Sharyl Allen Headshot

 Sharyl Allen

406-444-5658
Deputy Superintendent


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Directly supervises the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operations Officer, and the Chief Information Officer.
  2. Key agent in the OPI Innovations from the Montana Alternative Student Testing, Leadership Academies, Educator Redesign, Teacher Licensure revisions, Chapter 55 Accreditation improvements, Innovation Zones.
  3. Generally aides in coordinating the day-to-day work of the agency.

With 38 years in public education from a 5-20 teacher, CTE Director, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent, Deputy Allen brings a diverse and unique skillset with a history of initiating personalization, proficiency, blended learning, transdisciplinary curriculum, and more. She developed and implemented the first Trades Academy in MT that led to John Deere International opening its proprietary curriculum to high school students nationwide. This academy opened the gate for Build Montana Efforts, bills like Advanced Opportunities, and more.  As a native Montanan raised in an entrepreneurial environment with ranching as the backbone of her family, her core beliefs are grounded in virtues of service, generosity, determination, compassion, and love for family, community, and people from different walks of life. Community involvement and giving were firmly instilled by parents who valued work ethic, family, music, and God. Western Montana College provided an exceptional foundation to become an effective teacher. Her MBA was completed at Northern Arizona University, where she also completed post-masters work in Educational Leadership. Georgetown University’s Urban Educational Leadership certificate was completed in 2015.  The Deputy has never wavered from her byline, “I am a sword-carrier for children,” throughout her adventuresome career.

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 looking forward to the birth of their first child this summer.

Robert Stutz

 Rob Stutz

406-444-4399
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. His spouse, Christy, previously worked at OPI and is now an instructional coach at Helena Middle School.


Tara Boulanger

 Tara Boulanger

406-444-2082
Legislative Liaison
 


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Tracks education-related legislative bills and committee hearings
  2. Coordinates legislative events
  3. Oversees special projects throughout the agency

Tara moved to Helena for the 2019 Legislative session to work for the Montana State Senate. Tara has four amazing children and four beautiful grandchildren. In her free time, you can find Tara riding horses, hiking the trails with her Mini Aussie (Scooby doo) and puppy (Wheeler), and spending quality time with family. 

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.

Anna Hoerner

 Anna Hoerner

406-444-3449
Executive Assistant/Deputy Communications Director


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Manages the Superintendent's Schedule
  2. Provides executive support for the agency
  3. Assists in agency communications

Anna was raised in Colbert, WA, and came to Helena to attend Carroll College. She received her B.A. from Carroll in 2016 and an MBA from the University of Mary (ND) in 2022. Anna has spent the last 10+ years in Helena. She previously worked at Shodair Children’s Hospital for 5 years. She coaches students in speech and debate and volunteers for several local and national organizations. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time outdoors and with friends and family.


Jenna McKinney

 Jenna McKinney

406-438-3400
Director of
Family Engagement


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Engagement with Montana's parents and families regarding public education
  2. Serves Montana's military children and families as the State Person of Contact for the MIC3 Commission
  3. Lobbies on behalf of the State Superintendent to the legislature

Jenna was born and raised in Montana and received a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in 2011. Jenna studied Law at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Jenna’s work experience includes serving as a Field Representative for U.S. Senator Steve Daines and working on numerous statewide campaigns. Jenna brings a history of being actively involved in Montana’s education system and advocates on behalf of parents and children. Jenna currently serves on her local school board.

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.