Ryan Bergen is a Manager of Campground Design Services at Kampgrounds of America, inc. He brings a background of landscape architecture, project management, and campground design to the board, and is driven to work on projects that bring more outdoor opportunities to the City of Billings.

An avid outdoorsman, Ryan was born and raised in Wisconsin but was pulled out west in 2020 by the abundance of hiking, hunting, and fishing opportunities in the region. He is a firm believer in the positive impacts the outdoors bring us, physically and even more-so mentally, and has a successful track record of helping others enjoy natural spaces on their own terms.

Jim Nichols has had had a life long passion for biking and the outdoors . He believes the trails around Billings allow us the freedom of outdoor fitness. As a retired family physician, Jim realizes we can improve our community health by advancing our trails to every part of our wonderful city.

Since moving to Billings in 2008 with her husband and two kids, Dr. Elizabeth Ciemins has worked to improve the health and heath care of Montanans and all Americans. For ten years, Elizabeth led the Center for Clinical Translational Research at Billings Clinic, served on the School Health Advisory Committee, and was an active partner on the Healthy by Design task force.

Currently, Elizabeth is a Research Scientist and works for the American Medical Group Association in Washington, DC, broadening her reach to all Americans. As an active lifestyle is an essential part of the formula for good health, she is interested in improving the built environment to facilitate regular physical activity, and that includes trails.

In her personal life, Elizabeth uses Billings’ trails on a daily basis as an active road, gravel, and mountain biker, skier, and hiker, often accompanied by her Labrador Retrievers, Ben & Will. Elizabeth is very excited about the potential for 100% connectivity of trails in Billings from Rimrocks to River!

Maddison Wilhite is an outdoor enthusiast and community advocate dedicated to preserving and enhancing outdoor spaces. After relocating from Vermont to Billings, Montana, in 2018 as an AmeriCorps VISTA, she quickly fell in love with the area’s rugged beauty, which fuels her passion for trail stewardship and responsible outdoor recreation. As a volunteer Trail Ambassador with the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation, she works to protect wilderness areas and educate recreationists on responsible outdoor practices. In her role as the Marketing and Communications Director at the Native American Development Corporation, she fosters community outreach and cultural awareness.

Maddison believes trails are vital connectors—linking people to the land, to each other, and to healthier lifestyles. As a runner, she values well-maintained, accessible trails that promote physical activity and community engagement. Maddison is committed to ensuring these experiences are inclusive and looks forward to contributing her passion for stewardship and responsible recreation to the Billings TrailNet Board.

Dr. John V. Hanson is a retired Diagnostic Radiologist who worked for Eastern Radiological Associates at St Vincent’s HealthCare for 33 years. John retired in 2014. John and his family have lived in Billings since 1981. John is a life-long runner who has run numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, ½ Marathons, and 10 Marathons. John sees the development of biking, walking, and running trails as a very important aspect of a healthy life style and an important asset to our Billings community.

Kolten Knatterud is a dynamic Professional Engineer and Partner with IMEG Corp, an engineering design firm that offers comprehensive technical expertise and collaborative partnerships.

Kolten enjoys working on issues that impact the community, both from a private and government perspective, taking great pride in being part of the solution. Kolten is a dedicated team member and community contributor who participates on the Billings Home Builders Board of Directors, Montana Building Industry Association Board of Directors, and Billings TrailNet Board of Directors.

Kolten assisted with the grant funding applications for Clark’s Crossing and the Western Sugar Easement to enhance the trail system along the Yellowstone River. In addition to this work, he has participated on the Billings Chamber Trails Committee and was a previous Billings Chamber Board Director.

Growing up in Montana, Steve Neary’s appreciation for active outdoor living was born in Butte, America where a day biking and hiking around the mines with friends lasted from dawn until dusk. While those long outdoor days now include skiing, rafting and golfing with his wife Tracy, adult children PJ & Victoria and teenage daughter, Addison, a bad day outside is still almost better than the best days inside for him.

Steve taught all three of his kids how to ride a bicycle on Billings streets and trails which he says have improved dramatically over time. Steve describes his passions as his family and riding (MTB & Road) and says he’s grateful for the work Billings TrailNet has done creating a foundation of healthy living by integrating trails into our community. He is excited for the opportunity to serve our community through the work of Billings TrailNet.

On the professional front, Steve graduated from MSU-Billings with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems in 1993 and began his professional career at Computers Unlimited before transitioning to the healthcare environment at St. Vincent Healthcare in 2005. He currently works for Senior Consult for J2Interactive on various projects where clinical data integration is required for patient care or trending of outcomes.

Emily Bruyere has a passion for immersing herself in the beauty of nature and exploring the scenic trails in Billings. For nearly two decades, Emily has been running on Billings’ trails and has a deep appreciation for their significance. As a dedicated marathon runner, she appreciates the value of a well-maintained trail system.

