Elizabeth (Beth) was born and grew up in Vincennes, Indiana. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1972 from Indiana University and an M.S. in Clinical Audiology from Southern Methodist University in 1977. In 1978 she joined the US Air Force where she attained the rank of Colonel. During her 25 year Air Force career, she was stationed in Germany, the Air Force Academy, Colorado, San Antonio, Texas and Washington, DC. Colonel Cargo served in jobs ranging from controlling fighter aircraft in Germany to managing the largest Air Force Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic. She was served on the Air Force Surgeon General’s staff, was the Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and was on the staff of the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. While on active duty, Beth also served as President of the Air Force Audiology Association and was the Consultant for Audiology to the US Air Force Surgeon General. She has been married to Russell A. Cargo, Ph.D., a university professor and leader in the field of nonprofit management education for 38 years, and they have two grown daughters. Beth moved to Helena, Montana in June 2007 to begin preparing for Russ’ retirement in July 2008. She is active at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church; was President of the Board of the Friends of the Montana Historical Society; Legislative Chairman of the Lewis & Clark County Republican Women and the Montana Federation of Republican Women and Vice President of the Montana Federation of Republican Women. Beth also represented Montana at the First Annual Republican National Committee Women’s Summit. She is an accomplished seamstress, enjoys river rafting, kayaking, and hiking with her husband and retired racing greyhound, Bridger.