Committee Members
Lisa Cannon, Au. D
Committee Chair
Lisa was appointed to the Montana Telecommunications Access Committee in 2018. She is currently employed by the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB), where she has been a Consulting Audiologist since 2008. Lisa is also a member of the Montana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Team, whose purpose is to identify children who are deaf or hard of hearing and ensure that they receive appropriate support services, through collaborations with statewide stakeholders, including MSDB and Montana Milestones/Part C Early Intervention Program. Lisa received her Doctorate in Audiology from Salus University in 2007.
Dana Kjersem
Committee Vice Chair
Dana was raised in Havre, MT, where she received her undergraduate degree from MSU-Northern. Dana is currently working on her graduate degree in Addiction and Rehabilitation Counseling. She is employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRBS) and has worked in the helping profession for the last 20 years. When not at work or in school, Dana enjoys spending time with family and friends. Dana represents the Department of Public Health and Human Services on the committee.
Tina Shorten
Tina joined the Governor’s Committee on Telecommunications Access in 2015. Montana law requires that one member of the committee represent the Public Service Commission (PSC). Tina is the supervisor of the Regulatory Compliance Program at the PSC and fulfills that requirement. She began state employment in 1983 and has been employed at the PSC since 1988.
Barbara Varnum
Barbara is a native Montanan, hailing from Havre. She worked for the State of Montana for 27 years, retiring in 2018. Her entire career was in the disability field. She worked for the developmental disabilities program as a case manager, the vocational rehabilitation program as a counselor, program manager, and finally chief of field services. She wrapped up the last 4 years of her career as the director of the Montana Accessible Communications (MTAC). She fills the senior citizen requirement on the committee.
Barbara enjoys most outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with family.
Michelle Owens
Michelle was appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Telecommunications Access Service for persons with disabilities in 2021. Michelle represents the independent service providers on the Committee, bringing more than 25 years of telecommunications experience. Michelle is the Regulatory Specialist/Paralegal of Blackfoot Communications, a regional broadband, voice and managed services provider, located in Missoula, Montana. Outside of work she enjoys volunteering, painting, crocheting, sewing, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Ron Bibler
Ron has been an active member of the Governor’s Committee on Telecommunications Access Service for persons with disabilities since its inception in the late eighties and a past chairman. He also played a big part in implementing relay services in Montana. A certified financial planner, Ron runs his own advisory and investment management firm out of Great Falls and makes over 200 Montana Relay calls per month to clients, business acquaintances, friends, and family members. As a committee member, he represents the interests and concerns of disabled businesspersons across the state. A father of three and avid traveler, Ron enjoys spending time with his family, refereeing local football games and running a fantasy football team.
Christy Eichenlaub
Christy was appointed to the committee in 2025 as the representative of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Christy is a native Montanan. She started at Missoula County 9-1-1 in 2001 and is still employed as a LEAD Dispatcher for Missoula County 9-1-1. She enjoys that every day is a different day at work. She didn’t know what to expect of the job 20 plus years ago and quickly fell in love with dispatching and being there for the public for all their needs. She has one adult daughter, a husband, and fur babies that keep her days off eventful to say the least. Spending time with her friends and family and enjoying what Montana has to offer for every season is what she loves to do.
Cam Tulloch
Cam was appointed to serve on the committee in 2018, representing the Deaf community. He has been involved in the Deaf Community since 2009. He volunteered his time as a Treasurer for Gallatin Association for the Deaf, and as Junior and Senior Trustee for Montana Association for the Deaf. He was the President of Montana Association of the Deaf (MAD) for six years. Currently he serves as Vice President for MAD. Mr. Tulloch works for a landscaping business as an Irrigation Technician, Mechanic and Heavy Equipment Operator based in Belgrade. He uses his mobile phone a lot for communication with hearing customers. He enjoys hunting, snowmobiling, sampling a variety of craft beers and wine, and RV camping with his wife and three Aussie dogs. He loves to travel with his wife and hopes to travel abroad more often.
Lloyd Sparks
Gladys Newbury, LCSW
Gladys is a Marine Corps veteran and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. She earned her Master of Social Work in 2016 and specializes in providing trauma-informed, person-centered care to adults with disabilities and co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. Gladys also works closely with members of the military community and first responders, addressing unique stressors and barriers to access. Her clinical approach emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, and the use of innovative communication strategies to support functional well-being and improved quality of life for individuals with diverse needs.
Ashlee Logan
Ashlee joined the Governor's Committee on Telecommunications Access Service for persons with disabilities in 2023 as a representative of the Disabilities Community (Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing). In 2008, Ashlee graduated from high school in Cut Bank, MT, and then received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from MSU-Billings in 2013. Ashlee is a business owner with a partner providing accounting services online for small-to medium-sized businesses across the country. She utilizes both MT Relay's Remote Conference Captioning and Hamilton Mobile CapTel app for phone calls. Besides accounting, Ashlee also volunteers for Montana Youth Leadership Forum working with high school students with disabilities. Ashlee lives in Columbia Falls with her husband Shelby and their two cats, Merlot and Mojito. She enjoys camping and snowmobiling with Shelby as well as traveling to visit with family and friends.
Vacant Seat – Interlata Carrier
To apply for this seat, please visit the Governor’s Boards and Appointments
Vacant Seat - Disabilities Community
To apply for this seat, please visit the Governor’s Boards and Appointments