Business Journal - March 2016

BUSINESS F O R S O U T H W E S T M O N TA N A

JOURNAL

BREWERY HOPPING Clocking in with Tanner Burgard, owner of Tour de Foam PAGE 12

MARCH 29, 2016

BOZEMAN

TRAILBLAZERS

PAGE 14

SPOTLIGHTING THREE LOCAL COMPANIES THAT MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES FOR INNOVATION

editor ’s

NOTEBOOK B Y L E W I S K E N DA L L BUSI N E S S JOU R NA L E DI TOR

This month, I want to use this space to make a request of Business Journal and Chronicle readers.

Since I’ve taken this job, I’ve heard from many of you — both in the form of feedback and reaction, as well as tips for new stories. But I want to hear more. What issues do you think deserve more attention in both the Journal and the Chronicle?

What areas of our coverage is lacking? What interests do you, as readers, prioritize?

Don’t take this as an open invitation to criticize the Chronicle. Understand that we have limited resources

and can’t cover every story all the time. But part of being a news organization in 2016 means having an open line of communication to readers and staying in touch with their values. Good journalism requires both transparency and community engagement.

So tell me what you think.

What do you like about the Business Journal? What could we do better?

After you’ve read these pages, give me a call (406582-2651) send me an email (lkendall@dailychronicle. com) or find me on Twitter (@lewdak).

ON THE COVER: Foundant Technoloiges encourages employees to decorate their departments, such as the tropical theme in the marketing department shown here on March 17 in Bozeman.

BUSINESS F O R S O U T H W E S T M O N TA N A

JOURNAL

EDITOR | LEWIS KENDALL ADVERTISING MANAGER | SYLVIA DR AIN

E-MAIL: lkendall@dailychronicle.com OTHER WAYS TO CONTAC T US: PO Box 1190, Bozeman MT 59771 Phone 406 587-4491 OUR THREECOUNTY REGION

GALLATIN MADISON

PARK

Business Journal is published monthly by Big Sky Publishing, LLC. Contents copyrighted 2012 by Business Journal unless otherwise noted.

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M A R C H 2 9, 2 016 • B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L

CLOCKING IN ...

... with Tanner Burgard, owner of Tour de Foam

BY LEW IS K E NDA LL

|

BUSI N E S S JOU R NA L E DI TOR

BY LEW IS K E NDA LL BUSI N E S S JOU R NA L E DI TOR

WHEN TANNER BURGARD was five years old, he strolled into his garage, pulled open the drawers to his father’s workbench and emptied the contents — nuts and bolts — into a small toy wheelbarrow. Container in tow, Burgard cruised his neighborhood like a miniature Avon lady, hawking the metal pieces to whomever would buy them. It was the Bozeman-native’s first exposure to the wild world of business, and he was hooked.

“I’ve been in the game a long time,” Burgard said during a recent interview. “I knew I was in trouble way back then.”

Nearly two decades later, Burgard is on to bigger and better things. In December, the 24-yearold launched Bozeman’s first brewery tour company, Tour de Foam.

In part a reaction to the area’s proliferating craft beer scene, Tour de Foam offers locals and tourists designed rides to and from any of the Gallatin Valley’s breweries in Burgard’s signature brew van.

The concept is not a new one.

In recent years, beer tour businesses have begun popping up across the country, including several in Montana. But Bozeman,

ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

Tanner Burgard, owner of Tour De Foam, offers craft beer enthusiasts tours and knowledge of the many local breweries in Gallatin and Park County.

with its seven breweries, had nothing.

“It struck me as amazing that Bozeman didn’t have one,” Burgard said.

So the Montana State University graduate set out to fix that.

He researched other successful

operations, brainstormed his vehicle of choice (rickshaw? School bus?), obtained a small business loan and the necessary Public Service Commission paperwork, and finally, in December, offered the company’s first tour.

“What we’ve got is a fun combi-

nation of information, tasting, knowledge, behind the scenes access, access to really great beer, customer service and safety,” he said. “I think we hit all the right fields.”

FOAM CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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COMINGS &GOINGS

FOAM F ROM PAGE 3

TO CONTRIBUTE CALL 582-2635

New fitness studio Fitness center Swiss Fit Montana opened its doors this month. The gym offers personal training programs catered to specific needs and is located at 2405 W. Main Street in Bozeman.

Art gallery closing Tart, the longstanding art gallery in the Emerson Cultural Center, closed its doors this month after nine years. The business will be replaced by a new gallery, Wilder Goods, starting in April.

New landscape firm High Divide Landscape began operating in Bozeman this month.

Owners Billy and Jaime Neuburger have 10 years of experience in landscape care and installation, and use biologically

Burgard prides himself on the knowledge of his two tour guides, who he put through his in-house “beer guide beer school” to learn about hop varieties and fermenting processes, before sending them on the road.

Tour de Foam offers a three-brewery tour (the Pint Package) for $45, and a four-brewery tour (the Growler Package) for $60, as well as custom options. Packages include rides to and from breweries as well as drink discounts and free swag like stickers and glasses.

Patrons don’t generally fit into a single demographic, Burgard said, but the diversity of the clientele is an added bonus.

“It’s anybody from 21-year-old people who want to learn something about good beer all the way up to 80-year-old people celebrating anything. If you like beer and you like a few good laughs, we’re your people,” he said.

One of the most memorable tours was a cohort of flight attendants that happened to be reuniting in Bozeman for one day, he added.

“They were very interested in learning about beer. They loved Bozeman and they were so happy all the time, it was like a 24hour party for them.”

Though it isn’t his first business experience (he owned a lawn care company as a student), Burgard said Tour de Foam has been constantly educative.

“To be successful, I’m rapidly learning that you need to have a consistent application of pressure all the time. If you let up at all you lose your momentum,” he said. “That’s a stark contrast to school, where once something is done you turn it in and forget about it. In business if you let your thumb up for one second, you lose the ground.”

Keeping his thumb down means pushing marketing, connecting with brewers, booking as many tours as he can and, if business gets

sound products that improve soil aeration, water retention and microbial activity for a healthier lawn.

High Divide Landscape services include mowing, dethatching and aeration, and sprinkler system maintenance.

The company also installs holiday lights and can create custom lighting designs for customers.

Real estate office opening downtown Windermere Broker Kevin Schwartz will be opening a new Windermere Real Estate office this month in downtown Bozeman at 9 East Main Street.

Schwartz, a Chicago native, has lived in many parts of the country before settling into Montana. He obtained his supervising broker’s license while working in the Windermere Helena office.

THE BOTTOM LINE

MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

MONTANA ELEVATOR CASH GRAIN PRICES

AIRPORT BOARDINGS Dec.

90,000 80,000 70,000

Feb. October Nov.

60,000

29K 23K

50,000 Billings

4

Jan.

