Join me in welcoming some of our newest members - Anne Christ, Jim Patton, and Stu Hornung.
Anne Christ
During the 18 years my husband and I owned and operated Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar in Red Lodge, customer experience and hospitality were always top of mind. While in Red Lodge, I also served as Program Director with the Boys and Girls Club, and chair of the Red Lodge School Board. When Peter decided to attend Luther Seminary in Minnesota in 2008, I decided that was a good time for a career change for me, as well. I graduated from the University of Minnesota's Mortuary Science program in 2015, and spent ten years working in a busy family-owned funeral home in St. Paul. Now that Peter is president of the foundation of St. John’s United, I am glad to be back in Billings, serving the families of my home state in their time of need. I am fortunate to have landed at Michelotti-Sawyers Funeral Home and Crematory. For both Peter and me, our call to provide hospitality for our neighbors has only expanded in these fields.
Jim Patton
James W. “Jim” Patton serves as President & CEO of the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch Foundation in Billings, MT, joining the Foundation in February 2026.
A first-generation college graduate from rural Kentucky, Mr. Patton brings over twenty-five years of senior- level expertise in advancement, legal affairs, and government relations across healthcare institutions and higher education. He graduated from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville through a prestigious dual-competency program, earning both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Divinity simultaneously, with concentrations in ethics, social justice, and Native American policy.
Stuart “Stu” Hornung
I started my career in the office technology industry with J&H Office Equipment in Bozeman shortly after graduating from Montana State University’s College of Business in 2001. What started as a job after college has somehow turned into a career of more than 20 years, which means I've spent a considerable portion of my life talking about copiers and printers. I can assure you that selling copiers wasn't one of my choices at the middle school career fair, but it has turned out to be a rewarding career. After J&H was acquired by Kelley Connect, I continued working in the industry for several years before making a change and joining Finding Freedom, a nonprofit organization in Bozeman. I eventually moved back to my hometown of Billings, where I worked for Camping World before the opportunity to join Peterson Quality Office came along. I really enjoy working for a truly local, family-owned company that places such a strong emphasis on excellent customer service. I also have a passion for helping businesses take a more strategic approach to their print and document environments, finding ways to streamline their equipment, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and make things easier for the people who use them.
Join me in welcoming some of our newest members - Anne Christ and Jim Patton.
Anne Christ
I am a fourth-generation Montanan, and while I grew up mostly in Great Falls, I am a graduate of Billings Senior High School. I’m currently sitting on the advisory board of the University of Minnesota's Program of Mortuary Science and the board of Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp. I’m fulfilled by active membership at Americal Lutheran Church, and by singing with the Billings Symphony Chorale. I’m ever hopeful of spending more time with my two adult children and their spouses, who live in Minneapolis.
My first encounter with Rotary was when we hosted the Red Lodge club at our restaurant for many years. My mother-in-law was a member and past president of the Red Lodge club, and I always admired the fulfillment she derived from her participation in that group. I look forward to learning more about my community and joining in local events through my participation in the Downtown Billings Rotary Club.
Jim Patton
Mr. Patton is recognized for his collegial, integrity-driven leadership and proven ability to deliver streamlined, cost-efficient solutions to mission-critical challenges in fundraising, legacy donor cultivation, and revenue growth. His career began as Director of Development and General Counsel for Christian Care
Communities, a nonprofit providing low-income senior housing, youth residential therapeutic services, foster care, and adoption programs. In 1996, he transitioned to higher education as General Counsel and Director of Government Relations for the New England Institute of Technology, followed by his appointment as National Director of Legal Affairs for Robert Half International in 2006. In 2012, he led a successful fundraising campaign to support a two-year crisis turnaround at Kentucky Christian University in Appalachia. Before joining the Foundation, Mr. Patton served as Chief Legal Officer and VP of Advancement for The Broadhurst Group, which serves 5,000 seniors and families annually in Kentucky.
An active community leader, Mr. Patton has served numerous nonprofit boards or committees for the Appleseed Network, Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), LeadingAge Kentucky, Association of Fundraising Professionals of Greater Louisville, Congressional Award Foundation, Kosair Shriners Hospitals International, and Rotary International of Louisville. He was named World Member of the Year by ACC, representing 55,000 members across 85 countries, and has received gubernatorial appointments to the Kentucky Palliative Care and Hospice Advisory Council for children and adults, and the SERVE Kentucky AmeriCorps Commission. Through the Congressional Award Foundation, he has mentored dozens of at-risk youths who have earned their prestigious Congressional Gold Medal—the highest honor Congress bestows upon young Americans. In 2017, inspired by the American Bar Association's national
report on attorney wellbeing, Mr. Patton founded a mental health taskforce that now supports a global campaign addressing wellbeing and recovery for attorneys, law students, and judges.
Mr. Patton is an author, magazine editorial board member, and frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences. He and his wife, Claudette Patton share their homes in Idaho and Kentucky with three rescue dogs. They enjoy hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and traveling. Together, they have traveled to all 50 states and 37 countries and helped established domestic and international medical, housing, and youth education nonprofits in Kentucky, Jamaica, Ukraine, Poland, and Crimea.
Stuart “Stu” Hornung
I grew up in Billings and lived in Bozeman for about 30 years before moving back to Billings a few years ago. Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors and staying active. I like skiing, camping, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, basketball, pickleball, and golf. I haven't yet found a hobby that doesn't require either equipment or a decent amount of practice. My knees would prefer less strenuous hobbies, but my mind still hasn't accepted the idea that I should act my age. When I'm not outside, I enjoy reading, cooking, and good conversation.
I joined Rotary because I wanted to become more involved in the Billings community and meet more people who are invested in making a difference locally. I'm looking forward to getting to know the other members, learning more about the club, and finding opportunities to get involved and contribute where I can.