Joe Womack is Billings TrailNet’s treasurer, and is the owner of Womack & Associates, a law firm in Billings specializing in bankruptcy and debt.

Joe and his family enjoy outdoor activities and also support the trail system as a corporate member of Billings TrailNet.

Sarah Schroefel is the Associate Manager of Field Marketing at TDS Fiber and a proud MSUB alum, where she golfed and earned her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. She is currently completing her master’s degree in philanthropic studies, reflecting her deep commitment to serving the nonprofits in the Billings community. As a Billings TrailNet board member, she looks forward to helping with the expansion of local trails because they are vital for enhancing the quality of life for residents. Through her professional and volunteer work, she strives to connect and foster a healthier and more active community.

Jim Downs is a graduate of EMC with a degree in biology, spent two yers in the US Army before moving back to Billings and opened The Spoke Shop in 1973.

After retiring in 2011, Jim became one of Billings TrailNet’s Board of Directors in 2012. Jim is an active cyclist in Billings and elsewhere with children in Missoula, Denmark and one splitting time between Billings and Southeast Asia.

Kevin Odenthal has been on the Billings TrailNet board of Directors since 2014. He has been the event coordinator for our biggest fundraiser, Ales for Trails; works with the City/County Planning and Engineering Departments to get more bicycle parking in the City of Billings, and has installed many of the bike staples downtown at at Metra Park.

Kevin is also on the City of Billings Parking Advisory Board, is on the ad hoc Kids In Motion Bike Repair Trailer advisory board, and has helped to provide volunteers for the repair clinics that are put on by the Kids In Motion program.

Kevin works at Northwest Scientific and is a former co-owner of the Mustard Seed, a popular restaurant we all miss very much!

Kevin moved to Billings in the early 2000s, has two grown children and enjoys hiking, biking, backpacking and fishing.

about us

Our mission is to promote a complete, community-wide trail system

vision:

The Billings area is a premier community for healthy lifestyles, where active transportation and recreation are safe and integral parts of everyday activity.

Billings TrailNet is a non-profit, 501c3, grass-roots organization that supports urban trails in and around the Billings community. Our organization increases awareness and encourages use of the trails in our community, and raises money to use as matching funds for trails.

Goals:

Increase amount and connectivity of trails and bikeways.

Advocate the value of trails to the community.

Promote increased use of trails and an active lifestyle.

Develop and encourage community collaboration on active transportation.

Support maintenance of trails system.

Grow Billings TrailNet’s identity.

Develop and expand the organization.

our work

It’s hard to believe, but there is no local public funding dedicated to building trails. Unlike streets and sidewalks which are simply built in to a city, most trails in Billings are not provided by taxpayer dollars. If we don’t have money for trails, we don’t get connections to neighborhoods, parks, or businesses.

Since 2002, Billings TrailNet has raised more than $1M to promote trails in Billings, and has given the city more than $760,000 for trails.

Most 10 foot-wide multiuse paved trails cost approximately $350,000 per mile to build. But the Skyline Trail is more like $1 million per mile because of its unique topographical features. There are three coulees to traverse, which require expensive retaining walls on either side of the trail, and pedestrian guardrails for safety.

…but this trail would change life in Billings for so many, and our residents want it*…

*based on support from The Billings Chamber of Commerce, Big Sky Economic Development, LIFTT, the Billings Rotary, our area hospitals and health department, trail user groups, and a feasibility study done by Billings City/County Planning and adopted by City Council.

Miles of Trails

Members in 2023

Dollars Invested in Trails by Billings TrailNet

our team

Kristi Drake, Executive Director

Kristi Drake was appointed as Billings TrailNet’s first executive director in November 2012.

Kristi has enjoyed commuting on her bike to work for years, and has enjoyed the active lifestyle the Billings trails and terrain have to offer since she moved here with her family in 2008.

Kristi is a certified as a cycling instructor with the League of American Bicyclists. She is vice chair of Billings’ Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, is past board chair of the Billings Chamber of Commerce Trails Committee, and is a member of Billings Downtown Rotary.

Kristi served on Billings TrailNet’s board of directors from 2009-2011 and coordinated Ales for Trails for many years. Kristi has a master’s degree in public relations and also enjoys hiking, backpacking and international travel.

Contact Kristi via email, or call 406-281-1244, ext. 1.

Kristy Halderman, Development and Marketing Manager

Kristy Halderman has a dynamic background in business development, marketing, and entrepreneurship brings a fresh perspective to Billings TrailNet. Kristy joins us with a wealth of experience, particularly notable for her impactful contributions in the oat milk industry and her adeptness in crafting effective marketing strategies.

As Development and Marketing Manager, Kristy is in charge of our marketing, member relations and oversees our events.

Contact Kristy via email, or call 406-281-1244, ext. 2.