Conrad Mansion Museum director stepping down

Gennifer Sauter has resigned her position as the executive director of Kalispell’s Conrad Mansion Museum, effective Aug. 15.

Sauter submitted her resignation to the museum’s board of directors May 15.

“I just wanted to make sure that we had enough time to get the right fit,” Sauter said. “We’re trying to make sure this is a good, smooth transition. I’m going to train and work with (the next executive director) and keep us going great.”

The Kalispell native is walking away, she said, to take full advantage of the GI Bill benefits she earned after serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force (1990-2010) as a comptroller. Those benefits help cover the cost of four years of college education and expire 10 years after retirement from the military. By stepping down in August, Sauter will still have three years to take college courses using her benefits.

Sauter was first hired at the museum in 2012, shortly after her military retirement, and plans to stay involved there even after her resignation.

“I’m still going to volunteer here, come and help out, and still be a part of the museum,” she said. “I love the people and I love the museum. It was a really difficult decision.”

The search for a new executive director has begun and the museum is accepting email applications at conradmansionjobs@yahoo.com. Applications will be accepted through June 20.

The mission of the Conrad Mansion Museum is to preserve and exhibit the 1895 Charles Conrad Family Estate through public tours, educational programs and community events. For more information, visit www.conradmansion.com.