IT Services Division- Meet the Team

 Marla Swanby

406-438-2160
Business Analyst/Project Manager

Work-Related Duties:

1. Project Manager for the AIM (Student Information System)
2. Facilitates projects within the Information Technology Division (IT)
3. Facilitates projects between IT and other divisions within the OPI

Marla is a Business Analyst/Project Manager for the Information Technology Division. She graduated from Carroll College and has worked for The Office of Public Instruction for 11 years and the State of Montana for 16 years. As a native to Montana, Marla spends most of her spare time with her two adult sons, gorgeous daughter-in-law, and beautiful granddaughter.

 Tristen Loveridge

406-444-4607
IT Project Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Manages OPI's website-based tools
2. Trains agency staff on commonly used applications
3. Provides quality assurance

Born and raised in Wyoming, Tristen finished her education with a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing in 2020 from Montana State University Billings. She loves the outdoors and all seasons of the year! You can most likely find her reading, spending time with her husband, and playing with her 2 year old Border Collie, Scout, in her free time.

 Alan Grover

406-444-3502
Security Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

1. Oversees the establishment of privacy and security policy at the OPI.
2. Monitors and re-acts to various types of security threats.
3. Manages the authentication and authorization of OPI employees to State of Montana systems.

Alan serves as the Privacy and Data Security Officer for the Office of Public Instruction and considers his responsibilities as critically important to the successful operation of the agency. Alan's education and professional career have been focused in Information Technology including network administration, systems administration, technical support, and security administration.  His current efforts at OPI are focused on helping to train and alert OPI staff to new and active threats, develop and implement security plans for all OPI applications, and respond to any incidents.

 Briana Ybarra

406-444-3789
IT Systems Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Install and maintain Network hardware and software.
2. Build and deploy applications to endpoints.
3. Provide network security.

Briana Ybarra was raised in Helena, MT and has worked at the OPI since 1996. She has spent the last 21 years in the IT Division as a Computer Technician.

 Vicki Thacker

406-444-9870
Software Developer

Work-Related Duties:

1. Data collection system developer
2. Website development
3. Provide technical expertise for a variety of agency projects

Vicki is a Software Developer and has been with the Office of Public Instruction since 2000.

 Scott Schollmeyer

 
Software Developer

Work-Related Duties:

1. To maintain existing software that is used by OPI
2. Stay update on IT trends and new technologies
3. Work with stakeholders to make sure delivering software that aligns agency-wide goals

Scott grew up in Butte Montana and graduated from Butte High. He relocated to Utah at about age 28. In Utah is where Scott meet his wife and raised their 3 kids together. Scott returned to school in Utah where he graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s in computer science. As an empty nester, Scott realized he was missing his family in Montana so he and his wife relocated back to Butte where they currently live with their 2 dogs. Professionally Scott has had some great mentors that have led him to being a software developer which is a job he comes to work excited to do. Scott is excited about this new chapter in his life.

 Mark Pomerleau

406-444-9690
IT Systems Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Manage overall OPI server infrastructure, monitor system health.
2. Perform system upgrades and implementations along with OPI ITS NSB staff.
3. Provide assistance to other members of OPI ITS staff.

 Serafima Forni

406-444-3952
Database Administrator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Manages, monitors and maintains databases
2. Makes requested changes, updates and modifications to database structure and data
3. Maintains database backup and recovery infrastructure

Serafima has lived in Montana for 7 years. She attended Carroll College where she got her Bachelors in Computer Information Systems. She has been with the OPI since 2019 and has a passion for all things data related. In her free time she likes to craft, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

 Kaitlyn Greenhalgh

406-444-1610
GEMS Database Administrator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Manages, monitors and maintains databases
2. Makes requested changes, updates and modifications to database structure and data
3. Maintains database backup and recovery infrastructure

Kaitlyn is a 5th generation Montanan and grew up in East Helena, graduating from Helena High School where she was a part of the swim team. She has a degree in GIS and City Planning with a minor in statistics from Montana State University. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her growing family.

 Chris Harris

406-444-1641
IT Support Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Technical Support – Support users with hardware and software questions.
2. Administrative Duties – Boneyard – transfer equipment between various agencies and schools.
3. Configure computers, printers and training when needed.

 Jesse Romero

406-444-0157
Computer Support Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Technical Support – Support users with hardware and software questions.
2. Administrative Duties – Boneyard – transfer equipment between various agencies and schools.
3. Configure computers, printers and training when needed.

Jesse Romero started working for the Office of Public Instruction in February 2022. He has moved from the School Finance division and is now working in the IT Helpdesk. Jesse is a fourth generation Helena raised man. He is the proud father of a 9-year-old son, Xavier, and has a beautiful fiancé of six years named Jenna. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys coaching his son's teams. Being from Montana he loves being outside and enjoys disc golfing, camping, and as much time at the lake as possible. His passion in life is to provide a great life for his family and help youth. As a Type 1 diabetic he helped organize and create a nonprofit called Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance. It provides financial and medical supply help to families and youth who struggle to afford living with diabetes. There is also a yearly summer camp. In the past he has worked for two major telecommunications companies as a manager. He has also spent a good portion of his life in Helena mixing up drinks at local family bars such as O’Toole’s.

 Derek Sinrud

406-444-3557
IT Systems Support Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Technical Support – Support users with hardware and software questions.
2. Administrative Duties – Boneyard – transfer equipment between various agencies and schools.
3. Configure computers, printers and training when needed.