Bob Norbie, President/CEO
Bob has been with Special Olympics Montana since 1993. A passionate advocate of the mission for 20 years, he says that athletes are masterful teachers if we pause long enough to listen, learn and let them reveal the champion in all of us. As Chief Executive Fan, Bob oversees the movement’s vision and strategic direction that currently impacts more than 2,000 athletes annually through the efforts of nearly 4,000 volunteers in 120 programs statewide. He has served in many other capacities with the Special Olympics International movement. As interim national director in 1998, Bob guided the reorganization of Special Olympics South Africa. He served a five year term on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (2007-2011), chairing the International Advisory Council during this same time, and served a six year term on the Special Olympics North America Leadership Council (2006-2011).
406-315-4200
bnorbie@somt.org
Staff
Rhonda McCarty, Chief Operating Officer
Rhonda began her adventure with SOMT in March 2014. Prior to that she served as the principal of Valley View Elementary School in Great Falls for 16 years, bringing her to a total of 28 years in the education world. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening (for the short-lived Montana growing season), cooking, reading and hiking. She and her husband, Jon, have two grown children, Meagan and Ryan.
406-315-4209
rmccarty@somt.org
Terri Sappington, Associate Vice President Law Enforcement Torch Run
Teri has been a member of SOMT family since 2000 and is currently the Associate VP Law Enforcement Torch Run. Prior to joining the staff, Terri was an active SOMT volunteer and former TCI Cable employee. She has an Associate of Science in Computer Management. Terri’s family, including her husband Doug and their four children, are also dedicated SOMT volunteers.
406-315-4199
tsappington@somt.org
Wendy Rispens, Development Director
As a Montana transplant, Wendy considers living in Montana one of her top blessings. She is delighted to be married to Les Rispens who shares her appreciation of life’s simple things. They enjoy all the things Montana has to offer in the great outdoors and can usually be found on motorcycles, on 4-wheelers, along some river fly fishing or just out and about geocaching. Les and Wendy have 2 daughters, Samantha and Kassidy. Les is currently the County Executive Director for USDA/FSA in Havre, MT so a great deal of their lives is spent on the road so they can spend some quality time together in the same zip code.
406-315-4202
wrispens@somt.org
Mandy Patriarche, Vice President Outreach
Mandy joined SOMT in March of 2015. Prior to joining the SOMT team she worked as the Director of Sport Specific Giving for Montana State University Athletics. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management and Communications from Heidelberg University in Ohio where she played collegiate tennis. Mandy moved to Montana after 2 years of working in Yellowstone National Park. Mandy enjoys anything sports related and in her spare time can be found in the outdoors hiking, camping, skiing, or bird watching with her husband Jeff.
406-315-4201
apatriarche@somt.org
Cindy Reiquam, Executive Assistant
Cindy joined the Special Olympics Montana team in February 2014. Cindy’s most recent work experience was commercial property administration and management. Her previous work experience includes administrative support for the Great Falls Advertising Federation, commercial bond and insurance customer support, and commercial banking. Cindy is an active community volunteer and has served in volunteer capacities including the Great Falls Symphony Board of Directors, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Gala co-chair, and the CM Russell Buffalo Auction co-chair. Cindy and her husband Chris reside in Great Falls. They enjoy spending time on the family farm, kayaking, and outdoors.
406-315-4195
creiquam@somt.org
Josh Anderson, Reception/General Assistant
Joshed joined Special Olympics Montana team in 2008 as a part-time employee, doing clerical, custodial and athlete leadership work. He has been an athlete since 2000 and competes in cycling, basketball, soccer and alpine skiing. He likes staying active by exploring on his bike and playing softball. Josh also served on the SOMT Board of Directors from 2003-2008 as the Athlete Representative for the CMR area AMT, has lobbied for Special Olympics International in Washington, DC, served on the Global Congress in Panama and has spoken to a number of small and large groups on behalf of Special Olympics.
Daniel Doulas, Custodian/General Maintenance
Daniel joined the SOMT team November 18, 2015. As the Custodian/General Maintenance staff person, Daniel is busy making sure the first impression for visitors to the SOMT State Office is clean and professional. Daniel is a Great Falls native. Daniel studied Computer Science at the University of Great Falls. Daniel’s work experience includes eight years with the Great Falls Public School system as an assistant School Resource Office and various janitorial positions. Daniel enjoys creating computer assisted art and exercise in his free time.
