BOARD MEMBERS

Leroy Gabel is a semi-retired farmer from Huntley, MT. Growing up on an irrigated farm, neighboring the Yellowstone River on the Huntley Project, has given Leroy years of valuable experience. He received a B.S. in Ag Education from MSU in 1970. He married Sydney Shaffner in 1972 and began farming the same year. The primary crops grown during the last 50-plus years have been sugar beets, silage corn, malting barley, wheat, alfalfa, and pinto beans. 

Leroy has been a member of the Yellowstone Conservation District since 2017.

Leroy has led a lifetime of service, starting as the State FFA President in 1965-66. He has also been a member of the Billings Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, Huntley Methodist Church, and Huntley Project FFA Alumni. He has served on various boards such as Yellowstone County 4-Y Council, Huntley Project Irrigation District, Montana Water Resources Council, Southern Montana Sugar Beet Association, and Yellowstone County Farm Bureau.

Ray currently serves as the Legislative Liaison for Yellowstone Conservation District. He was born and raised on a ranch in central Montana. He still operates the ranch today.

Upon graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Agricultural Production he

started a lengthy career with the State of Montana. After a 40-plus-year career, mostly with the State Department of Natural Resources (DNRC), he retired as Deputy Director of DNRC.