Chamber recognizes top businesspeople

The Kalispell Chamber also names a Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year. This year’s businessman is Tom Lund, president of Rocky Mountain Bank in Kalispell.

Lund was founding president of the bank in 2004.

“He grew the bank from an empty field to having deposits of $21 million and commercial loans of $27 million and over 800 customers,” Mark Johnson wrote in support of Lund’s nomination. “Once the Rocky Mountain Bank was in operation and growing its customers’ base, he acted as a mentor not only to his direct employees but for employees and officers in many banks in the Rocky Mountain system.”

Johnson pointed out that Lund has always been active in local Chambers of Commerce. He is currently vice chairman of the Kalispell urban renewal agency and a member of the School District 5 long-range planning committee, Montana West Economic Development and West Side Tax Increment Board.

Lund’s also has been greatly involved in the Catholic church and local service organizations wherever he has lived.

Businesswoman of the Year is Debbie Kramer, who is in charge of human resources for Three Rivers Bank. She is also a co-owner of builder and contractor Kramer Enterprises Inc.

Kramer’s volunteer pursuits have touched many areas of the community. She is co-founder of the Flathead chapter of Finally Home, through which she helped raise more than $50,000 to build homes for wounded and disabled veterans. She also showed her commitment to the military by leading the charge to send five tons of Christmas presents to troops in Afghanistan through her co-founding of Operation Santa.

She also has been a chairwoman for Habitat for Humanity, director of the Glacier Institute, served on the United Way advisory panel and was a board member for the Flathead Building Association.  

She also participates in community programs sponsored by Three Rivers Bank — Highlander Track, Highlander Cross Country and Heritage Club.

She was nominated by Brent Hall, who praised Kramer for her professionalism and willingness to help others in their careers.

“She has made friends with other bankers, sharing ideas and discussing banking industry issues and also relating these issues to the building industry,” he wrote. “She is called by many builders and subcontractors and vendors for banking advice.

“As far as success in her job, Deb has been at Three Rivers Bank for 25 years, starting as a drive-through teller to now being Vice President of Operations and a senior officer.”

Kalispell Chamber’s Member of the Year is Allison Rold of Wild Horse Limousine.