Relay
MTAP
Committee on Telecommunications Access Services For Persons With Disabilities
Montana Relay and the Montana Telecommunications Access Program are overseen by a 13-member committee appointed by the governor. Our committee members are listed below.
Linda Kirkland
Committee Chair
Linda is a Montana native.
Currently with the Montana
Department of Administration,
Linda has worked in
telecommunications for about 30
years, 21 of which were at U.S.
West. She has worked for the
State of Montana for 9 years. In
her spare time she travels,
watching her son race his sprint
car.
Cheryl Gillespie
Vice Chair
Cheryl was born in Billings,
Montana, but she's lived in Helena
for the past 30 years. She earned
a masters degree from Duke
University in Pharmacology, and
works for Qwest as their Regulatory
Director. Her one daughter is very
athletic, and works as a physical
therapist.
Ron Bibler
Ron is a past chairman of the
committee and has been an active
member for the past 11 years.
His expertise in problem solving
and leadership has proven
instrumental in the committee’s
many achievements. Ron also played
a big part in implementing relay
services in Montana. A certified
financial planner, Ron runs his own
advisory and investment management
firm out of Great Falls and makes
over 200 Montana Relay calls per
month to clients, business
acquaintances, friends, and
family members. As a committee member,
he represents the interests and concerns
of disabled businesspersons across the
state. A father of three and avid traveler,
Ron enjoys spending time with his
family, refereeing local football
games and running a fantasy football team.
Eric Eck
No job is too large for Eric—a valued member of the Governor’s
Committee on Telecommunications Access since 1989. Eric has earned a reputation
among committee members for his diligence and willingness to participate in any
project, no matter what the size or scope. He satisfies the committee requirement
of being an employee of the Public Service Commission. He is a devoted husband
and father of one son, who has a hearing loss.
Kristen Bruner-Kober
Kristen is originally from Oklahoma. She did her audiology certification year
with the Billings Area Indian Health Service in 1996-97 and fell in love with
Montana. She returned to Oklahoma to be the Audiologist for the Choctaw Nation
of Oklahoma for 3 years. She was able to return to Montana in 2000 to work for
the Indian Health Service in Billings as Area Audiologist serving the Crow and
Northern Cheyenne reservation. She enjoys being a mom to her 4 year old son and
the beauty of Montana.
Char Harasymczuk
Char was born deaf. She graduated from MSDB in 1973, attended Gallaudet
University, and graduated from MSU-Billings. Char is involved in the Montana
Association for the Deaf (MAD) and the Montana Registry of Interpreters for the
Deaf (MRID) along with the MTAP board. Her hobbies include hiking and building
birdhouses.
Char was honored in October of 2007 with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Montana Center on Disabilities. The award recognized Char, who is Deaf, because of her devotion and leadership as an agent of change for those with disabilities over the years.
Colette Custer
Colette was born and raised in Dagmar Montana. She serves on the Nemont telephone
Board of Directors, teaches the piano, and sits on her church council. Her term
on the committee began on July 1, 2005. She lives in Plentywood.
Chris Caniglia
A talented speech pathologist at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chris is a key
contact person for speech-disabled Montanans. As a representative of businesses
outside the telecommunications industry, Chris has maintained an active
involvement with the Governor’s Committee on Telecommunications Access since
1999. Chris is a true nature lover who enjoys exploring Big Sky country.
Christy Keto
Christy is the marketing manager for Triangle Telephone headquartered in Havre
and Montana In Touch Long Distance. She represents the Interlata carriers of the
state. She's worked in the telecommunications and electric industry since 1994.
She has a bachelors degree in business with a marketing and managing emphasis.
Originally from Havre, she went to school in Butte. Christy has two boys and
spends most of her non-work time with them – hunting, fishing and watching their
sports and school activities. She also enjoys crafts and home improvement.
Charles Charette
Charles is a heavy equipment operator who lives in Lame Deer. He grew up in Billings and has a hearing loss. He was appointed to the committee on July 1, 2005.
Amber Lang
Amber Lang is a representative for the disabled on the Committee. Appointed in 2006 to fulfill the term of Gil Martell, Amber is from the Flathead region. She lives in Columbia Falls and works in Kalispell for the Summit Independent Living Center (ILC). Outside interests include the Flathead Deaf Club for whom she serves as vice-president. Amber said she also loves scrapbooking, gardening and spending time with her husband and boys. As the representative of the disabled and working with them, Amber said about challenges, “Deal with them as they come along, it’s the least you can do. I’m not a quitter and once I have something to look forward to, count me in; I’ll see myself through it.”
Matt Bugni
Matt grew up in Helena with three older brothers. He and his wife, Katy, are continuing the tradition and have four boys of their own ages 10, 7, 4 and 2 years. After graduating from Capital High School, he went on to receive a BA in Natural Science from St. John’s University, Minn. in 1996. His current position is the Finance Manager for the Disability Services Division (DSD), of which the MTAP is administratively attached. Matt says he finds it challenging to work with all of the interest groups to utilize the approximately twenty funding sources of DSD to fund as many services as possible to as many people as possible, across varying disability groups. Other than enjoying the challenge of being a husband and father, Matt likes to spend time outdoors by hunting, fishing, and mountain biking.
This page last updated 02/12/2008
