Our Team

In a business career spanning over 35 years, Don Sterhan has been actively involved in the planning, development and financing of numerous business projects.

As owner/ operator of a private consulting firm during much of this time, Don’s experience and business interests include financial services, natural resource development projects, resort and commercial real estate development and strategic planning.

In August of 2003, Don accepted the position of President & C.E.O. of Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc. Don subsequently purchased MPEG in 2010 and the company continues to operate under its original mission. Known as a “syndicator” in the industry, MPEG organizes and manages equity capital investment funds dedicated to the development of low-income housing tax credit projects. With institutional and corporate investors serving as the source of capital for such funds, MPEG has worked with investors and developers to place more than $200 million in equity investment capital throughout a seven-state market area.

In addition to his career responsibilities, Don is actively involved with various professional and civic organizations:

• Board Member of the National Association of State & Local Equity Funds (NASLEF)
• Past Chairman of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation
• Past Board Member, St. Vincent Healthcare
• Past Chairman of the Montana Chamber of Commerce
• Past President of the Montana Chamber Foundation
• Past Board Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Past Chairman, Environment & Energy Committee, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Past Member of the Billings Library Foundation Board
• Past Member of the Montana Lottery Commission
• Past Member of the Oversight Committee for the Montana Family Education Savings Program
• Member of the National Advisory Council of Rocky Mountain College
• Appointed by the President in 1995 to the White House Conference on Small Business

LICENSES & AFFILIATIONS: Don maintains an active real estate sales license in the state of Montana. Earlier in his career, as a licensed securities advisor, professional licensing and regulatory oversight was administered by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). Licenses previously held include NASD, Series 7 and NASD, Series 63.

Don is originally from Glendive, Montana, although he was raised primarily in the Flathead Valley of western Montana. Don graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

Carl Ladenburg joined MPEG in May of 2018 as Project Coordinator.

Carl is responsible for maintaining communication, documentation and construction monitoring of ongoing MPEG developments. He works closely with the MPEG team, architects, contractors and clients to ensure a successful project, while managing costs and adherence to contractual obligations. Carl has extensive experience in construction practices and management.

Working his way from laborer to the General Manager of a high production framing entity in northern California, Carl has a construction background spanning more than 20 years. Carl has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design and has held General Contractor licenses in Montana and North Dakota.

Shane Walk joined MPEG in January of 2016.

As Acquisitions Manager, Shane is responsible for the financial evaluation, underwriting and closing of new tax credit projects. Shane works closely with Developers before and during construction to ensure MPEG’s investment standards are upheld throughout the development process and maintained over the project’s lifespan. Shane also oversees MPEG’s tax credit development activities by identifying areas of need, developing project budgets and seeking project funding from a variety of sources.

Shane began his affiliation with MPEG as an intern while completing his final semester of college. Upon graduation and completion of the internship program, Shane accepted a full-time position with MPEG. Shane is from Billings, Montana. He graduated from Rocky Mountain College and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Managerial Accounting, Management and Small Business Operations.

Denise Ferrucci joined Mountain Plains Equity Group in June 2019 as our Senior Living Coordinator.

In this role, Denise works closely with development team members to ensure MPEG’s senior living concepts are achieved, including product design and operational systems. Her duties include oversight of the existing portfolio, monitoring property management functions, and the evaluation of select new projects. In each senior living project, Denise is charged with achieving that delicate balance of customer service, community needs and economic sustainability.Prior to joining MPEG, Denise spent several years moving through the ranks in the senior living industry. She also has a background and credentials in construction technology and operations. Most recently she was the Executive Director of the Sweetwater Retirement Community, a large full-service senior living community in Billings.Denise is originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota where she graduated from Aberdeen Central High School. Denise attended Business College in Rapid City, SD, as well as MSU-B in Billings. She is licensed in Senior Living Administration.

Stacey Netz joined Mountain Plains Equity Group as an Asset Manager in October of 2021.

In this role, Stacey is responsible for monitoring the existing portfolios ongoing property management functions. She works with the property managers to ensure compliance and aids in meeting program goals.

Prior to her arrival at MPEG, Stacey has considerable experience in low income housing management, having worked for the Richland County Housing Authority in Sidney for the past 11 years, spending the past 6 years as the Executive Director. She has overseen the agency operations and growth through the addition of two tax credit projects and one local government work-force housing project that increased not only the units available but was a substantial improvement in the quality and condition of the units. She has overseen the day-to-day operations of Low Income Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, HOME, US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Housing, as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

Stacey is originally from Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with emphasis in American Pollical Processes. She has also completed the Executive Director Education Program for Housing Authorities through Rutgers University and holds her certification for Blended Occupancy Management from Nan McKay.

