Robert Snizek, CEO
Robert Snizek graduated from MSU-Billings with a master's in rehabilitation counseling in 2000 and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). His passion and expertise are in the fields of customized job creation, job retention, and self-employment. During his career, he has helped and supported numerous persons with disabilities in finding and keeping employment with several of them becoming successfully self-employed throughout Montana. Prior to launching Montana Employment Consultants, LLC in 2017, he was the medical care manager of the Headway Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at St. Vincent Healthcare for 13 years. Before that, he was the director of MontanaWorks, a job placement agency he started in affiliation with the University of Montana in Missoula for people with disabilities. Robert has served as a board member of the Montana Brain Injury Alliance and as a board member and President of the Montana Association of Rehabilitation (MAR). Robert has spoken at numerous conferences on the subject of brain injury and employment facilitation for people with disabilities including the National APSE Conference in Washington D.C. and in Las Vegas, NV; and the Dallas Lone Star chapter of APSE. He has also presented at the Family and Professional’s Conference sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of Utah; the Montana Association of Rehabilitation; North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation and Annual Native American Traumatic Brain Injury conferences.
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Billings Team Members
Joshua Chai joined the Billings MEC team in March of 2025 to serve as a Job Placement Coordinator. In this new role, he will have some some training, mentoring, and marketing responsibilities, with MEC drawing on his extensive background in creative job development.
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Before joining MEC, Joshua spent over six years from 2016-2022 with J.O.B.S. as their Lead Employment Specialist in Missoula. There, he supported staff while helping individuals with barriers to employment develop skills, secure jobs, and maintain long-term success in the workplace. Most recently, he served as a Life Coach supporting individuals with severe and disabling mental illness, providing person-centered support, life skills coaching, and care coordination.
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Joshua brings a wealth of experience in workforce development, mentoring, and disability services, along with a compassionate, strengths-based approach to each person he serves. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific College. Joshua’s personal mission aligns well with MEC’s values—empowering Montanans to find meaningful employment and build more independent lives.
Kari Whitney joined the Billings MEC team in June of 2023. Kari has 25 years experience in successfully managing and growing larger non-profit programs, facilitating systems change, and administration. Kari spent the breadth of her career in Eugene Oregon helping teens exit gangs. She has worked to bring services to many vulnerable populations throughout her career, including youth and family services, addiction services, crisis and mental health services and domestic violence services. Kari has a BSW from the University of Montana and is a Certified Mediator.
She and her husband have two daughters in college and two dogs. She loves cooking, gardening and coaching.
Megan White joined the Billings MEC team in Oct 2023. She has almost10 years of experience working with people with disabilities at STEP Inc in Billings, MT in several direct service and management roles. Megan has been trained and certified in Crucial Conversations and Person-Centered coaching.
Megan shared: "At STEP I focused on helping our clients reach their life goals and live meaningful lives, while building personal connection and pushing the barriers of inclusion. I am a natural advocate, a strong supporter of those in my community, and strive to make a positive difference. I value my role as a first-time mom, and I spend most of my time with my family and friends. I love to be creative through art, and hope to own a business one day that is focused around suicide prevention and awareness."
Lexie Watson joined the Billings MEC team in March 2024 to build our program in Billings, Hardin, and the Crow Agency. She grew up and lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado for most of her life. Lexie has a strong heart for helping others, and believes everyone should be treated with empathy, respect, and warmth. She is currently working on continuing her college education in child psychology, and deviant behavior. After college, she has plans to help children who are struggling with mental disorders. She has currently earned her Associates Degree in Psychology.
Lexie loves spending time with family and friends, going on hikes, doing outdoor activities,
baking, learning the piano, and playing video games.
Kimberly Belcourt joined the Billings MEC team in September 2024 to support the program in Billings, Laurel and Columbus. She has built her career on teaching and helping others as a trauma specialist, a victim advocate, teacher's aide, and equine and canine therapy facilitator. She has a bachelor’s in Psychology from Rocky Mountain College.
Kimberly’s experience also extends internationally. She worked as an instructor, a trainer, and a camp director at Equestrian Dream in Egypt where she was recruited as an Eagala-certified equine specialist. More recently, she has served as a hospitality specialist at Tippet Rise Art Center. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, riding horses and being with her family.
Marika Kuhn joined the Billings MEC team in May 2025. A lifelong resident of Billings, she brings over 15 years of experience in human services, health care, and education, along with compassion, administrative expertise, and creativity. Marika has dedicated her life to uplifting individuals in need—whether serving as a psychiatric technician, administrator of senior living facilities, mental health assistant, or community liaison supporting youth in crisis.
She holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University and is nationally certified as a psychiatric technician, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and meaningful service.
Outside of work, Marika is a talented performer and culinary enthusiast who enjoys exploring global cuisines and musical styles. She lives by the motto, "Happiness is not a destination; you can find it in every day," and strives to bring that spirit into everything she does.
Butte Team Members
Kimberly Yadao joined the Butte MEC team in January 2023 and serves as the employment manager of our Butte branch. She has been successful in quickly growing our program's services beyond the boundaries of Butte, to those living in Whitehall, Dillion and Anaconda. She has a decade of management and training experience, has worked in the tourism industry for 7 years, hospitality for 6 years, and has a background in accounting. During her career, she has also worked for a nonprofit shelter helping individuals with a range of disabilities gain work experience and supporting them through restorative programs. Kimberly has volunteered for many events assisting individuals with disabilities and has a great passion for the Butte community. Every day she looks forward to discovering her client's passions and helping them succeed in their jobs. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, photography, ice carving, playing piano, painting, and learning new skills.
