Meet the Board

Margie Simpson, Chair
Margie grew up in Kalispell, graduated from Flathead High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.  She is married to Larry Simpson and is the mother of two grown sons.  While serving on the school board for District #5, she became acutely aware of the value FVCC brings to the Flathead Valley students and community.  She has served on the FVCC Foundation Board since 1999 and has served as chair beginning the 2009-2010 academic year.

Jarrod Shew, Vice Chair
Jarrod has been a member of the FVCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2006 and was elected as Vice Chair in 2009.  Jarrod graduated from the University of Montana in 1995 with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematical Science and is Branch Manager at First Interstate Bank's Kalispell North branch.

Leslie Mercord, Treasurer
Leslie joined the Foundation Board in 2004 and serves as treasurer.  She follows in her late father Chuck Mercord's footsteps as one of the Foundation's founders and an advocate for community colleges.  Born and raised in the Flathead Valley, she graduated from the University of Montana and serves as a financial consultant specializing in wealth management for D. A. Davidson and Co. in Kalispell.

Russell Barnes, Past Chair
Russ joined the FVCC Foundation Board of Directors in 1995 and served as chair from 2005 to 2009.  He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1988 from the University of Montana and is an attorney in Libby, Montana, and the owner of Lincoln County Title Company.