Bozeman

M A R C H 2 9, 2 016 • B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L

Missoula

$8 $7 $6 $5 $4 $3

U.S. 2 Feed Barley U.S. 1 Dark Northern Spring Wheat 14% U.S. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat 12%

3/4

3/11

3/18

AVERAGE PRICE PER BUSHEL FOR WINTER AND SPRING WHEAT. AVERAGE PRINCE PER CW T FOR FEED BARLEY

SOURCE: USDA-WY DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE MARKET NEWS SERVICE, TORRINGTON, WY

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But until then, Burgard will take satisfaction from providing a service that he knows people enjoy: good beer and good times with a slight taste of information.

“Everything that I like about business revolves around making people happy in a way,“ he said. “If it will throw a smile on somebody’s face, it will probably put a smile on mine.”

Kendall can be reached at lkendall@dailychronicle.com. Kendall is on Twitter at @lewdak

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* For more details on sponsorship, please email info@bozemanschoolsfoundation.org B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L • M A R C H 2 9, 2 016

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M A R C H 2 9, 2 016 • B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L

BUSINESS MATTERS

▲

[ Quarterly advice for business and life from a revolving cast of three columnists ]

Finding your values in the dark DAVE MELDAHL

WHILE I BRUSH MY TEETH, it happens every day in my head. Yep, that’s at least twice a day; unless, of course, it’s more frequent due to a particularly garlic-heavy lunch. It took a while at the beginning, but since they’re now memorized, it happens very easily. And, unless I’m in a real hurry, I can even do it multiple times during one brushing. “They” are my personal values, and “it” is reciting them mentally.

You may be thinking, “What in the world are you doing reciting values to yourself in the bathroom?” Fair question. Before I answer that question, however, l’d like to share three insightful sentences from the classic leadership tome “The Leadership Challenge:” “If you don’t believe the messenger, you won’t believe the message.”

“You can’t believe in the messenger if you don’t know what the messenger believes.”

“You can’t be the messenger until you’re clear about what you believe.”

If I were you, I’d put my eyeballs in reverse and read those again, slowly. Let them sink in.

From my vantage point, these statements capture an additional way to express what I call one’s Ideal Self. As a leader or messenger, the need to be authentic, transparent and trustworthy is paramount. Knowing and living out one’s values and beliefs breathes life into those attributes. Unless I am crystal clear about and committed to what is most important to me, what is

most core, then my Ideal Self is not built on a firm foundation.

Instead, it teeters weakly on an arbitrary and unpredictable pile of moral sand that shifts and erodes as waves of pressure and temptation pound it from all directions.

Becoming clear about one’s Ideal Self solidifies the foundation and is a key ingredient of great leadership. Average leaders kinda-sorta know what they believe and stand for, but those notions are fuzzy and ill-defined. Fuzzy notions do not provide moral clarity or values-focused direction when making decisions under pressure.

Back to the reason for reciting my values while brushing my teeth. Doing so is a way of cementing my core values into my mind. My experience is that the more accessible my values are to me, the more likely I am to actually act in alignment with them, especially when the going gets tough. In other words, I want to be able to find my values in the dark, when misaligned behavioral choices tempt me and when I’m faced with important decisions.

Reciting them multiple times

during the day keeps them fresh in my mind and available as behavioral guideposts throughout the day.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve completed values clarification exercises several times throughout my career. I did so with sincerity. I also did so, apparently, without a firm commitment to remembering them. It was difficult to have values guide my behavior when I couldn’t remember them. Reciting them while I brush my teeth has changed that. This simple trigger has made all the difference.

What trigger might work for you?

I’ve also taken the step to make them actionable by adding a verb to each one. My core values are to: live with integrity, love my family, nurture my faith, be dependable, seek growth and make healthy choices. These are part of my Ideal Self and are the behavioral guideposts with which I most want to align my Real Self (my actual thoughts, feelings and actions).

Adding the verbs reminds me that these are not passive intellectual concepts, but are practical expectations of myself that demand action if I truly desire to better align my Real Self with my Ideal Self.

And action is where real life resides.

Cleaning the bathrooms without having to be asked by my wife to do so, being honest even when it’s to my detriment or embarrassment, making important career decisions, avoiding that extra donut and other small and big decisions come more easily because I have the lens of my values through which to examine them. I didn’t say easy, just easier. Easier because my decisions are not based on emotional whims, peer pressure or political calculations, but on a small number of core values that I deliberately chose to

reflect the best of me, and upon which I reflect at least twice daily.

While these values have been consistent now for several years, my hunch is that these would not have been my chosen values when I was a young 20-something just dipping my toes into the “real world.” Values can evolve over time based on life experiences and larger priorities (having children comes to mind). To ensure that my values are up-to-date, I annually re-evaluate them. Doing so led me to add “be dependable” a few years ago. I realized that I was very disappointed when others displayed behavior that was not dependable. On reflection, I decided that my emotional response to those situations was a symptom that a core value of mine was being violated. So, I added it.

Caution. Do not go beyond six core values. It’s important to keep the number of values manageable. A small number makes them more memorable and accessible. Also, as the old saying goes, “If everything is important, nothing is.” These handful need to be the ones that do not bend when push comes to shove.

What are your core values? If they do not come quickly to mind (I mean, like lightning fast), please do yourself (and those you seek to lead and love) a huge favor: Take some time to identify and memorize your core values so you can, from this day on, find them in the dark. If you’d like a resource to guide you in clarifying your values, send me an email and I’ll forward you a link.

Thanks for reading, I’ve got to go brush my teeth now.

Dave is sr. vice president of think2perform and can be reached at 406-587-5884 or dmeldahl@ think2perform.com.

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▲

REAL TALK

History, repeated

BY ROBYN ERLENBUSH

IT IS RATHER COMMON KNOWLEDGE here in southwest Montana that Yellowstone National Park was officially established as our nation’s first national park in 1872. Congress motioned to create the park as public land from over 1 million acres in what is now part of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, and President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law. Since that time, millions of people from around the world have visited this natural wonder with many of them passing through the original entrance to the park in Gardiner, Montana. The National Park Service was established in August of 1916 and is therefore celebrating its centennial this year.

Events have been created and promoted throughout the nation to recognize our 58 national parks. In fact, marketing efforts have been underway to share the common connection to our parks using social media and the #FindYourPark campaign. Gateway towns, including Gardiner, are busily preparing to take advantage of the national fanfare.

To step back a little, the Gardiner Gateway Project, which began in 2012, is an ambitious undertaking to revitalize and improve the amenities of the only year-round park entrance in categories such as traffic issues, better walkways, accessible public restrooms and many others.

