Montana Ambassador Summer 2008 Newsletter

July 4, 2008

As President of Montana Ambassadors, I would like to extend to each of you an invitation to join us for the 4th Annual Montana Ambassador Business Open. This event takes place at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Old Works course in Anaconda, on August 21st. We would like to make this golf outing one of the premier golf events of the summer. You are all encouraged to invite your key business contacts to join your golf team and network with others at the outing. We have a group from the Montana Ambassadors Pacific Northwest Chapter in Seattle committed to joining us. This tournament is a valuable opportunity to build business and policy relationships with key in-and-out-of-state business executives, representatives from Montana's University System and State Government.

I want to bring two other events to your attention that the Montana Ambassador Board is considering. An outreach city on the Governor's list is Minneapolis. Plans are in the works for Montana Ambassadors to attend the Bobcat Bash during the Bobcats vs. Gophers game in Minneapolis, on September 13th. Besides networking and having a lot of fun, this event could pave the way for a Montana Ambassador Chapter in Minneapolis. A second event under consideration involves hosting a skybox during a Carroll College football game. Carroll’s September 27th Homecoming Game is being considered, when the Fighting Saints will play Montana Tech. It would be an opportunity to showcase the college, network and stage an outreach event right here in Montana. Montana Ambassador Carl Kochman is working on the details.

I am delighted to introduce to you two new Montana Ambassadors: Jaynee Groseth, Executive Director, MSU Office of Alumni Relations/Alumni Association, of Bozeman. Jaynee contributed much to the Montana Ambassadors before she was even a member. The second new Montana Ambassador is Cooper Burchenal, of saltStudio, Missoula. Cooper is a recent graduate of the Leadership Montana program and was recruited by Dale Mahugh.

You may have heard that a plan is being created by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to market economic development in Montana. As Montana Ambassador President, I have been selected along with several others to serve as a key participant in the planning process. Part of the marketing plan is to build the capacity of the Montana Ambassador’s Outreach Program. Stay tuned for more details. There is no doubt Montana Ambassadors will play an important role in implementing the plan.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that volunteered recently to represent all Montana Ambassadors. Read up on the Chapter News and you will see what I mean. Our members were active with support for the 60 Summits, the Governor’s Workforce Conference and the fundraising event for “The Little Red Truck” with the Missoula Children’s Theater. Thanks to all of you for your dedication and service to Montana and the Montana Ambassadors.

Ken Richardson - President

Full Newsletter: http://www.montanaambassadors.com/Montana%20Ambassadors%20Newsletter%20Summer%202008.pdf