Leadership

As the Montana Veteran Affairs Division Administrator, Mr. Matt Young is responsible for the state’s veterans’ services program to include a statewide network of 9 veteran service offices, and the state’s veterans’ cemeteries program. Mr. Matt Young was selected as the Administrator on October 6, 2025. Originally from Texas, Matt is a former CEO of an international distribution company and has sat on various Board of Directors. Upon moving to Montana nearly two decades ago, Matt has run various businesses related to Montana tourism. He has advised and consulted with numerous elected officials, and is passionate about veterans their families. Matt is a Lifetime Member of VFW Post # 6441. Matt serves as an Advisory Board Member and Montana Outfitter to Bar X Project, a non-profit organization that brings wounded Marines that served in combat to Montana for healing and renewal. Mr. Matt Young brings a wealth of knowledge from his corporate experience, and his military career in the Marine Corps. Administrator Young reports to the Director of Department of Military Affairs, currently BG Trenton Gibson, and the Montana Board of Veterans’ Affairs.  

Mr. Matt Young holds a degree in History from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.  

Mr. Matt Young lives in Helena with his wife of 32 years, Melissa Young, who is a CFO of a local engineering company. They have two children: son Michael and wife Hannah live in Keyport, WA where he works for the Department of War, and she is a Midwife; and daughter Mackenzie owns a coffee shop in Austin, TX.  

Contact: Matt.Young@mt.gov  

The MVAD Veteran Services Bureau Chief oversees Montana’s State Veteran Services Program, consisting of nine offices located in Belgrade, Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Miles City, and Missoula. Mrs. Janine Mahn directly supervises 3 Program Supervisors, and indirectly supervises 18 Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and 9 Administrative Assistants. She is also responsible for overseeing volunteers, the outreach program, and community engagement. Mrs. Janine Mahn joined the division on July 25, 2005, as a Veteran Service Officer and was selected as the Veteran Services Bureau Chief on January 13, 2024.  She reports to the Administrator of Montana Veteran Affairs Division.  

Mrs. Janine Mahn holds a degree in Applied Science from Montana State University in Great Falls, MT. She has also pursued studies in Business Management at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, and National American University in Rapid City, SD.  

Mrs. Janine Mahn lives in Belgrade with her husband, Karl Mahn, a proud Army retiree. Both Janine and Karl were born and raised in Gallatin County, where they continue to embrace a strong sense of community. They have two sons: Travis Mahn, who resides in Great Falls with his two daughters, and Trevor Mahn, who lives in Dillon with his spouse.  

Contact: jmahn@mt.gov  

The MVAD Cemetery Bureau Chief oversees Montana’s State Veteran Cemetery Program, consisting of three established cemeteries in Fort Harrison, Miles City, and Missoula, as well as the pre-establishment process of an additional cemetery projected in Columbia Falls. Mr. Matt Manning directly supervises two Cemetery Managers and a Facilities Specialist, and indirectly supervises six groundskeepers. He is also responsible for overseeing volunteers in the cemetery program. Mr. Matt Manning was selected as the Cemetery Bureau Chief and started with the division on November 9, 2020. He reports to the Administrator of Montana Veteran Affairs Division.   

Mr. Manning retired from the Air Force where his career fields included Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants (POL), spent three years at Beale AFB as Base Honor Guard, and special duty as a Mission Alert Facility Manager. He brings experience and knowledge from his past military career to provide him a successful path as the Cemetery Bureau Chief.  

Mr. Matt Manning holds an associates degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Community College of the Air Force, and a Bachelors of Science in Management and Human Resources from Bellevue University in Omaha, Nebraska.  

Mr. Matt Manning, an Iowa native, lives in Missoula with his wife, and three kids.  

Contact: matt.manning@mt.gov