Robert Stutz

 Rob Stutz

406-444-4399
Deputy Superintendent
Chief Legal Counsel

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Manages the legal division
  2. Counsels the agency on legal matters
  3. Responds to public inquiries of a legal nature

Rob comes to OPI with legal experience in state and federal government, in private practice, and with a non-profit. His background includes 10+ years in education law, including as legal counsel for the Montana Board of Public Education, at the U.S. Department of Education headquarters, and with the Montana School Boards Association.

Brian O'Leary

 Brian O'Leary

406-444-3559
Communications Director
 

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Writes Press Releases
  2. Liaising with members of the press
  3. Communicating OPI's message to Montana schools

Brian is in charge of writing press releases, liaising with members of the press, and communicating OPI's message to our schools. Brian grew up in Butte and Helena. He and his wife live in Helena and are excited to have  had their first child arrive this summer.

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Daniell Redden

406-444-3449
Executive Assistant
 

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Assisting the State Superintendent
  2. Executive Tasks
  3. Organization

Daniell is an Executive Assistant for Superintendent Arntzen. She comes to OPI with over 20 years’ experience in the Executive space. Previously she worked as a Relationship Manger, managing vender relationships. She also has experience in Business Operations and Project Management.


Maie Lee Jones

 Maie Lee Jones

406-444-0037
Project Manager

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Creating marketing materials
  2. Scheduling meetings with teams and stakeholders
  3. Assisting in tracking legislation for the 68th legislative session

Maie is Cuban-Jamaican-American. She always challenges herself with her positive demeanor. Maie has a BSW, MSc, PhDBA, and several years of experience working alongside C-level executives in the fields of Social Work, Travel & Tourism, Finance, and Government. She is driven by her self-discipline, motivation, confidence, and creativity. Maie grew up in a polyglot household, so she became fluent in English, French, and Italian to bridge cultural gaps. Her husband is also a polyglot, and they both teach their children. Maie spends her free time with her family, exploring new places, socializing with friends, working as a food entrepreneur, and reading her favorite books.

Katherine Bloodgood Headshot

Katherine Bloodgood

406-444-2082
Legislative Liaison

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Work with legislative committees, legislators, and government offices. Track education-related legislative bills and committee hearings.
  2. Interface with boards and committees and coordinate legislative events.
  3. Assist with special projects throughout the agency.

Katie’s family is from DeSmet South Dakota, but she was raised on the east coast. She graduated from Boston University with a double major in Political Science and History. She has lived and worked in multiple states and has a background in Education, Budget, Tax, and Healthcare policy.

Patrick Beddow

 Patrick H. Beddow Sr.

406-444-5643
Land Board Advisor

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Attends meetings related to the Land Board.
  2. Advises Superintendent Arntzen on land issues for her role on the Land Board.
  3. Tracks issues related to land and timber sales.

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.