Montana Ambassadors 2022 Year End Review and 2023 Plans

My name is James Thompson and I am the current President of the Montana Ambassadors (MTA). A Montana native, I grew up in Butte and Billings and have a home on the Big Hole.  I am writing to give you an update of our 2022 activities and plans for 2023.  Our goal in Leadership at the MTA is to make sure we continue to provide value for our members and support our state government in driving higher economic development.  To get started, I am pleased to introduce the current executive team and Board of Directors:

2022-2024 Executive Team:

President: James Thompson [email protected]

First Vice President: Davey Madison  [email protected]

Past President: Mike Ferruci [email protected]

Treasurer: Colleen Rudio [email protected];

Secretary: Scott Osterman Scott Osterman [email protected]

Additional Board Members (serving rotating three-year terms):

Jenni Graff [email protected]

Rick Edwards  [email protected]

Julia Bryant [email protected];

Andrew Gordon [email protected];

Paddy Fleming [email protected];

Colleen Rudio [email protected];

Amy Deines [email protected];

Tyler Delaney [email protected];

Suzi Berget-White [email protected];

Allison Corbyn [email protected]

2022 in Review:  We continued our efforts in a post-pandemic world to gather, listen to great speakers, see old friends and make new friends.  Highlights included the launch of our Trailblazer Speaker Series with events in both Bozeman and Billings:

• In April we had a great turn-out for our Trailblazer Speaker series in Billings at Meadowlark Brewing, where we heard the company building stories of Travis Peterson of Meadowlark Brewing and Bridger Blain of Billings Flying Service.
• In July we had a Bozeman event, “Building Companies in Montana”, with Tom McMakin (CEO of Profitable Ideas) and Tim Sheehy (CEO of Bridger Aerospace).  A valuable, invite-only event at Bridger Aerospace.  We were able to mingle in the hangar that houses several of the aircraft and chat with Bridger Aerospace staff members about the work they do.  We then heard from Tom and Tim about their journeys building world-class companies in Montana.
• In October, 80 MTA members joined together at the Fairmont for our Annual Meeting and Awards dinner, which had the theme “Ripple.”  Delivered via a “fireside chat” format, we heard from CEOs and business leaders from all over Montana.  Some speakers were from companies that have recently moved to the state, or that are expanding operations to the state.  The lively awards banquet was anchored by the film office sharing behind-the-scenes view of allthings Yellowstone.  Special thanks to Julia Bryant and Angela McGrath for their tireless efforts to pull off a great event.
• In November, we were treated to an exclusive,MTA only ribbon cutting in Bozeman for Gibson Guitar.  CEO James “JC” Curleigh joined for a fireside chat with a packed room of MTA members and members of the local press.  We were then hosted at the Armory by several Gibson musicians to an awesome acoustic show.
• Angela McGrath ([email protected]) of Butte was appointed MTA’s new project coordinator, replacing Dax Sheiffer, who had tirelessly worked with us for many years.  Thank you Dax for your service, and welcome Angela!  PLEASE REACH OUT to Angela on any comments, questions or concerns.  Angela is assisted by Carolyn Crowder who leads our social media effort.
• We appointed new Chapter VPs in Missoula and Butte.  Welcome to Leslie Ursich Laird and Paul Babb.  We are working on adding new chapter VP’s in Kalispell and Great Falls.

2023 Plans

• All chapters will be hosting quarterly gatherings (lunches/happy hours) and at least one sponsored Speaker Series.  The Executive Team of the Board of Directors will be supporting these events and we thank them for their service.
• Special thanks to Kevin Hamm for helping us upgrade our website, which will launch in 2023!
• The current Chapter VP’s are as follows:
  • Butte – Paul Babb [email protected]
  • Missoula – Leslie Ursich Laird [email protected]
  • Helena – Julia Bryant [email protected];
  • Bozeman – Suzi Berget-White [email protected];
  • Billings – Allison Corbyn [email protected];
  • Eastern Montana: Amy Deines [email protected]

One important administrative matter is that we get all 2022 dues paid.  If you have any questions on whether you are paid-up, please reach out directly to Angela.

As we come to the end of the year, I am hopeful about our growing momentum.  This is a unique group of Montana business and economic leaders who are driving towards the goal of making Montana a better place to live, work and recreate.  Thank you for your tireless service to this great state.

Happy Holidays,

James