EBS STAFF
The Big Sky Owners Association will elect four new members to its board of directors this year, with elections open until Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. Ballots were distributed via mail and the online MCGOne Portal on July 30 to members in good standing.
Voting instructions and more information are available at BSOA’s website.
BSOA also looks forward to inviting the BSOA community to its annual meeting on Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. at The Wilson Hotel, “a vital touchpoint for members to receive updates, hear from the Board and staff, and connect with fellow owners,” according to a BSOA press release. Topics will include financial report and strategic updates, an open forum, and speakers regarding Big Sky Resort, Resort Tax, Yukon to Yellowstone ecosystems and second-home property taxes.
The elected candidates will help guide the BSOA’s strategic direction, budget priorities, and community initiatives over the next three-year term.
“We really hope all eligible members will take a moment to read through the candidate bios and cast their vote,” Executive Director Holly Coltea stated in the release. “This is your opportunity to directly influence the leadership and priorities of our Association. We are so thankful that so many qualified candidates have stepped up and are willing to serve.”
BSOA recently hired Coltea to replace longtime executive director Suzan Scott.
Board candidates share background
Candidates for BSOA board of directors submitted short bios to EBS, displayed below in their original writing.
Ernie Chappell—Cascade area property owner
Ernie brings extensive board governance experience and proven financial expertise as a current BSOA Board of Directors and Architectural Committee member. His 35-year career founding and operating an agricultural technology company demonstrates strategic leadership and business management skills essential for community governance. His distinguished service includes 21 years as board of trustees member at Faulkner University and leadership roles on multiple school boards and homeowners associations, with extensive finance and executive committee experience. His accounting background and decades of board service across diverse organizations provide the financial stewardship and collaborative leadership skills needed for effective BSOA governance in Big Sky’s Upper Cascade community.
Eric Ferdinand—Mountain Village area property owner
Eric brings essential financial expertise and strategic oversight capabilities crucial for effective BSOA board governance. His experience in real estate investment and portfolio optimization directly applies to managing community assets and making sound financial decisions for the organization. His proven ability to navigate complex financial transactions and risk management translates to evaluating development proposals and community investments. As a former board Chairman of the Sue Duncan Children’s Center, he demonstrates hands-on governance experience and collaborative leadership skills. His analytical mindset and expertise in regulatory compliance position him to provide the financial stewardship and strategic vision needed for responsible BSOA decision-making during Big Sky’s period of rapid growth.
Michelle Horning—Aspen Groves area property owner
Michelle brings over three decades of Big Sky experience and proven board leadership as current Vice Chair of the BSOA Board and Executive Committee. Her work as a real estate agent has provided comprehensive knowledge of development processes and construction practices vital to community growth decisions. Her diverse business background includes serving as business manager for a Big Sky construction company and founding several local daycares and preschools. She chairs Benefit Big Sky, the organization’s fundraising arm, and helped oversee BASE Community Center completion through BSCO. Her combination of current board experience, business management expertise, and 28 years of local knowledge positions her for continued effective BSOA leadership.
Brenna Kelleher—Mountain Village area property owner
Brenna brings deep Big Sky expertise as a native resident with comprehensive knowledge of the community’s evolution and needs. Her work as a real estate agent for Pure West Christie’s provides extensive insight into local property markets, development trends, and community concerns affecting homeowners. Her leadership experience as treasurer for the Sylvan Springs Bozeman condo board offers practical knowledge of property management, fiduciary responsibilities, and board governance essential for BSOA service. As a longtime local resident, she understands the challenges facing both year-round residents and seasonal homeowners. Her professional background in real estate transactions and community governance positions her to effectively represent diverse stakeholder interests while supporting thoughtful community development.
