Board of Trustees

Carol Bronson is the Director of Community Initiatives & Grants Management for NeighborWorks, Great Falls. She actively works to preserve the culture of historic Downtown Great Falls, a Certified Main Street Community. Montana’s Governor Steve Bullock appointed Carol to the Montana Historic Preservation Review Board in 2014.

She is currently an ex-officio member of the planning corporation looking to create Montana’s first National Heritage Area along the Upper Missouri River. She is the former executive director for the national Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, which has approximately 40 chapters nationwide and a library and archives at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls. She also served for 22 years on the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission for Great Falls­Cascade County. She has a B.A. from the University of Oregon Honor’s College. She and her husband have two sons.

Retired since 2015

Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Aug 2008 – Nov 2015

Calumet Montana Refining, Great Falls, MT

Environmental Manager Nov 1986 – Aug 2008

Montana Refining Company, Great Falls, MT

Dexter received his BS in Chemical Engineering from MT State University, Bozeman.

After 46 years in the industry Dexter retired in November of 2015.

Served on the Cascade County Zoning and Planning Board until Dec 2019.

Chris Christiaens had a heart of service long before graduating from the College of Great Falls, now the University of Providence, with a B.A. in Chemistry in 1962 and a Master of Human Services in 1994. “As a student and graduate of the College of Great Falls, I was exposed to community service and became involved early on working with minorities in our community and across the state. I learned that those who are given much, should return the same to their community and those in need. In light of those experiences, I returned to the College of Great Falls to complete a Master of Human Services degree. I now serve on several local boards and started a program called Opening Doors in 1995, assisting individuals returning to the community from jails and prison with the essentials to enhance their success. I continually give thanks to the outstanding faculty during my time on campus.”

Edward F. Coghlan Has served on the board since 2019. Ed is the founder of The Kilkenny Group, a Los Angeles-based management and communications firm that works with companies, organizations and public agencies.

He was News Director for the Montana Television Network from 1975-to-1984 in Great Falls before moving to Los Angeles to become News Director at KCOP-TV. He later worked as a senior executive in the healthcare industry in California before starting Kilkenny.

He is a native of San Francisco and graduated from the University of Providence in 1972—where he was awarded the Monsignor McHugh Student Leadership Award and also served as editor of the school newspaper, The Impact. He is married to fellow UP grad Dianne Bartoletti of Butte. They have five children and four grandchildren and live in North Hills, Ca.

As a Great Falls native, Terry Cosgrove has had a long history with the Sisters of Providence. Terry began his education with the Sisters of Providence at St. Gerard Grade School as a first-grader. He went on to attend Great Falls Central High School, where the Sisters were an integral part of the faculty. After graduating from Central in 1965, he enrolled at The College of Great Falls — which would ultimately become The University of Providence.

Thanks in large part to his education from the Sisters of Providence; Terry was accepted by the University of Montana Law School in 1969. After Law School, Terry and his wife Jan moved to Helena where they raised their three children. Terry’s career has included a number of private law practices, as well as executive positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. He is presently of Counsel at the law firm of Jackson, Murdo and Grant and continues to work on selective matters.

Terry has long been a presence in the Helena community. He served on a number of community boards – including the Helena School Board and the Board of Trustees at Carroll College. He remains active within the Diocese of Helena – presently serving as the Chairman of the Diocesan Financial Advisory Board. When he isn’t working, he and his wife Jan keep busy by spending time with their four grandsons.

Terry is very pleased to be on the Providence Board of Directors and is excited at the opportunity to give back to a school that’s made such a positive difference for him. He looks forward to helping the University grow and continue its mission of the Sisters of Providence.

Justin Magouirk Crowe has served on the University of Providence board since 2019 and is the liaison with PSJH. Justin serves as the VP, Education Programs & Partnership for Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH). In this role he oversees the broader PSJH education strategy and partnerships, as well as Providence High School in Burbank, CA, and St. Thomas Child & Family Center in Great Falls, MT Justin received his PhD from the University of Michigan and his bachelor’s degree from Carleton College.

