Ravalli County interviews candidates for veterans advisory board and collaborative; appointments set for next day

Ravalli County commissioners conducted interviews April 29 with two applicants for volunteer advisory roles: Kristen Davis for the Valley Veterans Advisory Board and Dan McConnell for the Ravalli County Collaborative. The commissioners said they would make appointment decisions the following day.

Kristen Davis, who said she currently works as a Soldier and Family Readiness specialist with the Montana Army National Guard, told commissioners she has experience providing resources and referrals to service members and families. Davis said she holds a degree in early childhood development and teaching and is pursuing a master’s degree in licensed clinical professional counseling, with an interest in focusing on veterans’ mental-health support.

Commissioners asked whether she understood the mission of the Ravalli County Veterans Service Center and her availability; Davis responded she does and said the advisory board’s annual meeting schedule posed no attendance problem.

Dan McConnell described his involvement with the DNRC and attendance at collaborative meetings; he lives in Hamilton and said he can attend the collaborative’s standing monthly meeting (second Monday of each month) and occasional subcommittee meetings. McConnell emphasized reforestation and watershed health as priorities, said private landowners need assistance after recent fires, and described challenges created by local mill closures and limited markets for small-diameter material.

Both applicants answered board questions about their experience and availability. The commissioners said they would decide and notify applicants the next day.