When people think of county government, they usually picture roads, property records, or public meetings, rarely the digital network that keeps it all running behind the scenes. For Flathead County, that smooth operation relies on dedicated team members like Tanika Reck, who marks an impressive 15-year milestone with the County this year.
A valley resident for over 30 years who attended school in Kila, Somers, and Lakeside, Reck's deep local roots shape her genuine commitment to the community. Encouraged by her entrepreneurial parents to find stability in public service, she joined the County 15 years ago at the Health Department, where a knack for the department's medical records software made her the person everyone came to for help, and led her to her long-term home in IT as an IT Systems Support Specialist.
For Reck, technology has always been a conduit for human connection.
"Our team is comprised of people who have a passion for helping people," Reck says. "There’s so much variety between each department that we help at Flathead County, it’s never monotonous. I just love helping people, whether it’s on the phone or face-to-face."
That collaborative spirit is central to how the department operates following a team restructuring under new leadership in 2025. Balancing networks, security, and user support, the team leans heavily into one another’s strengths. In an era of rapid technological shifts, Reck also keeps community value top of mind, utilizing emerging tools like artificial intelligence to research solutions, streamline documentation, and get answers back to County staff faster.
Outside the office, Reck treasures the Montana outdoors, spending spring and summer hiking, camping, and tending her garden with family close by. Inside the office, she has no plans to slow down. Loving the constant evolution of her field, she aims to see her 15-year milestone double to 30 before retirement, proving that great IT support is, at its core, all about heart and community.