Bureau Chief Stephanie Criswell

Steph joined DNRC in March 2014 first as a grant and program manager for the Resource Development Bureau. She then became DNRC’s first invasive species program manager and has been the coordinator for the Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC) since it was established in 2014. She also administered the state’s Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program. 

Steph earned a BA in Environmental Studies from the Evergreen State College and a MBA from the University of Montana. She is a certified PMP (project management professional).

Prior to joining DNRC, Steph worked for the National Parks & Conservation Association (NPCA), where she was charged with advocacy at the 13 national monuments, battlefields, and historic sites in the region. In March 2009, she joined NPCA’s Center for Park Management to apply her advocacy experience and education to park management issues.

Prior to NPCA, Steph worked for 10 years in the publishing industry as a marketing manager and acquisitions editor specializing in books on outdoor recreation, nature, and regional history. 

CONTACT

Email: steph.criswell@mt.gov

Phone: 406-444-6669

CD Specialist Mary Hendrix

CONTACT

Email: mary.hendrix@mt.gov

Phone: 406-444-4253

Stream Permitting Coordinator Jason Garber

Originally from Big Horn Wyoming, Jason has been living and working in Montana since 2015.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in Natural Resources form Utah State University. 

Jason transitioned to DNRC from DEQ where he was the Clean Water Act Section 401 Coordinator and 318 Coordinator. Jason has 20 years of experience working in cultural and natural resource fields and has worked closely with regulatory agencies and the public on stream permitting throughout the State of Montana. 

He enjoys trail running, skiing, gardening and making functional pottery.

CONTACT

Email: jason.garber@mt.gov

Phone: 406-444-4340

Water Reservations Technician Randell Hopkins

Randell graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology. He worked as a Soil Conservationist with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Hardin, MT. With NRCS, he worked with producers in Big Horn County for 3 years administering programs that provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners who put in conservation practices on their property. He then transitioned to DNRC as the Water Reservation Technician in the DNRC-CARDD office in Miles City. He looks forward to working for the Conservation District Bureau and helping Conservation Districts by providing technical, legal, and administrative assistance in administering applications for the water reservation program.

When he is not working, Randell enjoys hunting, fishing, archery, and sketching. He lives in Miles City with his wife Maria. They enjoy camping, spending time outdoors together, and exploring our beautiful state of Montana. When they are at home, they enjoy gardening and cooking together.

CONTACT

Email: Randell.Hopkins@mt.gov

Phone: 406-232-6359