The Montana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business honors Lewistown businessman- Gene Meier

A Lewistown businessman, received the first state "Small-Business Champion" award for his advocacy and lobbying on behalf of Montana small-business owners.

The Montana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business honored Gene Meier, the owner of Lewistown Propane and Fertilizer Co.

Tribune Staff

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040304/localnews/9363.html

The federation’s Small-Business Champion award program identifies activists in each of the 50 states who have distinguished themselves through participation in federation programs and activities beneficial to the survival of Main Street, mom-and-pop firms.

Seven regional winners will be honored at the 2004 National Small-Business Summit in Washington, D.C., June 16-18.

Meier has owned Lewistown Propane and Fertilizer since 1991.

Active in many Lewistown civic organizations, Meier is a past president of the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the Fergus County Fair Board. He has been a National Federation of Independent Business member since 1974 and served on its Leadership Council for the past eight years. In addition to recruiting small-business owners to the federation, he is a director of the organization’s political action committee.

Meier and his wife, Elaine, have three children.