The bottom line is for the town’s infrastructure to be improved for the large tourist population that filters through the area. A remarkable statistic is that although Gardiner has around 900 yearround inhabitants, about 700,000 visitors pass through on a yearly 8

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basis into Yellowstone. The Gateway Project partners numerous local, state and federal agencies that have collaborated with the common goal of providing both a fitting facelift and a decrease in impact to the community from tourism.

The culmination of the Gardiner Gateway Project’s first phase will be celebrated this summer most notably during a special event on Thursday, Aug. 25 at Arch Park. According to the National Park Service’s website, An Evening at the Arch will “highlight the importance of private/public partnerships,” while kicking off a new century of our parks. Tickets will be free of charge but distributed in a limited capacity with information on how to obtain them still forthcoming.

The Livingston Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are organizing a large pre-function, if you

will, for the centennial celebration in the form of Park County Days.

This week-long event is slated for Aug. 14 through 20 and will feature a daily theme. Events include Ranch Heritage and Farm Day (Sunday), Outdoor Recreation and Outfitters Day (Monday), Performing Arts, Storytelling and Film Day (Tuesday), Farmer’s Market (Wednesday), Museum and Cultural History Day (Thursday), Art Walk to the Yellowstone (Friday) and the finale on Saturday will be Fun, Food and Suds in the Park along with a Battle of the Bands and the Mane Event, an annual fundraiser for the United in Light Draft Horse Sanctuary.

For those who can’t make the ceremony in Gardiner on Aug. 25, there will be a big screen set up in Livingston’s Miles Park bandshell right along the Yellowstone River which will be streaming the event live. The full schedule of events is available at parkcountydays.com.

If you don’t want to wait until August to celebrate Yellowstone’s longevity, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins will be celebrating its 125th anniversary on May 13. Last year, the hotel was awarded the designation as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) as well. The event will include a procession of historic vehicles,

the NHL plaque unveiling, walking tours of the hotel and some area driving tours. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to visit the hotel, a recent extensive renovation has captured and restored its original beauty.

Although not celebrating a birthday, the Old Faithful Inn, built in 1903-1904, is an extremely popular Yellowstone destination. It is considered the largest log structure in the world and is a complicated yet beautiful mix of logs, stone, copper and wrought iron. With park visitation numbers at an all-time high — last year over 4 million tourists — it is recommended to get your reservations early to the Old Faithful Inn or any other lodging choice. And depending on which entrance you are using, it would also be advised to check out the local Chambers of Commerce to see what type of festivities will be offered in each gateway city.

With summer activities and plans already on the horizon, how lucky we are to have this historic treasure in our very own backyard.

Robyn Erlenbush is a downtown business owner and the broker and owner of ERA Landmark Real Estate, NAI Landmark Commercial and Intermountain Property Management. Contact her at robyn@eralandmark.com.

▲

FINANCIAL TIPS

Bright ideas

BY STEVE HAMPLE

ELECTRIC LIGHTING HAS A LONG interesting history of innovations, which often remained dormant until becoming economically practical.

Fluorescent tube lighting will now be replaced by newly practical light emitting diode (LED) tubes.

Humphry Davy is credited with inventing the first electric light in 1802. However, his electric arc lights were exposed to air and burned out very quickly. Many people reasoned that placing the apparatus in a glass container and sucking out the air would fix the problem, but that was easier said than done. Eighty years later vacuum pumps had improved to make that possible and Thomas Edison tried his hand at improving things.

Edison worked famously long hours running electric current through different materials to find something that was relatively durable and economically feasible.

Finally, he found a not so obvious answer: bamboo. In 1880 Edison began commercial production and for 10 years carbonized bamboo was the filament giving off light.

By 1890 a huge debate centered on whether to use current that flowed in one direction (DC, or direct current) as in batteries or current that worked on a push-pull method of alternating its direction (AC or alternating current). Edison fought hard for DC while a less well-known fellow named Tesla claimed that AC was better. The “currency war” was won by Tesla after George Westinghouse used Tesla’s method to light the 1892 Chicago World’s Fair. The defeated Edison capitalized on his other

ideas, founded General Electric and became wealthy and famous. Tesla died penniless and largely forgotten, but now has an electric car company named after him.

Apparently Edison did not invent the best light bulb. “There is a light bulb burning in Fire Station 6 in Livermore, California that is 113 years old. Installed in 1901, the 4-watt wonderbulb was the invention of Edison’s rival Adolphe Chaillet. Unfortunately for Chaillet, his bulbs never needed to be replaced, so he went out of business.”

Electric lights quickly replaced gas lanterns. A fluorescent tanning lamp was invented in the 1930s.

Fluorescent tube lights of 1.5inch diameter became popular in the 1950s. Two decades ago more efficient 1-inch diameter tubes replaced most of the larger tubes.

Manufacturing of compact fluo-

rescent lights only recently became practical.

Common incandescent light bulbs convert only about 10 percent of the energy input into light (much is given off as heat). The 1950s fluorescent tubes were about twice as efficient. The smaller ones used today are almost three times as efficient as incandescent. New LED tubes reportedly provide a new leap in efficiency. “Today’s LED bulbs are also six to seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights, cut energy use by more than 80 percent and can last more than 25 times longer.” But there’s a catch.

Fluorescent lights must be jump started, something like using battery jumper cables to start an old car on a frigid day. Early fixtures contained a “starter” while more recent lights have a “ballast.”

Variations exist, but both send a stored up initial burst of energy. In contrast the new LED tubes don’t use a ballast starter and don’t run at high internal temperatures. However, store owners and others face one problem: What to do with the starter ballasts in existing fixtures?

Currently three alternatives exist: n Simply replace current tubes as they burn out with special “instantfit” LED bulbs (which contain an

internal driver to cope with the energy bursts). These are relatively expensive, don’t last as long and are not quite as efficient. Then as each old ballast fails (probably having been installed 10 to 15 years ago) call an electrician to remove the ballast and convert the fixture and change to using a more standard LED tube. n Use 110-voltage internal driver LED bulbs. An electrician is required to take apart the fixture, remove the ballast and possibly replace sockets so that 110-voltage is fed to that type of tube. Variations exist. Do not insert the wrong type of bulb into such a socket. n Pay a larger conversion cost to totally convert to “low voltage, remote driver” tubes. This requires an electrician to replace the old fashioned ballasts with a low voltage transformer. These low voltage LED tubes are the most efficient, are safer, and work well with dimming switches. Also, these simpler tubes will be less expensive.

One could say that a new day is dawning, for interior lighting. It’s at least a current topic for discussion.

Recent business owner retiree Stephen R. Hample, CFP is now a partner in an angel fund investment group. He was the founding president of the Bozeman Area Community Foundation and of the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club.

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BOZEMAN AREA BUSINESS CALENDAR BOZEMAN 3/28 Bozeman Daily Chronicle B2B Networking Luncheon with Conrad Anker, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn. Tickets are $35 until 3/21 and $40 after that. Visit http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/business/events/ b2b-luncheons/ for more information and to register.

