Grace Montessori Academy is administered by a seven to ten- member Board of Trustees. The primary responsibility of the Board of Trustees is to ensure the long-term viability of the school and to uphold and advance the mission and vision for the school.
Board of Trustees
Pam Purcell
Pam Purcell has been the Board President since GMA’s inception in 2007. She is also a Co-founder of the school. She was raised in Nebraska but has lived in a variety of states across the country. She has a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and spent 20 years in business consulting. In her role at GMA, she brings love of Jesus, passion for quality education and a desire to improve the educational options in Billings. Pam and her husband Tom have two daughters. She loves being with her family, spending time in Paradise Valley, MT and GMA.
Mary Beth Gregory
Mary Beth Gregory is the Board Vice President and Co-founder of GMA. She has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and a Masters of Business Administration. She has Montessori Certification in Upper Elementary. Mary Beth is married to her wonderful husband John and they have two daughters, both having attended and graduated from GMA.
Cindy Beers
Cindy Beers has served the Board Secretary since 2008. She attended MSU-B earning a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition with a minor in Business Administration. She worked as a Registered Dietitian in clinical, outpatient and private practice until the birth of her first child in 2004. Cindy ran the Martin Family Foundation as the Executive Director until 2015. She is married to Bobby and they have three children, two of whom attend GMA. She is passionate about faith-based education and believes that educational alternatives strengthen our community. She enjoys philanthropy, parenthood, reading, cooking and time with friends and family.
Victor treat
Victor Treat joined the board in July 2023. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from
York College (York, NE.) He also has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from MSU-
Billings.
Victor is a CPA, employed for the last 14 years as the CFO for MaCon Supply. Previously,
he spent time in public accounting, working in the tax department for Eide Bailly. Prior
to earning his accounting degree and CPA license, he served 3 years active duty in the
Armed Forces as a combat medic for the United States Army.
Victor and his wife, Haley, have three daughters. Two of them currently attend GMA. He
is passionate about the mission of Grace Montessori Academy and believes that all
children can do great things.
Crystal Phillis
Crystal Phillis joined the board in February of 2020. She has a great passion for Montessori learning, volunteering and growing our community. She has previously worked on the Family Team Committee for the March of Dimes, had a Family Team for 10 years raising money for the March of Dimes, event planning for her previous company of 100 employees, and volunteering and event running for a Montessori charter school in Oregon with 330 students. With an extensive background in customer service, marketing, and social media she works with our PGM (Parents for Grace Montessori) as the board liaison to ensure our parents and board are well connected. Crystal and her husband Nathan have 2 children currently enrolled at Grace Montessori.
Eli Johnson
Eli Johnson joined the board in December of 2022 after watching his kids enjoy Grace Montessori for a number of years. He is a firm believer that more is caught than taught, and the staff at Grace have certainly embodied that mantra well with the little Johnson clan. Eli is the market manager for Employer Flexible and brings a fun dose of energy to the board.
Seth Wildung
Seth Wildung joined the Board in 2023. Seth is an Insurance Agent for Roger L. Daniel Agency for over a decade and has been an active Rotarian for 10 years as well. Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with Marketing and Small Business Management Minors from MSU-Northern. He has a beautiful wife, Autumn, and 3 amazing children, 2 attend GMA currently.
John Dailey
John is the Training Coordinator for Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and has worked for YBGR for over 20 years serving in a variety of positions including Chaplain. He has a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Northwestern University in St. Paul, MN and previously served as the Chairman Trustee for School District #58 Yellowstone Academy. John Specializes in teaching Trauma Informed Care, Crisis Management and Leadership Development. Often John is called upon to consult with outside agencies to develop trainings to better equip and prepare staff to encounter crisis situations. John also provides Critical Incident Stress Management Debriefings to staff that have experienced a traumatic event in the line of duty. When John is not working directly with staff he enjoys operating the ropes course providing experiential learning through high ropes with the youth and groups of people wanting to grow themselves.