George Anderson joined MPEG in June 2022 as the Vice President of Real Estate Development. George’s considerable experience has positioned him to support the construction management team, while also being responsible for project development, which includes market capture planning, initial business planning, initial site and project analysis, while aligning potential projects with the mission and vision at MPEG .

With over 23 years as a builder/owner/developer in the built environment and vast experience in the public institution, senior living, and healthcare markets, George also brings an extensive background in business development, business plans, strategic planning, executive leadership, and operations.

Being detail-oriented, George is able to take the complicated issues that exist in the development of the built environment and create a plan, leading a team through the finish line. His passion to serve others creates success for all parties involved.

George grew up in New Mexico, ultimately attending the University of Denver where he earned an undergraduate degree in Real Estate and Construction Management. Later in his career, he returned to the University of Denver and attained an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate.

In June of 2022, Topher Ramsdell joined MPEG as Vice President of Construction Management, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in real estate and construction.

As VP of Construction Management, Topher is responsible for environmental, architectural and construction coordination, and oversight of current and future MPEG projects. He works closely with the MPEG team and partners on project feasibility, partner selection, schedule and budget implementation in ensuring project goals, and successful project completion for all related parties. Topher’s role also includes multijurisdictional coordination with local, state, and federal agencies.

Prior to joining MPEG, Topher’s portfolio encompassed a variety of roles in construction, including owner/operator of CDR Construction, Old Dock Holdings LLC, and several senior positions in other related companies, including being an owner’s rep for Whole Foods. In real estate, he is a past and current member of various real estate associations, including ICSC, and he was a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts. Topher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Austin Trunkle joined Mountain Plains Equity Group in April 2022 as a Financial Analyst. In this role, Austin’s responsibilities include the underwriting, analysis, and evaluation of select housing projects, the preparation of financial reports and exhibits, forecasting of project funding requirements and investment activities. Austin works to ensure that all projects are viable and meet the underwriting guidelines and investment criteria of MPEG. He coordinates closely with all departments of MPEG to provide both fundamental and technical analysis of market trends, development costs, as well as current and projected operating costs of housing projects.

Prior to his role at MPEG, Austin spent five years working in economic development for the Big Sky Economic Development Authority, having most recently served as their Economic Development Policy Project Manager.

Austin is originally from Billings, Montana. He attended Montana State University-Bozeman before returning to Billings to finish his degree in Political Science at MSU-B.

Michelle Basso joined Mountain Plains Equity Group in March 2022 as our Office Manager.

In this role, Michelle works directly with all departments to help coordinate the activities of MPEG and move projects from application stage to grand opening. Michelle provides invaluable support to all on the MPEG team, keeping track of schedules, meetings, and upcoming deadlines.

Prior to joining MPEG, Michelle has had experience working in real estate sales, customer retention, and as a business consultant for Billings-based Stratus Consulting. She is a Billings native and a graduate of Central High School and also attended Montana State University in Bozeman.

Mountain Plains Equity Group is happy to welcome back Tarie Beck as a returning member of the team.

Tarie was originally with MPEG from 2008 to 2012 as our Compliance Specialist, proving herself to be very versatile in managing a variety of tasks at MPEG. Tarie has now rejoined the team in June of 2019 to assist in market research, title and insurance, and the preparation of tax credit applications. Tarie will be working closely with Shane Walk, our Acquisitions Manager.

Prior to joining MPEG, Tarie was with the Bozeman, MT office of HUB International, a well-established regional insurance provider. While at HUB, Tarie began as a Commercial Lines Account Manager and later moved into the position as a Personal Lines Sales Executive. Tarie spent the last three years of her time with HUB working with individuals to ensure their homes, autos and personal possessions were appropriately insured. At one time in her career, Tarie owned and operated a residential property management company in Bozeman, specializing in the management of LIHTC properties throughout the state of Montana. Tarie works closely with Shane Walk, our VP of acquisitions, and Stacey Netz, our Director of Asset Management.

Tarie is originally from Havre, MT where she graduated from Havre High School. She attended Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ, as well as MSU-B in Billings, MT.