Our Team

Karen made her way to the Bitterroot Valley by way of the west coast to join close friends who were already settled here. After working in retail for 35 years, Karen was more than ready for a change when an opportunity at Allegra came up and Brian and Michelle recruited her. When she is not at Allegra, Karen is a lover of all things outdoors. She is especially passionate about running and hiking, and can often be found training for one of the many marathons she races in.

Michelle has been the co-owner of Allegra since 2002. Her communication degree from the University of New Mexico and her additional studies in marketing provided a good foundation, but she jokes that her years as a catastrophe claims adjuster prepared her best for a career in the marketing industry. Michelle brings a consultative approach to the businesses and non-profit organizations she works with, helping them grow and improve their organizations through marketing and graphic communications. Raised in the Texas hill country, Michelle appreciates friendly people and good manners. Back when she had hobbies, she was a self-professed choir nerd, laughaholic, and travel junkie, and now spends most of her time away from work chasing her three young children (with Brian- chasing children is a team sport).

When Brian was out of town on a business trip (back when he was an independent automobile insurance claims adjuster), Michelle called him about buying a closed-down printing business. She seemed to think it was a grand idea, and after some good-natured banter, Brian was on board. Brians years with Citibank, experience as a self-employed adjuster, and exceptional patience and proclivity with all things mechanical made him a great fit for the business. When he has free time, he loves to fly fish, play and coach soccer, spend time with his family, and absorb the deep life lessons one can learn from watching Star Wars.

Todd Hansen is a native of the Bitterroot Valley having grown-up in and graduated from Hamilton. He married a hometown girl and they raised two sons here. Todd's professional plans led he and his wife away from the valley for a few years when Todd went to work for the Foot Locker corporation. His star burned brightly there as he completed the manager training program, and his success required him to move his young family three times to manage stores in Oregon and California. Realizing that they wanted a different kind of lifestyle, they left the west coast and returned to Montana. Todd's strong background in customer service and sales led him to Swanson Distributing for a time, and then to Professional Impressions, where he worked for 16 years selling print marketing materials, promotional products, and graphic design services. Todd's big laugh and bigger personality are a great fit for Allegra, and he takes tremendous pride in offering the very best customer service.

Trudys coworkers call her things like, "Glitter Queen," or the "Bedazzler." Trudy started at Allegra as a Customer Service Representative, but when the apparel department was added, it was time for a change. Her love of clothes and all things creative come together in the embroidery studio. Trudy was born and raised in the Bitterroot, got her degree from the University of Montana, and has three grown children who have settled close by and still make it home for most of the holidays. Trudy enjoys crafts, her grandsons, and collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia.

Cindy has been working with our clients for more than twenty years and has the uncanny ability of being able to recall nearly every face, name, and job we have done during that time. Most of her years were spent at the location in downtown Missoula, earning her the nickname of "Downtown Cindy Brown." She loves to cook, bowl and watch Griz football. Her willingness to try new recipes and bring them in for tasting makes her a favorite in the office. Cindy aspires to win the lottery so she can take her family (and coworkers?) to Disney World.

Born and raised in the Bitterroot Valley, Maizie is currently a student at Whitworth University studying English, environmental studies, and music. As a part of a family-owned business, she has been involved with Allegra in many different capacities, and has turned her focus to social media coordination in hopes of remotely employing the many wonderful communication tools she has added to her tool belt through her studies. Maizie hopes to return to the valley in coming years, and plans to pursue a master's degree in environmental justice and sing in as many choirs as will have her.

Luke has grown up in the business filling in as needed, when needed. He is a Bronc alumni studying micro organismal biology at Montana State. Allegra has been grateful to share his brains AND brawn over the years. Generally, you can find him in the sign center, provoking friendly fights with the staff using cardboard tubes, or in the bindery area.

Bodie has cheerfully served at Allegra since his adoption in 2015. Over the years, he has become a practiced member of the greeting crew, and enjoys taking long naps near the feet of all his favorite humans.