Delisa Protsman, Insurance Assistant
Delisa joined SOMT in February 2018. Originally from Geraldine, Delisa has spent the majority of her adult life in Great Falls. Her previous work experience includes development and administration of educational programming for a statewide nonprofit, teaching as an adjunct professor, as well as accounting and bookkeeping. Now she handles contracts and insurance for Special Olympics. In her spare tie she enjoys furniture repurposing and restoration, antique shopping, quilting and crafting.
dprotsman@somt.org
406-315-4210
Heather Wendell, Marketing & Design Specialist
Heather joined SOMT in June 2012. Prior to joining the SOMT team she worked at Benefis Health Care and the University of Great Falls. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Great Falls. Heather has been a Montana girl all her life. Her family includes her husband Josh and children Brecken, and Kaitlyn. She loves to spend time with her kids, and enjoys photographing, hiking and camping in this beautiful state!
460-315-4208
hwendell@somt.org
Megan Hill Sundy, Associate Vice President Unified Strategy
Megan has over 7 years of experience as a professional volunteer manager. She has worked with 200 nonprofits to help build stronger volunteer programs, recruited volunteers for over 30 unique programs and 40 large events across Montana. Megan came to SOMT after working with Missoula Aging Services and the Montana Food Bank Network. In a past life, Megan lived and worked in Greece and Italy as well spent several years working as a paralegal in Missoula. When she is not working for SOMT, she is working to launch a new nonprofit, Volunteer Missoula, a new volunteer recruitment website for Missoula County. Megan has degrees in Liberal Studies and Classics from the University of Montana.
406-315-4216
mhill@somt.org
Aaron Gleason, Outreach Director, West Region
Aaron joined Special Olympics Montana in August 2017, shortly after graduating from Northwest University with his Masters in Community Development. Aaron, with his wife (Annie-Brynn) and daughter (Helen), relocated to Missoula following his acceptance of the Outreach Director position in the West Region. Although Aaron is a Spokane native, he has deep family roots in Western Montana and was raised with a love for everything University of Montana Athletics – GO GRIZ! Aaron and his family look forward to spending their first full year in Montana exploring, backpacking, fly fishing, and simply enjoying all that the beautiful state has to offer.
406-315-4214
agleason@somt.org
Jamie Wood, Vice President Sports
A native of Montana, Jamie comes to Special Olympics with an extensive background in agriculture and experience in event planning while working for Montana State Fair. When not wrapped up in SOMT work, Jamie enjoys life at the ranch, and time with her cattle and horses.
406-315-4194
jwood@somt.org
Scott Held, Training & Competition Director
Scott was born in Sidney, MT, but has called many different locations in Montana home, including Savage, Shepherd, and Great Falls. He has two bachelor’s degrees, in business administration and marketing, from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where he played collegiate baseball for the Marauders. Immediately following his graduation in May 2016, Scott joined the SOMT team and has quickly made himself indispensable. In his free time, he can be found out fishing on a lake or in the mountains.
406-315-4211
sheld@somt.org
Lisa Romig, GMS Specialist & Sports Assistant
Lisa Romig came to Special Olympics Montana in March 2015. As the GMS Specialist & Sports Assistant, she manages and maintains the volunteer, coach, and athlete paperwork and database. According to Lisa, “Working for Special Olympics Montana has been one of the most gratifying jobs that I’ve ever had. I enjoy coming to work every day and attending the Area and State Games is just icing on the cake!” Lisa has a degree in business and hospitality. Her experience includes 15 years of hospitality sales, event planning and management, and for the past 12 years she was a math and reading tutor for the Great Falls Public Schools. In her spare time, she loves gardening, camping and going for long drives in the great outdoors of Montana with her husband Mike and sons Mitchell and Payton.
406-315-4196
lromig@somt.org
Pat McCraney, Vice President Finance
Pat has been with SOMT since 2008. Previously she was employed by Great Falls Teachers FCU where she was a SVP for over 20 years, bringing 32 years of experience with banks and credit unions. She also volunteered as co-director of the HR committee for state summer games while in Great Falls. In Pat’s spare time she enjoys going to Griz football games and visiting her grandchildren in Washington.
406-315-4205
pmccraney@somt.org
Michelle Torres, Department Assistant
Michelle Torres comes to Special Olympics Montana with over 25 years of experience in accounting. A Montana native, she moved to Great falls when she was very young, and graduated from Fairfield High School, in Fairfield MT. She graduated from Knapp Business College. Michelle has four children and five grandchildren, she is very family oriented. She loves the outdoors and feels MT is the only place you have something to do in any season.
406-315-4203
mtorres@somt.org
Vickie Donisthorpe, Health & Wellness Director
Vickie Donisthorpe joined the Special Olympics Montana staff in May of 2017. Prior to that she served as the principal of Great Falls Central Catholic High School for 5 years and principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary for 9 years for a total of 30 years in the education field. Currently, she is working in Donor Accounts but will be transitioning to the Health and Wellness Coordinator position April 1. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, being outdoors, reading and spending time with her family. Vickie and her husband, Scott, have 3 grown children and 1 granddaughter.
406-315-4215
vdonisthorpe@somt.org
