Montana Ambassadors Annual Report, 2008 Thank you to all Montana Ambassadors for the work you do to promote Montana’s favorable business climate and the quality of life our state offers. Your work has been instrumental in bringing new and expanding businesses to Big Sky Country. We are certainly not immune to the national economic downturn, and must be even more aggressive in our efforts to recruit and retain businesses. Yet, Montana continues to climb in national rankings for business climate and economic growth. In 2008, Business Facilities magazine ranked Montana as the ‘fastest climber of most business friendly states’, 8th in the nation for economic climate, and 7th in the nation for overall business climate. The Tax Foundation ranked Montana 6th best for state business tax climate, Forbes rated Montana the fastest climber for economic growth, and the Beacon Hill Institute State Competitiveness Report determined that Montana ‘makes the largest improvement’ of any state in overall economic performance. This month, Montana was awarded the runner-up position in Business Facilities Magazine’s State of the Year competition for our significant growth in the energy industry. Clearly, Montana is on the move! In the coming year, I look forward to working with the Ambassadors to expand our outreach efforts in cities across the west and midwest, and to make the most of our strength as an organization. Events like the Business Open Annual Golf Tournament and the Annual Conference have grown larger and more successful each year, and I have no doubt that we will continue this trend in 2009. Thank you again for your service as a Montana Ambassador. I look forward to working with you in the year ahead. Sincerely,

BRIAN SCHWEITZER Governor

President Ken Richardson

These are exciting times to be a Montana Ambassador, and it was an honor to serve as your President throughout 2008. As you know, it has long been the purpose of the Montana Ambassadors to conduct outreach events, encourage business recruitment and hold an annual conference to showcase achievements from these efforts. My main focus as President was to strengthen the organization in these three areas. Thanks to a lot of teamwork from our membership and our unique partnership with Governor Schweitzer, great progress was made on all fronts: • Grow the Outreach Program: A contract is in place with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to strengthen our Pacific Northwest Chapter, establish new out-of-state chapters, and to reinforce coordination efforts with alumni associations and out-of-state chapter events. • Enhance the Business Open Golf Tournament: Mission accomplished for 2008! The tournament nearly doubled in size to 80+ entries, and we are shooting for 150 entries in 2009. Funding and staffing was provided to coordinate transportation, sponsor the Governor’s Social, and the recruiting of key corporate participants for the tournament. The tournament helped raise over $9,000 for Montana Ambassadors. A very special thank you to Governor and Nancy Schweitzer for opening their home on Georgetown Lake to us after the tournament. The Challenge is on for 2009! • Energize the Annual Conference: A special agenda is set to celebrate 25 years of service of the Montana Ambassadors organization. In addition, with great assistance from Governor Schweitzer, T. Boone Pickens is our keynote speaker. An agenda of this caliber and quality cannot be missed. Please “join in” to learn more, promote our great State, retain our workforce, and recruit business to Montana! I am confident that as the Office of President is turned over to Bill Johnston, the momentum of “Montana on the Move” through the Montana Ambassadors can only continue and thrive. Let’s go to work! Ken Richardson

Montana Ambassador Award Winners for 2008 MT AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: CARL KOCHMAN Carl’s media and advertising career spans close to 40 years, in all 50 U.S. states and more than 27 other countries. He is a native of Bynum, Montana, has founded 2 successful companies, was President/CEO of Wendt Kochman (Great Falls), was V.P. of Creative Services for Flying Horse Communication, and currently is Communications and Public Relations Leader for the Montana State Fund. MSU-Bozeman and Carroll College are his Alma Maters. Carl is currently serving on the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council – this is his 3rd governor for that appointment, as well as the board of directors for the Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Ambassadors. He has also served on the boards of the Montana Innkeepers Association, PPL Community Giving Board, the Komen Foundation and was on the formation committee of Leadership Montana.

