Child Care Resources’ Board of Directors

Gordy Pace, President
The University of Montana Information Technology

Gordy joined the CCR Board in 1997. He is the Director of Information Technology Communications at The University of Montana. In his 21 years at UM, he has managed IT groups involved in web applications and digital media development. He spent 10 years in UM’s admissions office doing marketing, publications and web design.

Gordy helped CCR design its quarterly newsletter during the early ‘90s, so he was familiar with the agency’s work. When he became a parent in 1994, he discovered how critical quality child care is for working families. CCR helped him find a great facility for his son. A few years later, he joined the Board.

Gordy has served two terms as President, and has also been Vice President, chaired both the Personnel and Nominating Committees, and served on the Development Committee. Gordy helps the agency with marketing efforts and consultation on technology issues.

Jill Gerdrum, Vice President
Axilon Law Group

A mother of two little girls and a busy attorney at Axilon Law Group, Jill joined the Board in March 2008. She was motivated by CCR’s mission due to her passion for quality child care. She is part of the Executive Committee and chairs the Personnel Committee, and formerly served as the Montana Deputy State Auditor.

Mary Harris, Secretary & Treasurer
Boyle, Deveny & Meyer

Mary has been a member of the CCR Board of Directors for over four years because she feels strongly about the services that CCR brings to the Missoula community. She is currently the Secretary and Treasurer of the Board and serves on the Finance and Executive Committees. By profession, Mary is a CPA at Boyle, Deveny & Meyer.

Bruce Buchman
Owner/Operator, Mr. Mini Blind of Missoula

Bruce has served on CCR’s Board for over 20 years. He joined the Board in May of 1990 following his teaching of Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Family Relations at the University of Montana. Bruce and his wife, Kathy, own Mr. Miniblind of Missoula, Inc., and have raised their children here in Missoula. Bruce has served a two-year term as President of the Board twice, has served on the Executive Committee and has assisted the agency through many years of growth and expansion of the agency. Bruce currently chairs the Nominating Committee and the Development Committee.

Andrew Larson
First Security Bank

Andy joined the CCR Board of Directors in February 2009. He felt the need to become involved in the Missoula community and, as a young father of two, Andy is very interested in quality child care. He is currently serving on the Finance and the Nominating Committee. Andy is a Commercial Loan Officer at First Security Bank.

Heidi Moretti
St. Patrick Hospital

Heidi Moretti joined CCR’s Board in 2009. Heidi is a Registered Dietician at Saint Patrick’s Hospital. She has a particular interest in children’s nutrition and its impacts on lifelong health. Heidi is the parent of two young children. Heidi is part of CCR’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Marcy Otten
The University of Montana Co-Teach/IERS

Marcy Otten joined CCR’s Board in 2008, as she saw this as an excellent opportunity to help support other early childhood professionals in her community. Marcy serves as the Coordinator of Research and Service at the Institute for Educational Research and Service (IERS) where she works to ensure that grant goals and objectives are met on a variety of DERS projects. In addition, Marcy coordinates licensing and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) activities for the Co–Teach Preschool Program at the University of Montana.

Applying her passion for the early childhood field, Marcy organizes and provides professional development to early childhood and early elementary school professionals across the state in the areas of school safety, playground safety, bullying prevention, and positive behavior supports. Marcy also serves as a Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) Early Childhood Consultant in a partnership with IERS and the Office of Public Instruction. In her role as an Early Childhood Consultant she helps strengthen the capacity of child care, preschool, and Head Start programs to improve the social and emotional outcomes of young children across the state of Montana. Marcy holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education and a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Special Education Endorsement. She currently serves on the Board Nominating Committee.

Sheri Thompson
Owner/Operator, The Creative Playhouse

Sheri Thompson is the owner and operator of The Creative Playhouse, a group child care home. Her facility is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). Sheri has provided care since April of 1999. Sheri has one daughter.

Sheri joined CCR’s Board of Directors in May of 2008. Sheri serves on the Board’s Space Planning Committee, a group that is evaluating options to relocate CCR’s office.

Marty York
Allegiance Benefit Plan Management

Marty York retired in 2004, after 31 wonderful years of teaching Advanced Placement American History and World History at Hellgate High School. However, Marty’s interest in children and young adults still remained and she wanted to find an active way to continue to serve the community. Therefore, in 2004 Marty accepted a seat on CCR’s Board of Directors, fulfilling both her personal and the community’s need. Marty currently works as an Account Manager for Allegiance Benefit Plan Management. Marty has served two terms as President of the Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Personnel and Executive Committees.

Kevin Head (Emeritus Member)
Owner, The Rhino

Kevin Head is the owner of The Rhino Bar and Rhino Catering. Kevin is a philanthropist and is the major sponsor for CCR’s annual fundraiser.

Kevin served as a voting member on the Board from 2004 to 2009, during which time he helped with the Board’s development work. In 2010, Kevin became an Emeritus member of the Board, and continues to be a member of CCR’s Development Committee.