Meet the Board

  • Pictured is Melissa. She is wearing a suit with silver earrings. She has short dark hair and blue eyes.

    Melissa Gallagher

    President

    Melissa is an active member of the Deer Lodge Community. During the day, you will find her serving her community as the City Judge and Justice of the Peace for Powell County and serving our nation as an NCO in the Air Guard.

    When she isn’t at work or at Guards, you can find her crafting in her shop with her own business and serving on the Board of Directors for the Rialto Theater. It is not uncommon to see her at the Rialto on Wednesday nights selling popcorn.

    She is married with two grown children and one grandson.

  • Pictured is Erin with her hair in curls and formal makeup. She is wearing a white halter top dress. She has brown eyes and dark blonde hair that is almost brown.

    Erin Jewell

    Vice President

    Erin Jewell was born and raised in Deer Lodge and is a 1996 graduate of Powell County High School. She previously served as Program Director for the Powell County Literacy Program from 2021 to 2023 and currently works in Human Resources for the Montana Department of Corrections.

    For the past 13 years, Erin has also been actively involved with Cutler Bros. Theatre, contributing to the vitality of the local performing arts community. She and her husband, Stuart, share a blended family of five children, three of whom earned their HiSET credentials. This experience deepened her understanding that the traditional school system is not a perfect fit for every learner.

    As Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Erin is committed to advancing the organization’s mission to promote literacy and educational opportunities throughout Powell County.

  • Pictured is Meegan. Meegan is wearing a pair of prescription black glasses and a red shirt. She has curly red hair and blue eyes.

    Meegan Savalla

    Secretary

    Meegan is married to an amazing husband, Anthony, who owns his own business (New Finish Carpentry) and is part of city council. She has three kids: Louis, Izzy, and a stepdaughter, Yvette. She works full-time and is currently in school earning a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management. She received her GED through the help of the Literacy program in 2011, so she is very passionate about this program and the help it offers the community.

    In her not-so-spare time, she loves to bake, be outdoors, spend time with her dogs and family, and volunteer at Cutler Bros. Theatre, where her kids are often very involved with their plays.

  • Pictured is Carla. Carla is surrounded by trees and taking a selfie style photo on a bridge. She is wearing a white tank top with lace detailing. Her wavy/curly brown hair is in a half up style and she has blue eyes.

    Carla Warner

    Treasurer

    Carla is a PCHS graduate. She has always had a passion for promoting and protecting literacy for all ages in all forms.

    Carla spent most of her professional life engaging with parents of young children, helping parents gain skills to reduce child abuse/neglect and increase kindergarten readiness.

    She is currently working part-time at the William K. Kohrs Memorial Library, and she is no stranger to the Cutler Bros stage. When she is not volunteering or working, she spends time enjoying parenting, reading, and writing.

  • Pictured is Kate. Kate has red, white and brown chunky highlights, blue eyes with subtle black shadow and is posing in front of a tree. She is wearing a long sleeved black shirt.

    Kate Wehr

    Board Member

    Kate Wehr is a small-business partner, work-from-home expert, and a mother of five. She is the former editor of the Silver State Post, and her publication credits include New West, Bitterroot Mag, Good Housekeeping, USA Today’s Reviewed, and The New York Times.

  • Pictured is Sean. He is surrounded by motivational posters. He is wearing a pair of perscription glasses and a blue button up. He has red hair and red facial hair. His eyes are blue.

    Sean McConnaha

    Board Member