cybersecurity faculty member at Missoula College University of Montana and serves as Director of CyberMontana. She has taught networking, security, data operations, and computer forensics courses in both the public and private sectors She recently completed a career as a forensic analyst where she specialized in ESI collection and analysis and assisted counsel in cases across the U.S. Ms. Burke holds a B. A. from Rice University, an M.S. from the University of Houston, an M. Ed. The University of Montana, and is a doctoral student at the University of Montana

Kristal Crowley serves as STEM Program Outreach & Student Retention Coordinator at Missoula College. In this role, she actively recruits middle and high school students from local and regional Montana schools, assesses and monitors student progress, engages with a broad community of partner base to gather information on specific needs, and collaborates with Montana businesses to allow gainful employment. This position also includes promoting positive student outcomes as well as supporting academic and career readiness skills. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Director at a local non-profit and has a background in Curriculum Studies.

Austin Horner works as an outreach coordinator at Missoula College. Currently working on training available under CyberMontana for businesses in the Montana area. This training is pointed at increasing End User security and awareness for those businesses. He is also working to recruit and assess students in the local Montana Area to help accelerate learning in the area of computer and network security. His background in Information System and Computer Support Associates from the University of Montana Missoula College aid in his ability to assist those students as they progress through their programs. Prior to his current roles, Austin also worked at Computer Training Camps (Montana Code School), which helped students learn the basics of web app development.

Zach Rossmiller is the Associate Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Montana (UM).  Prior to the CIO role in 2020, Zach served as UM’s Executive Director of Cyber-Infrastructure and was responsible for campus-wide systems administration, research computing, data centers, network infrastructure, telecommunications, and classroom technology. Zach received an MBA, a B.S. in Management Information Systems, and an AAS in Computer Networking from UM. Along with earning degrees, Zach has taught UM courses on operating systems, enterprise security, desktop security, and business systems analysis design.

Tom has been a professor of Information Technology and Computer Science at Missoula College, the University of Montana since 2001. Prior to coming to UM, Tom served in the roles of Technology Director and System Administrator. He holds a doctoral and master's degree in Education Leadership from the University of Montana, a master's degree in Computer Science from Western Washington University, and a baccalaureate degree in Mathematics from Carroll College.

With over 35 years of experience working in the high-tech, financial services, and legal industries, Patty Cox has deep knowledge of business operations and management. Patty joined the Montana APEX team in 2012 and earned her CPP (Certified Procurement Professional) certification in 2014. She is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a verification assistance counselor. Patty is a member of the National Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), a network of over 500 experienced procurement professionals. She manages the Missoula APEX located at the University of Montana counseling businesses in Missoula, Powell, Mineral, Granite, Deer Lodge, Lake, and Ravalli counties.

Jennifer Stephens brings 10+ years of grassroots and formal economic development experience to her role as Missoula SBDC Regional Director. With hands-on business management experience and training, Jennifer has a passion for working with small and micro-enterprise businesses as well as helping new startups see the potential for future growth. Passionate about providing opportunities for Montanans, Jennifer helped start and continues on the core advisory team for Montana Code School, Montana’s first computer programming boot camp which takes students from little or no coding knowledge to junior dev level in 12 weeks.

Steve Clairmont is a Montana Native and provides over 15 years of economic development and entrepreneurial development support in his role as a Business Advisor. Steve has an Associates of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and over 40 years of work experience in the private sector. Steve has earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification with the National Development Council and is a former recipient of the SBA’s “Minority Small Business Champion of the Year”. Steve has owned and operated Eagle Services, a business consulting company since 2019 and his wife Kyunghee has provided cosmetology services in Polson Montana since 2006. He has provided bookkeeping services for both businesses since their inception. Having worked as an individual contributor in various capacities in his work career and in management positions from Supervisor up to the President of a corporation, Steve brings a great deal of professional expertise and experience in business operations, growth, and improvement. His work experience includes expertise in manufacturing, field service, and electronic engineering from his work in the semiconductor equipment industry; entrepreneur training, plan development, and finance from his work in economic development; and a well-rounded level of expertise from his other roles and from his work with entrepreneurs in western Montana. Steve worked for 13 years as the president of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ economic development corporation S&K Business Services, Inc. on the Flathead Reservation. He also served as the Business Center Director for Mission West Community Development Partners in Ronan for two years. He has found a great passion for supporting our entrepreneurs as they pursue their business efforts.

