Directors

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Appointed representatives of the three sponsor organizations serve as the trustees for the Montana Unified School Trust. The nine trustees exercise general administrative authority over the health benefits plan offered by MUST. Decisions of the board are required to make amendments to the plan or its policies. The trustees also manage the contractual relationships with the providers of the program's specialized needs such as underwriting, actuarial services, legal and claims services.

Lance Melton has been the Montana School Boards Association's Executive Director since March 2000. He first began working for MTSBA in 1996 as Director of Governmental Relations and staff attorney and was promoted in 1997 as the Association's General Counsel.

Lance graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, with high honors from the University of Montana and later received his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law where he wrote for the Public Land Law Review. Before joining MTSBA, Lance served as an attorney for the Montana Department of Commerce.

E-mail: lmelton@mtsba.org

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Eric has been at the helm of the MEA-MFT since he was elected in 1984. Eric has a bachelor of arts degree in government, history and economics from the University of Oklahoma, and a masters degree in history from the University of Maryland. He taught English and Social Studies in the Helena School District for ten years before putting his talents to use for the benefits of the state's public school teachers and support staff, state, county, and municipal employees, higher education faculty, health care workers, and Head Start teachers.

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Darrell Rud is currently the President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). His 32 years as a professional educator in a variety of positions in two states brings great experience to this position. His proven leadership abilities in developing consensus and facilitating successful change in schools and organizations will enhance his relationship with the affiliates.

Darrell's working relationship with the SAM organization has been constant from 1979 to present. His past experience has included President of MAEMSP, as well as SAM President, being elected to the NAESP Board of Directors and ultimately to the presidency of NAESP.

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