Meet the NLI Board: Jill Vandegrift
PrintBy Elissa Glassman
Jill Vandegrift is a dedicated member of the Northern Lights Board, serving as the director of District 2 since 2020. Her district borders Thompson Falls northwest along Highway 200 including Trout Creek, Noxon, Heron, east of Clark Fork to the Sanders County line and south along Bull River Highway.
Jill’s commitment to her community is evident in her work with NLI.
“I love serving my community and using my experience and education in a positive way,” Jill says. “Connecting with our members and understanding what matters most to them and our community brings me great joy.”
Residing in Trout Creek with her husband, Rick, and their chocolate lab, Arya, Jill treasures the Montana lifestyle.
“We love everything about Montana— the wonderful people, the outdoors, boating, fishing, hiking and especially spending time with our children and grandchildren,” she says.
Jill’s appreciation for life and nature began in her childhood, growing up as the daughter of a forest ranger and spending time hiking, fishing, and camping in the mountains with her family.
A retired Air Force veteran with 21 years of service, 1 of the highlights of Jill’s military career was serving as a military liaison officer to Morocco. Now as a realtor with ERA Lambros Real Estate, she specializes in helping clients buy and sell dream homes and properties in northwestern Montana.
Jill holds an associate degree in applied communications application technology, a bachelor’s degree in business management, and a master’s degree in homeland security and intelligence studies. Her expertise extends to homeland defense and security, where she developed state and local action plans for crisis response, including natural disasters and civil disturbances.
An active member of the Noxon Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jill enjoys volunteering and assisting fellow veterans as they navigate life beyond the military into civilian life. Her dedication to service continues on the NLI board, where she aims to ensure that members’ voices are heard and well-represented.
