Three Forks Education Foundation
Board of Directors
David Chojnacki brings a lifetime of professional and community experience to the Three Forks Education Foundation. He studied manufacturing engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering after graduating from Boys Trade and Technical High School in Milwaukee. David also served in the United States Navy and remains active in veterans’ organizations including the American Legion and VFW.
After a 40-year career in purchasing and supply chain management, David retired to Three Forks. Since joining the Foundation in 2016, he has remained committed to supporting students and helping create opportunities for their future success. David appreciates the strong sense of community in Three Forks, where neighbors support one another and education is valued.
Leeann Garnas brings a diverse professional background and deep nonprofit experience to the Three Forks Education Foundation, where she serves as Treasurer. She holds a B.A. in History from Montana State University and a master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Studies, along with several certifications in equine health and therapy. Leeann is the owner and practitioner of Garnas Equine, LLC, where she works with horses using specialized therapeutic techniques.
Her career has included roles in career development, restaurant management, nonprofit leadership, and operations coordination. She previously served as Executive Director of the Humane Society of Gallatin Valley and continues to support nonprofit work through board service and professional collaboration. Leeann was drawn to TFEF after seeing firsthand how the Foundation helps teachers bring innovative learning opportunities—like coding robotics—into the classroom. She is passionate about expanding scholarships and supporting creative educational programs for Three Forks students.
Jill Peterson is a proud U.S. Army veteran and longtime community volunteer who brings energy, leadership, and a passion for service to the Three Forks Education Foundation. She studied Health and Human Development at Montana State University during her military service and has built a career that spans human resources, sales and marketing, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
Jill currently co-owns UpperCut Construction and serves as Operations Manager for Bridger Brewing. A dedicated volunteer for more than 30 years, she has supported numerous organizations and currently serves as Vice President of the Three Forks Chamber of Commerce. Jill joined TFEF to help raise awareness and funds that support scholarships and teacher grants, ensuring students and educators in Three Forks have the resources they need to succeed.
Mercedes Gruby brings strong financial and administrative expertise to the Three Forks Education Foundation. She holds an associate degree from the University of Phoenix and a bookkeeping certification from Gallatin College, along with continuing professional education. Mercedes works as an Office Administrator for North Fork Builders of Montana and owns her own business, MCG Bookkeeping LLC.
Originally from Twin Bridges, Montana, Mercedes moved to Three Forks to give her daughter the opportunity to grow up in a supportive small-town school environment. Her professional background includes office management, accounts payable, bookkeeping, and human resources. Mercedes joined the Foundation to give back to the community and help raise funds for scholarships and teacher grants, ensuring students and educators have the resources they need to thrive.
Hollie Short combines professional experience in the philanthropic sector with a strong passion for education and community involvement. She studied at the University of Montana and currently works for SmartSimple in Bozeman as Manager of Strategic Accounts. Her work focuses on software that helps foundations manage grants, accounting, and scholarship programs—giving her a unique perspective on nonprofit impact.
Originally from the small town of Leadore, Idaho, Hollie moved to the Three Forks area with her husband in 2017. She has served as a volunteer board member for several years and has coached many of her children’s youth sports teams. Hollie is committed to ensuring that students in Three Forks have access to opportunities that help them succeed both in school and beyond.
Rebecca Sowatzke is excited to support the Three Forks Education Foundation and give back to the community she now calls home. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Grand Valley State University and later became a certified Holistic Chef through Bauman College. Rebecca currently runs her own business, helping clients with administrative and customer service support.
Originally from Michigan, Rebecca and her husband moved west more than a decade ago and settled in Three Forks in 2021. Her professional background includes work in banking and financial services, particularly in branch management and administration. While this is her first formal nonprofit board role, she has volunteered with many community events over the years. Rebecca is passionate about supporting graduating seniors and helping teachers through the Foundation’s grant program, inspired in part by her mother’s career as a teacher.
Candi McDonald brings both technical expertise and a passion for community to the Three Forks Education Foundation. She earned her degree in Industrial Engineering from Montana State University and currently serves as an Engineering Manager at Gibson Guitar, where she collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve efficiency and innovation. Before moving into engineering leadership, she spent over a decade working in quality management within the plastics industry.
Originally from White Sulphur Springs, Candi settled in Three Forks to give her children the benefits of a small-town community and supportive school environment. She has volunteered locally as a Girl Scout leader and served on the Summer Rec Task Force. Candi believes strongly in the Foundation’s mission to support teachers and students through grants and scholarships, helping create opportunities that shape the future of both the community and the students who grow up here.