Deann Willcut

 Deann Willcut

406-444-2563
Centralized Services Senior Manager

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Supervise central accounting, purchasing, budget, financial reporting, and mail.
  2. Liaison to Legislative Audit
  3. Oversee SABHRS, IBARS, and E-Grants systems

Deann Willcut is a Montana native and has lived all across the state at different times growing up but loves the center of the state the most. Deann went to MSU and graduated from the University of Great Falls. For just over 20 years, she has been with the state in Helena in budget/finance. Deann currently serves as the Senior Manager for Centralized Services and works with a wonderful group of individuals every day. Prior to coming to work for the state, she spent some time working with school finance audits and as the controller for a private company in Kalispell. Deann has four children and her family is very active. Her free time is mostly outdoors either at kids activities, in the mountains, or at family ranches, but always with her family. After the kids are grown, Deann might start golfing again, but for now, she enjoys the work she does during the day, and the adventures they take us on the rest of the time.

Judy Sanchez

 Judy Sanchez

406-444-3471
Accounting Manager

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Supervise the accounting team and approve time off requests, timesheets, and answer questions related to accounting duties.
  2. Daily duties include approving accounts payable, InterUnit Journals, and cash draw requests.
  3. Bi-weekly corrections to budget errors on the payroll journal.
  4. Monthly allocations of rent to the various budgets.
  5. Quarterly review and approve the federal reporting.

Megan Tenneson

 Megan Tenneson

406-444-4403
Payroll Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Manages the agency’s on-line payroll system every two weeks.
  2. Reviews and processes employee travel claims for reimbursement.
  3. Establishes and maintains employee records.

Megan Tenneson started working at OPI last year as an Accounting Technician and I’ve recently accepted a new role as a Payroll Specialist. Currently, I’m enrolled at Helena College of Technology, working towards my Associates in Business and Accounting Technology. I was born and raised in Helena, where I’ve also planted my roots. In my spare time, I love to go camping and explore Montana with my family. Recently, my friend and I started a small Kettle Corn business where we plan to attend a ton of events this summer. I’m very excited to be a part of such a great team and eager to apply my skills and education to my position and future.

Heather Zimmer

 Heather Zimmer

406-444-1961
Accounts Receivable

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Reconcile in SABHRS & Cash Draws weekly & as needed in multiple websites (ex. Dept of Education)
  2. Federal Reporting: Quarterly, Annually & Close Outs
  3. Depositing checks in US Bank & Coding the deposit in SABHRS

Heather Zimmer has been with OPI since 2004. She began working at OPI as a part-time Receptionist and back-up for accounting. Once her two children were bigger, she began working full- time. Along with going full time, she was assigned additional duties, including Procurement assistant to the Procurement Manager. Then she became the Accounts Receivable accountant, which includes Federal Reporting. For the past ten years she has been employed in that position. Heather was born and raised in Helena, MT with a little hiatus living in Bozeman to attend MSU majoring in Elementary Education. Heather is married and has two grown children. She enjoys riding her Harley with her husband and spending time with her children and husband.

Codie Mendoza

 Codie Mendoza

406-444-5899
Accounting Technician

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Processes Accounts Payable
  2. Reviews and processes monthly procard transactions
  3. Backup payroll technician and accounts receivable staff

Codie Mendoza has been with the State of Montana for 9 years. Codie first started her career with the state at the Department of Justice, MVD Drivers Licensing. She was there for 5 years before transferring to the Department of Correction, where she worked in the Restitution Unit as a Collection Technician, for the last 4 years. As of March 2023, Codie is now employed with the Office of Public Instruction, working as an Accounting Technician. She is very excited for this opportunity as she loves working with numbers. Codie has lived in Helena Montana all her life. She has two amazing boys that are her world. Summertime is their favorite, as they love to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful country of Montana. They like to hunt, fish, camp, and hike.

Ilda Noyes

 Ilda Noyes

406-444-0753
Accountant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Internal review of agency internal controls
  2. Reporting of results to Executive Team
  3. Works with CFO in identifying and projecting of potential program risks

Ilda has a diploma in tax auditing which she obtained in 2014 from Simon Bolivar University in Colombia. Ilda has spent her career in the private sector and governmental accounting and auditing which includes positions held in Columbia, Fish Wildlife & Parks, and the Office of Public Instruction.

Vonnie Evans

 Vonnie Evans

406-444-3693
Administrative Assistant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Processing
  2. Contract Management Perceptive Data Input
  3. Administrative – Special Projects (CSCT, QELAP)

Catherine McNeil

 Catherine McNeil

406-444-3693
Administrative Assistant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Processing
  2. Contract Management Perceptive Data Input
  3. Administrative – Special Projects (CSCT, QELAP)

Karla Beagles

 Karla Beagles

406-444-0764
E-Grants Designer

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Develops system objectives for 3-grants system
  2. Troubleshoots e-grants user issues
  3. Researches and analyzes system functionality and reporting for user benefits

Mindi Federman Askelson

 Mindi Federman Askelson

406-444-0768
E-Grants Security

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Collaborates with staff and school districts to create E-Grants applications
  2. Assists with technical issues
  3. Provides data and training as needed

Mindi Askelson is an E-Grants Systems Analysist in Centralized Services at the OPI. She graduated from the University of Montana School of Forestry in 1982 and received her M.Ed. from Eastern Montana College in 1992. Mindi spent over 28 years working in Higher Education as an Instructor, Program Director, Federal Grant Coordinator, Academic Dean and State Program Director.

NO HEADSHOT

 Jasmine Williams

406-444-4429
Budget Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Manages the biennial budget process in IBARS
  2. Monitors expenditures for compliance
  3. Prepares and submits budget change documents

Becky Belling

 Becky Belling

406-444-2561
Budget Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Prepare projections for the future and analyze past revenues and expenditures
  2. Provides budget information for fiscal notes
  3. Designs and implements indirect cost procedures

Ms. Belling began working in the Student Finance Division at OPI in April 2022. Becky was raised here in beautiful Montana. She graduated with her Bachelors from the Montana Tech in December 2013. She brings 8 years of accounting experience working for the State of Montana. She loves learning, bringing positivity to those around her, and working to help provide education to students in Montana. Outside of work Becky loves and dedicates her time to her fiancé and 2 children. She enjoys running, supporting her children’s extracurricular activities, spending her days outdoors, and being a part of the gift of life.

Daniel McNurlin

 Daniel McNurlin

406-444-3448
ECM Computer System &
Accounting Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

  1. System Analyst for Perceptive Content – Creating Workflows/Monitoring, Creating New Users
  2. Grant Accountant – Review/Approve district cash requests – Assisting districts
  3. Reconciling/Running Monthly & Yearly Reports/ Troubleshooting EGrants

Catlin Clifford

 Catlin Clifford

406-444-3692
Accountant
 

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Prepares projections for future and analyze past revenues and expenditures
  2. Provides budget information for fiscal notes
  3. Designs and implements indirect cost procedures

NO HEADSHOT

 Steven Morgan

406-594-9728
Grant Accountant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Accounting
  2. Budgeting
  3. Fiscal grant management for federal ESSER and EANS grants

Julie Moore

 Julie Moore

406-444-0727
Grant Accountant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Accounting
  2. Budgeting
  3. Fiscal grant management for various federal grants

Julie Moore is the new Grant Accountant at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. She was born in Illinois and has since live all over the country and overseas. She has lived in the Helena area for the last 4 years. Her work experience includes over 35 years in accounting and banking. She lives in the valley on a property with her son, his fiancée and her 3 year old grandson. When not working she enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles and cuddling in her recliner with her mini doxi and 2 cats.