MONTANA ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: JOHN O’DONNELL  John O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of TechRanch and is a venture partner for the Seattle-based private equity firm Buerk Dale Victor LLC. He is also the founder of the Bridger Private Capital Network (BPCN) and the Big Sky Venture Capital Conference as well as the Montana Bio Science Alliance. John serves on the Montana State University College of Business advisory board, the Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association board, the CM Russell foundation board, New West Media board, and Riverside Country Club board. John is a graduate of Leadership Montana I and is a member of the Montana Ambassadors. John has 20 years of experience in business development, sales, marketing, and operations in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments. Under his leadership, TechRanch has developed a varied portfolio with over 100 start-up companies, including Internet/software, media, life sciences, renewable energy, and medical device companies. TechRanch has assisted in creating over 2000 jobs in the state of Montana and has worked with over 30 different MSU technologies. More than 300 MSU students have participated in the TechRanch Entrepreneurship Experience. John has shown TechRanch the way to land over $20M in Venture Capital Investments and $6M in Angel Investments. With John’s direction, TechRanch has hosted 3 successful Venture Capital Conferences. John introduced to TechRanch the

importance of educational seminars, networking events, and bootstrapping events for entrepreneurs. TechRanch is nationally recognized as the leader in high-tech business development in rural, underserved markets. TechRanch has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, NPR, USA Today, and many regional newspapers and magazines. TechRanch clients have received NBIA Client of the Year, and TechRanch received an NSF Excellence Award.

MONTANA AMBASSADOR EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR: JON “TONY” RUDBACH  Tony and his wife Inge moved to Hamilton in 1964 where Tony began his scientific career as a post doctoral fellow at the Rocky Mountain Labs. By 1970, Tony began work at The University of Montana where he was a professor of microbiology and Director of the Stella Duncan Memorial Research Institute. From 1977 to 1979, Tony set up a research and development department at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL. In 1979 Tony returned to UM as a professor. In 1982, he moved back to Illinois to be the Head of Infectious Disease and Immunology Research at Abbott Laboratories. In 1985, returning to Montana, Tony became the Vice President of Research and Development with Ribi ImmunoChem, the company eventually purchased by GlaxoSmithKline. In 1995, Tony returned to UM where he remained as the Associate Vice President for Research and Development until passing away in 2008. During his career, Tony made significant contributions in endotoxin research and was an officer of the International Endotoxin Society for six years. While at UM, Tony created a substance that forms the basis of the FDA and World Health Organization mandated tests for all drugs used in humans.  In his later work at UM, Tony was passionate about stimulating the Montana economy. He created and oversaw many projects designed to revitalize the economy of Eastern Montana; was dedicated to a project designed to facilitate business incubators in Western Montana; and was committed to a technology transfer program which ensured that both inventors and UM benefited from intellectual property developed at UM. Tony was an engaged member of the Montana Ambassadors, and he was the consummate promoter of Montana and its economy.

MONTANA AMBASSADOR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: GLACIER BANCORP  Glacier Bancorp, Inc., is a multibank holding company, headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, operating these principal subsidiaries: Glacier Bank of Kalispell, First Security Bank of Missoula, Valley Bank of Helena, Big Sky Western Bank of Bozeman, Western Security Bank of Billings, First Bank of Montana, Lewistown; Mountain West Bank in Idaho, Utah and Washington; 1st Bank in Wyoming; Citizens Community Bank in Idaho, Bank of the San Juans in Colorado, and First National Bank of Morgan in Utah. Over the years, Glacier Bancorp has received numerous awards for stability and soundness and has repeatedly ranked among the top 10% in the nation for financial strength. With assets of $5.5 billion, Glacier Bancorp is the largest publicly traded banking company in the Inland Northwest.

BetterBricks Awards The BetterBricks Awards salute individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency in the Northwest. The first annual Montana BetterBricks Awards celebrate the people behind the best commercial projects in the state. The result: a greater number of buildings that offer improved energy efficiency, bottom line benefits and a reduced carbon footprint.

Award Categories:

Owner-Decision Maker Winner: Gary Griffith, Bozeman School District #7, Director of Facilities/OCR (retired) For over 26 years, Gary Griffith served as the facilities director of the Bozeman School District. During his tenure, Gary oversaw many expansion projects to accommodate the growing school district – expansions that allowed for energy retrofits and superior energy savings. Most recently, Gary served as the district’s construction representative tasked with the construction of two new academic buildings and a total retrofit of the high school. All three projects were designed to garner Energy Star labeling.

FinalistS: Tom Schussler & Tim Chopp St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Facilities Director/Lead Engineer Tom Schussler, director of facilities, and Tim Chopp, manager of facilities engineering, make up the dynamic team that has been responsible for many energy efficiency projects for St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center in Missoula. Together, they have provided leadership and operational guidance in the promotion of environmentally friendly facilities operations for more than 21 years.

