Kelly Gallagher has been with Great Northern Resort for more than 11 years. Kelly is our Operations Coordinator and oversees our new guide training. On an average day you might see her running around with a radio trying to get trips out, loading a boat, driving a shuttle, mowing the lawn or if your lucky she might be your raft guide...at some point she has done every job at Great Northern Resort. She is also a raft guide on the Lochsa River in Idaho in the spring and has rafted rivers from the Selway in Idaho to the Kali Gandaki in Nepal. She has traveled extensively throughout South America, Nepal, Tibet, China and Southeast Asia. While living in Nepal she worked at a health clinic in a small village. In the winter Kelly is a Snowboard Instructor at Big Sky and is studying Political Science-International Relations at MSU in Bozeman, Montana for a career focusing on Human Rights Issues abroad. Kelly is also a Swiftwater Rescue Technician and Wilderness EMT-B.

Michelle Riley is our office manager. She has been with Great Northern Resort since May of 2006. She comes from Southern California where she was a middle school teacher. She and her family have vacationed here for years and finally in January of 2006 she and her husband made it their home. The Riley's motto since coming to Montana is "NO BAD DAYS." Montana truly is the last best place and Michelle says if you visit here too often you too will make it your home! According to her, Glacier National Park is a must see any time of year.

Kurt Sprenger is a native of Hawaii. His love of music sent him to USC where he earned is doctorate in Music. Kurt is a fishing and rafting guide in the summer and a violinist the rest of the year. He plays the violin for the Dallas Chamber Orchestra and is a studio violinist in the Metroplex. Kurt also serves as a conductor in Italy's National Conservatory. During the summer when he's not on the river he's at a local bar playing the fiddle. You won't want to miss hearing him play "The Devil Goes Down to Georgia."  This will be Kurt's 8th season with Greant Northern!

Amanda Weigard is one of the new faces you will see in the office at Great Northern Resort.  She loves gymnastics and track and participated in both while growing up here in the Flathead Valley. Amanda also likes hanging out with her friends and doing random stuff like playing in a park with a light-up frisbee in the middle of the night, dance parties, and driving around aimlessly.   Amanda is currently attending the University of North Dakota where she is pursuing a degree in Forensic Science. She is looking forward to a fantastic summer here at Great Northern Resort!

 

Neil McCormick is a fourth year guide and comes from Cutbank, Montana.  Neil just graduated from Gonzaga University in Washington where he studied Psychology and History. As a native to Montana he can tell you all about this great state. He is Wilderness First Aid certified and a wonderful young man to be with on the river.

Mike Joyce has been with Great Northern as a rafting guide for more than five years.  He grew up in Florida and went to college in Missoula, Montana where he  graduated with a degree in Education.  When he isn't guiding the Middlefork of the Flathead he is  teaching.  Mike loves being outdoors and hiking in Glacier National Park. His other interests include flyfishing, biking, snowboarding and playing the guitar. His favorite quote is Go confidently in the way of your dreams. Live the life you have always imagined. You will enjoy his easy manner and great river stories!

Mary Raikes has been with Great Northern for two years. Her first year here she worked in the office and is now a rafting guide! Mary loves to travel and has lived in Arizona, Vermont, Colorado, Montana and Maine.  She graduated from the College of the Atlantic where she studied Human Ecology.  Mary loves being outdoors - some of her interests include: snowboarding, sailing, biking, hiking and camping.  When you are on the river with her have Mary tell you about her favorite places to hike in Glacier Park. 

Josh Berreth is our resident firefighter (he studied fire science in college) and is a certified EMT. You will see Josh on the river guiding you through the whitewater or on a scenic trip. He comes to us from Mandan, North Dakota but liked it so much here that he made Montana his home. He loves hiking in the park and fishing. In the off season he works for Timber Builders in Corvalis, Montana.  Josh is a 4th Year Guide and is getting married to Missy Mills this summer - who he met here at Great Northern .

Jordan Stoner grew up in Oklahoma, Alabamba and Montana and has been guiding for us for 5 years. Not only is he one of our rafting guides but he is also a kayak instructor. Jordan has been kayaking "since he was born." "I love being on the river, wether it is in a kayak going over a waterfall or in a raft eating steak on a scenic trip."   "Kayaking and rafting always bring out the most intense and adventuresome side in people; its a great way to get to know them." In the off-season Jordan is a college student and is studying entrepreneurship which he hopes will lead him back to the outdoor/adventure industry "that he loves."  One of Jordan's favorite quotes is "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."  Jordan is an ACA level IIII Whitewater Kayak Instructor, has his Wilderness First Responder, and is a Swiftwater Rescue Technician.

Kirtlye Lohof grew up in Kalispell, Montana and is a high school history teacher and track coach.  She studied abroad in Ecuador and has traveled extensively throughout Central & South America. Kirtlye received her graduate degree in Education from Williamette University.  She helps with new guide training and is one of our staff coordinators. Her love of the outdoors makes her a great river guide and she has been with us for 8 years. Kirtlye enjoys traveling, skiing, history, track, volleyball and her cats: Thelma & Louise. Kirtlye is also a Wilderness First Responder.