Father Oliver James Doyle, STL, is an accomplished and highly experienced leader in higher education. His successful career includes more than thirty years in educational administration. Fr. Doyle is committed to ensuring the growth and improvement of an educational institution by executing its strategic direction, guiding and securing the accreditation of its curriculum and degree programs, and optimizing its financial resources.

A native Irishman, Fr. Doyle served as the rector of St. Peter’s College Seminary, 1988-1994, and president, St. Peter’s College, 1994-1999, in Wexford, Ireland. He came to Montana in 1999, and was chaplain of the Central Catholic High School in Great Falls until 1999. He has also served as pastor of St. Ann’s Cathedral of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings since 2000.

Fr. Doyle has served as University of Providence’s vice president for Mission Integration since 2016. Prior to this appointment, he taught theology at the University starting in 2001. Fr. Doyle is also a noted composer of liturgical and spiritual music, and a distinguished educator, author and editor with a track record of scholarly achievement and distinction. In his spare time, Fr. Doyle enjoys reading, music, painting, and spiritual and human development.

Bryan Fox has devoted the past 43 years to serving his country, state and community.

At the time of his March 2018 retirement, he was the Commanding General for the Montana Air National Guard. General Fox was the Senior Air National Guard Officer in Montana and served as the principal advisor to both the Governor and the Adjutant General of Montana on matters pertaining to the Montana Air National Guard. As Commander, he was responsible for providing mission-ready forces to support national defense requirements worldwide, and emergency response, relief, and recovery operations throughout Montana. In addition, he oversaw the Starbase (STEM) and Challenge Programs (Alternative education for high risk youth), and Disaster Emergency Services for the Montana Department of Military Affairs.

Mr. Fox’s military career began in 1976 as an aircraft mechanic and he was commissioned an officer in 1989 through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. In 2006 he completed a combat tour as Commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Throughout his 42-year career, Mr. Fox deployed to 30 countries.

Bryan’s current board appointments include the National Guard Officer Association of Montana, Board Member and Past President; CUNA Mutual Group, Volunteer Leadership Committee, Madison, Wisconsin; Board of Directors, Russell Country Federal Credit Union, Great Falls, Montana, Past Chairman. His past board memberships include the Great Falls Coin and Currency Club, the National Guard Diversity Council and National Guard Strategic Planning Council.

Mr. Fox holds two Associate Degrees and a B.S. in Business Administration/Economics from the University of Providence. He is also a graduate from the U.S.A.F. Air War College and Department of Defense Joint Forces Staff College. He has completed executive education coursework at the University of Texas, University of Tennessee, Naval War College and the National Defense University in Washington D.C. Most recently, Bryan completed the U.S. Government Mediation Program.

Bryan is a native of Great Falls, Montana and lives with his spouse Laurie in Helena. They have two grown children, Greg and Ben.

As founding principal of Biddison Hier Ltd., Tom Hier is committed to assisting institutions of higher education in using their resources – physical, financial and programmatic – to advance an institution’s mission and academic, co-curricular and residential goals. Over the years, he has provided a range of planning services to more than 75 institutions, including the Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington, Georgetown University, Duke University, Purdue University and the University of Michigan among others.

Specializing in the development of comprehensive approaches for planning and managing institutional resources – academic and administrative facilities, teaching and learning spaces, residential facilities, and other community spaces on campus – Tom has:

• Worked with multiple stakeholder groups within an institution, facilitating meetings and workshops to evaluate and illuminate the alignment between institutional strategic goals and programmatic offerings, and to identify resource allocation implications.
• Developed capital planning and other financial models to assist institutions in understanding financial consequences of institutional decisions, and mapping out prudent resource allocation strategies.
• Planned and programmed space needs for a variety of capital projects (e.g., academic buildings, housing, classrooms, student unions, etc.).
• Pioneered the development of new techniques for space analyses and visualization of classroom utilization data.
• Developed numerous comprehensive space master plans that provide roadmaps for creating, reinvesting in and managing various types of campus spaces – teaching and learning spaces, residential facilities, academic office and support spaces, etc.
• Advised institutions on engagement with and selection of private partners in public-private partnership arrangements.

