Our Staff
Team Members
Aaron Mugaas: Program Director
(406) 586-0004
Aaron brings deep and relevant experience to the team, with decades of service to the weatherization industry as both a crew member and auditor. He’s also spent time in private industry as a housebuilder and home inspector. Aaron’s training includes degrees in Biology, and study in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. His focus at the Training Center is on health and safety, building science, hands-on training of practical skills.
Christine Armstrong: Program Manager
(406) 586-0070
christine.armstrong@montana.edu
Christine manages much of the student registration, fiscal management, and marketing for the Center. A Montana native, she hails from Billings and has resided in Bozeman for over 15 years. She graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor's in Community Health and University of Montana with a master's in Public Administration. She has worked in the government, non-profit, and private sectors in administrative roles leading projects, coordinating events, and performing as an informational liaison. She is proud to be serving at the Weatherization Center under MSU and the Department of Health and Human Services as she firmly believes that healthy and protective homes are key to thriving families and communities.
Nick Thomas: Building Science Instructor
(406) 586-0060
Growing up in the Gallatin Valley has offered Nick years of demolition, renovation and building experience as well as a keen knowledge of different building structures and ways of protecting homes from harsh Montana climates. He brings several years of weatherization field experience to the Training Center after working for the HRDC energy assistance program. His standardized work specifications (SWS) and code compliance knowledge shapes his teaching focus toward workplace safety and crew efficiency.
Brian Nickisch: Building Science Instructor
(406) 586-0050
Growing up in Eastern Montana, Brian has experienced every sort of extreme weather event. Witnessing the impact of weather events on communities Brian has lived in has helped develop a passion for being able to help those impacted most. Through acquiring a teaching degree from Montana State University and a master's degree in environmental science from the University of Nevada, Reno, Brian has sought out to improve lives through education and promoting energy efficiency.
In addition to his formal education, Brian's experience teaching high school science, installing solar arrays, and conducting home energy assessments have given him crucial skills that he’s excited to contribute to the Training Center and the weatherization network.
