Meet the Team
Each member of the Beartooth staff brings a wealth of professional experience to the organization to ensure your project is able to move towards a positive result.
Joel Bertolino
Executive Director
Food and Ag Director
Joel is a fourth-generation Montanan who grew up on a "typical Montana ranch" just south of Roberts. He has continued his family's tradition of agriculture by working for the USDA Farm Service Agency for seven years, then becoming the director of the Food and Ag Development Center at Beartooth in 2007. Joel specializes in the business, marketing, and financial aspects of running a business. With his background in production agriculture, he is able to assist businesses in a variety of ways. He has a solid knowledge of the tools and opportunities available to both start-ups and expanding businesses.
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Joel enjoys working with many diverse and innovative ag-related industries. "It's never the same. Every project is different and we all learn a lot."
Nan Knight
Finance Director
Nan Knight came to Beartooth in the fall of 2021. Nan has extensive experience in the fields of management and finance, having most recently worked as an Account and Authorization Manager for Med-Write. Over the years she managed accounts for other companies as well as being involved in loan management. She is detail-oriented, motivated, and brings enthusiasm and work ethic to the Finance Director position. In her short time at Beartooth, Nan has grown the Revolving Loan Fund and made it her goal to help any business owner in need of assistance.
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In her spare time Nan enjoys driving anything with a motor and spending time with her husband and son.
Gaurav Thakur
Economic Development Director
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Gaurav Thakur joined the Beartooth RC&D team on September 10th, 2024. He holds a Master’s Degree in Management Studies from the University of Mumbai, India, and has completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Canada with a specialization in Marketing Research. Gaurav has a diverse background in the Canadian banking industry, where he held roles as a Personal Banker, Small Business Banker, and Commercial Banker. His strong interest in community economic development prompted a career shift to tribal government in Canada, where he spent 8 years before relocating to Montana. Gaurav plans to spend quality time with his wife and two children, exploring the scenic beauty of Montana.
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Myrna Lastusky
Executive Assistant
Myrna Lastusky came to Beartooth in the fall of 2020. She grew up in Billings and was a teacher for 25 years, primarily a high school English teacher and guidance counselor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with English and Phy.Ed. majors and a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction.
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With her background in education and writing, Myrna enjoys the challenges of grant applications and reporting as well as the variety of projects and communications at Beartooth.