Business Newsmakers
Flathead County receives budget award
Flathead County has once again been recognized for excellence in financial transparency and budgeting, receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 18th consecutive year.
The award is one of the highest forms of recognition in governmental budgeting and reflects the county's ongoing commitment to responsible financial management, transparency, and clear communication with the public.
To earn the award, the county’s budget document was evaluated using nationally recognized guidelines designed to assess how effectively a government’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications tool.
Budgets must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and meet 14 specific mandatory criteria to qualify for the award.
Flathead County officials say the recognition reflects the dedication of both the county commissioners and county finance staff to maintain clear, accountable, and responsible financial planning.
The GFOA serves more than 20,000 public finance professionals throughout the United States and Canada and promotes excellence in public financial management.
Students honored with volunteer award
The Montana Student Volunteer Award is awarded in partnership between the Governor’s Office of Community Service and Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement campuses to college students across the state who have demonstrated meaningful volunteer service to their communities while pursuing a college degree or certificate.
Students recognized include JiaJia Farr of Columbia Falls and a student at Flathead Valley Community College.
Since 2024, Farr has volunteered as a violinist at assisted living facilities, local hospitals, and community events throughout the Flathead Valley, bringing comfort and connection to everyone she performs for. She has performed at fundraisers to support the Warming Shelter, the Great Fish Community Challenge, St. Matthew's Catholic School, and other organizations. As Miss Flathead Valley's Teen and a competitor for Miss Montana's Teen, she actively involves others in service by collaborating with local organizations and encouraging participation in community events. On campus, Farr serves as a Communications Senator in Student Government and participates in the Honors Program, all as a full-time Running Start student.
Duffey earns designation
After four years of thorough work within the commercial real estate sector, Marcus Duffey was inducted as a Designee of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute.
To earn the designation, Duffey completed a demanding four-part curriculum of advanced coursework including financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, and investment analysis. Additionally, Duffey provided a portfolio of qualifying transactions demonstrating a high volume of real estate transaction experience.
As a CCIM Designee, Duffey is excited to broaden his work in the commercial real estate market of the Flathead Valley. Marcus and his business partner Katherine Conrad work as brokers and consultants in commercial real estate throughout Northwest Montana as Conrad Duffey Commercial Properties. Additionally, both serve the residential market for Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty.
Commerce awards small business grants
The Montana Department of Commerce presented 21 Montana businesses with a total of $210,000 in grant funding to assist small start-up or expanding Native American-owned tourism businesses. The funding is through Commerce’s Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant Program.
Water People Tours, LLC in Ronan will receive $10,000 for campground repairs and improvements as part of the grant program.
The TTSB grant cycle budget is $240,000, with a maximum award amount of $10,000 and no match required. The program aims to award approximately 24 grants to enrolled citizens of a Montana tribe. The grant cycle runs annually from Oct. 1-Nov. 30.
First Interstate and FHLB award grants to Montana communities
First Interstate and Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines have designated $718,750 in combined support for 35 nonprofit organizations across Montana. This total includes First Interstate’s $200,000 contribution, matched up to three times through FHLB Des Moines’ Member Impact Fund.
The following Montana organizations will receive a total of $718,750 in combined contributions, thanks to First Interstate and FHLB Des Moines: Child Bridge, Jadyn Fred Foundation, Montana Council for Economic Education, Montana Justice Foundation, St. Peters Health Foundation, Missoula Youth Homes, Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County, Boys & Girls Club of Yellowstone County, YMCA, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch
Education Foundation of Billings Public Schools, Love & SONShine, Habitat for Humanity, Tumbleweed HRDC, Thrive, Greater Gallatin United Way KidsLink, Friends of Links for Learning, Great Falls Development Alliance, Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. of Great Falls, Great Falls Food Bank, Alliance for Youth, Florence Crittenton, Helena Education Foundation, Homeword, Mountain Home Montana, Emma’s House, Watson Children’s Shelter, Missoula Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, North Valley Bank, Polson Loaves and Fish, Northwest Montana Land Trust and Samaritan House.
Chapel honored with hardware association
Haley Chapel, chief operating officer for Timberline Ace Hardware based in Livingston, was recently named one of the independent home improvement industry’s 2026 Young Retailer of the Year honorees by the North American Hardware and Paint Association.
Although Chapel grew up around the family business, she did not originally plan to return to it. After pursuing her own education and path, she returned to Timberline Ace eight years ago in a full-time professional role. Since then, she has become known for her thoughtful leadership style, curiosity and commitment to people development.
Chapel serves as chief operating officer of Timberline Ace Hardware. The company has locations in Anaconda, Butte, Columbia Falls, Evergreen and Livingston.
Researcher on Indigenous bison stewardship receives award
A researcher on Indigenous bison stewardship has received the Montana State University Library’s Distinctive Collections Travel and Access Award, which he will use to support his research.
Josias Agustin Mendez, a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University whose work draws on both geography and history, received the $3,000 honorarium. The award, which is being given for the sixth time, will help fund Mendez’s summer travel to Bozeman, where he will use the MSU Archives and Special Collections’ considerable materials related to bison in Montana and the region.
Specifically, the award will support research for the second chapter of Mendez’s dissertation, “Herds on the Range,” which analyzes how members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes responded to the cultural, political and spatial consequences of the establishment of the National Bison Range in 1908 on reservation land.
The award is a collaborative effort between the MSU Ivan Doig Center for the Study of the Lands and Peoples of the North American West, the Archives and Special Collections at MSU and the Friends of MSU Library. It is jointly funded by the Friends of MSU Library and the Doig Center.
Montana's Credit Unions recognized leaders
Montana's Credit Unions proudly recognized outstanding leaders from across the credit union movement during its annual Power Up conference, celebrating individuals who are helping ignite the future of the industry through leadership, innovation, and service.
Professional of the Year: Eddie Black, Vocal CU With a career spanning more than three decades, Eddie Black was recognized for his sustained leadership, strategic vision, and ability to drive lasting change. From leading organizational turnarounds to strengthening partnerships at the state and national level, his career reflects a deep commitment to advancing both the credit union movement and the communities it serves.
Young Professional of the Year: Micah Bevans, Montana CU Micah Bevans earned recognition as an emerging leader making an immediate impact. In just six years, Bevans has demonstrated remarkable growth — advancing through multiple roles, driving process improvements, and embracing continuous learning. Their forward-thinking approach and dedication to innovation exemplify the next generation of credit union leadership.
Mitch Reed Volunteer of the Year: Con Malee, Southwest Montana Community FCU Con Malee was honored for more than a decade of exceptional volunteer service. A collaborative and thoughtful leader, Malee has played a key role in guiding his credit union through growth and change while consistently advocating for strong governance and community impact. His dedication reflects the vital role volunteer leaders play in shaping the credit union difference.
Philosophy in Action Award: Brandon Scala, Valley CU Brandon Scala received one of MCU’s most meaningful honors for consistently turning values into action. Through leadership grounded in integrity, mentorship, and community partnership, Scala has championed initiatives that expand access to education and opportunity while inspiring others to lead with purpose.