Board Officers:
Justin Waayenberg – President
I spent 6 years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and was deployed to Iraq in 2008. After getting out of the Army, I moved to Montana and started working at Adipose Boat works in 2010. I became involved with Mending Waters Montana through Adipose Boat works that same year. After going on a few trips and doing the fly tying class, I wanted to start giving back. In 2015, I started volunteering and became a board member that same year.
Aaron Horner – Vice President
I was born and raised in Helena, Montana. Spending my youth in the outdoors. Hunting and fishing. I attended the University of Montana where I received a degree in geology. I moved back to Helena and started working at Adipose Boatworks 6 years ago where I could be closer to the Mountains and rivers I enjoyed as a youth.
Bill Long – Treasurer
Bill grew up fishing. His dad, in addition to being a WW II vet, grew up fishing and passed it on. He’s honored to pass on his love of fly fishing through MWM.
Kathie Franks – Secretary
Kathie Frank is currently a full-time member of the Montana Air National Guard and has proudly served for almost 32 years. Her most recent deployment sent her to Afghanistan where she supported multiple missions. She was introduced to Mending Waters Montana when invited to a woman’s fly-fishing event on the Missouri. She immediately found the MWM’s mission was something she could stand behind and has been involved ever since, assisting with meal preparation for other veterans as well as becoming the MWM board secretary.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Garrett Fawaz
After a successful 25 year active duty career in the US Army, Garrett’s passion for fly-fishing and supporting Veterans made for a perfect fit with Mending Waters Montana when he helped establish it in 2008.
Jim Martinez
Board Member and Founding Member
Dan Bushnell
A fifth-generation Montanan, Dan Bushnell joined MWM in 2021 and was officially appointed to the Board in 2022. Currently in his 35th year of service to the State of Montana and the U.S. Army, he has deployed twice to Afghanistan as well as countless state active-duty missions. “I have great passion for the MWM mission. I hope that I can give back to MWM and my fellow service members just a fraction of what this organization and flyfishing has given to me.”
Brent Irish
Brent has been flyfishing since he was 14 years old, upon retiring from the Army after 20 years in 2023, he and his family returned to Helena. Wanting to contribute to his community and serve veterans, joining Mending Waters Montana was a way to accomplish both. When he is not volunteering with Mending Waters Montana he can be found substitute teaching at one of the Helena schools, floating the Missouri River or mountain biking one of the local trails.