Board of Directors
Officers
Blade Stiller, Commercial Lender - First Federal Bank & Trust
President
Blade Stiller, Commercial Lender at First Federal Bank & Trust, joined the Alternatives, Inc. Board of Directors in 2019. A Billings native, Blade graduated from MSU-Billings and started his banking career right after college. He enjoys movies, CrossFit, and spending time with friends, family, and dog Rogue. Blade is also a coach at Beartooth performance and was a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Yellowstone County for 10 years.
Jay Thompson, Business Banker - Western Security Bank
1st Vice President
Jay Thompson, Business Banker at Western Security Bank, joined Alternatives, Inc.’s Board of Directors in 2020. He was born in Billings, raised near Boyd, and graduated from Joliet High School. Jay attended University of North Dakota and MSU-Billings where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations. He now lives in Laurel with his wife Lacey and their son Andrew. He enjoys hunting, pickleball, and coaching his son’s Laurel Storms soccer team in his spare time. He has served on the board for Billings Home Builder’s Association and is an ambassador for USA Pickleball.
Sam Bofto, Ted Lechner Youth Services Center
2nd Vice President
Sam Bofto was raised in Billings, Montana, attending both Eastern Montana College and Rocky Mountain College. Sam worked at Rimrock Foundation before beginning a 28-year career in law enforcement. Sam worked as a Patrol Deputy, Coroner, Detective, Jail Commander, and retired as Undersheriff for Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. He currently serves as the Director of the Ted Lechner Youth Services Center. He and his wife Kelly have two grown children (Allie and Mac) and enjoy spending time with their two labrador retrievers. Sam has served on the Alternatives Board since 2021.
Meri Mcglone, Commercial Loan Officer - First Interstate Bank
Secretary/Treasurer
Meri Mcglone, Commercial Loan Officer at First Interstate Bank, joined Alternatives Inc’s Board of Directors in 2022. Meri graduated from Northwest College in Powell, WY and MSU-Billings with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics. She grew up on a ranch in Roundup, Montana and has made Billings her home. Meri is married with two children (boys). She enjoys skiing, camping, soccer, baseball/basketball games and spending time with family and friends. Meri was recently on the board for the Billings Depot and is currently involved with Downtown Billings Partnership and Downtown Billings Exchange Club.
Verne Petermann, Retired - Billings Police Department
Past President
Board Members
Jan Begger (Retired, Community Corrections)
Julie Beicken (Rocky Mountain College)
Mike Boyett (Billings City Council)
Beverly Bilyeu-Carkeek (Retired, Employment Consultant)
Sam Bofto (Youth Services Center)
Kathleen Candelaria (Realtor, Meridian Real Estate)
Tyrel Hamilton (Stillwater County Commissioner)
Tom Hanel (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Floberg Real Estate)
Don Jones (Yellowstone County Commissioner)
Bill Kennedy (Family Tree Nurturing Center)
Meri McGlone (First Interstate Bank)
Katie Michunovich (Western Security Bank)
Jenn Phalen (Billings Job Service)
Ronni Restad, RN (Billings Clinic)
Melanie Schwarz (UpStream)
Jay Thompson (Western Security Bank)
Judy Towlerton (Retired, Employment Consultant)
Katie Weston (Probation and Parole)
Mike Yakawich (State Legislature)
Stella Ziegler (Retired Business Owner)
Advisory Board (ex-officio)
Dr. Paul Cimmino (Walla Walla University Professor)
Eric Nord (Attorney)