Special Olympics Montana names new president

The Special Olympics Montana Board of Directors last week named Rhonda McCarty as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. McCarty assumes her new role July 1.

McCarty has served as chief operating officer for Special Olympics Montana the past five years. In this role she has implemented the organization’s strategic direction and guided day-to-day operations that serve more than 2,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

“After an extensive search it became clear that Rhonda was the best candidate for the job,” board chairman John Parkes said. “Rhonda’s tenure brings an intimate understanding of our organization, the direction we are headed, a foundation of critically important relationships, and the skills and experience necessary to carry on the standards of excellence we’ve come to know and appreciate.”

Rhonda will replace Bob Norbie, who will change roles from being the president and CEO for the past 26 plus years to become the executive director of the Special Olympics Montana $10MM Reveal the Champion in All of Us endowment campaign.

“Rhonda has demonstrated she is ready to not only oversee the future of our mission, but to continue nurturing the partnerships instrumental in helping maintain a sustainable quality organization prepared to serve increasingly more athletes,” Norbie commented.

Prior to her work with Special Olympics Montana, McCarty was a principal for 16 years with the Great Falls Public Schools. She’s also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and has received several awards for her leadership in public education.

She is a graduate of Montana State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in education administration from the University of Montana.