The Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Board of Directors would like to welcome Rebecca Meyers to the MEDA family as the first Executive Director of this organization.

As identified in your comments in the NextGen Analysis in 2019/2020 and the strategic planning sessions that followed in 2021 with Cadence Consulting Group, the MEDA Board has taken steps to develop a contracted position—Executive Director. Rebecca Meyers will work with the MEDA board and members to continue to make a substantive difference in the state and our communities both large and small.

Rebecca has been in the State of Montana for several years growing her business Northbound Public Affairs.

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we wish Gloria and Mike O’Rourke our best as they transition into a new chapter working for the Anaconda Community Foundation. The MEDA transition to an Executive Director has allowed them to reflect on life goals and they decided to focus on issues in their local community that means so much to them.

Please wish Gloria and Mike your warm thoughts. They were instrumental in making MEDA the dynamic agency it is today. At some point soon, we’ll get together and talk about our favorite Gloria story.

If it wasn’t for Gloria pulling together a Community Assessment for Townsend in 2004, I wouldn’t have been aware of the great career and people involved with Economic Development. That day driving Gloria around my community in an old SUV with the top off, changed my life and career trajectory.

Thank you Gloria, and Welcome Rebecca!

Brian Obert

MEDA Board President.