4/2 Winter Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Emerson Cultural Center.

More information at www.bozemanwintermarket.com.

4/5 Downtown Bozeman Association Board Meeting, 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Downtown Bozeman Partnership Office, 222 E. Main St. Suite 302. All are welcome.

Visit www.downtownbozeman.org for more information.

4/7 Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Gallatin College, 705 Osterman Ln. Free for members, $25 for non-members. Register at www.bozemanchamber.com.

4/9 Downtown Bozeman Partnership

Bridal Walk, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in downtown Bozeman. Visit www.downtownbozeman.org for more information.

4/13 Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Issues- Three November 2016 Potential Bond Initiatives, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln. $18 for members, $105 for non-members. Register at www.bozemanchamber.com.

4/13 Bozeman Business and Professional Women Lunch Program “Converting Ideas into Invoices”, 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 E. Baxter, $9 for members, $12 for non-members.

Visit www.bozemanbpw.org for more information.

4/16 Winter Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Emerson Cultural Center.

More information at www.bozemanwintermarket.com.

4/19 Tax Increment Fund Board Meeting, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Downtown Bozeman Partnership office.

4/19 Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch Seminar-

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To contribute the Business Calendar email srandrus@ dailychronicle.com

Developing an Employee Recruitment & Selection Plan, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bozeman Chamber, 2000 Commerce Way. $18 for members, $105 for nonmembers. Register at www.bozemanchamber.com.

4/20 Bozeman SCORE Workshop “Practical Aspects of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Laws”, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at the Bozeman Public Library Large Community Room. Visit www.scorebozeman.org for more information.

4/20 Business Improvement District Board Meeting, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Downtown Bozeman Partnership office. Visit www.downtownbozeman.org for more information.

4/20 Bozeman Business and Professional Women Networking Social, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Baxter Hotel, Free for members, free for nonmember guests. Visit www.bozemanbpw. org for more information.

4/25 Bozeman Daily Chronicle B2B Networking Luncheon: Farm to Table Panel, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn. Tickets are $35 until 4/18 and $40 after that. Visit http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/business/events/ b2b-luncheons/ for more information and to register.

4/27 Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., at the Bozeman Chamber, 2000 Commerce Way. More information at www.bozemanchamber.com.

4/27 Bozeman Business and Professional Women Lunch Program “What Mentoring Means to Women”, 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., at Holiday Inn, 5 E. Baxter, $9 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Visit www.bozemanbpw.org for more information.

4/28 Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Riverside Country Club, 2500 Springhill Rd. Free for members, $25 for non-members. Register at www.bozemanchamber.com.

BELGRADE 4/5 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce President’s Circle, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Meeting open to past presidents and past board of directors of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.

4/7 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., at the Belgrade Chamber of

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Commerce. Cost is $15. Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information.

4/12 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Rise and Share, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information.

4/14 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Building Belgrade, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.

Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information.

4/19 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Visit www.belgradechamber.org.

4/21 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.

Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information.

4/26 Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Rise and Share, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.belgradechamber.org for more information.

THREE FORKS 4/11 Three Forks Chamber of Commerce Meeting, 7 p.m., at Three Forks City Hall. Call (406) 285-4753 for more information.

MADISON COUNTY 4/5 Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Board Meeting, 5 p.m., at the Ruby Valley Bank, 103 N. Main St., Sheridan. Visit www. rubyvalleychamber.com for more information.

4/7 Ennis Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Main Street Flowers & Gifts. Free for members and their guests. Visit www. ennischamber.com for more information.

4/12 Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Big Sky Chamber, 55 Lone Mountain Trail. Visit www.bigskychamber.com for more information.

4/13 Ennis Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 8 a.m., at the First Madison Valley Bank. Members welcome.

Visit www.ennischamber.com for more information.

4/21 Visit Big Sky Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Big Sky Chamber, 55 Lone Mountain Trail. Visit www.visitbigskymt.com for more information.

ON THE RECORD FILINGS

1/20, Lot 12 – Gallatin Center, PRE-APP. 1/20, Masonic Temple Rehab, CCOA. 1/20, Bozeman Sport Park, INF. 1/20, Johnson Boundary, SE. 1/21, Gray Partridge, CR. 1/21, Murdoch’s Headquarters New Building, MOD. 1/22, Bozeman Running Co., CCOA. 1/25, Panda Express, MOD. 1/26, Pine Meadows, PP. 1/26, Bisl Alcohol, CUP. 1/27, Rocky Mountain Credit Union, SP. 1/27, Mendenhall Urban Housing, CR. 1/27, Marathon Seat Covers, SP/CUP. 1/28, Montana Aleworks, CCOA. 1/29, Bridger Vale, INF. 1/29, Winco Food Store, INF. 1/29, Faultline North, STUD. 1/29, North Cottonwood Homes, AF. 2/2, Wortman Addition, MASP/SP. 2/2, 19th and College LPF, GPA/ZMA. 2/2, 119 E. Main Remodel, CUP/CCOA. 2/2, Burgard Building, SP.

PERMITS FILINGS PATENTS BANKRUPTCIES

2/2, Amended Plat. Lot 18-A, FINAL PLAT. 2/2, Spring Hill Suites, SE. 2/2, Schunkweiler Lot A-I, FINAL PLAT. 2/4, Starbucks Coffee, CCOA. 2/8, Hawthorne Elementary School, INF. 2/10, Lucky Lils, SP/CUP. 2/10, Lot 1 and 2 Minor Sub. 4S4B, MSP. 2/10, The Palisade Building, SP. 2/11, West Winds Phase 4 and 5, SE. 2/12, Sacajawea Middle School, INF. 2/16, City Center Inn, ZMA. 2/16, Manley Road, CSP. 2/16, TBP Condo Owners Association, MOD. 2/16, Creekside Apartments, MOD. PERMITS

Commercial Offices, Banks, Professional Buildings 3970 Valley Commons, Jon Stites and Reed Jones, Jon Stites Construction, 4,580 Sq Ft $533,278.

Commercial Alteration 612 W. Beall, Tarpon Bay Partners LLC,

Ft, $10,000.

708 N. Rouse, Nelson Montana Property LLC, Knobby Ridge Builders LLC, $75,000.

902 N. Wallace, NW Holdings LLC, Holding Ground Workshop LLC, $10,000.

1919 W. Main Montana CVS Pharmacy, RT JN Enterprises, Inc., 2,080 Sq Ft, $250,000.

Fulbright Construction LLC, 1,958 Sq Ft, $150,000.

Commercial Tenant Improvement 4515 Valley Commons, Boardwalk Properties, Inc., Langlas & Associates, Inc., 5,191 Sq Ft, $311,460.

