The board of directors has complete legal control of MEIC and overall responsibility for its well-being and success.
 

John Hart, President   (Helena)

John is Professor of Christian Ethics at Boston University School of Theology, and is a theology-ecology prof at Carroll College in Helena. His courses incorporate social ethics, environmental ethics, liberation technology, Native American religions, the Earth Charter, and science-religion topics. His research and writing focus on social and ecological justice, and o ecology as a bridge between science and religion. He has lectured on social and environmental ethics on four continents: in seven countries and 27 US States. His books include The Spirit of the Earth and What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology?

Rachel Peura (Helena)

Drawn to Montana because of its natural beauty, Rachel spent most of her life in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, where she witnessed the detrimental health effects of coal mining, the impact of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident on people and community, and the disproportionately high incidence rate of asthma in children caused by poor air-quality related to burning fossil fuels.

As a registered nurse, Rachel believes that MEIC must lead the way to ensure that perpetual water treatment related to metal mining contamination is not acceptable, that the dangers of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants is recognized and dramatically reduced, and that the health and environmental risks related to new uses for coal are exposed for what they are so that sustainable, healthy alternative energy sources are chosen for Montana.

As a mother and grassroots organizer, Rachel recognizes the power of accurate information to empower the public to take responsibility and the action needed to influence decision makers, demanding a clean and healthful environment for future generations.

Kyle Strode, Secretary/Treasurer (Helena)

Kyle is a Professor of Chemistry at Carroll College in Helena, MT. He specializes in environmental chemistry.

Steve Gilbert (Helena)

Steve has been a Montana resident since 1967.  For 37 of these years he has worked as a biological consultant, 25 of which he was part-owner and president of an environmental consulting company that specialized in wildlife, aquatics/fisheries, soils, vegetation, forestry, range and hydrology. 

Steve is a strong environmental advocate and previously served on the board of Northern Plains Resource Council.  He was chosen the MEIC Community Activist of the Year in 2003.  He’s presently also a board member of Great Old Broads for Wilderness, a national organization based in Durango, Colorado.  

For 20 years Steve was a professional licensed Montana fly fishing guide, and voted Orvis National Guide-of-the-Year in 1990.   Steve presently does some biological consulting and is the state non-motorized trails specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  As such, he helps administer the federally-funded Recreational Trails Program and gets to inspect trails projects funded by the program, walking 200-300 miles a year in the back country.

 
Graden Oehlerich Hahn (Helena)

A former MEIC staffer, Graden worked in MEIC’s Missoula office on campaigns to prevent development of a cyanide heap

leach gold mine on the banks of the Blackfoot River, pass and defend citizens’ initiative 137 to ban cyanide heap leach mining in Montana, and raise citizen awareness and involvement in energy issues.

Graden’s environmental activism sprouted from roots in Whitefish where she, her brother, and parents spent countless hours hiking in Glacier National Park, skiing at Big Mountain, and sailing on Flathead Lake. Graden now spends her free time exploring central Montana’s great outdoors with her husband and her own two children.

BS Geography, Montana State University, 1996; JD, University of Montana School of Law, 2005.

 
Sarah Merril (Bozeman)

Mary Papoulis (Great Falls)

Originally from Long Island, NY, Mary came to Montana to join the Cascade String Quartet in 1990. She holds degrees in violin performance from Indiana University, Eastman School of Music, and SUNY Stony Brook. She has been a member of MEIC for many years. Mary has always been a lover of nature with high respect for the environment. The birth of her two young boys, Brian and Kevin Gemberling, increased her passion for environmental activism. Mary is a member of Citizens for Clean Energy, a grassroots group based in Great Falls working to prevent the Highwood Station coal-fired power plant. She is most intrigued with the global potential and advanced technology available for clean energy and responsible, conscientious lifelstyles.