The Discover Deer Lodge Economic Development Group is an official, registered non-profit organization which seeks to advance Deer Lodge and the surrounding communities of Powell County. We focus on highlighting current businesses, encouraging new businesses, promoting policies which encourage new businesses, and engaging residents and non-residents alike. We exemplify a strong sense of community pride, and strive to instill that in others.
Meet The Board
Dane Schroder - President
Jeff Cease - Vice President
Haley Owens - Secretary
Rian King-Chavez - Treasurer
Samantha (Sami) Thomas
Sasha Mullen
Kaila Tamcke
Dane Schroder - President
Dane was born and raised in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 2004. Dane's family has a long history with Deer Lodge that has instilled in him a deep love for this community. Dane has two wonderful children, Charlie and Erik. He currently works as a carpenter, building and remodeling houses in Deer Lodge. He previously spent twelve years working at the YMCA in Butte. Even though Butte is only 35 miles away, it felt too far from home for him. When he moved back to Deer Lodge he knew he wanted to get involved in the community. His mom, Julie Schroder, was one of the founding members of Discover Deer Lodge and she first asked him to help out with the Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ. That led to Dane joining the board and he has been involved ever since. His favorite part of Discover Deer Lodge is watching the community come together and enjoy our events, knowing that they are stepping stones to bigger goals. Watching Discover Deer Lodge grow in the last few years to serve the community in greater capacities has truly been rewarding for Dane. He is so excited to see what the future brings for this little town we all love so much.
Jeff Cease - Vice President
Jeff was born and raised in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 2006. He started working at the Montana State Prison in 2007 where he still works as a Correctional Sergeant. Jeff became aware of Discover Deer Lodge when they started the Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ in 2016. Jeff joined Discover Deer Lodge as a member of the board in 2021 and now holds the office of Vice President. He is also on the Cookin' on the Clark Fork committee and is looking forward to more events and adventures with Discover Deer lodge. Jeff is a member of Deer Lodge Elks, a fraternal organization helping the community. His favorite hobbies include 4-wheeling, going on walks, and hanging out with his family
Haley Owens - Secretary
Haley was born and raised in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 2008. She studied Psychology at Whitworth University and then attended Pacific University College of Optometry. Haley loved growing up in Deer Lodge and from the time she was young always knew she wanted to come back after she finished her education. That dream became a reality in 2020 when she moved home and opened her eye clinic, Hometown Eye Care. Haley is thrilled to be back serving the local community that was so supportive of her growing up. She joined the Discover Deer Lodge board in 2021 and loves sharing her community pride through the organization's many events and feeling the energy and enthusiasm of her fellow board members in their quest to make Deer Lodge a better place to live and visit. Haley's favorite Discover Deer Lodge event is the PCHS All-Class Reunion - an every-four-year event that brings generations of Wardens together to their old stomping grounds for a weekend of reminiscent fun and camaraderie. Aside from practicing optometry and working with Discover Deer Lodge, Haley is also an assistant volleyball coach at PCHS, a member of the local PEO chapter, and a regional legislative chair for the Montana Optometric Association. She spends her spare time traveling, playing in numerous City Rec sports leagues, cooking, reading, and enjoying the beauty of Western Montana.
Rian King-Chavez - Treasurer
Rian was born and raised in Deer Lodge. After high school, she moved to Portland, Oregon to attend the Western Culinary Institute. Rian has a Culinary Arts degree and a bachelor’s degree in Administrative Business. She spent 20 years in the greater Portland area, where she met and married her husband Chiminh, and had two children. In March of 2020, Rian moved back to Deer Lodge with her family. Rian operates a small inn (The Vonnie Louise) in the family’s 1892 Victorian home. She also works in her mom’s retail greenhouse (King’s Eastside Greenhouse), and operates a smaller in-town extension greenhouse (The Annex). Rian joined the Discover Deer Lodge board in June of 2022, and currently serves as treasurer. She enjoys any event that brings the community out in participation and show-of-pride. From Discover Deer Lodge events like Cookin’ on the Clark Fork and Trick-or-Treat Main Street, to other community events like Winter Stroll, Territorial Days, or the Tri-County Fair, the “togetherness” of these events is why she enjoys being a part of the Discover Deer Lodge organization. When not managing and operating her small businesses or volunteering in the community, Rian likes walking with her dogs, taking day trips in the hills with her family, swimming in the local bodies of water, working on home projects with her husband, and living a quiet small-town life.
Samantha (Sami) Thomas
Born and raised in Deer Lodge, Sami is a Powell County High School graduate who left the area only briefly to complete her veterinary education. Shortly after graduating Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, she returned to Deer Lodge and has been working as an associate veterinarian at the Clark Fork Veterinary Clinic since 2017. For Sami, Deer Lodge is home and it has everything she could ever want - small-town charm in a beautiful valley with easy access to skiing, golfing, mountain biking, hiking, entertainment, and travel. Sami's love for Deer Lodge easily flows into her desire to see Deer Lodge thrive and that's where Discover Deer Lodge comes in. Since joining the board in 2019, Sami has served in every officer position but Vice President and has been a key player on numerous sub-committees and events. Her favorite Discover Deer Lodge moments are those spent in action alongside community volunteers and fellow board members at events like our Cookin' on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-Off and Brewfest. When not working with Discover Deer Lodge or at the vet clinic, Sami can be found in the great outdoors with her partner, Travis, or at home with a good book and her dog, Juniper.
Sasha Mullen
Sasha lived her first 30 years on the eastern side of the country, and then relocated to Deer Lodge in the fall of 2018. She started working part time at Clark Fork Veterinary Clinic which helped introduce her to the community. Now the office manager, Sasha is passionate about community engagement and growth, and very much enjoys event planning. When a vacancy on the Discover Deer Lodge board came up in 2023, she chose to join. Her favorite Discover Deer Lodge event to plan is the Black Tie Dinner, and she is very excited to see the Visitor Center come together and be able to network with people new to town, personally and professionally. Sasha also enjoys time spent outside with her dogs, horses, and friends hiking, riding, cross country skiing, and camping in her Subaru, as well as reading, listening to music, and practicing yoga.
Kaila Tamcke