2876 N. 27th, Todd M. Hough, Stuart Mill Properties LLC, 800 Sq Ft, $3,500.

131 W. Main, Dutton Development LLC, Langlas & Associates, Inc., $134,473.

1216 W. Lincoln, KO Holdings LLC, Langlas & Associates, Inc., 960 Sq Ft, $3,000.

1006 W. Main, 1006 West Main LLC, Building Dimensions, Inc., $30,000.

510 Manley, Map Brewing Co., Paul Bierman Construction, Inc., 740 Sq Ft, $50,000.

611 E. Main, MTH Partners, No Contractor Listed, 9,695 Sq Ft, $400,000.

1805 W. Oak, Bridger Peaks LLC, Dick Anderson Construction, Inc., 3,642 Sq Ft, $400,000.

321 E. Mendenhall, Ironwood, Inc., Rising Sun Construction, 2,487 Sq Ft, $275,000.

1919 W. Main, Montana CVS Pharmacy, RT JN Enterprises, Inc., 2,080 Sq Ft, $250,000.

1919 W. Main, Montana CVS Pharmacy, Langlas & Associates, Inc., 2,237 Sq Ft, $250,000.

815 Manley, Old Marsh Holdings LLC, Schlauch-Bottcher Construction Inc., 1,386 Sq

Commercial Reroof 622 S. Grand, Robert and Carol Rydell, Renaissance Renovations LLC, $1,342.

Demolition Permit 25 W. Main, Five’s the Most LLC, Surfaces LLC, $20,000.

Fire Protection Systems Permit MSU- NAIC Parking Garage, MSU Facilities, Martel Construction, Inc., $26,271.

606 N. 5th, Darlington Manor Apartments, Coppermine Fire Suppression System, $98,000.

1200 E. Main, Western Heritage Inn, Montana Wyoming Systems, $18,922.

519 E. Mendenhall, Cottonwood Partners LLC, Langlas & Associates, Inc., $3,750.

300 W. Main, East Willson LLC, Bridger Builders, Inc., 40,792 Sq Ft, $8,000.

527 E. Mendenhall, Cottonwood Partners LLC, Langlas & Associates, Inc., $3,750.

2716 Turbulence, Stoneridge

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Why earn an Associate’s Degree?

• You can successfully transition into college.

• You’ll gain a solid foundation for further education.

• You can earn a college degree in 2 years.

• You can graduate sooner and save on tuition.

Plus, scholarships are available.

To learn more visit: gallatin.montana.edu or call 406-994-5536

B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L • M A R C H 2 9, 2 016

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ON THE RECORD CON T. Apartments LP, Outback Construction, Inc., $10,202.

2715 Tschache, Stoneridge Apartments LP, Outback Construction, Inc., $10,202.

Sign Permit 5050 S. Cottonwood, Park Street Holdings LLC, Yesco LLC, $7,460.

7 S. Tracy, Pheasant Farms LLC, Signs of Montana, $250.

26 E. Mendenhall, City of Bozeman for BPC, Midstate Signs LLC, $10,000.

37 S. Willson, Downtowner LLC, Signs of Montana, $6,194.

Residential Single Family Dwelling 2319 Thoroughbred, Southern Lights Holdings LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 3,225 Sq Ft, $293,173.

3487 S. 22nd, Hurlburt Company Inc., McIntosh Construction, 3,389 Sq Ft, $318,412.

1865 Boylan, Ebbighausen Homes, Ebbighausen Homes, Inc., 2,509 Sq Ft, $300,629.

3502 Broadwater, Scott Walker, Walker Construction, 2,889 Sq Ft, $268,817.

3367 S. 21st, Alpenglow, Alpenglow Homes, Inc., 2,209 Sq Ft, $200,619.

3366 S. 22nd, Alpenglow, Alpenglow

Homes, Inc., 2,209 Sq Ft, $200,619.

448 N. Cottenwood, Lindsey Stewart, Ascent Home Builders, Inc., 1,806 Sq Ft, $171,546.

3362 Lolo, First Time Home Buyer LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 2,438 Sq Ft, $211,987.

739 Hanson, Vision Development, Inc., Vision Development, Inc., 2,463 Sq Ft, $223,691.

738 Sheridan, Vision Development, Inc., Vision Development, Inc., 2,463 Sq Ft, $223,691.

3331 Blackbird, Richard and Sharon Growney, Constructive Solutions, Inc., 2,195 Sq Ft, $259,999.

920 Knolls, Thomas Walker, Chase-Skogen Homes, Inc., 3,455 Sq Ft, $334,062.

3475 S. 22nd, Hurlburt Company, Inc., McIntosh Construction, 2,645 Sq Ft, $248,920.

1690 N. Hunters, Tight Lines Investments LLC, Roset and Associates, Inc., 2,827 Sq Ft, $325,354.

1740 Midfield, Trimbach Builders LLC, Trimbach Builders LLC, 3,491 Sq Ft, $333,910.

3422 Lolo, Jeremy and Rae Barrett, Kirchhoff Construction, 2,723 Sq Ft, $237,682.

510 Stafford, Damien and Stefany Pitman, Zach Wermers Construction, 2,450 Sq Ft, $283,427.

4486 Shadowglen, Westbrook Development LLC, Rizing Construction, Inc., 2,300 Sq

Ft, $211,369.

5345 Westmorland, Edward and Vicki Orazem, Kilday & Stratton, Inc., 1,597 Sq Ft, $190,280.

Residential Townhouse 5475 Vermeer, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 2,147 Sq Ft, $198,282.

5481 Vermeer, First Time Home Buyers LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 2,147 Sq Ft, $198,282.

Residential Garages and Carports 979 Twin Lakes, Velocity Development, Triple MT Construction, 996 Sq Ft, $39,671.

947 Twin Lakes, M & S Holdings, Triple MT Construction, 996 Sq Ft, $39,671.

942 Rosa, MT Investments LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 996 Sq Ft, $39,671.

963 Twin Lakes, Triple MT LLC, Triple MT Construction, 900 Sq Ft, $35,847.

978 Rosa, Rosa Construction, Rosa Construction, Inc., 572 Sq Ft, $22,783.

JOURNAL

Honored to Serve You 34 Years

Dennis Hardin BROKER/OWNER

Residential or Comemercial Our 35th Year

587-1211 www.HardinRE.com

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M A R C H 2 9, 2 016 • B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L

Residential Alteration 304 S. 3rd, Matthew and Lisa Dorrington, Kane Carpentry & Remodeling LLC, 3,000 Sq Ft, $70,000.

430 Peace Pipe, Donald Soucek, Arlee Green Construction, Inc., 3,000 Sq Ft, $100,000.

4233 Monroe, Douglas and Gail Beaudoin, Owner is General, 1,700 Sq Ft, $20,000.

2121 S. Tracy, James Allard and Mary Bushing, Cozy Creek Custom, 364 Sq Ft, $14,800.

219 E. Olive, Irene Decker, Montana Construction Works, 850 Sq Ft, $35,000.

Christopher Allen Rager of Belgrade. Flying Arrow Archery LLC of Belgrade. Arrowhead. D750,723. March 1.

