The TCFSWG Board of Directors consists of five members representing the three counties of Jefferson, Broadwater, and Lewis and Clark. The board provides oversight for the overall mission of the organization and an executive director that coordinates and manages project programs and activities. Local area contractors are utilized for specific project activities.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: LOIS OLSEN
Retired Forest Ecologist, has 35 years of experience working for the Forest Service, where 32 years were spent on the Helena National Forest which also included fire suppression and fire management assignments. As Forest Ecologist she collected and analyzed vegetation data following wildfires throughout her career. She strongly supports the mission and goals of this organization.
VICE PRESIDENT I: ED SHINDOLL
Representing Broadwater County, Ed brings leadership and valuable experiences to TCFSW. He is a strong believer in the goals and programs that TCFSWG is accomplishing in the area.
VICE PRESIDENT II: BRAD LANGSATHER
TREASURER: JANET KENNEDY YAGER
After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Janet Kennedy Yager has gained a broad range of experience working in both the public and private sector in site planning, recreation management, transportation, and regional planning. Janet brings her experience in non-profit management and land use management TCFSWG.
Now retired, Janet served as Executive Director for 25 years of Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc., focusing on planning and economic revitalization for seven rural Upstate New York counties through several State and National programs. Her work received national recognition in community planning and implementation.
PERSONNEL – ContractorS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Currently Vacant
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AMY TEEGARDEN
Amy has worked with TCFSWG in a variety of capacities during her employment with the Helena National Forest as the Public Affairs Officer, and with the city of Helena as the Parks & Recreation Director. After living and working in the Helena area for over 30 years, she is pleased to continue to be a part of the strong work TCFSW facilitates.
FUELS MITIGATION SPECIALIST
CRAIG KOCKLER
Craig was born and raised in Helena, MT. He worked for the Helena Ranger District/Helena National Forest, US Forest Service from 1991 until his retirement in November 2021. Craig served as a wildland firefighter on a Type 6 wildland fire engine for much of his career from suppressing wildland fires locally to across the Nation. He has always had a passion for fuels management throughout his career and retired in a Fuels Technician position after treating thousands of acres across the Helena Ranger District. In 2016 Craig was awarded the Dave Larsen Memorial Fire Fighter Before Suppression Award. Craig now serves as a fuels mitigation specialist as an independent contractor.
FUELS MITIGATION SPECIALIST
ROCKY INFANGER
Rocky Infanger became the Project Manager for FireSafe Helena in 2021. Rocky has served as a volunteer fireman since 1985 and as Fire Chief since 2005 for the Wolf Creek/Craig Fire Service Area located north of Helena. He is also the owner of Mitigation in Motion a private company specializing in wildfire mitigation and education. In 2019 he was awarded the Wildfire Mitigation Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs for his efforts in mitigation and education. He has worked in the private, local, state, and Federal services. Rocky and his wife Michelle live along the Missouri River enjoying all our beautiful state has to offer.