George Mueller—Meadow Village area property owner
George brings 22 years of Big Sky homeownership and extensive BSOA Board experience, including service as former Board Chair. During his three and a half years on the Board, he has missed only one meeting, demonstrating exceptional commitment. As Board Chair, he successfully negotiated complex agreements that facilitated workforce housing development and secured funding for community infrastructure improvements. His committee involvement includes three years on the Executive Committee, two years on the Architectural Review Committee, and current service as Chair of the Legal Committee. As the only attorney on the Board, he brings unique legal expertise essential for navigating Big Sky’s complex development and governance challenges.
Joe Swiatek—Aspen Groves area property owner
Joe has deep Big Sky roots, with family connections dating back to the 1980s and an Aspen Groves property owner since 2005. His distinguished 20-year FBI career included 13 years in executive leadership positions, developing expertise in collaborative problem-solving and stakeholder engagement essential for effective board governance. From 1992-2000, he served as executive director of a nonprofit medical response organization, managing a million-dollar budget and complex operations. His proven ability to listen to experts while facilitating respectful decision-making processes directly translates to board leadership. Since retiring in 2020, he actively participates in the Big Sky Chamber’s Infrastructure and Advocacy Subcommittee, gaining hands-on experience with community governance and policy development.
Sarah Turner-Malhotra—Mountain Village area property owner
Sarah brings a decade of Big Sky residency experience as both tenant and homeowner, with deep understanding of Mountain Village community needs and perspectives. She is committed to strengthening connections between Mountain Village/Madison County owners and the Gallatin County/Meadow Village community while improving transparency and communication between BSOA and all homeowners. Her ten-year career in Big Sky’s tourism industry, including five years as Group Reservations Manager at Big Sky Resort, provided substantial experience in stakeholder relations and operational management. Her professional background gives her insight into balancing resident needs with the tourism economy, positioning her to make informed board decisions serving all community stakeholders throughout Big Sky.
Architectural committee candidates
In addition to the board, three candidates are running for the Big Sky Architectural Committee under BSOA.
“BSAC is a member-elected body that balances individual property rights with collective community interests to preserve the distinctive character and values of all properties within BSOA jurisdiction,” the release explained. “The committee operates with pre-approval authority, providing comprehensive oversight of all construction and modification projects. BSAC exercises discretionary power to review and decide on proposals based on established community compatibility standards and architectural guidelines that maintain Big Sky’s unique aesthetic and environment.”
Gina Dee—Meadow Village area property owner
Gina brings four decades of construction design and build experience as Director of Design & Special Projects for Provincial Architectural Millwork. An architectural technologist, designer, and interior fit-out builder, she has extensive knowledge of design, contract documents, building materials, and interior construction. She served on the Board of Directors for AWMAC Woodworking Institute (2015-2017), handling drawing vetting, specification changes, and factory inspections. With 27 years serving clients, she’s completed projects in 48 states, including leading the Yellowstone Club Village Core Project with 47 condos and comprehensive amenities.
Brenna Kelleher—Mountain Village area property owner
Brenna brings community roots and development expertise as a Big Sky native and real estate agent for Pure West Christie’s. Her extensive real estate experience provides valuable insight into property development standards, zoning regulations, and building aesthetics that preserve community character. As treasurer for the Sylvan Springs Bozeman condo board, she gained hands-on experience with building maintenance standards, construction oversight, and regulatory compliance—skills directly applicable to architectural review processes. Her proven ability to facilitate collaborative decision-making while maintaining professional standards positions her to guide thoughtful development projects that honor Big Sky’s distinctive character and pristine natural setting.
Cindy Miller—Cascade area property owner
Cindy brings direct architectural oversight experience as a current Architectural Committee member, combined with a professional background in data analytics and product development essential for complex building project decisions. Her thirteen years on school councils involved extensive work with state regulations and policy advocacy, providing crucial experience navigating building codes and zoning regulations. She contributed fifteen years to Science Center building policies and finance committees, and led an investment group for twenty-two years, developing expertise in construction financial stewardship and long-term building planning. Her regulatory review experience and analytical skills enable her to guide architectural decisions that balance growth with preserving Big Sky’s unique character.
