Cathy Gunther moved to Bozeman in 2016 and then to Big Sky in 2018. She completed a liberal arts degree and worked in human resources for several different industries in Texas. It was there she met her husband, where both chose to follow his career and raise their two daughters mostly overseas. Wanting to know more about gardening in the demanding Texas climate she pursued a Master Gardener’s certification that highlighted the value of native plants, conservation and sustainable gardening practices. Cathy held multiple volunteer positions while living in England, Africa, Asia and Texas. She holds a core belief that fundamental change—including conservation efforts—happens best with a diverse group of people lending skills and talents toward their common goals.

Raised in southwest Montana, Mike developed a deep appreciation for wild places from an early age. His early career in fisheries management strengthened that connection, teaching him how intricately ecosystems are linked—and how proactive management of invasive species is essential to keeping them healthy. Mike holds a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management from Montana State University and an M.S. in Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University. With more than 20 years of experience in noxious weed management, he recently retired from the Gallatin County Weed District after 15 years of dedicated service. Involved with Grow Wild since 2008, Mike remains committed to promoting responsible land stewardship, invasive species management, and conservation of our shared natural resources. When not working to protect Montana’s landscapes, he can often be found exploring the region’s many trails, streams, and rivers—places that continue to inspire his lifelong love of the natural world.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and an Masters in Business Administration. Following her studies, she pursued a career in banking before co-founding a family real estate development company in the Midwest in 2011, focusing on projects with sustainable initiatives. Ann and her husband, Brian, first discovered Big Sky in 2001 and fell in love with its beauty. After living overseas, they moved to the area in 2006, drawn by its stunning landscapes and vibrant outdoor lifestyle. Now with their sons living and working in Bozeman, Ann and Brian cherish having family nearby while immersing themselves in Montana’s natural wonders. A passionate steward of the land, Ann dedicates herself to forest health, biodiversity, and fire mitigation on their property. She is deeply inspired by Montana’s rivers, native flora and fauna, and expansive wilderness, and works to help preserve its ecological richness for future generations.

Don McAndrew worked for 34 years with the Natural Resource & Conservation Service as an Engineer, Hydrologist, and Director of Operations, followed by 20 years as a realtor specializing in farm, ranch, and recreation real estate. Don has served as a volunteer on the Big Sky Planning and Zoning Board, Gallatin Conservation District, and the Northern Rockies RC&D. Dedicated to protecting our natural resources from the threats of noxious weeds, Don is a property owner in Big Sky and is a founding director of Grow Wild.

John is a recent retiree from the Custer Gallatin National Forest where he worked for nine years on the Bozeman Ranger District. A graduate of the University of Idaho, he had a 36-year career with the Forest Service with most of that time spent working in forest management as a silviculturist and forest management specialist in Idaho. He has also managed wildlife, range, minerals, soils, hydrology and noxious weed programs. He is a proponent of landscape ecology and progressive forestry techniques. John enjoys many outdoor activities with his wife Kim who is lead project scientist for a nonprofit conservation organization.

Larry Holzworth brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the land to his work with Grow Wild. Over a 37-year career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, he served as an Agronomist, Plant Materials Center Manager, and Plant Materials Specialist, partnering with landowners across the Mountain West on soil and water conservation, land reclamation, grazing improvements, and weed management.

Since 2008, Larry has shared his expertise as a member of the Grow Wild board and continues to contribute as a member of the Gallatin County Weed Board. When he’s not supporting conservation efforts, Larry enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family and tackling home and land improvement projects—bringing the same care and curiosity to his personal life as he does to the landscapes he helps protect.

Krisy moved to Big Sky in 1993 with a degree in education, quickly embracing Montana’s natural beauty through work at dude ranches and outfitters, including over 20 years at Lone Mountain Ranch. There, she met her husband, Scott, and together they built a life filled with hiking, Nordic skiing, horseback riding, and enjoying Montana’s landscapes with their two children and animals. Her passion for native grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife led her to join the board of Grow Wild, where she helps protect Montana’s natural heritage. A devoted volunteer, Krisy channels her love for nature into supporting her community through various initiatives.

Jennie holds a BS in Equine Business from the University of Louisville and brings over a decade of property management experience, including eight years managing a 100+ acre ranch bordering Yellowstone National Park. A lifelong equestrian, her connection to horses sparked a deeper interest in healthy pastures and sustainable land management. While managing a ranch surrounded by public lands, Jennie witnessed firsthand the importance of balancing livestock needs with ecosystem health. With guidance from Grow Wild, her efforts to restore native vegetation and reduce invasive weeds proved immensely rewarding, fueling her passion for creating resilient landscapes and inspiring her to join the board of Grow Wild.

In her free time, Jennie enjoys trail riding, running, hiking with her dog, skiing, and exploring the outdoors with her family.

Despite growing up in New York City, or perhaps because of it, Steve has great appreciation for the natural world especially in its native state.  

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A woodworker, Steve has had a lifelong interest in wood, trees, forests and forestry.  A healthy woodland with it’s grasses and forbs that supports diverse wildlife is his happy place. For more than a decade he has volunteered with Grow Wild at weed pulls and the Crail Garden. He and his wife are now nurturing a small wood lot surrounding their home.  Helping and watching things grow brings him great pleasure. Hence, the satisfaction he found being a gardener, farmer, and pediatric surgeon.