Charles Richardson of Bozeman, Thomas S. Vedvick of Federal Way, Wash., Thomas R. Foubert of Bozeman, and William T. Tino of

84.9% of Bozeman and Belgrade Business Owners read the Business Journal every month (Alta Marketing Research Survey)

MEETING ROOMS MASSAGE

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Residential Addition 509 E. Fridley, Floyd and Frances Taylor, Oliver Construction LLC, 180 Sq Ft, $21,000.

PATENTS

Residential Duplex 1040 Rosa, Rosa Construction, Rosa Construction, Inc., 3,160 Sq Ft, $334,739.

942 Rosa, MT Investments LLC, Kirchhoff Construction, 3,418 Sq Ft, $362,069.

979 Twin Lakes, Velocity Development, Triple MT Construction, 3,390 Sq Ft, $359,103.

947 Twin Lakes, M & S Holdings, Triple MT Construction, 3,390 Sq Ft, $359,103.

963 Twin Lakes, Triple MT LLC, Triple MT

BUSINESS F O R S O U T H W E S T M O N TA N A

Construction, 3,400 Sq Ft, $360,162.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

MEETING ROOMS

Need New Blinds?

Call Today!

—KITCHEN AVAILABLE—

Available for Rent

From 15 to 150 Occupants Contact Linda Hospodor at 586-3172 lhospodor@ChristusCollegium.org 714 S. 8th Ave. • Bozeman, MT DIR_1434588_Christus Collegium_B2B.indd 1

3/24/2016 11:47:14 AM

Tyler Barnwell Owner

FREE In-Home Estimates

Draperies | Shutters | Shades |

585-7299

Belgrade. Takeda Vaccines, Inc. of Bozeman.

Norovirus vaccine formulations. 9,272,028.

March 1.

Incorporated of Boulder, Colo. Distributed diction/transcription system. 9,263,046.

February 16.

Paul Ryan Gleason of Bozeman. Mystery Ranch Limited of Bozeman. Body armor support harness. 9,271,559. March 1.

William E. Clem of Bozeman, and Leif Summerfield of Bozeman. KERBspace, Inc. of Bozeman. Intelligent urban communications portal and methods. 9,262,915.

February 16.

Jeffrey A. Bowers of Issaquah, Wash., Geoffrey F. Deane of Bellevue Wash., Russell J. Hannigan of Sammamish, Wash., Roderick A. Hyde of Redmond Wash., Muriel Y. Ishikawa of Livermore, Calif., Nathan Kundtz of Kirkland, Wash., Nathan P. Myhrvold of Bellevue, Wash., David R. Smith of Durham, NC, Philip A. Sullivan of Bozeman, Clarence T. Tegreene of Bellevue, Wash., David B. Tuckerman of Lafayette, Calif., and Lowell L. Wood Jr. of Bellevue, Wash. ELWHA LLC of Bellevue, Wash. Systems and methods for adaptive vehicle sensing systems. 9,269,268.

February 23.

Jacob D. Godak of Belgrade. Primus Exerceo LLC of Belgrade. Full body exercise equipment. 9,265,986. February 23.

Richard Beach of Louisvill, Colo., Christopher Butler of Westminster, Colo., Jon Ford of Broomfield, Colo., Brian Marquette of Longmont, Colo., and Christopher Omland of Bozeman. NVOQ

Michael T. Tessmer of Bozeman. MTD Gaming, Inc. of Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Method and apparatus for dynamically selecting a multiplier and dynamically applying the multiplier to a limited number of paylines among the plurality of pre-defined paylines. 9,262,891. February 16.

Shu Kuen Chang of Evanston, Ill., Stephan Merkle of Chicago, Ill., Subrat K. Samantray, of Khandagiri, Ind., Grant T. Sims of Littleton, Colo., Sean T. O’Neill of Campbell, Calif., Ryan C. Artale of Boulder Colo., Tony Moua of Broomfield, Colo., Robert Sharp of Boulder, Colo., and Roland J. Wyatt of Bozeman. Cvidien LP of Mansfield, Mass. Handle for laparoscopic device with integral rotation wheel. D748,260.

January 26.

Raymond Robert Kavarsky, Jr. of Bozeman, Christopher M. Doyle of Waterbury,

VT., and Scott T. Keller of Waterbury Center, VT. The Burton Corporation of Burlington, VT. Snowboard binding and boot. 9,242,168.

January 26.

Paul Dunleavy of Epping, NH., Drake Stimson of Terrace Park, OH., Christopher Michael Bradley of Orinda, Calif. Roland Jeffrey Wyatt of Bozeman, and Jeffrey Alan Tilley of La Honda, Calif. Dermal Photonics Corporation of Middleton, Mass. Dermatological medical device. D747,800. January 19.

BANKRUPTCIES

Mercedes Lynn Arrotta. PO Box 1367. Ennis. Chapter 7. January 19. Richardson.

Keith Alan Hanger. 300 Helen Dr. Belgrade. Chapter 13. January 25. Drummond.

Douglas W. Felton. PO Box 1644. Emigrant. Chapter 7. February 1. Richardson.

Albert Nicholas Devita II and Crystal Marie Devita, fka Crystal Marie St. Louis. PO Box 963. West Yellowstone. Chapter 7. February 1. Richardson.

Brenda Lee Trautman, aka Brenda Lee Cross. 4355 Brookside Ln. Unit A. Bozeman.

Chapter 7. February 3. Richardson.

Laura D. Newman. 113 West Main St. Unit B. Ennis. Chapter 7. February 5. Richardson.

Harold Berge Lindvig. 6767 Fowler Ln. Bozeman. Chapter 7. February 6. Richardson.

Dalles Marie Gaters. PO Box 353. Sheridan. Chapter 7. February 10. Richardson.

Nancy Rae Milligan. 804 West Clark. Livingston. Chapter 7. March 3. Richardson.

Brandon James Tillett, fdba Tillett Geologic LLC. 414 S. F Street. Livingston. Chapter 7.

January 26. Richardson.

Jordan Kenneth Watts. 107 S. 3rd St. Livingston. Chapter 7. March 3. Richardson.

Wesley Harmon Herd, aka Wesley H. Herd, aka Wes Herd, dba Maverick Masonry. PO Box 216. Three Forks. Chapter 7. January 28.

Richardson.

Johnie Scott Mitchell and Tina May Mitchell, aka Tina May Wood-Mitchell. 314 S. 2nd St. Livingston. Chapter 13. March 17.

Drummond.

