Meet the 2026-2027 MFDA Board of Directors Rick Walter President Rick graduated from the University of Montana Western with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. In 2001, he received his mortuary science degree from Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon. Rick has worked at several funeral homes in Montana since 2010, and in 2025, he started working at Longfellow Funeral Home in Anaconda. In his spare time, Rick enjoys reading and collecting books, as well as camping and kayaking. Jim Asper Vice President Jim began his career in the deathcare industry as a part-time cemetery maintenance worker. When he turned 18, he started as an apprentice mortician. He graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with an applied degree in mortuary science. Together with his beautiful wife, Autumn, and four teenage kids, Jim moved to Shelby after the purchase of the Whitted Funeral Chapels in Cut Bank and Shelby. He spends whatever little time off he has golfing, hunting, traveling and enjoying as much quality time with his family as possible. Chris Holt Treasurer Chris graduated from Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon, in funeral service in 2007. Chris moved his family to Helena and has been serving there ever since. Chris previously served as president of MFDA for two years and is also an at-large representative on the NFDA Board. Chris is married to Kelly, and they have five wonderful children. They enjoy activities outdoors, including hunting, fishing and hiking. Kassity Sorlie Secretary As a mortician at Smith Funeral Chapels in Billings, Kassity’s true passion lies in supporting families through one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. She has previously served as the MFDA Southcentral District governor. When Kassity is not serving families, her greatest joy is being a wife and a mom. You can often find her hand-painting wooden character displays for her front yard to celebrate the holidays, curled up with a good book or watching a rom-com. Brianne Mulvaney Immediate Past President Brianne has worked in funeral homes since 2014, starting at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, Montana. She graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute with her mortuary science degree in 2016 and became a fully licensed mortician in Montana in 2017. Brianne and her husband, Nick, moved to Butte to serve families at Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services, Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services, and other civic involvements. In her spare time, spending time with family and friends and practicing yoga are her passions. Austin Asper Northcentral District Governor Austin started working in the deathcare industry when his father decided to take over the funeral homes in Shelby and Cut Bank. When he graduated from high school in 2015, he decided to pursue a degree in psychology but ultimately changed his major to mortuary science. While in school, he worked as an apprentice at Larkin Mortuary in Utah. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin cut his DIRECTORS DIGEST | 13
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