Andie Mance is one of our fantastic rafting guides!  She comes from Arizona and as you can see from her picture is not alone - Sydney her schnauzer is usally running along side her. Syndey is just as out-going and fun and as her owner!  Besides Andie's dog one other thing (I should say person) that brings great joy to her is her neice.  She loves showing us pictures (she really is very cute) and telling us stories about her. A few minutes with Andie is all you will need to see why everyone around Great Northern loves her!  She loves to laugh and is always up for an adventure.  When Andie isn't on a rafting trip she is hiking or camping in the park or hanging out with friends. 

Sherri Urann is a fifth year guide from Spokane, Washington. She has a degree in Broadcast Studies from Gonzaga University. She has traveled around the world in 100 days! Sherri likes long walks on the beach and claims to be a master kazoo player. Sherri someday hopes to save the world though film!  One of Sherri's favorite quotes is "We must not ask ourselves "what is it that the world needs of me?", but, "what is it that makes us most truly alive?" because what the world needs are people living truly alive."

Missy Mills comes from Barron ,Wisconsin but has called Montana home for the last couple of years years. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Art from Gustavus Adolphus College. In the off season she works at Allegra Print & Imaging as a typesetter/graphic designer. While guiding here at Great Northern Missy met and will be marrying Josh Berreth this summer! Since Missy is busy planning a wedding she will only be here part time this summer - it is her forth year at Great Northern Resort.

Brad Kreider has been with Great Northern for many years. You may see him driving the bus, providing maintenance or guiding you down the river. Brad is also one of our fishing guides. He enjoys rafting so much that he even likes to raft on his days off. He has lots of stories and jokes to tell - he can keep you laughing for hours. Plus, if you are looking for a great place to eat or drink - ask Brad.

Michala Berube not only loves being a rafting guide but is a wonderful photographer. She grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota and studied photography at Ridgewater College. Michala has her own photography business and keeps busy between that and guiding. Besides photography she enjoys swimming, hiking, biking, painting and dancing. If you are looking for a great photographer for your special event, call Michala.

Kevin McConnell has been a rafting and fishing guide for Great Northern for three years. He enjoys fishing so much that even on his days off you will see him heading to the river.   He graduated from West Virgina University in 2007 with a degree in Outdoor Education. Kevin will do his best to guarantee you have an outstanding time here at Great Northern Resort! 

Chris Myers comes from San Diego, California and is in graduate school for business at the University of Montana, Missoula. He too has traveled abroad - he studied in Mexico and traveled throughout South America. Chris has been with Great Northern for 8 years. He has his Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater First Responder certifications.

Tom Lehman is new to Great Northern this year.  He comes to us from New Hamphire and loves being on the river!  In the fall he'll be heading back to college.

Ryan Crowe comes to us from Caneridge, Tennennee. He loves the mountains and being outdoors. One of his favorite things to do outdoors is go rock climbing.  He can tell you the best places to climb not only here in Montana but in places all over the United States.  Ryan has been with Great Northern for three years.  He has many safety certificates - one of them is Wilderness First Responder.

Joe Gallagher Comes to us from Washington State. This will be Joe's third year guiding  at Great Northern Resort.  Joe says he left the "real" world to come play in the mountains of Montana.  This last winter he traveled all over Europe, Turkey, and North Eastern Africa with Kelly his neice.  If you're fortunte to have Joe as a guide have him share with you about his travels abraod.  In addition to guiding in the summer, Joe is pursing a teaching degree in the off-season.

Jessica Whitaker is one of the smiling faces that you will see in the office and on the river.  She will divide her time between working in the office and guiding rafts down the river.  She has an easy-going manner and friendly personality.  Jessica loves being outdoors...hiking, rafting, etc.

 

 Anneke Heher comes from Wesley, MA and this fall will be going to Haverford College to study pre-med.  You may see her in the office assisting customers  and answering phones or on the river as your guide.  Anneke is a fun, out-going young lady who loves hiking and running.     

Deanna Johnson works in our office assisting guests and answering the phones.  She grew up  in California, then moved to North Dakota where she and her husband raised their five girls and two years ago they made Montana their home.  This will be her second season with Great Northern Resort.  Outside of Great Northern Resort Deanna enjoys reading, playing video games and checking out what is happening on the local scene. This summer she will be very busy since two of her daughters are getting married! 

  Abby Motes-Conners comes to us from Cashmere, WA and will be working in our office.  She is a friendly, out-going young lady who will make you feel at ease the moment you meet her.  She spent the last nine years competing in figure skating and has also donated her time teaching children to skate. Abby likes to hang out in Whitefish with her family...hiking, eating, and relaxing.