Susie HedalSusie Hedalen headshoten is serving as the Deputy Superintendent for Education Services.

Susie received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Montana State University. She earned a Master of Educational Leadership degree with a principal and superintendent endorsement in 2012. She received a Graduate Certificate in Native American Studies in 2016 and is currently working on her dissertation for her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her versatile experience has given her a comprehensive understanding of education and our school districts in Montana. She taught kindergarten through fifth grade in Helena for seven years, she was a rural school superintendent in Grass Range, and most recently, she was an elementary school principal and director of federal programs for the Livingston School District. Most recently, Susie has led the successful implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act in Montana through her work at the OPI.

Contact Susie, 406-444-3449 .

Jule Walker headshotJule Walker is serving as the Deputy Superintendent for Operations.

Jule is a professional educator with more than 30 years of experience. She pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from Montana State University-Billings. She then taught 10.5 years in California, receiving her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of La Verne in La Verne, CA. Upon returning to Montana, Walker served 21 years as a superintendent in the Plevna School District. During her tenure as a superintendent, she has served on numerous committees and boards, as well as received several awards. Walker has served on the MREA Board, on the MUST Board, as the SEMASS President, the MHSA Resolution Committee Chairman, the K-12 Vision group, the MASS President, SAM President, and the AASA Executive Board.

Contact Jule, 406-444-7325.

 

Dylan Klapmeier headshotDylan Klapmeier is serving as the Director of Communications and Federal Relations.

Dylan has undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies from the University of Montana, and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Montana Graduate School. Prior to joining the Office of Public Instruction, Dylan worked in Missoula as a field representative, constituent caseworker, and education liaison for U.S. Senator Steve Daines. He is originally from Forsyth, Montana.

Contact Dylan, 406-444-3559.

Image of Phoebe WilliamsPhoebe Williams is serving as the Executive Office Administrator.

Phoebe has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Montana State University and has a diverse professional background in office management. She has over 20 years of experience working in state agencies and private businesses in the Helena-area.

Contact Phoebe, 406-444-3160.

 

Image of Julia SwingleyJulia Swingley is serving as Chief Legal Counsel

Julia W. Swingley is the managing attorney of Hull & Swingley, PC, where she has been in private practice the last eleven years, primarily practicing commercial collection and family law. For eight years, Ms. Swingley served as in-house counsel for a Montana-based collection agency during which time she filed thousands of cases around the State. Ms. Swingley has presented courses on civil practice, collection law and family law to attorneys at continuing legal education (CLE) conferences and to professional associations. Ms. Swingley’s civil litigation experience also includes a clerkship with District Court Judge Honzel, serving as a deputy county attorney in both Lewis and Clark and Jefferson Counties, working as an Assistant Attorney General with the Montana Department of Labor, and working as an associate for insurance defense firm of Drake Law Firm. Ms. Swingley was raised in Helena, earned her B.A. from Oberlin College, Ohio and her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 1997. 

Contact Julia, 406-444-4399

Image of John PerkinsJohn Perkins is serving as Policy Director

John received his undergraduate degree in business administration with a focus in marketing from Carroll College, and his Master of Data Science with a focus in predictive analytics and advanced modeling from Northwestern University. John has a professional background in public policy, private business, and association work experience. Previously, he worked as an aide in the Montana Senate Majority Office before working on policy with the Montana Land and Title Association and the Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Association. John has also worked for a private retail business as a business analyst and buyer.

Contact John, 406-444-5658

 

Virginia Díaz is serving as the Administrative Clerk for the Superintendent's Office.

Virginia has a diverse professional background in administrative support and project management for both public agencies and private businesses, including post-secondary education institutions. 

Contact Virginia, 406-444-5643.

Patrick Beddow headshotPatrick H. Beddow Senior is serving as the Superintendent's Land Board Advisor.

Patrick is a consultant minerals landman from Billings and has been involved with oil, gas, hard minerals, coal and land-title related issues for over 38 years. Using his decades of industry expertise, he advises Superintendent Arntzen in her capacity as Vice-Chair of the Montana Board of Land Commissioners.

Contact Patrick.