BOARD MEMBERS

 
 
 

LEE ROBISON - PRESIDENT

Lee Robison is retired after 30 years as a writer/editor for the Indian Health Service, a Federal agency that manages federal funding for and direct health services to American Indians. He was born in Montana, and raised on the family ranch northwest of McAllister. Shortly after graduating from Ennis High School, he left the Madison Valley for College. That trip lasted nearly 50 years. In 2013, Lee and his wife, Kathy moved back to McAllister and built a home on a part of the Robison Ranch.

Lee is an author with poetry published in several journals. His book of poetry, Have, was published by David Robert Books in 2019. He has served as president of the board for the Madison Valley History Association.  Lee is also a ceramicist who is working toward the more “creative” aspects of playing with clay, working with dirt. 

CARMA SINERIUS - TREASURER


A native Montanan, Carma has been involved in Virginia City activities and events for over 40 years. A graduate from Montana State University, she traveled the state extensively with several philanthropic organizations before living in New York for a few years. Returning to Montana to work with the family on printing, word processing, food production and sales, she continued being active in people relations.

Carma arrived in Nevada City and Virginia City as manager of the Bovey Restoration hotels, cabins, Museum, and tours. Guiding visitors through the history and sites of Alder Gulch, Carma has become a local resource for exploring Southwest Montana. She brings people skills and a variety of knowledge to the Elling House Arts & Humanities.

WILEY W. WALTERS - SECRETARY

Wiley W. Walters became a board member of EHAEC in 2023. He has an Associates degree in Music from Fullerton Jr. College and an Associates degree in Communications from the Community College of the Air Force. He graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus with a Bachelors in Psychology and received a Masters in Business Management from Central Michigan University.

After serving twenty years in the US Air Force, he was vice president of Lederlite Corporation until he served as a Missionary for his church in Ghana. He was the general manager over four hotels/motels in West Yellowstone, Mt for RLB Holding Company.

He has been involved in several musical groups and plays several instruments concentrating on guitar. He has participated in several coral and ensemble musical groups. He and his wife Brenda have six adult children. He and Brenda moved to Ennis, Montana in 2021.

 
 

JACK WALLER - BOARD MEMBER

Jack’s involvement with presenting arts and humanities programs in the Virginia City community began in the late 1990s, as executive director of the Sanders-Vanderbeck Center. Along with numerous literary and performing arts events, annual programs included the annual "Philosophical Flyfisher Symposium,” the “Virginia City Christmas Socials & Market," as well as participation in the "Virginia City Growers' and Artisans' Guild" and "Tent Village Living History Demonstrations."

Following the Center's closing in the early 2000s, Toni James and Jack began presenting events at the Elling House -- including literary, historical,  philosophical, and workshop events, including the first Chautauqua events.

 In 2003, Jack presented an evening program, "Jack Waller & Ars Poetica", with Ed and Phyllis Ruppel in the audience.  Phyllis sent an annotated evening program to her daughter Kristin, with numerous positive comments.  One year later, Kristin and Jack were married in this very room.

Jack also presented workshops on end-of-life concerns, and a women's woodworking class.

In late 2006, Toni and Jack began the process of structuring a non-profit, 501c(3) corporation, as  the Elling House Arts and Humanities Center.  It originally operated under the "umbrella' sponsorship of Montana Arts in Bozeman, until the incorporation was finalized in 2008.

 
 

CHELSEA OEHLER - BOARD MEMBER

Chelsie was raised in Michigan where she had the opportunity to perform with local theater groups and various choral ensembles that traveled all over the East Coast, Midwest, and - one summer - on an extended tour of Europe.

After moving to Montana in 2008, she pursued a career in Human Resource Management, focusing in the Hospitality sector that fuels her need to travel, explore new places, and enjoy delicious cuisines. Her husband, Matthew, and she have called Ennis home since 2011. From their base there they take every opportunity they can to camp, hike, rockhound, and kayak in all of the beautiful places Montana has to offer.

In 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Hazel Marie. If she’s not at work or out exploring, she can be found in her kitchen cooking or baking - hopefully sharing her love of all things food and hospitality with their daughter. She’s inspired to participate in the Elling House Arts and Humanities Center to continue bringing the arts to the community she loves.