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About Us

Eagle Mount Great Falls

Founded by William S. Macfadden (a.k.a. Ol’Bill), Eagle Mount Great Falls is a non-profit organization that has been serving Great Falls, MT and surrounding communities since November of 1990.

We offer exciting programs that allow individuals of all ages with challenges (who we call our “participants”) to explore recreation and take on new adventures based on their abilities, not their disabilities.

Our participants grow socially, emotionally, and physically and caregivers, parents and guardians are given an opportunity to develop a personal support network with each other.

Our staff is small but mighty.  We rely heavily on volunteers and support from our local community.

 

We are the Fun Place!

Founder

Bill Macfadden

Our Founder

Bill Macfadden (December 15, 1928 - October 20, 2017) was born and educated in Minneapolis. He graduated from Dartmouth College. Bill migrated to Montana in March of 1955, by birth he is not a native but he got here as fast as he could. “When I was in high school, I worked for a lumber company in Idaho in the summer,” said Bill. "Then the next summer, I worked in a logging camp in Montana not far from Forest Green. So from then on, I figured that whatever I do in life, I am doing it in Montana and I have never looked back.”

Bill was a man of many talents and skills. His wonderful smile and the twinkle in his eyes let you know there was a mischievous side to him. He had a great sense of humor and quick wit always ready to tell a great story or funny joke. It seems that most everyone in town knew Ol’ Bill.

Bill served in the United States Marine Corp where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, in action against enemy forces in Korea.

Bill began his career with D.A. Davidson in March of 1960 and retired on November 1, 1990. Bill was a man of many firsts. In 1981, he became the first president of Financial Aims. He was the first manager of D. A. Davidson’s Syndicate Department; he designed and initiated the training program for D. A. Davidson Investment Executives. He was the first (almost native) Montanan on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and a member of the Midwest Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. He was appointed in 1990 to serve on the Montana State Board of Investments.

Bill balanced a demanding professional career with family, church and community involvement including serving on several boards. On the day Bill retired from D.A. Davidson in 1990 he started Eagle Mount Great Falls.

Bill definitely enjoyed life to the fullest. When he first came to Great Falls he played hockey for the Great Falls Americans. He had many other enjoyments such as; fishing, hunting, skiing, rafting, and playing cards. Bill and his wife, Joan-Nell, have three daughters and seven grandchildren. Together they have made a tremendous impact on people’s lives in our community and beyond.

Bill was and always will be the driving force in making Eagle Mount Great Falls what it is today. He was a true believer in team work and always said “there is no I in team”. Bill has created a legacy within Eagle Mount Great Falls that promotes teamwork, acceptance, adventure, new abilities and friendship. We are very proud and we welcome you to become part of this extraordinary team that will take Bill’s legacy into the future.

Meet our Staff

Executive Director

Deb Sivumaki

Team Member since May, 2000

Deb came to Eagle Mount Great Falls in May of 2000. Deb oversees all it's functions. She has an extensive background in television advertising, marketing, public relations and public speaking. Deb has served on the board of directors of the Great Falls Advertising Federation and was named the 2001/02 President of this organization. She has also been active with the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Agriculture committee. Her exemplary community service also includes serving as the President of the Miss Rodeo Montana advisory board from 1998-2001. Through Deb's many contacts, public speaking engagements to area businesses and organizations within the Great Falls area, she is working on establishing partnerships with Eagle Mount and local businesses as well as creating a better community awareness of what Eagle Mount programs provide for people with disabilities.

Operations Director

Heather Martin

Team Member since July, 1994

Born and raised in Great Falls, MT and with a background as a Certified Medical Assistant, Heather joined the Eagle Mount Great Falls team in July of 1994.

Since then she has expanded her role into Operations Director which involves all operating and programming areas of Eagle Mount Great Falls – running and developing programs, fundraising, accounting, participant and volunteer recruitment and management, human resources, community outreach, as well as maintaining the daily operations.

When Heather is not in the office you can find her driving the pontoon boat, rooting on our high roller bowlers, maintaining the equestrian center, feeding and caring for the horses and other animals, rowing rafts, helping with summer activities, assisting with fundraising, and basically being wherever she is needed to make our programs run and organization grow.

"My years here at Eagle Mount have been some of the most rewarding years of my life. My training as a Certified Medical Assistant helped me smoothly integrate into the Eagle Mount family in understanding and working with our participants and their families. Working with our participants, seeing them smile and witnessing their accomplishments is beyond amazing to be a part of. I am truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization and I look forward to seeing Eagle Mount continue to grow in the Great Falls community. Eagle Mount is and always will be one of my favorite places to work and play!”

Executive Assistant

Ronni Halko

Team Member since May, 2011

Born and raised in Great Falls, Ronni first came to Eagle Mount Great Falls as a volunteer in 2009. She later joined the permanent staff in 2011. Ronni was introduced to Eagle Mount early in her life, as her grandfather, Dick Dailey, helped to create our skiing program. Ronni has a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in non-profit leadership.

In her time with us, she has played a variety of roles in our organization. Whether it's putting on summer activities, accounting or organizing and planning other programs, Ronni most looks forward to the smiles on our participants faces. She truly values the relationships and bonds that have formed with the participants over the years and she is eager to continue to watch them defy the odds.

Program Coordinator, CTRI

Morgan King

Team Member since September, 2021
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator

Morgan was born and raised in Redding, CA. Since a young girl, horses have always been a passion of hers. She has been riding for 20+ years and training under well-established trainers, and competing in both Dressage and Eventing. Horses have shaped Morgan into the person she is today. She knew that working with horses and helping individuals was something she wanted to make part of her future.

After attending college at the University of Montana Western, where she studied Business Management and Equine Studies, Morgan attended an eight-week Instructor in Training Course for Therapeutic Riding. This course dove deep into all aspect of Therapeutic Riding and covered topics such as mounting techniques, adaptive equipment and practical teaching experiences. Here she became a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI).
Morgan is excited to bring her experience to Eagle Mount and to grow with its Equestrian program.

Program Coordinator

Joe Stalzer

Team Member Since October, 2023
Ski/Board and Seasonal Adventure Program Coordinator

Joe initially moved to Great Falls in 2009 during his time in the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer with the 819th RED HORSE Squadron. Joe is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys many of the vast activities that Montana has to offer.

Prior to his military career Joe spent several years as a Snowboard Instructor and Mountain Patrol where he gained a vast knowledge in skiing and snowboarding programs. Joe has always loved to teach and share those opportunities with anyone he can, so he is extremely excited for the opportunity to work with Eagle Mount Great Falls.

Meet our Board of Directors

Jim Senst

President

Board Member since 2020
I came to Eagle Mount after watching their commitment to the community of Great Falls and the positive changes they made in each of the participants that attend all the exceptional programs Eagle Mount coordinates. The staff and leadership of Eagle Mount is second to none and they give so much each and every day.

I am retired after 40+ years in radio broadcasting and wanted to be a part of an organization that is committed to enhancing the lives of those in our area. Eagle Mount has a tremendous impact on our community and I am proud to be a part of it.

Sarah Goldsmith

Vice President

Board Member since 2018

Diana Ruddy

Treasurer

Board Member since 2022

David Grubich

Board Member

Board Member since 2017

Patrick Winderl

Board Member

Board Member since 2020

Kyle Grossman

Board Member

Board Member since 2022

Jake England

Board Member

Board Member since 2024

Board Members Needed

Get Involved!

We provide expert programming with the help of...

Move United

Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA)

Showdown Montana

Professional Snowsports Instructors of America

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