Kris Carlson grew up in the Missoula Valley of Northwest Montana.  In 1986, she graduated from the Missoula campus of the MSU College of Nursing with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.  She began her career as a medical-surgical, oncology and intensive care nurse at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia, Washington.

After a few years, Kris began a three-year stint as a traveling nurse, working all over the United States.  In 1991, she moved to Puget Sound and returned to school to complete her MBA with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration.  She later moved to Kalispell, Montana and served as the Manager of the Professional Registry of Health Care Services (PROHS) providing home care and staffing services.  She also worked at Kalispell Medical Center as an emergency room RN, staffing office manager, and human resources recuriter.

In 1997, Kris decided to start her own business - Western Medical Services.  WMS later became Intrepid which also purchased a the home-health, hospice, and home care business, Westmont, in 2001.  In 2003, Kris decided to conclude her franchise relationship with Intrepid USA, and struck out on her own as A Plus Health Care, Inc.  At that time, A Plus Health Care, Inc. was providing home health and hospice services in ten Montana counties, home care in twenty-four counties, as well as temporary healthcare personnel staffing to more than fifty facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living, hospitals and medical offices, throughout Montana.

In addition to business and healthcare, Kris maintains a healthy interest in Montana communities.  In 1998, she helped form Touch of Grace Clinic for free healthcare services and served as RN Clinic Coordinator.  In 2001, Kris received the Professional Excellence Award from the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), and was honored to attend Leadership Flathead.  In 2006-07, she was selected the local Business Woman of the Year.  Kris takes time serving on Flathead Valley Community College business and education committe (FVBEC), Job Service Employer Committe (JSEC) past chair, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce board member, MT Human Society Animal Shelter volunteer, and Flathead High School Healthcare Career Cluster team member.

At last, her family activity is important to keeping Kris balanced in all she does.  She is married to Tom, and they have two active daughters, Jasmine, age 16 & Camas, age 12.