Architecture Winner: Randy Hafer High Plains Architects, P.C., President As president and co-owner of High Plains Architects, Randy Hafer, A.I.A. provides design leadership and development services with an emphasis on energy efficiency. He has developed a number of projects in downtown Billings with a focus on historic rehabilitation and sustainable adaptive reuse of existing structures. High Plains Architects also designed the first LEED Platinum building in the state of Montana.

Engineering Winner: Mark Hines Montana Department of Administration, Mechanical Engineer Mark Hines has been instrumental in pushing energy efficiency to the forefront in the state of Montana. He has managed the completion of $10 million in energy retrofit on state buildings in addition to negotiating over $1 million in energy funding from NorthWestern Energy and the Montana Power Company. Mark has worked for the State of Montana since 1990 as an energy/mechanical engineer and is currently working with the Architecture and Engineering Division of the Department of Administration.

About BetterBricks BetterBricks is the commercial building initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, which is supported by local electric utilities. Through the BetterBricks initiative, NEEA advocates for changes to energy-related business practices in Northwest buildings. In this era of heightened appreciation for the impact climate change is having on our environment and our economy, energy efficiency is a crucial component in addressing global warming. On www.BetterBricks.com, find information, tools, training and resources to help buildings make a difference to the bottom line and the environment.

Montana Ambassadors Members By Chapter As Of January 2009 At Large Bob Boschee Thomas E. Donnelley, II Larry Harrington Clay Jenkinson Barb Nemecek Richard L. Post Deborah Hayden Brian Scott O’Keefe

Billings James Bos Gary Buchanan Kim Champney Carol Donaldson James Duncan Patrice Elliott Emil Erhardt Bob Gersack Doug Jensen Ron Kaminski Ted Lovec James Lucas Greg McDonald Jock Michelotti Joseph Michels Lisa Perry Rick Reid Brent Schwab Melanie Schwarz Ron Sexton Linda Shelhamer Deborah Singer Danny Skarda

Robert F. Bargatze Heather Bellamy Michael Coles Cathy Conover Robert Ebinger Ted Fedyk Geoffrey Gamble Rob Gilmore Nancy Lien Griffin Jaynee Groseth Steven Holland Ralph Hutcheson John Langenheim Greg Metzger John O’Donnell Arnold (Arne) Siegel Pamela Sveinson Lance Trebesch Scott Warwood

Butte Evan Barrett Paul Beatty Pamela Butler James Davison Rick Edwards Dale E. Mahugh Larry Noonan Gloria O’Rourke Ray Rogers Jeffrey Ruffner Kirk Sandquist Jim Smitham Mark D. Zora

Bozeman

Great Falls

Michael Art John Bailey

Greg Cunniff Ian Davidson

Andrew Davidson Fred Davison Brett Doney Elmer Feldman Patrick Edward Galvas Marjorie Ann Gray Donna (Sadler) Hartelius Channing J. Hartelius John Huber William A. Johnstone Ryan Miller Keith Schnider Tom Siebel

Helena Zoann Attwood Timothy Bartz Toni Broadbent Webb Scott Brown Gary Carlson Keith Colbo Richard Davis Rodger Foster Ed Jasmin James Johnson Dan Johnson Carl Kochman Jim Lynch James Maierle Tom Mcgree Alan Nicholson Robert Peccia Tony Preite Pat Seiler Mark Simonich Sheila Stearns

Honorary

Missoula

Tim Babcock Max Baucus Judy Martz Marc Racicot Denny Rehberg Brian Schweitzer Ted Schwinden Stan Stephens

Douglas R. Anderson Sean Benton Lonnie Bookbinder Cooper Burchenal Gary Burnett Don Collins Chad Delong George Dennison Tyler Disburg Ed Eck Russ Fletcher Larry Gianchetta Linda Gray Arvid Hiller Bob Homer William S. Johnston Dick King John “Jack” W. Manning Kathy Ogren Ken Richardson Jeffrey P. Shay Daniel Smith Thomas Swenson Joni Walker Faye Hanson Warren Paul Williamson