He is a co-inventor with CollegeNET, a Portland-based scheduling software company, of X25 – a software program that uses visual analytics to help institutions understand space utilization patterns.

Tom has been a principal at Biddison Hier, Ltd. for almost two decades, and brings skills and tools developed previously in economics and tax policy at Price Waterhouse and The Brookings Institution. He also speaks nationally on university resource planning issues. He is a graduate of Brown University (A.B., Economics, magna cum laude) and The Wharton School of Business (M.B.A., Finance, with Honors).

Kris Houtonen was born in Bozeman but raised in Great Falls. Kris graduated from Great Falls High School and attended 2 years of college at Eastern Montana College in Billings. Kris then transferred to the University of Montana where she received a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in English and Sociology.

After teaching school for one year in Livingston, Kris moved back to Great Falls and went to work at City Motor Co., Inc. her family’s business. Kris has been the Office Manager and Comptroller at City since 1978.

Kris has one child, daughter, Ashley, who graduated from the University of Montana.

Kris enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family.

Livingston is retired Brigadier General with the Montana Air National Guard and a former administrator of the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services and a 2015 candidate for Great Falls City Commissioner.

Livingston went on to become President of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce in January 2016 until October 2016 when he stepped down to prioritize his health, family, and faith at the time.

Born: Walla Walla, WA

Entered Sisters of Providence: 1961

Education: Catholic schools in Walla Walla, (DeSales High School,1961)

BA Social Science (Seattle University, 1966)

MA Theology (St. Mary’s College of California, 1979)

Ministry Experiences:

Elementary school teacher (Missoula, Great Falls, MT) 1966-1975

Formation Team, Sisters of Providence, 1975-1980

Co-Director of Young Adults and Vocations, Diocese of Spokane, 1980-1984

Secretariat for Ministries Formation, Diocese of Spokane, 1980-1984

Catholic Campus Minister, St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, Washington State University, 1984-1999

Director of Mission & Values, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, September 1, 2000—2015

Sister Resource: Mission Heritage, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, 2015-current.

As Sister Resource: Mission Heritage my ministry is to be a resource providing materials, history, sacred stories, and information to assist Senior/Core Leaders, management leaders, caregivers, physicians and volunteers in living the Providence Mission and Value, and the heritage and legacy of the Providence, Dominican, and St. Joseph of Orange Sisters. I assist in providing education, values enrichment, ethical/moral perspective and mentoring for value-based standards of behavior in relation to the Mission and Values of Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital. My primary role is to be present as a listening, facilitating, observing, guiding, and motivating resource person for Mission and Values integration.

Personal Background: Les Marsh is a native and lifetime resident of Montana. He resides in Great Falls with his wife, Niki. They have five grown children.

Education: Mr. Marsh was educated at Plentywood Public Schools, followed by an Associate Degree from Miles Community College. He completed his undergraduate at the then College of Great Falls with a BS in Business Education. Marsh earned a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from the American College and is currently completing a Master’s of Science in Financial Services.

Work History: After a three year stint of teaching and coaching in the “Far East”, Westby Montana, Mr. Marsh moved back to Great Falls to take a management and underwriting position with American Express-Fireman’s Fund Insurance. He resigned from American Express-Fireman’s Fund and continued working in the financial services industry. Mr. Marsh is an agent with New York Life, a Nautilus Member specializing in succession, retirement, and charitable planning. In addition, he owns Risk Management and Asset Conservation, Inc., a referral based, company that provides settlement consulting and planning for injured people throughout the United States.

In January of 2019, Tom was asked to serve as the Superintendent of Great Falls Public Schools. It was an honor and blessing to be asked to lead and work together with GFPS community partners, approximately 750 teachers, several hundred support staff and administrators to educate the young people of this community!

Tom has been working in education since 1981 when he began his career as a High School teacher and coach in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Tom served as an administrator at the Elementary, Middle School and District level in Spokane, Washington for eighteen years. For twelve years he had the pleasure of working in Great Falls Public Schools as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. His wife, Rhonda and Tom have committed their careers to serving in public education and believe strongly that Great Falls is a wonderful place to live and work. His wife, Rhonda and son, Nathan are active in this community as well.

