MSSF Staff
Eric Schindler, Montana School Services Foundation CEO
Eric Schindler has more than 20 years of experience as a CFO, most recently with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana where he was responsible for finance, treasury, actuarial, underwriting, corporate planning, project management and eBusiness. Prior to his health-care experience he was CFO of American Chemet Corporation, a global supplier of metal chemicals, where he was responsible for finance, strategic planning, human resources, and information and communications systems.
Schindler is a former member of the board of directors of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and is a member of the AICPA, the Montana Society of CPAs and the Association for Strategic Planning. He was once named by Accounting Today as one of the 100 most influential people in accounting. He holds a BS degree, magna cum laude, from Southern New Hampshire University where he majored in Management Advisory Services, which combined concentrations in accounting and management information systems.
Schindler has also served as director or chairman of several prominent boards, including but not limited to
- St. Peter’s Hospital (Helena)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance (Phoenix)
- American Institute of CPAs, (New York)
- American Chemet Corporation (Deerfield, IL)
Christi Sharp, Director of Sales and Marketing
Christi Sharp joined MSSF in November 2010. She has over 17 years of experience in the health-insurance industry with several major carriers, including UnitedHealthcare and The Regence Group. Prior to moving to Montana in 2006, she managed the Small Business Group at Kaiser Permanente in Oregon, a division comprising approximately 8,000 small- and mid-sized groups.
Most recently, Sharp was the Director of Marketing and Consumer Sales for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. In that capacity she was responsible for Corporate Advertising, Individual Underwriting, and Individual Products Sales. She also served as co-chair of the Board of Managers for Regional Advantage Services, a consortium of six ’Blue’ Plans offering Medicare PPO and PDP products across a seven-state region.
Sharp has held insurance-producer licenses in Oregon and Montana.
Shelly Batista, Marketing Assistant
Shelly Batista joined the MSSF team in December 2005 in the enrollment department. Effective January 2008, Shelly takes on the position of marketing assistant. In this capacity Shelly will manage the day to day operation of the department as well as manage renewal, new member group contracts, and assist in the development of marketing material.
Shelly grew up in Great Falls and attended college at Eastern Washington University, where she earned a degree in organizational and mass communications. She has previous experience in the insurance industry, as well as sales and management experience with the Montana Club in Helena. Her pleasant demeanor and customer service experience help her provide the level of service that participants have come to expect.
Shelly and her husband, Mike, live in Helena with their two sons.
Garth Cox, Marketing/Field Services Representative,Northwestern Montana (Region 1)
Garth Cox joined the MSSF marketing team in June 2005, and obtained his Montana insurance license in December 2005. Garth makes his home in Polson and provides service to MUST member groups in communities ranging from Eureka to Darby.
Garth was raised in Shelby, Montana and attended the University of Montana, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He served in the U.S. Army at the close of the Vietnam era, and returned to Montana after completing his military service to teach fifth grade in Polson. He earned a master’s degree in school administration in 1982, and continued teaching in the Polson school system until retiring in spring of 2005.
Garth and his wife, Linda, have two children and two grandchildren. A Montana Grizzly fan, Garth also enjoys reading, gardening, golf, and spending time with his family.
Tamara Crowder, Marketing/Field Services Representative, Northeastern Montana (Region 4)
Tamara Crowder joined the MSSF marketing team in November 2004, and obtained her Montana insurance license in July 2005. Tamara provides service to MUST member groups in an area stretching all the way from Ekalaka in the south to Whitewater in the north.
A native of northeastern Montana, Tamara graduated from MSU-Billings with a degree in marketing. Prior to joining MSSF, Tamara operated a daycare for nine years and also worked in the field of drug and alcohol prevention.
Tamara and her husband, Larry, live in Culbertson with their three children. Tamara is the president of the Culbertson Women’s Club and is actively involved in community fundraising activities. She has served on the board of her church, and also enjoys scrapbooking and officiating MOA volleyball.
Greg Disney, Marketing/Field Services Representative, Southcentral Montana (Region 3)
Greg Disney joined the MSSF marketing team in November 2004, and obtained his Montana insurance license in 2005. He provides service to MUST member groups in a large region that extends from White Sulphur Springs and Gardiner to Miles City and Broadus.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business technology from MSU-Northern, Greg worked in the automotive industry for 20 years as a sales consultant and finance manager, and brings a wealth of business and customer service experience to his current position.
Greg has served on the board for Educational Opportunities for Central Montana and is a judge for the Ford Motor Company Rural Scholarship Fund. Greg lives in Columbus and enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife, Debbie, and their two children.
Marcia Ellermeyer, Marketing/Field Services Representative, Southwestern Montana (Region 2)
Marcia joined MSSF in November 2004 as the marketing assistant, and earned her Montana insurance license in August 2005. Effective January 2008, Marcia takes over the marketing representative position for the southwest region, serving from Lincoln to Lima and across to West Yellowstone. Her experience in the marketing department prepares her well for this new position and she looks forward to the opportunity to serve MUST groups in this new capacity.
Marcia is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, she remains an avid sports fan, with football being her favorite. She currently serves as chair of the East Helena School Board, and lives in East Helena with her husband, John, and their two children.
Dawn Smith-Sullivan, Marketing/Field Services Representative, Northcentral Montana (Region 5)
Dawn Smith-Sullivan joined the MSSF Marketing team in October of 2007 and is the representative for the Northcentral region. Dawn’s mother was a school teacher in a one room schoolhouse in Craig, and it is there that Dawn started first grade with six students in the entire school – all were girls.
Dawn graduated from Cascade High School and the University of Great Falls. She brings extensive experience in the insurance industry as an independent agent selling and servicing both property/casualty insurance and health and disability insurance. She has also served as the Deputy Clerk and Recorder in Teton County.