Brigitta Miranda-Freer has served as executive director of Montana World Trade Center® (MWTC) since 2014 and operations director for MonTEC since 2018. MWTC spearheads FDI attraction for Montana. Prior to her current roles, Brigitta served as business development director for Missoula Economic Partnership, spearheading business attraction, retention, and expansion strategies, and MWTC membership manager, counseling exporters on global markets, distributor/foreign partner qualification, international shipping and logistics, and mitigating foreign payment risk. Brigitta holds undergraduate degrees in International Affairs and Spanish Latin American Area studies from the American University in Washington, DC, and an MBA from the University of Montana.

Kassi Strong is the program director of the WELL Women's Business Center. As a digital marketer and business strategist, she is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed by implementing thoughtful business plans and innovative marketing strategies. Kassi is a born and raised Montanan and has worked with businesses of all sizes, from local food and beverage companies to large, venture-backed tech startups. She has also started and grown multiple businesses of her own. When she isn't meeting with or advocating for women business owners in Montana you can likely find her strolling through an antique store or enjoying time outside with her husband and two sons.

Mariah was born and grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration-Marketing from the University of Montana, where she also graduated a University Scholar from the Davidson Honors College. During her time at the University of Montana, Mariah was involved in Kyiyo Native American Student Association. As a member, she promoted the traditions and customs of Indigenous people and supported cultural diversity on campus. As a student, she interned with Accelerate MT as a Project Support Intern.

Marguerite was born and grew up in the diverse landscapes on Montana. She’s a mother of three intelligent, energetic, creative people who are all very differently talented and uniquely impassioned. When spending time together, they enjoy walks in nature, playing with dogs, Sunday baking, and big messy craft projects.

Anya graduated summa cum laude from the University of Montana in 2022 with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Global Public Health. She comes from a rural town in Montana. Phrases like "start up" and "entrepreneur" were commonly used in her family, stoking her interest in small business endeavors from a young age. After serving a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the WBC, she is thrilled to continue working with Accelerate Montana. Anya enjoys filmmaking and writing, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Media Arts with an emphasis on Screenwriting.

Angie Willey is a versatile administrative assistant with over 10 years experience. Working with various types of businesses she has built up a unique set of skills. Helping businesses to succeed is a true passion for her. Outside of work, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband, their beautiful daughter and their pups!

Mariah was born and grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration-Marketing from the University of Montana, where she also graduated a University Scholar from the Davidson Honors College. During her time at the University of Montana, Mariah was involved in Kyiyo Native American Student Association. As a member, she promoted the traditions and customs of Indigenous people and supported cultural diversity on campus. As a student, she interned with Accelerate MT as a Project Support Intern.

Latisha, an innovative Diné and Amskapi Piikani leader, is the Program Director of Indigenous Outreach and Programs for Accelerate Montana. Her focus revolves around strengthening relationships, building connections and ensuring that Indigenous voices are amplified. Passionate about sustainable growth and impactful change, she dedicates herself to creating pathways to success and expanding economic opportunities for tribal communities across Montana. In addition to her role, Latisha is also an artist and co-founder, leading various initiatives aimed at cultivating spaces where creativity flourishes, collaboration thrives, and Native communities are empowered to succeed. With a passion for bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary innovation, she is committed to fostering progress and eliminating barriers. Skilled in beadwork and quillwork, she finds joy in creating art, reading, and traveling with her family during her free time.