wilderness photo

MLA Staff

Logging is in our bones and blood

Keith Olson, Executive Director

Keith Olson has served as the Executive Director of the Montana Logging Association since 1980. He received a degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University in 1969. Keith´s career path, prior to taking over the reins of the MLA, includes five years as a corporate forester in Oregon and seven years as a consulting forester in Idaho. Forestry is in his bones.

When asked about his job interview for MLA Executive Director all those many years ago, Olson remembers it (perhaps hazily) this way: "Three nefarious loggers sat me down in a bar in Thompson Falls, and through the skillful manipulation of fast talk and cold beer they convinced me to become the Executive Director of the MLA."

Memberships, Affiliations, Awards

keith@logging.org
406-752-3168 ext 14

John Hansen, Senior Safety Management Consultant

John Hansen is a graduate Forester from the University of Montana. During and following college, John worked for state and federal agencies in the field of timber and fire management. He was a staff forester for Champion Timberlands, Libby, Montana until 1989.

John began working for the Montana Logging Association as Field Safety Representative. He is actively involved in all aspects of logging safety and forest issues and is also a licensed insurance agent. John serves on the ALERT Board of Trustees.

safety@logging.org
406-752-3168 ext 17

Bryan Lorengo, Safety Management Consultant

Bryan Lorengo joined the staff of the MLA in January of 2012 as a Field Safety Representative. Prior to teaming up with the MLA, Bryan received his Elementary Education degree from the University of Montana - Western in 2000 and began working for Lorengo Logging and for the Montana DNRC as a wildland firefighter and Fire Team Leader. He spent several years working as the Wildland Fire Instructor for the MLA during spring breakup. Most recently, he spent two years working for the Anaconda Job Corps as a safety officer but found that his passion lie in the logging industry. Bryan lives in Anaconda with his wife, Kim, and their three children: Logan, Carter and Kendyl.

bryan@logging.org
406-253-3807

Coleen Michael, Executive Assistant

Coleen Michael was born in Denver Colorado and moved to Montana with her family in 1975. She graduated from Flathead High School and then Flathead Valley Community College with an Associates Degree in Business Management. She worked for several years in the restaurant and hotel business in Kalispell. Coleen started a new career with the MLA in December of 2000. Coleen is responsible for the agency side of the workers´ compensation programs with both the Montana State Fund and the Associated Loggers Exchange. She also handles coordination of MLA meetings and general bookkeeping functions. Coleen lives in Kalispell with her husband Dave and their two boys.

coleen@logging.org
406-752-3168 ext 12

Malinda Shafman, Member Services Representative

Malinda was born and raised on a farm in central Iowa. She attended the University of Northern Iowa where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in teaching. Malinda taught school for two years in Iowa, then went to work for Principal Financial Group in Des Moines for 24 years before moving to Montana in 2002.

Malinda´s duties at the MLA include marketing and servicing the group health insurance program and providing health insurance information to all members. She is active in the Rotary Club of Evergreen, the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the Association of Health Insurance Advisors. Malinda and her husband live in the Flathead Valley near Columbia Falls. They have one daughter who currently serves in the mission field in Africa.

Malinda@logging.org
406-752-3168 ext 13

Mindi Thomas, Membership Coordinator

Mindi was born and raised in Kalispell on the same land where her dad and grandfather were raised. She was born into a logging family and is very passionate about the logging industry. It´s in her blood.

Mindi graduated from Flathead High School in 1998 and then worked in the Title & Escrow industry for six years before coming to work for the MLA in 2005. Her duties include answering phones, membership billing, safety supplies, first aid/forestry class input and billing, and setting up the monthly newsletter. Fortunately for us, she´s widely skilled. She and her husband Terrell and son live just outside Kalispell.

mindi@logging.org
406-752-3168