OUR STAFF
The roster at the GLWQD consists of three full-time staff comprised of a hydrogeologist, surface water quality specialist and district manager. We also employ a temporary project support staff/field technician during the busy summertime field season. Please peruse the information below to meet our staff!
Xiang Fan, PhD, Hydrogeologist
Xiang is a hydrogeologist with a PhD in Geosciences from Western Michigan University, specializing in computational Hydrogeology. His expertise in groundwater modeling and contaminant transport and has significantly contributed to the development of models enhancing the understanding of groundwater contaminant dynamics.
Outside of work, Xiang is passionate about the arts and culture. He enjoys watching movies, both at home and in cinemas, exploring museums, and engaging in photography, reflecting a blend of professional dedication and personal interests.
For inquiries about local water quality, groundwater contamination, or discussions on collaborative efforts to improve our community’s water resources, Xiang can be contacted at xiang.fan@gallatin.mt.gov or by phone at 406-582-3148.
Drew Shafer, Water Quality Specialist
Drew came to Bozeman shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Geology from Hanover College in 2018. He has worked on long-term projects with The Ohio State University, sampling the health and diversity of fish communities in agricultural waterways and worked with Colorado SNOTEL, preparing sites and collecting valuable snowpack data around the state. When out of the office, he enjoys fishing, rockhounding, and exploring Montana’s backcountry. Drew can be reached at drew.shafer@gallatin.mt.gov, or by phone at (406) 582-3168.
Paige Tolleson, Project Support Staff
Paige received her bachelor’s degree in environmental health from Montana State University in 2020. She has had the opportunity to work on many projects with Montana State University studying water quality in southwest Montana. She worked on a project studying E. coli contamination in Bozeman and Matthew Bird Creek in the presence of optical brighteners, and subsequently investigated the influence of septic systems age and permit status on the water quality of these creeks. She also helped conduct a study analyzing arsenic contamination in groundwater in Three Forks, Montana. Paige had the opportunity to work as the Program Manager for MSU Extension’s Water Quality Office where she got to administer the expansive Well-Educated program for private well testing. She is excited to continue her work on water quality and its effects on human health at the Local Water Quality District! When not in the office, Paige enjoys rock climbing, skiing, rafting, taking Suki the dog fishing, agate hunting, and cozying up with a hot cup of tea and her knitting needles.
Nick Banish, District Manager
Nick received his MSc degree from the University of Montana in Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology (’17) and is broadly interested in the structure and function of rivers, streams and some lakes. He has worked on river ecosystems across the Intermountain West on projects varying from assessments of streamside avian habitat and floodplain cottonwood recruitment along the Wild and Scenic designated Lower Missouri River, to examining off-channel salmon rearing habitat on the Kwethluk River (AK). For his Master’s work, he examined the role of nutrient pollution and biogeochemical conditions that fuel nuisance algal blooms in the Upper Clark Fork River. He enjoys fishing for brown trout in Southwest Montana, delivering a solid monologue, and always looks forward to receiving the MT State Historical Society’s quarterly publication. He can be reached via email at nick.banish@gallatin.mt.gov or by phone at (406) 582-3145.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Name | Representing |
| Jennifer Boyer | Gallatin County Commission |
| Currently Vacant | City of Bozeman “At-Large” |
| John Edwards | Gallatin County Board of Health |
| Currently Vacant | Bozeman City Commission |
| Jim Lovell | Town of Manhattan “At-Large” |
| Alan English | City of Belgrade “At-Large” |
| Kristine Menicucci | Belgrade City Council |
| Traig Howells | Manhattan Town Council |
Gallatin Local Water Quality District 
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