Travis Jackson joined the Butte MEC team in October of 2023. He is a life-long resident of Butte and comes to our organization with over 16 years of experience in management, advocacy, and customer service. Travis also happens to be self-employed, is an incredible baker and is highly sought after for his amazing cookie creations! Travis is passionate about his advocacy work for people with disabilities as an organizer of the Butte Circle of Parents and runs a support group dedicated to children with mental health issues. Having raised a child with a significant disability, Travis brings this critical personal perspective to his work with MEC. In addition to cooking he also enjoys working on building projects, watching football and spending time with his family.
Jolee Thompson joined the Butte MEC team in October of 2024. She is a graduate of the
University of Montana Western where she was magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, and modern history. Her favorite subject is Montana History, specifically the Anaconda Company in Butte and Anaconda. Jolee has extensive knowledge of the area including growing up in Butte. Her degrees inspired her passion for research, and approaches each situation and individual with an open mind and with dedication. In addition to her education, she has worked in the customer service field for the last six years in Butte. She has a big heart and enjoys understanding and helping people pursue their dreams. Jolee enjoys reading and writing. She has a passion for all things history and takes pride in her work.
Elyse Graves joined the Butte MEC team in October of 2024, with a background in psychology and philosophy. She brings expertise in child care and development, and has extensive experience in customer-oriented roles, which has shaped her ability to create strong connections and provide supportive services. Elyse is passionate about helping others and looks forward to supporting her clients in finding their strengths and achieving success. Outside of work, Elyse enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her two cats her dog, along with exploring new baking and cooking recipes.
Tyler Fletcher joined the Butte MEC team in March 2025 and brings with him ten years of experience in human services field, including the Montana Developmental Center, Youth Dynamics and the Montana Chemical Dependency Center. He has worked with a wide-range of individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, individuals overcoming chemical dependency, and at-risk youth. He is passionate about the independence and empowerment that can be fostered through employment.
Tyler is working toward furthering his education in psychology at the University of Montana. Outside of work, he enjoys riding dirt bikes, flying RC planes, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in the winter.
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Ashleigh Zahn joined the Butte MEC team in June 2025. Ashleigh was born in Houston Texas, while her father was stationed in the Coast Guard. At 3 years of age, her family moved back to Butte, MT where she attended public school at Longfellow and Greeley elementary. Ashleigh graduated Butte High School in 2010 as a single mother. Before joining the Butte MEC team, Ashleigh had expertise in the fields of Correctional Drug and Alcohol treatment as a Counselor Tech, as well as Psychiatric and Mental Health treatment while working as a Psychiatric Technician at the Montana State Hospital.
Ashleigh enjoys spending her free time with her family, children, 2 dogs, and chickens, going for walks, and reading good books!
Bozeman Team Members
Karlin Sprecher joined the Bozeman MEC team in August 2025. She has over a decade of experience in direct service roles, supporting individuals with disabilities including children in navigating the foster care system, and adults facing mental health and substance use challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and is a certified Mental Health Coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors.
At home, Karlin and her husband are the proud parents of three teenagers. When she isn’t working or mentoring, she loves getting outdoors—especially hiking—and curling up with a good book.
Mikinley Hoffer joined the Bozeman MEC team in August 2025. She was born and raised in Helena, Montana, and moved to Bozeman in 2021 to begin her college education. She is set to graduate at the end of 2025 with her bachelor's in media studies communication. Before joining MEC, Mikinley gained extensive experience working in the childcare industry and the customer service sector. She also serves as a board member for The Compassion Project, which teaches mindfulness practices to underserved members of the Bozeman community. She has experience supporting children with disabilities and is passionate about fostering inclusive, supportive environments where everyone can thrive.
Outside of work, Mikinley is most often creating, as she is passionate about art. She runs a small business where she upcycles old clothing into wearable art pieces. When she isn’t creating, she finds inspiration in the great outdoors of Montana. Whether she is hiking, camping, or sitting by the river, she loves exploring the beauty of the place she calls home
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Kimberly Yadao joined the MEC team in January 2023 and has been helping us in Bozeman and Butte. She has a decade of management and training experience, has worked in the tourism industry for 7 years, hospitality for 6 years, and has a background in accounting. During her career, she has also worked for a nonprofit shelter helping individuals with a range of disabilities gain work experience and supporting them through restorative programs. Kimberly has volunteered for many events assisting individuals with disabilities. Every day she looks forward to discovering her client's passions and helping them succeed in their jobs. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, photography, ice carving, playing piano, painting, and learning new skills.
Havre Team
Chris Johnsrud joined the MEC team in July, 2025 to help establish our presence in the Havre, MT area. Chris is a dedicated disability rights advocate who grew up in Havre and continues to live close to his mother and two children. Raised with strong Montana values, He enjoys volunteering, hunting, fishing, and working on cars—interests that reflect his practical, hands-on approach to life and community.
After various careers in management and technology, including roles as a Wireless Network Manager at Triangle Telephone and a Technical Advisor for GE Transportation, Chris became physically disabled five years ago. This event became a turning point, leading him to explore self-advocacy and to become engaged in helping others with disabilities.
Chris currently serves on the Montana State Independent Living Council (as a Governor-appointed board member and current President), contributing to the Montana Youth Transitions Committee, and working directly with individuals as a Peer Support Specialist and Community Programs Facilitator at North Central Independent Living Services.