Commercial Flooring

Billings 2950 King Ave W 406-652-4666

Bozeman 1921 West Main 406-587-5428

Great Falls 1204 7th St S 406-727-3832

Missoula 1603 Brooks 406-543-8224

www.pierceflooring.com B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L • M A R C H 2 9, 2 016

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STORY BY L E W I S K E NDA L L | BUSI N E S S JOU R NA L E DI TOR

|

PHOTOS BY ADR I A N SA NCH EZ - GONZA LEZ

BREED COV E R S T OR Y CON T. FOUNDANT TECHNOLOGIES Recognition: Outside Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Work (2015), Inc.com’s 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America (2015) What they said: “The company’s inspiring clients are a huge reason the 33 employees, many refugees from Fortune 500 corporations, love working here. The company’s flexible philosophy also helps. Employees are encouraged to take long weekends for ultimate Frisbee competitions, endurance events or playtime in the surrounding mountains and receive an annual $1,000 stipend to reimburse expenses while on vacation.” — Outside Magazine.

After a career in the high tech sector, Daren Nordhagen took a turn toward the nonprofit world, founding Foundant Technologies in 2006.

As the name implies, Foundant helps foundations disburse grant and donation dollars to nonprofit organizations through a software system the company created.

“Most of these organizations receive paper grant applications. A foundation would receive 50 envelopes, pull the staples out of everything and run the papers through their copy machines so that they could (evaluate them),” said Nordhagen in a phone interview. “That’s how the process was done, it was that manual.”

The company’s electronic method streamlines this application and awarding process, and has become a hit among grant-making organizations.

More than 900 foundations and government programs currently subscribe to the system, a far cry from the early days when Nordhagen had to cold call organizations to get them onboard.

“It has a huge, huge impact,” the president said.

Recently relocated to a new office off Love Lane, the tech outfit, and Nordhagen in particular, has always prioritized a positive workplace culture.

Along with the vacation stipend, the company pays for health club memberships and offers unlimited time off — as long as employees are getting their work done.

The company also emphasizes local hiring.

Two-thirds of the around 45 employees are Montana State University graduates.

“Life’s too short, let’s have a little fun while we’re at it,” Nordhagen said. “Not only is that a good personal decision, it’s a good business one in the long run. It is business, it’s not easy, but we’re 14

M A R C H 2 9, 2 016 • B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L

Foundant Technoloiges encourages employees to decorate their departments, such as the tropical theme in the marketing department seen here on March 17 in Bozeman.

very conscious of making this different than the typical U.S. job.”

And for the company’s president, who had no previous experience in business ownership, the payback for this type of approach is tangible.

“It’s really exciting and becomes extremely rewarding when you get up in front of a room of your 50-person team and realize that you built that — ‘You guys, we did this’,” he said. “There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction with that.”

Morgan Hausauer, vice-president of talent and training and Andrew Hull, president and founder of Elixiter, a marketing solutions business based in Bozeman, have been instrumental in making Elixiter one of the best workplaces for women.

ELIXITER Recognition: Fortune’s 100 Best Workplaces for Women and 50 Best Workplaces for Camaraderie (2015) What they said: “This Bozeman, Montanabased marketing firm says 78 percent of its managers are women. Employees are eligible to spend three paid hours per week working on their personal health, and 20 hours per year volunteering.” — Fortune.

A former RightNow Technologies employee, Andrew Hull formed Elixiter in 2011 as a partner to marketing automation software company Marketo. Elixiter trains businesses to use Marketo’s software, which in turn helps them better track and monitor their marketing and sales metrics.

The company, which will celebrate its five-year anniversary in April, recently moved into office space above Seven Sushi in Bozeman’s Cannery

District, complete with an open layout environment that houses 34 employees.

“Part of my motivation for how we built Elixiter was trying to provide the opportunities that I never had,” Hull said. “We want everyone to want to be here in Bozeman and Montana and have a fulfilling high tech career and not have to go to another big city to get that done.”

To that end Hull, who is from Billings, makes it a point to hire Montanans. Half of the company staff are from the Treasure State.

“There is so much to be said for that stereotype of a hard-working Montanan — so much of it is true. You put them in a high tech industry, and everything is still applicable,” the 43-year-old said.

The recognition from Fortune was based on employee surveys, which cited the company’s strong benefits (paid sabbaticals, massage therapy) and unique programs (workers are eligible

to spend three paid hours each week working on their personal health) as reasons behind the positive workplace experience.

“We want a great working environment for all our employees, because that makes for a healthy, fun and dynamic company. We also back it up with a very diverse work environment, from our executive staff to the overall workforce,” Hull said.

More than 60 percent of Elixiter employees are women, a rare statistic for a tech firm, but Hull said that the key is levelling the playing field.

“We don’t do anything special for women in our workforce, but what we do provide is an environment that makes it equally possible for everyone to be successful,” he said. “It’s a combination of that and a strong ethic around how we train and mentor our employees. We want to continue doing that.”

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West Paw Design in Bozeman has been certified a Benefit Corporation for two years, after meeting environmental criteria such as using recycled materials for their toy stuffing, contracting with local vendors and becoming more transparent.

WEST PAW DESIGN Recognition: Forbes — America’s Best Small Companies What they said: “West Paw Design is one of the companies defying the conventional wisdom that you can’t manufacture in the U.S. anymore.

In fact, 99 percent of the company’s pet toys and beds, which use non toxic, organic or recyclable materials, are made in Montana, which can hardly boast a legacy of manufacturing. The company has even sourced materials from its customers, who send back old pet chews to be recycled into new products.” — Forbes.

Started in 1996, West Paw was certified as a B Corporation in 2013 as a testament to the company’s focus on its employees, the community and the environment.

Almost all of the 10 products that the company produces — from chew toys to dog beds — come from its building off Frontage Road in Bozeman, where 70 employees work in both the open office and warehouse-style production facility.

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And it’s those employees, said company Founder and CEO Spencer Williams, that dictate company culture.

“We’ve always valued great ideas from staff because they’re the ones doing (the jobs). When employees understand the objective of the company, they are willing to put forward incredible efforts to achieve that goal,” the Montana native said.

West Paw workers have spearheaded several company innovations, from a new type of foam material to painting values in the form of train cars on the building’s walls — “Act with integrity,” “Accountable” and “Friendly.”

Williams also attributed the Forbes recognition to the quality of his staff.

“Being in the list is a huge accomplishment for the employees who made this company great,” he said.

Asked why more companies don’t take West Paw’s approach, Williams said the type of environment he has helped cultivate takes a large amount of trust.

“It requires leadership to have a lot of confidence in this type of business. Owners feel more control if they hold all the cards, but they’re missing out on all the great feedback from employees,” he said.

At West Paw, feedback comes in the form of bi-weekly open book staff meetings where the company discusses its financials, as well as daily direction settings and monthly workforce gatherings. Employee benefits are also a priority, with paid volunteer time and counseling services among the company’s offerings.

