Staff Profiles

Kelly Arnold, Greenhouse Manager

• Oversees plant propagation, inventorying, and all plant shipping at the Great Bear greenhouse
• B.S. Land Resources Analysis and Management, Minor Range Management from MSU Bozeman
• Kelly has worked throughout MT monitoring, analyzing, and studying native plants for both government and state agencies.

Mike Thomas, Technical Sales – Reclamation

• Lead for Mine Reclamation Projects
• M.S. Geology , University of Montana – Missoula
• Mike has over 20 years experience in forest and restoration planting; in-depth knowledge of native plant production and native plant community restoration; considerable experience with permit compliance, remote site project management, mining and mineral exploration operations.

Matthew Ogden, Horticultural Advisor

• B.A. Botany, University of Montana-Missoula
• B.A. Forestry, University of Montana-Missoula
• Matthew has 17 years of experience growing over 1000 species of native plants, many of which were not previously commercially available. Matt manages annual production of over 1,500,000 seedlings and oversees all seed acquisition, cleaning and inventory.

Michelle Bradley, Sales/Project Manager

• Lead for Retail Nursery Sales
• B.S. Horticulture, Texas A & M University –College Station, Texas
• Michelle has over 20 years experience in the retail nursery industry, with emphasis on native plants and organics.

Jeanne Montplaisir, Seeds Manager/Horticultural Professional

• Collects, treats and germinates seed, maintains seed inventory
• Jeanne has 10 years experience growing native forbs and grasses and 18 years as a landscape professional.