Board of Regents Members

Todd Buchanan is a Co-Owner and Advisor for Buchanan Capital, based in Billings, MT. Buchanan Capital Inc. serves individual and institutional clients, helping share and support asset management and financial planning strategies and plans with their clients across the region. After graduation from MSU Bozeman Todd served in the US Peace Corps, serving as a Small Business Development Volunteer in Nicaragua.

Todd and his family have had many opportunities to serve their communities and stay committed to numerous local, regional and statewide efforts and organizations. Past experience includes serving as a director on the Nature Conservancy Board for Montana, Chairman of Montana Conservation Corps, Chairman of Billings based corrections organization Alternatives Inc.  and Todd currently spends a lot of time advocating for greater stewardship of the outdoor, cultural and natural assets of this great state.

Todd previously served a seven-year term on the Board of Regents from 2007-2014 and held a variety of leadership roles (Vice Chairman of the Board, Chairman of Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Budget Committee and Chairman of The Taskforce on Reform).

Raised in Billings, MT, Todd and his wife Brooke met while attending Montana State University in Bozeman and have been married since 2003. They live in Red Lodge, MT, where they stay busy raising, loving and keeping up with their two active teenagers in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains.

Loren Bough is an active community member and philanthropist residing in Big Sky. He has served his community in a number of capacities including successful efforts to create a public high school, a performing arts center and a local hospital.

As a graduate of one of the smallest public schools in the state, Highwood High School, Loren benefitted from and remains committed to affordable public educational opportunities for all Montana students.

He remains an active angel investor and board member, globally, in real estate, technology and the consumer sector. Mr. Bough serves on multiple boards and advisory committees of select portfolio companies.

Mr. Bough serves on the board for Harvard University/Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies and Chairman of the Property and Environment Research Center, Warren Miller Performing Art Center and Big Sky.

Jeff Southworth is the Co-Owner and President of Allied Steel, a structural steel fabrication company located in Lewistown. From its base in central Montana, Allied Steel services clients and projects across the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Jeff is also a custom builder and entrepreneur and co-owns the Central Feed Grilling Co. and Calvert Hotel, also located in Lewistown.  

Jeff has been active in the Lewistown community for many years and has served as a member of the local chamber of commerce. He is also an active member of the Big Sky Young Presidents’ Organization and is an elected member of the Lewistown Public Schools Board of Trustees. 

Jeff graduated from Fergus High School and is passionate about his family, community, and state. Jeff and his wife Brook met in 1997 while attending Montana State University in Bozeman. They have four children. Three of their children attend Montana State University and one is a senior at Fergus High School. Jeff enjoys spending time outside and can be found skiing and hunting across Montana.

Dean Folkvord and his family founded Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery in 1990. The company grew from a two-person farming operation near Three Forks to a thriving agribusiness organization selling high-quality grains, flour, and bread nationwide. Dean and his family now own several hotel and motel properties in Montana, including the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks and the newly renovated RSVP Motel in Bozeman. 

Dean holds a B.S. in Agribusiness from Montana State University-Bozeman, has attended the Western College of Auctioneering, and completed Dale Carnegie coursework. He serves on the Montana Agriculture Development Council, a position appointed by the Governor. Dean has also held leadership positions with the Federal Reserve Bank Board, the Federal Reserve Bank Advisory Council, and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Board of Directors.

Through his work experience and business activities, Dean has cultivated extensive expertise with start-ups. He is also highly skilled in inventing, patenting, and trademarking products, as well as purchasing, developing, and navigating real estate deals. 

When he is not engaged in his many business pursuits, Dean enjoys singing and songwriting, golf, travel, and fitness. Dean and his wife, Hope, are committed to family and business with a purpose, and include both of their daughters in the management of nine companies.

Regent Hoyer comes from an extensive background in education, now in her 31st year of experience as a professional educator and Superintendent of Schools for Great Falls Public Schools. Heather grew up in Trego, Montana, and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka. She earned her degree in Secondary Science Education from then-Western Montana College in 1994 and later her M. EdLD and a Superintendent Endorsement from the University of Montana. Regent Hoyer has served on the University of Providence Board of Directors, the University of Montana Pre-Medical Sciences Advocacy Committee, and the Montana State University-Northern Education Advisory Council. Regent Hoyer and her husband, Keith, have two adult daughters who are public school teachers in Montana. She and her family are avid sports fans and enjoy time together exploring Montana’s outdoors.

Bio coming soon.

Regent Jasper was born and raised in St. Regis and is a senior at the University of Montana in Missoula majoring in political science. He is a member of the Davidson Honors College and the Franke Global Leadership Initiative. Carter is the latest of many generations of his family to attend a Montana public higher education institution, and he is committed to ensuring that all Montanans, especially those from rural communities, have access to high-quality, affordable education.

Carter's leadership skills have been fostered through the Montana 4-H Foundation, where he is on the Board of Directors, and the Max S. Baucus D.C. Leaders program. He worked as an intern in the U.S. Senate, contributing to policy research and constituent services. Carter's student leadership experience includes serving as President of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Vice President of Judicial Affairs for UM’s Interfraternity Council.

As he steps into his role on the Board, Carter's priorities include advocating for access, quality, and affordability while working to ensure positive outcomes for current and future students.