Before moving to Great Falls in 2007, Tom earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1981, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho in 1990. In 2001, Tom received a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership with a Superintendent’s endorsement from Gonzaga University. Over the past twelve years, Tom has served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Cascade County and on the Board of Directors for the Great Falls Rescue Mission and is happy to now be a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Providence.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama – both from the University of Washington; Master of Arts in Drama from San Francisco State University. Ms. Rice also did post graduate work at the University of Utah.

Work History: Ms. Rice spent many years teaching English and Speech at CMR High School. She also taught Drama at the College of Great Falls. After a career in teaching, Ms. Rice embarked on a second career where she owned and operated numerous travel agencies in Montana, Washington, Utah, and Idaho with a focus on federal government travel.

Community Service: Ms. Rice has served on numerous boards including Rocky Mountain College National Development Council, St. Vincent Hospital Board, and McLaughlin Research Institute. She has served as the Board Chair of Montana Deaconess Hospital Foundation Board, Great Falls Airport Authority, and the Benefis Healthcare Foundation.

Sheryl serves as SVP/Chief Risk Officer at Providence St Joseph Health. Providence is a 22 billion dollar company with 103,000 caregivers, based in 7 states with a broad range of services in health care and strong focus on innovation and population health. Sheryl’s responsibilities include oversight for compliance, audit, risk management and information security.

Prior to joining Providence St Joseph Health, Sheryl served as SVP/Chief Compliance and Audit Officer at University of California which is a 29 billion dollar company, 197,000 employees, locations nationally and internationally with a focus on healthcare, education, research and public service. Sheryl was awarded Senior Vice President Emerita for her service as the first Chief Compliance and Audit Officer at the University in November 2016.

Sheryl has received awards from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE)^® and the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)^®  for her contributions to the compliance profession.

Ms. Vacca has over thirty years of health care, compliance and auditing experience. Prior to joining UC in 2007, she held varying and increasingly responsible positions, including Deloitte West Coast Health Care Regulatory Practice Leader and National Lead on Health Care Internal Audit. Ms. Vacca has held positions as VP/Internal Audit/Corporate Compliance Officer and numerous administrative leadership positions in health care and public sector. Sheryl has her MSN, RN and served as an Officer in the USAR, Nurse Corps where she received accommodations and achievement medals during reserve and active duty.

Sheryl is a board member of the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics & Health Care Compliance Association and is a past President of this association. In addition, Sheryl is an international speaker and has published on several articles in different aspects of compliance and internal audit.

Michael Warfel was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and studied at Indiana University; St. Gregory’s College Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy; Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, earning his Master’s of Divinity; and St. Michael’s College, Colchester, Vermont, earning his Master’s in Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 26, 1980. He then performed pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska.

On November 19, 1996, Warfel was appointed the fourth Bishop of Juneau by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following December 17 from Archbishop Francis Hurley, with Bishops Michael Kaniecki, SJ, and William Skylstad serving as co-consecrators. Warfel was Chairman of the Committee on Evangelization within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1999 to 2002. He was later named Apostolic Administrator of Fairbanks on October 23, 2001, resigning upon the appointment of Donald Joseph Kettler on June 7, 2002.

Pope Benedict XVI named him the seventh Bishop of Great Falls-Billings, Montana on November 20, 2007. He was formally installed in his new post by Archbishop John Vlazny on January 16, 2008.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Warfel also serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions, and as a member of the administrative committee for the USCCB.

