Butte, Montana native, Sean Thompson, helps cultivate business ties in Seattle as Montana Ambassador

"Companies that are in Montana need access to that set of resources," Thompson said. "The Seattle chapter of Montana Ambassadors http://www.montanaambassadors.com/ is showcasing Montana companies to a more sophisticated angel (investor) network than they might get in their town."

Sean Thompson, a Butte native who is a top executive at Microsoft, is using his big-money Seattle connections to help Montana businesses.

Thompson, 44, has roots in the Mining City that go back three generations, and no matter where his high-profile technology jobs have taken him, his hometown and home state has never been far from his mind.

But as he worked his way up the corporate ladder, he couldn’t shake his love of Montana and the thought that he could be doing more for it.

So in 2002, with the cooperation of the governor’s office, he started the first out-of-state chapter of Montana Ambassadors http://www.montanaambassadors.com/ , and the group of business and education leaders from throughout Puget Sound has provided a boost to Montana commerce.

"It took off like wildfire," Thompson said.

By Tim Trainor of The Montana Standard Mtstandard.com

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/business/local/article_dea6a4fe-529d-11e0-8dd3-001cc4c03286.html