John Haffey, President
Member since 2007

John "Jack" Haffey has spent most of his professional life working with large businesses in Montana, including 15 years as an officer of the Montana Power Co. — the last six as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He served as a state senator in Montana from 1981-88 and taught math and French at Anaconda Central High School. With such a balanced professional and service history, he brings tangible, sound and socially responsible business experience to AWARE.

Al Smith, Vice President
Member since 1987

Al has been an important influence in the development of AWARE’s philosophy and purpose. He was an advocate attorney at the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. He is the attorney who won the "Eiler Decision," the landmark judgment for patients at the hospital whose treatment was inadequate. Al was executive director of the Montana Advocacy Program when the "Travis D. vs. State of Montana" lawsuit (http://www.mtadv.org/) was filed. Even today that is helping to shape services for people affected by developmental disabilities. Al is executive director of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and continues to donate his time to many groups and activities that better the lives of Montanans.

Cheryl Zobenica, Secretary/Treasurer
Member since 2007

If one had to pick a word to describe Cheryl, it would be "involved." In addition to serving on AWARE’s Board of Directors, she also sits on the boards of the Anaconda Local Development Corporation and the Anaconda Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters-Butte Board, United Way Advisory Board, and the United Way Finance Committee. She also serves as branch manager and vice president of Glacier Bank in Anaconda. With all of the work she does, she still finds time to spend with her family, including two grandchildren. Cheryl is honored to have been asked to become a member of the Board and is looking forward to contributing as a member and to the continued success of AWARE.

John O’Donnell, Past President
Member since 1994

A retired Montana Power Co. executive, John has been an active, positive participant in helping people around Montana. He devotes his time to many groups and activities in the Anaconda area, as demonstrated by his work at the Powell County Museum. John was instrumental in developing the Galen community and AWARE’s Early Head Start program in Butte and Dillon. His expertise with Montana Power/NorthWestern Energy helped to secure a $1.2 million grant for sewer and water infrastructure on the Galen Campus.

Teresa Marshall
Member since 1993

Teresa has probably helped everyone in Anaconda at one time or another. As a member of the Anaconda Food Bank, she helps feed people in Anaconda whose resources are limited. Teresa was a vocational rehabilitation counselor who served some of the most challenging clients who were patients at Montana State Hospital. While Teresa’s office was on the Montana State Hospital campus, she served a wider area around Deer Lodge County. Teresa is an important part of the Board and continues to help AWARE maintain high standards.

Ed Amberg
New Member

Ed Amberg served as superintendent of Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs for the last 10 years before retiring. He has a bachelor's degree in recreation from Michigan State University (1974) and a master's in public administration from the University of Montana (1990). After graduation from Michigan State University, he worked as an aide in a special education program in Howell, Mich., and also worked in the Community Re-Entry Program at the Livingston County Jail in Howell. In 1978, he took a position as a recreation director at a state prison in Ionia, Mich. He moved to Montana in1979 to take a position as a recreation therapist at Montana State Hospital. Amberg lives in Anaconda.

Barbara Andreozzi
New Member

Barbara serves as the Montana State University Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Extension agent—Community Development, a position she has held since July 1988. Her community development involves work on the regional and state level but has included international work as well; she has worked in 10 former Soviet countries to assist in community development. She graduated from San Jose State University in 1970 with a bachelor's of science degree in psychology and received special education/teaching certifications from San Jose State and Santa Clara University in 1973. She also holds various post-graduate certifications from the University of California, San Jose State University and Montana State University. She has been on the MSU faculty since1988.

Marlene Holayter
New Member

Marlene lives in Anaconda and is a full-time employee of Walden University, an online program offering high-level degrees. She is the coordinator of the master's in education leadership program and a professor. Holayter has a wide-ranging educational background in all areas of school administration, including extensive experience in Fairfax Public Schools in Virginia. She received her undergraduate and master's degrees in education from the University of Washington and a doctor of education from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Jesse Laslovich
New member

Jesse is chief legal counsel for the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance after having served as both a House and Senate representative for the Anaconda and Deer Lodge areas from 2001-2009. He graduated from the University of Montana in 2003 with a bachelor's of arts degree in political science (with high honors) and a minor in economics. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Montana School of Law in 2006.

Russell Cartsens
Member since 2008

Russell is a vital and productive part of the Anaconda Recycling team. Courteous, helpful and friendly are just a few of the words that could be used to describe not only his vibrant personality, but his professionalism. He enjoys fishing, hiking, boating and bicycling. He has won many gold medals in bicycling at the Special Olympics and has received many awards for outstanding accomplishments.

Stephen Addingston
Member since 2008

Steve’s drive and determination to succeed have provided him many opportunities to expand his job responsibilities and consequently more earning power. Steve is a well-known and respected member of the Anaconda community. Steve works as one of HOPE Thrift Store’s primary customer service employees — a job he does independently and with a great attitude.