MSU BILLINGS FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI NEWS – The Montana State University Billings Foundation & Alumni honored seven graduates with 2025 Outstanding Alumni Awards.
These distinguished alumni have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their professions, contributed to their communities, and advanced MSU Billings through their ongoing support and dedication. The honorees were recognized at the annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the MSU Billings campus, presented by First Interstate Bank.
Alumni Merit Medallion: Cynthia Jessee, Class of 1978 and 1991
Cynthia Jessee earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Montana College in 1978, and a Master’s in Middle School Curriculum from MSU Billings in 1991, along with 60+ hours of continuing education through MSUB, UM, and MSU.
Her 35-year teaching career included roles as a teacher’s aide in Colstrip, substitute teacher for Billings School District 2, and classroom teacher for grades 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8, as well as Language Arts, Math, Geography, Reading Lab, and Math Lab. She received the Billings Public Schools Golden Apple Award and the Teacher in Community Award and supervised numerous student teachers for both MSUB and Rocky Mountain College.
At Riverside Middle School, she advised the Builders Club (2001–2014), leading 30 students in hundreds of annual community service hours. Following retirement in 2014, she joined Billings Golden K Kiwanis, serving as Distinguished President and Kiwanian of the Year, and continues as a Builders Club advisor.
Jessee co-founded the Songbird Community Garden, serving as president (2016–2023) and now secretary, helping host 45 families annually and donating over 2,000 pounds of produce each season to Family Services. She also helped establish Magic City Community Gardens and co-created the Billings Community Seed Library, which provides free seeds and educational programs through the Billings Public Library.
She and her husband, Terry, have been married for 52 years and live in Billings, where their two children also reside.
Rising Star Award: Jaren Fritz, Class of 2024
Jaren Fritz began his journey at MSU Billings on the Men’s Basketball team, balancing athletics with running a small business, working for the athletic department filming volleyball matches, designing for men’s basketball, and keeping up with classes.
After his playing career, he returned to Wyoming where he worked as Assistant Director of Graphic Design for Wyoming Athletics, overseeing branding for half of all ticketed sports and served as one of two lead sports photographers covering football, basketball, and volleyball.
In 2024, he became one of the youngest Creative Directors in the country at Colorado State Athletics, leading the department’s visual identity, managing a multi-tiered design team, and spearheading high-impact creative campaigns that drive revenue and fan engagement.
Recognition for Exceptional Achievement, Ron O’Donnell, Class of 1989
Ron graduated from Eastern Montana College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, later earning his MBA from Suffolk University in Boston in 1992 and achieving the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1997.
A proud advocate for MSUB, he regularly supports current and future students by speaking to finance and business classes and participating in career-focused sessions, while also sharing a family connection to the university with his wife and oldest son, both graduates.
Today, Ron serves as CEO of Stockman Wealth Management, overseeing more than $5 billion in assets under management across individual, corporate, and municipal accounts, including $682 million in equity investments, $831 million in fixed income, and an additional $3 billion in bond portfolio management for eight banks in three states, along with advising on $227 million in retirement plan assets. In addition, he manages Stockman Bank’s bond portfolio, Stockman Financial Corporation’s equity portfolio, and serves on the executive committee, helping guide strategic decisions for the holding company and its subsidiaries — Stockman Bank, Stockman Wealth, and Stockman Insurance — while also serving on the SFC board of directors.
Beyond his leadership at Stockman, he contributes to Montana’s business community through service on the Montana Bankers Association Board of Directors and previously on the Montana State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2020–2023).
Recognition for Exceptional Achievement, Marcy Mutch, Class of 1982
Marcy Mutch has over 40 years of experience in financial services, risk management, investor relations, accounting, finance, and tax.
Currently, she serves as an Executive Advisor for First Interstate BancSystem, Inc, previously serving in the role of Chief Financial Officer for almost 10 years. With over 18 years of experience at First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., she was instrumental in the company’s growth and success. Marcy led the company’s financial management, overseeing balance sheet and capital management, investor relations, financial planning and analytics and corporate real estate.
