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Erhardt Assumes reins of Montana Ambassadors Organization- Others honored at annual meeting

Emil Erhardt of Citizens Development Corp. in Billings received the gavel from outgoing President Doug Anderson of Missoula during the Montana Ambassadors annual meeting held February 12&13 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Liz Harris of Jobs Now in Kalispell became First V.P. while Craig Herbert of Montana-Dakota Utilities in Sidney moved up to the 2nd V.P. seat. Mark Simonich of the Montana Department of Commerce in Helena and Kirk Sandquist of Peoples Bank of Deer Lodge retained their positions of Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce
http://www.montanachamber.net/ws/aboutus3.php?page_id=4745

Elected as new board members on the Ambassadors were Bill Johnston, UM Alumni Assn., Missoula; Mike McCue, LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals, Bozeman; and Larry Gianchetta, UM School of Business, Missoula. Governor Judy Martz presented Ambassador Awards to the following:

Local Whitefish businessman, Turner Askew was honored as “Ambassador of the Year” during the Montana Ambassadors annual meeting held February 12,13, 2004 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Governor Judy Martz made the presentation on behalf of the Ambassadors during the annual banquet. In making the award the Board of Directors wrote:

Turner Askew has been an outstanding Montana Ambassador for a number of years. He tells the Ambassadors’ story and shares our mission whenever he can. He has given tirelessly, selflessly and generously to foster economic development in Montana. Askew was a founding organizer of Jobs Now, Inc. and has raised significant funds to support this economic development organization. He has served on the Board of Jobs, Now, Inc., and the Flathead County Port Authority since their inception and has been devoted to their success.

Turner Askew has been a fertile source of leads for new business and has been willing to host prospects and clients frequently to assist in the business recruitment process. Turner’s community service and professional associations are numerous. Including the City Council of Whitefish, Whitefish Rotary, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Flathead Business and Industry Association and Save the Chalets. He is a member of Lambda Alpha International, the premier international economic development society and holds the highest professional designation possible as a real estate developer, the Society of Industrial and Office Real Estate. Askew is a licensed realtor in Montana, Idaho, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.

In addition Turner has served as a very active member of EDAG and is and advisor to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He loves Montana, the Ambassadors and economic development and continues to be involved in every statewide effort he can possibly fit in.

An honor reserved for Montana Ambassadors exhibiting lengthy diplomatic service to the organization and Montana was presented to Helenan, Keith Colbo, February 12, 2004 at the annual Montana Ambassador banquet. Governor Judy Martz made the award on behalf of the ambassadors at the evening event.

Keith Colbo has been a prominent figure in Montana government and Helena community affairs for nearly four decades. He served as Executive Assistant to the Montana Ambassadors from 1997-2003 and represented the concerns of the organization during the legislative sessions. Keith began working for state government in 1964 and has headed four different state agencies-the Department of Revenue, the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Fish, Wildife & Parks and Department of Commerce. During his tenure at the Department of Commerce he served as official secretary to the Montana Ambassadors.

Business of the Year-North Country Media, Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls video and graphics company, North Country Media, earned “Business of the Year” honors from Montana’s top business volunteer organization. The Montana Ambassadors presented the award to executives of the company at the annual meeting held February 12 & 13, 2004 at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Governor Martz made the prestigious award to Sandy Peters, CEO of North Country Media on behalf of the Ambassadors during the conference banquet. The award winning company specializes in the Direct Response media area, providing customization and duplication on all broadcast formats, as well as VHS duplication. Other services include closed captioning, audio production, video fulfillment, animation and CD-R and DVD duplication.

Peters attributed the company’s rapid growth to the talented staff, strong work ethic and personal attention they give their clients. North Country Media has over 400 national clients and holds a reputation for high quality, cost effectiveness and fast turnaround time (generally same day service). In excess of 95% of company revenues are generated with out-of-state customers.

Entrepreneur of the Year-William Phillips, Bozeman, Montana

William (Bill) Phillips, Bozeman, Montana earned statewide recognition this month from Montana’s premier volunteer business organization, The Montana Ambassadors. Phillips received the award during the Ambassador’s annual meeting held February 12&13, 2004 at Fairmont Hot Springs where Governor Judy Martz made the presentation on behalf of the organization.

Phillips credits his father Leonard Phillips with the invention idea of a portable environmentally sound toilet that he has retooled and taken to market in his business, Phillips Environmental Products, Inc. The portable, folding latrine is now marketed worldwide to U.S. armed services, underdeveloped countries and to U.S. Forest service crews. Phillips gives credit to friends and family, in addition to Montana lending and government agencies for the success of his startup firm. He proudly states they are very happy to be in business in Montana.

Educator of the Year-Dr. Jane Karas, Kalispell, Montana

The Montana Ambassadors awarded Dr. Jane A. Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College “Educator of the Year” honors during the annual Ambassadors banquet held February 12, 2004 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Governor Judy Martz presented the award to Karas on behalf of the Board of Directors of the organization.

Dr. Karas holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University. She has published numerous articles and given presentations on education policy, economic development and workforce training. Dr. Karas sits on the board of directors of Northwest Healthcare and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce as well as serves on the Governor’s Economic Development Advisory Board. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Northwest Comission on Colleges and Universities and is a member of the Leadership Montana Organizing Committee.

Montana Legislator of the Year-Senator Bob Depratu, Whitefish, Montana

Senator Bob DePratu, Whitefish was honored as Legislator of the Year by the Montana Ambassadors at their recently held annual meeting February 12,13 2004 in Fairmont Hot Springs.

Governor Judy Martz made the presentation on behalf of the Ambassadors during the annual banquet session. Senator DePratu served as Chairman of the Governor’s Income Tax Advisory Council during 2002 and was instrumental in bi-partisan efforts to pass Montana’s tax reform legislation in Senate Bill 407. The Ambassador Board of Directors believe this legislation will have significant impact on retaining and attracting residents and businesses that are key to Montana economic development.

Senator DePratu was born in Eureka, Montana, graduated from Lincoln County High School and holds an associate degree in accounting. He is co-owner of DePratu Ford, VW, Audi and sits on the Whitefish Chamber Board, North Valley Hospital Board and the Ford Motor National Dealer Council. Bob DePratu has served Montana in the State Senate since 1997.

“The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer organization of business leaders and educators with a common dedication to living and doing business in Montana. Its members serve at the pleasure of the Governor to represent that office and Montana in business and economic matters. The organization celebrates its 20th anniversary this year after being started by then-Governor Ted Schwinden in 1984.”

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