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.
Tina Shorten
Committee Vice Chair
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.
Dana Kjersem
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.
Sherri Odlin
Sherri was appointed to the committee in 2019. She is a native Montanan. She has worked at Missoula County 9-1-1 since May 1995. Sherri was a dispatcher for Missoula 9-1-1 for approximately 16 years and then was promoted to Assistant Manager. She is currently the manager for Missoula 9-1-1, which she loves. Sherri didn’t realize this was going to be her career when she applied but it definitely became a job she couldn’t walk away from. She lives in Missoula with her husband of 15 years and her three grown children (and 4 grandchildren) are all in this area. Sherri loves Montana but the beach is calling her husband and her, so they look forward to having a beach cottage in the next stage of their lives.
Tom Thompson
Tom was born in Missoula, Montana. His business experience includes decades of business management, commercialization and financial management. He has started 5 successful business. His first dental manufacturing business was a cover article in Forbes magazine. He is the only non-dentist to serve on the board of the Montana Dental Association. He was a co-founder of MSU School of Dental Hygiene. His family has created 600 local jobs, primarily in manufacturing. He received a doctorate in law with several bachelors degrees. Tom has worked internationally.
Tom is affected by ataxia, a neurological disease. The past decade of Tom's life has been dedicated to social service organizations, including peer support and systems advocacy. He has been a peer advocate at Summit Independent Living Center for 8 years. He serves on several committees at his church and is a board member on several bicycle and pedestrian organizations. He has participated for his entire life in nutritional and physical exercise activities. In his free time he races and tours his recumbent trikes, snowshoes, and cooks.
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.
John Pavao
John was appointed to the committee in 2018. He has worked for the Department of Administration, State Human Resources Division, since 2008, after serving 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. John serves as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for Montana state government and provides ADA guidance and expertise to state employees, managers, and human resources professionals to ensure equal access to employment, programs, services, and activities across state government. John holds a bachelor’s degree in training and development and a master’s degree in human resources management. He enjoys spending time with family and takes every opportunity to enjoy Montana’s great outdoors.
Bob Terwilliger
Bob was appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Telecommunications Access Service for persons with Disabilities in 2022. Bob represents the Interlata Carrier seat on the committee, bringing over 30 years of experience working with various companies in accounting, finance and operational roles. With 15 years as a CFO, he has worked in the telecommunications, biotech, and manufacturing industries. He is currently the CFO for Vision Net and based out of Billings. Bob earned his BA in Business Administration from Washington State University.
Bob’s wife, Carol, is a Montana native, and both are thrilled to live in the city where she grew up. Life in Billings allows Bob and Carol to maintain and expand their family ties, and they love the community, and the lifestyle Billings offers.
Lee Hazelbaker
Lee is a native of Dillon, Montana and a graduate of The University of Montana Western. During his thirty year career in education he was a classroom teacher, coach, and administrator throughout the western part of the state. After retiring from education, he joined the Human Resource Development Council in Bozeman as the Director of Transportation. HRDC Transportation provides door to door service to the elderly and to individuals with special needs. HRDC also operates the fixed route Streamline Bus System which began operating during Lee’s tenure as director. After retiring once again, Lee relocated to Dillon to be near family and friends. Lee looks forward to continuing his service to the people of Montana through MTAC.
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.