Born April 3, 1960, Columbus, MT and raised in Deer Lodge, MT, he married Lani Nicklin in August 19, 1995. Roger enjoys Hunting, Fishing and Hiking. Now a senior partner in the law firm of Ugrin, Alexander, Zadick, P.C., he has enjoyed a litigation practice for 30 years, with an emphasis in employment and injury law. Roger received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Montana in 1982 and his Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 1985. Before entering private practice, Roger served as a law clerk in the United States District Court, Montana, from 1985-1989 for Chief Judge James Battin and later Magistrate Judge Robert Holter. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Montana, as well as the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Recognized as a Mountain States Super Lawyer for his expertise in employment law defense, a distinction reserved for 5% of the Region’s attorneys, Roger was awarded a Distinguished rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Roger is a member of the Cascade County and Montana Bar Associations, serving on latter’s Fee Arbitration Committee. He is credited as a Continuing Legal Education speaker by the State Bar and also authorized by the Montana Human Rights Bureau to provide discrimination law training. Past community affiliations include the Charles M. Russell Museum and the Maclean Animal Adoption Center.

Roger served on the University of Providence Board of Trustees for nine years, four as board chair. He helped guide the university through a presidential transition and removal of our accreditation probation. A university is only as good as its board and Roger has displayed excellent steadfast leadership during his tenure as chair. During this time Roger also quietly provided financially support for student scholarships.

Cari Yturri was born and raised in Great Falls. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and received a Business Administration Degree in Personnel Management and Marketing.

After succeeding her father as the Dealer/President of Bennett Motors, Inc. in 1995, she oversaw several dealership land purchases, renovations and franchise acquisitions. In 1994 Bennett Motors added Buick to the Pontiac, GMC Truck and Subaru franchise lines. In 1998 Budget Rent a Car Franchise was acquired and in 2010, VW, Nissan and Hyundai franchises were acquired and the Bennett Motors Import store was opened. In 2014, Cari sold the Nissan and VW franchises and in 2015 sold the Buick, GMC Truck, Subaru and Hyundai franchises along with all the dealership property.

Over the past 30 years Cari has served on numerous boards including the Board of Directors for the Great Falls Symphony, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Business and Professional Women, Great Falls Development Authority, Montana Auto Dealers Association and General Motors Women’s Retail Network. In 2007, Cari chaired the United Way Campaign that raised over $850,000 for local charities.

In 1995, she was selected for the YWCA’s annual Salute to Women as the Business and Professional Leader. In 2008, she received Business and Professional Woman of the Year award. In 2011, she was awarded the Small Business Development Inspire Award. And in 2013, the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award. Bennett Motors received Montana Small Business of the Year Award in 1996 and was recognized as Montana Small Business Administration’s Small Business of the Year in 2012.

Cari and her husband Jim have a son and daughter attending University of Montana. Now retired, she’s serving on the Board of Directors for The Great Falls Rotary Club, Neighbor Works Great Falls, University of Providence and The Poor Clares of Montana.  Her favorite things to do other than enjoying her family and community activities are cooking, reading, snow and water skiing, running, hiking, biking and golfing.

Personal Background: Nancy Grieve Zadick is a native of Montana, having lived in Ennis, Billings, Shelby, Missoula and Great Falls. She is married to Gary Zadick and they are the parents of Jim Zadick (Justine Milne Zadick) and Kristen Zadick Meredith (Thomas Meredith).

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Montana. Ms. Zadick also has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the then College of Great Falls.

Work History: Ms. Zadick is currently a partner in Comprehensive Professional Resources, LLC, a non-profit consulting company. Nancy previously worked for six years as the Financial Coordinator for the C.M. Russell Museum and six years as the accountant for the Great Falls Ad Club. She worked in the for-profit world as a tax preparer, a lease processor, bookkeeper, and operations manager.

Community Service: Ms. Zadick is a member of the Montana Nonprofit Association, the First Congregational United Church of Christ, P.E.O. Chapter AR, Paris Gibson Square, and the C.M. Russell Museum.  She has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations including Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, the Community Help Line, the Montana PTA, the National PTA, and several local PTA groups, The First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Community Youth Justice Council, the University of Montana Alumni Association, and P.E.O. Nancy has also been a member of the Cascade County Compensation Committee and was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock to serve on the Montana Judicial Nominating Committee.

Ms. Zadick believes in and supports the efforts of not-for-profit groups and organizations. She has focused her volunteer efforts and resources on organizations that advocate for children and organizations that support the arts and education.