Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of seven Montana school teachers and one school clerk who are leaders in their communities, dedicated family members, and devoted educators. Their diverse experiences and commitment to Montana’s schools help provide a foundation for MSHWP, ensuring it remains a stable, viable solution for some of Montana’s finest assets, its teachers.
Keith Gumm
Terry
Keith teaches biology, physics, and chemistry at Terry High School, where he has been teaching since 1968. A graduate of Kansas State College and South Dakota University, he also attended Montana State University to study for a doctoral degree in biology. He has been a member of several community service organizations, including the Terry Fire Department and the Prairie County Ambulance Service. He also served on the County Weed Board. Keith and his wife, Irene, former clerk and recorder for Prairie County, have two sons.
Mark Hurd
Stevensville
Mark is 52 years old and married to his high school sweetheart, Karen, the love of his life. They have two children, Austin, 18, and Jessie, 15. Mark received a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Management from Kent State University. He also received his teaching certificates in Biology, Broadfield Science, and Special Education from the University of Montana. Mark has been a forester for the USDA, Marketing Director for Education Logistics, and a teacher.
Patti Raffety
Three Forks
I grew up in northern Montana and graduated from NTCHS in Sunburst. I met my husband, Bill, while attending Northern Montana College in Havre. I have been involved in the education community my entire adult life. I was the district clerk at Willow Creek for seven years and I’m now in my 19th year at Three Forks as business manager/district clerk. We have three children—Kim (Ohs), Justin, and Kaela. We also have four of the neatest grandkids. In my spare time, I like to quilt, knit and attend any kind of athletic event. We have a small ranch where we raise cattle, horses, mules and most recently, ponies.
Diane Rewerts
Libby
Diane Rewerts has been part of the Libby Public Schools since 1981 and currently teaches sixth grade. A Montana native, she grew up in Miles City, graduating from Western Montana College. Diane is a 15-year member and past chair of the Libby School District Insurance Committee. She served as representative and past president of the Libby Education Association, as a Montana Education Association (MEA) delegate, and as a member of several curriculum committees. She and her husband, Rik, who is the principal at Libby High School, have a daughter and son-in-law who both teach at Billings West.
Kathi Schmitt
Geyser
Kathi is the high school math and instrumental music teacher at Geyser Public school. A graduate of MSU Bozeman, she has been an educator since 1981 and has served on the MSHWP board since 2003. In addition to teaching, Kathi and her husband, Brad, operate a ranch east of Geyser. They have two sons.