She has played a pivotal role in working with the Board of Directors through a period of significant change, guiding the company through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, which contributed to First Interstate’s expansion across 14 states with over 300 branches. With this depth of experience, she is considered a qualified financial expert under the NYSE and NASDAQ rules.
As CFO, Marcy worked closely with the Audit, Risk and Governance Committees of the Board, in addition to the full Board of Directors, communicating the financial performance and investor relations activities of the Company. Before becoming CFO, Marcy was pivotal in developing First Interstate BancSystem’s investor relations program following its initial public offering in 2010. As the developer of the investor relations program, she has maintained strong relationships with analysts and shareholders, ensuring transparent and effective communication.
In addition to her professional achievements, Marcy has actively contributed to the community through her board memberships. She has held leadership positions with Leadership Montana, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, and the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. Marcy’s dedication to both her profession and her community exemplifies her commitment to making a positive impact in all her endeavors.
Prior to joining First Interstate, Marcy served in tax and finance positions with Citizens Development Company, a bank holding company, and was a CPA and tax manager for Eide Bailly LLP, working with a variety of industries.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from MSU Billings and earned her CPA license shortly after. She and her husband, Ed, live in Billings. They have been happily married for over 45 years and enjoy the lifestyle Montana offers.
Ronald P. Sexton Award for Professional Commitment: Florence Garcia, Class of 1974 and 1980
Florence Garcia has built a distinguished career in higher education and community service. An MSUB alumna with degrees in Secondary Education (Spanish and English), Special Education, and an Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education, she has held key leadership roles including President of Fort Peck Community College and Dean at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.
At MSUB’s City College, she has served as Chief Academic Officer, coordinator of the Native American Student Success Center, and leader of grant initiatives, accreditation efforts, and multicultural education programs with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and Native American pedagogy.
Her influence extends across Montana through collaborations with Big Sky Economic Development, major healthcare institutions, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, and numerous Native American organizations. She has served on the Riverstone Health Board of Directors, the MSU Bozeman College of Education Advisory Committee, and the AIMA Council for OCHE, while remaining active in Rotary and community volunteer work.
Garcia’s leadership has been recognized statewide, being named one of MSU Bozeman’s “125 Extraordinary Women. Through decades of service, she has exemplified exceptional achievement, inclusivity, and dedication to advancing education, workforce development, and cultural understanding.
Friend of MSU Billings: Jim and Joe Heins
Established in 1988 by identical twin brothers Jim and Joe Heins, Heins Creative specializes in graphic design for print, bringing together a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and artistry rooted in their upbringing as sons of a Billings art teacher and sign painter (a 1953 Eastern Montana College graduate).
Both Jim and Joe graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art with Portfolio Par Excellence honors before returning home to build their careers. Jim was a staff illustrator at the Billings Gazette, designer, freelance artist, and senior art director in New Mexico before launching Heins Creative. Joe was a freelance designer/illustrator and Publication Designer for EMC/MSU Billings from 1983–91. Joe’s nine years at the university were instrumental in developing the skills to operate his own business and established what has become a 42-year relationship with the MSUB Foundation, a connection that remains central to their story today.
Together, the brothers have earned more than 80 Montana State Addy Awards and 16 Summit International Design Awards, including the 2017 Best of Show.
MSU Billings holds a special place in their hearts, not only through professional ties but also through deep family connections: their father was an EMC graduate and basketball hall of famer, Jim’s wife and sister are alumni, Joe once worked summers on the EMC Grounds Crew, and Jim, who lives only blocks away, has enjoyed campus life with his children and grandchildren.
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About the Outstanding Alumni Awards
The MSU Billings Outstanding Alumni Awards honor graduates and friends of the university for their professional achievements, contributions to their communities, and commitment to the advancement of MSU Billings. The awards recognize the significant impact these individuals have made in their respective fields and the positive influence they continue to have on the university.
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Dan Carter, MSU Billings Communications, 406-657-2243 | 406-413-8924 (cell) Luca Battistotti, Alumni Relations & Marketing, MSU Billings Foundation, 406-657-2246