Leadership

Joshua Kendrick was born and raised in New Hampshire and earned his bachelor’s degree at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. After college he moved to Missoula and started his career with ORI in 1998. Joshua immediately realized that working with adults with disabilities was extremely fulfilling. He also realized that the people he worked with gave him far more than he would ever be able to give in return. Over the past 17 years Joshua has held many positions, from Special Olympics/Recreation Coordinator to Director of Vocational Services to his current position as Chief Executive Officer.

Candace has held the position of CFO for Opportunity Resources since 1996. She earned a bachelor of science in business administration with an accounting emphasis from the University of Montana, where she was a high honors graduate and received numerous awards for academic performance. She landed her first nonprofit accounting position in 1988 and now has more than 20 years of nonprofit accounting and auditing experience. She is a member of the Montana Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. She finds her position with ORI deeply rewarding, as it allows her to use her accounting expertise to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Jessica has worked in developmental disability and mental health services since 2002, starting at two dual-diagnosis homes until 2004 and then as a program manager from 2005 to 2007. She was a case manager for AWARE in Missoula for four years, then a case manager with ORI in Kalispell. In 2015 Jessica moved back to Missoula as ORI’s Director of Case Management, then transitioned to Director of Remote Community Services when Case Management closed in 2018. Jessica graduated from the University of Montana with a BA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Gerontology. She has received training from the Institute for Applied Behavioral Analysis.

With 29 years of experience in the field, Tina oversees five 24/7 residential homes, where she is dedicated to supporting people in living as independently as possible. Her work centers on helping people advocate for themselves, pursue their goals and dreams, and make their own choices. A Montana transplant, she loves the outdoors, whether it’s fishing, taking spontaneous road trips to nowhere, or cheering on the Seahawks. Music is a constant in her life, fueling both her adventurous spirit and her passion for making a difference every day.

Cari was born and raised in Montana. After high school she earned an associate degree in accounting technology from Flathead Valley Community College, then transferred to the University of Montana, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business and accounting. Her career at ORI began in 2002 in the payroll department, and over 23 years she has advanced through numerous financial roles, becoming Director of Finance in 2021. For Cari, ORI has been more than a career. It’s a chance to be part of a mission that opens up opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Getting to empower people with disabilities through their art, teaching new mediums, and providing a means of communication, expression, and income all in one is what makes this role so fulfilling for Mariah. She has a background teaching CBT and DBT skills at an autism learning center and a children’s residential psychiatric facility, as well as a career as a full-time artist. Her passion for art drives her to create meaningful art opportunities for the people we serve.

Jason was born and raised in Indiana and moved to Montana in 1994. He attended Indiana University and the University of Montana with an emphasis in nursing. Jason began working in disability services in 2002 and quickly saw the value of service provision as a career. At ORI he has been a Direct Support Professional, Residential Coordinator, Choices Program Coordinator, Associate Director, and Assistant Director, and is now Director of Day Supports and Activities. He is ORI’s certified Mandt System instructor and holds certifications in Positive Behavioral Support and Collaborative Safety Science.