As of January 1st, 2024, the Montana Council has a new Council Commissioner. Scott Hooper has been selected to take the place of Gary Ely who has been sworn in as the Council Service Territory 2 Commissioner-Elect. Gary’s selection as CST Commissioner-Elect directly results from the excellent service he provided to the Montana Council for over seven years.
Scott started his Scouting adventures in northwestern Minnesota in what has become the Northern Lights Council. He is an Eagle Scout, served on camp staff, was the first lodge chief of Pa-Hin Lodge #27, a section OA chief, and an Exploring Post President. Following college and graduate school, Scott reengaged with Scouting in the Stonewall Jackson Area Council of Virginia where he served for 20 years in numerous district, council, and board roles.
A work opportunity took Scott and his family overseas where he served for three years as a District Commissioner covering BSA Scouting units in 10 ½ countries in Central Europe, then served 3 ½ years as Council Commissioner for the Transatlantic Council which serves BSA Scouting on 2 ½ continents.
Scott has been awarded the Vigil Honor, the OA Founders Award, the Silver Beaver, and the Outstanding Eagle Scout award. He is a life member of the Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Scott has served on the staff of three National Jamborees, one World Jamboree, and 10 National Order of the Arrow Conferences.
“I’m delighted to be able to serve the units of this great Council and to have the opportunity to expand the positive momentum that everyone, together, has generated over the recent years.”, says Scott. “We live in a truly beautiful part of the world where enjoying the outdoors is a way of life. Scouting is a natural fit with Montana”.
Scott and his wife Susan are residents of Lakeside and have two grown daughters who have experienced Scouting and the outdoors through family camping trips, Girl Scouts, Venturing, Alpha Phi Omega (the BSA’s service fraternity/sorority), through the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award program (closely allied with the World Organization of the Scouting Movement) and through their universities’ outdoor programs.
Please welcome Scott to the role and feel free to introduce yourself to him as you see him at various Scouting activities. Welcome, Scott!