Kalispell Stephen M. Anderson Turner Askew Steve Clawson Jeffrey Paul Cowie George Darrow Dale Gillespie Dick Hammett Robert H. Herron Jane Karas Gregory Lane Jeffrey A. Laverdiere Jeannie Parson Luckey Steven Luckey Elizabeth Marchi Jon Marchi Carol Nelson Robert Nystuen Jim Oliverson Jane Ratzlaff Michele Reese J. Logan Rogers MD Dale Roo Janet K. Shanahan James Simpson Ric Smith Mike Strotheide, CECD Ray Thompson Joe Unterreiner Tagen Vine Bruce Young

Pacific Northwest Patti Brooke Martin Calvert Lynda Colucci Todd Dean Todd Kenck Sean Thompson Kirk Van Alstyne Joseph Whittinghill

Sidney Gene Buxcel Craig Herbert Char Jonsson Leslie Messer

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Al Bell Russ Ritter Bob Henkel Dan Regan Gary Buchanan Bud Lilly Jim Scott Dan Regan Dan Smith Bob Bragg Greg Cuniff Gary Carlson Penny Copps & Jim Smitham Kay Foster Alan Nicholson J. Logan Rogers D. Evan Barrett Philip Sandquist Jon Marchi Turner Askew Pat Seiler Ken Richardson Rick Edwards Sean Thompson & Dale Mahugh Carl Kochman

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Alan Nicholson Terry Abelin Penny Copps Greg Cunniff Jon Marchi John Langenheim Douglas Anderson Emil Erhardt Liz Marchi Craig Herbert Rick Edwards Ken Richardson

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Big Sky Airlines, Billings Wells Fargo Bank Processing Center Billings Stream, Kalispell Zoot Enterprises, Bozeman North Country Media, Great Falls MERDI-MSE, Butte Semitool, Kalispell Blue Rock Products CTA Architects Engineers Glacier Bancorp

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR PAST PRESIDENTS 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Ed Jasmin Ed Jasmin Ian Davidson Paul Schmechel Jim Spring Dan Lambros Al Bell Russ Ritter Marilyn Wessel Bob Henkel Gary Carlson Dan Smith Kay Foster

2003 Senator Bob DePratu 2007 Senator John Brueggeman 2007 Representative Dan Villa

MICHAEL P. MALONE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR 1999 2000

Michael Malone, President, Montana State University Joseph McDonald, President, Salish Kootenai College

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Arthur DeRosier, Jr., Rocky Mountain College Willard Weaver, Dean, MSU College of Tech., Great Falls Jane Karas, President, Flathead Community College, Kalispell Mary Moe, Dean, MSU College of Technology, Great Falls President George Dennison U of M, Missoula Dean Rich Semenik-MSU, Bozeman 2006 President Geoff Gamble, MSU Bozeman 2007 Harry W. Fritz, Ph.D, Professor/Chair, Dept. of History, U of M, Missoula Dean Jane Baker, College of Technology, Butte

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 1993 Mike Felt * 1995 Dean Folkvord * 1996 Marc Pierce * 1997 Ken Thuerbach * 1998 Ralph Hutcheson * Gary Hoovestal, Special Acknowledgement * 1999 Toni Broadbent, Insty Prints 2000 Mike Degn, Moo Juice 2001 Mike McCue, LigoCyte 2002 Michael Schaer, Computers Unlimited 2003 Bill Phillips, Phillips Environmental Products, Inc. 2004 Andrew Field, PrintingForLess.com 2005 Don Cape, JWT Capital, LLC 2006 Larry Noonan, AWARE, Inc. 2007 Ron Ueland, Butte, MT 2008 John O’Donnell, TechRanch *Indicates previous award titled “Dennis Washington Entrepreneur of the Year”

AMBASSADOR PLENIPOTENTIARY 1984 1985 1997 2000 2003 2003 2004 2005 2007

Gary Buchanan Ed Jasmin Dan Smith Dan Lambros Arne Siegel Keith Colbo Butch Ott Larry Gianchetta Jon Marchi Liz Marchi Tom Siebel

What is a Plenipotentiary? Pronounced plĕn’ə-pə-tĕn’shē-ĕr’ē, this is a title made to any member of the Montana Ambassador organization who has rendered especially meritorious service to the industrial or economic development of the State. The award is honorary in nature and continues throughout the lifetime of the recipient.

see you next year...