Eric Bryson

Eric’s first official nip at the public sector trough came in the early 80’s while attending half-day kindergarten in the Helena public school system. There he earned labels that emblazoned and emboldened his journey towards, into, and likely through public service. He’s been described as aloof, inattentive, distracted and the classic, “not working up to his potential.” Unfazed by the criticism and lacking self-awareness, he graduated high school in the lower half of his class and sojourned at Montana State University for his undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration. Before departing officially from the ranks of academia, and likely because of significant turnover in the professorial ranks in the Political Science department that meant his unremarkable body of work remained unremarkable, he was hired as an adjunct instructor of political science. He served in that capacity for several years while the university recruited a real professor.

While serving as a youth probation officer he became upset at the local school board and ran for office as a school board trustee. Having no stake in the educational system as a childless husband, he found himself in a crowded five-way race receiving the second most votes. Unluckily for the District, there were two seats open and he served his term without distinction.

Then he became frustrated with city politics and ran for the City Commission. He won, and continued his public service without distinction.

Unsatisfied with the idea of living in a beautiful, high-growth amenity destination community in the Rocky Mountain West, outside of Yellowstone Park (and some would say just adjacent to Montana), he left Bozeman and Gallatin County to return to his roots in the state capitol of Helena. Serving without distinction as the Lewis and Clark County Administrator led him to a transitional role in the Montana Association of Counties. After several unsuccessful recruitments, he ended up being the only applicant for the Executive Director position and has served without distinction since 2018.

He is married with a 10-year old son and a 14-year old daughter. Neither of his offspring show early signs of his unremarkable disposition.

(Biography provided by Eric Bryson)