Dawn and Joe currently reside in Choteau with daughter Lexie. They make frequent visits to Missoula where daughter Lindsay resides after graduating from the University of Montana. Dawn is an organizational leader in Teton County 4-H and enjoys the activities that 4-H provides. Dawn and Joe also enjoy outdoor recreation, especially pheasant hunting with dogs Jake & Molly.
Dena Gormely, Chief Financial Officer
Dena Gormely joined the MSSF team in July 2002. She is a CPA and earned a bachelor’s degree from Carroll College, majoring in accounting, business administration and finance. Dena brings over 20 years’ accounting experience to her position with MSSF, helping to ensure the business is run as efficiently as possible.
Dena and her husband, Glen, live in Helena and enjoy boating, camping, hiking and other family activities with their two children.
Joan Fabricius, Administrative Officer
Joan Fabricius joined MSSF in October 2005. In her role as administrative officer, Joan ensures that MSSF is operating in full compliance with federal HIPAA laws and other regulations governing the administration of health benefit plans. She also manages the content of and amendments to all MSSF plan documents, and serves as the contact person for second-level participant claims appeals.
Joan has worked in the health insurance industry for over 15 years as a certified medical case manager, self-funded client consultant, and medical review department manager. She is a registered nurse licensed in both Montana and Wyoming, and she also holds a professional certification in health care management. Joan’s knowledge of health insurance practices and her customer-oriented approach help ensure the MUST plans offer the best value for the dollar.
Judy Sanchez, Enrollment/Eligibility Supervisor
Judy Rios-Sanchez has been with MSSF since 2003, where she serves as the lead enrollment and eligibility specialist. In this role she supervises the enrollment/eligibility team, provides customer service to member groups and participants, and serves as the contact person for users of the MUST website.
Before coming to MSSF, Judy worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (Helena branch) and for Hydrometrics, Inc. in the accounting department. Since joining MSSF, Judy has completed numerous insurance education programs, including HIPAA compliance classes and Health Insurance Association of America courses. In 2005 she earned the professional Health Care Customer Service designation. She believes that developing ongoing relationships with our member groups and participants is the reason for MSSF’s success.
Judy lives in Helena with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters.
Missy Smith, Enrollment/Eligibility Specialist
Florence “Missy” Smith joined the MSSF Enrollment and Eligibility team in April 2010. She has over 12 year of experience in the health-insurance industry. Previously, she was the Membership Trainer for BCBSMT. Missy uses her experience to accurately apply our eligibility guidelines when enrolling and maintaining our members’ records while providing excellent customer service.
Missy grew up here in Helena, Montana. She joined the Montana Army National Guard while still in High School and retired honorably in 2004.
Missy lives in Townsend with her husband, John. They have three children: Pam, Tony, and Brook. They enjoy Montana-living by hunting, skiing, fishing, camping, and hiking every chance they get.
Patricia Cooper, Accounting Specialist
Pat Cooper joined MSSF in 2001, after moving to Montana from her native Michigan. Her previous experience included working for two different HMO’s in enrollment, and she has transferred those skills to her role as an accounting specialist with MSSF.
Pat works hard to uphold the MSSF tradition of great service while managing the billing for member groups and retirees. In her time with MSSF, Pat has learned that customer service sets us apart from the competition.
Pat and her husband, Jim, have one daughter and live in Whitehall.
Kelli Hargreaves, Accounting Specialist
Kelli Hargreaves joined MSSF in April 2006. She has over eight years experience in accounting in State government, including three years with the Teachers’ Retirement System. She earned an associate’s degree in accounting from the University of Montana – Helena College of Technology in May of 2000, and she is currently working toward a medical coding certificate from the Great Falls College of Technology.
Kelli is a native of Helena, and she enjoys golfing, camping, and boating in her spare time.
Pam Tudor, Executive Assistant
Pam Tudor has worked for MSSF since 1987 – longer than anyone else on staff – and has helped the organization grow and succeed in carrying out its mission. When MUST plan participants call the administration office, Pam is usually the first person they talk to. Her experience and dedication to MSSF ensure that customers receive the assistance they need.
Pam attended college in her native Iowa, majoring in business administration and secondary education. She then worked for Iowa State University and for two major utility companies before moving to Montana, where she worked for various organizations including the School Administrators of Montana. In these positions she developed the customer service, public relations, and office administration skills that make her an indispensable part of the MSSF team.
Pam and her husband have lived and worked in several locations throughout Montana, including a working ranch in Bridger. They also own a Helena business, Tudor Machine, Inc. They have two grown children.
Pam Chappell, Administrative Support
Pam joined the MSSF team as a part-time administrative support clerk in the fall of 2006 and works closely with Pam Tudor to keep the office running smoothly. She brings a wealth of experience to MSSF, having worked for several years as a health paraprofessional in the Helena School District and six years as a medical coding and billing specialist at the Women’s Health Care Center.
Pam, a graduate of the Big Sky Somatic Institute, also specializes in massage therapy and owns Golden Light Massage in Helena. Pam and her husband, Kevin, have four children.
Nina Herrera, Administrative Support
Nina joined MSSF in January 2008, taking on the afternoon part- time administrative support clerk position. She works closely with Pam Tudor and Pam Chappell assuring that MUST plan participants receive the care and assistance they need.
Nina is a native of Butte, Montana and has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana, Western. She owned and operated Early Movement Preschool and has taught in the Helena community for over 10 years.
Nina lives in Helena with her husband Ron and her two children, Riley and Lexi.
Shane Castle, Technical Writer
Shane began working for MSSF in 2009. He is responsible for Web-site management, document design, and editing.