This combination of transparency and support has helped the firm thrive. And contrary to popular belief, prioritizing employees and strong business growth are not mutually exclusive concepts, Williams said.

“When you put culture first, you don’t have to forgo growth and opportunities — it allows a company to grow and prosper even more,” he said. “It’s a win-win.”

Kendall can be reached at lkendall@dailychronicle.com.

Kendall is on Twitter at @lewdak

Construction:

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Formsetters, Flatwork Finishers, Foreman & Laborers. Will train.

Competitive wages, paid health & dental, 401k, paid holidays & room for advancement. Fill out an application at 2010 Gilkerson Drive, Bzn. or email a resume to: or fax to: 406-585-7554

General

Automotive:

General Help

Hertz

POWERTRAIN PLUS is Now Hiring: NOW HIRING F/T, P/T. Competitive pay, flexible hours. To apply go to kbecpresents.com General

Holiday Inn Express Bozeman is now hiring for

- Housekeeping We pay per room. Top earners make $12-15/hr.

Please pick up application at 2305 Catron St.

. Excellent customer service skills a must as well as ability to work on the computer and inventory management experience helpful.

Tech school or equivalent experience preferred. Pay DOE, generous bonus package, benefits offered. Apply in person at: 5172 Jackrabbit Lane, Belgrade.

Professional

DRIVER'S WANTED to drive to surrounding states. Apply in person Hertz Rent-a-car at Gallatin Airport.

Medical: Are you a reliable, caring & compassionate person that needs a flexible job?

Home Care Services is currently seeking part-time PCAs /CNAs for our Livingston & Bozeman areas.

For info call Professional

Sales: FURNITURE SALES & DESIGN CONSULTANT Positions now available at The Outlet and Conlin's Furniture.

Seeking a professional, responsible, creative, outgoing person for our team! We pride ourselves on having a fun environment. No experience necessary, we will train.

Commission & Bonus opportunity. Benefits include paid time off, health, dental, 401k and employee discounts.

Send resumes to: 8247 Huffine Ln Bozeman,MT59718, Email or call Kelly or Mark with questions 406.284.2440

Medical:

Requires organizational skills, accuracy and excellent communication skills. Prior member service, keyboard/ calculator, and cashandling experience preferred. Will train.

Send letter of interest with resume to skyhr@skyfcu.org

Come be a part of the Bacterin Team in Belgrade, Montana!

Bacterin is currently recruiting for the following full-time positions:

* For full job descriptions and instruction for applying, please visit www.bacterin.com & click on , then

or by calling 406-995-2678.

Deadline for proposal submittal is April 15th.

Construction

Seeking F/T patientcentered Family Practice Board Certified/Eligible Physician who believes in health and well-being for all, for Community Health.

Collaboration & motivation highly valued. To apply, please send CV, references and letter of interest to Buck Taylor, or 19 E Main Street, Belgrade, MT 59714.

CHP is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Medical: Branch. Will assist members with all transactions including deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loan payments.

Responsible for data entry of all transactions and end of day balancing.

Big Sky Hidden Village Owners Association is now accepting proposals for a Grounds Keeper contact. Interested parties should request a specifications and bid package by contacting the HVOA office at 406-995-2678, or emailing and provide a name and mailing address. Additional questions and site tour requests may be addressed to

Seeking a F/T Outreach & Enrollment Specialist/ Dental Support Float for CHP Dental-Bozeman & Livingston. The ideal candidate would have a desire to serve the underserved, be detail oriented, collaborative and patient centered. To apply please send a letter of interest, resume and references to Joanna Wales, or 112 West Lewis, Livingston, MT 59047.

CHP is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

Local Outside Utility Contractor seeks Substation Construction Manager Based out of Helena, MT Includes Some Travel For detailed job description and to apply: https://jobs.mdu.com/ or visit local job service office. RMC offers a competitive salary & benefit packet. RMC is a drug free / Equal Opportunity Employer Close date:March 31, 2016 General LIBRARY ASSISTANT POSITION OPEN The City of Three Forks and the Three Forks Community Library Board are seeking applicants for the position of a part-time Library Assistant for the Three Forks Community Library in Three Forks, MT. A complete job description may be obtained from the Three Forks Library Director at (406-285-3747).

Wage is $9.00 per hour.

Closing date is March 31, 2016, or until filled. For more information contact the Bozeman Job Service (406-582-9200), or the Three Forks Library.

Submit application/resume to , or to the Bozeman Job Service.

Construction:

CARPENTERS & LEAD CARPENTERS.

Top pay DOE. Must have own transportation.

Call Jim 406-581-9427 Professional

Full Time Livingston Branch. Unique position that works directly with members and performs back office functions.

Primary responsibility will be plastic card processing. In addition will learn stop payments, member payroll processing, wire transactions, account adjustments, and back up phone and mail. Resolves member concerns via telephone and in person.

Must communicate clearly and professionally and have ability to work with details.

F/T Livingston Branch.

Responsible for all aspects of mortgage lending to include originating, interviewing, gathering background information and analyzing applicant's credit history.

Will approve or deny applications based on analysis in accordance with goals and standards of the Credit Union and compliance of state and federal rules and regulations and secondary market standards.

Experience in mortgage lending preferred.

Send resume and cover letter to or mail to Sky Federal Credit Union ATTN: HR, PO Box 1690, Livingston MT 59047

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General:

MSU's Miller Dining needs temporary staff.

40 hr/wk $10.20/hr Sun - Thurs, 6am-3pm through May 6, 2016.

Call Kevin - 406-994-6031.

General:

Operations Specialist & Engine Bosses Needed! in Bozeman is hiring for seasonal full-time & parttime Operations Specialist positions. These positions are responsible for wildfire monitoring & reporting with cross-program support tasks. Must be calm in a hectic environment & team oriented. Computer, phone, and writing skills a must. $16/hr. Also hiring seasonal full-time Engine Bosses. Background check & drug test required for all positions. Email resume to: General Help seeks P/T Front Staff.

Must have excellent customer service skills.

Competitive Wage.

Resumes can be dropped off to Bozeman Hot Springs or emailed to: info@bhsprings.com General Bozeman Tree Lawn & Landscape Care is now hiring for Lawn Spray Techs. We are interested in clean, organized, self motivated individuals that understand and want to deliver great customer service. Email resume or stop in at 5061 Love Ln for an application.

Professional

Real Estate Loan Closer Join our successful Lending Team at Opportunity Bank of Montana!

We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast paced environment.

Successful applicants must have excellent customer service skills, have the ability to handle stress and meet deadlines, and be detail oriented and accurate.

As a City of Bozeman employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to impacting and serving the community. This great opportunity also provides enrollment in an established retirement system, with significant employer contribution, generous vacation and sick time accruals, and excellent medical/ dental / vision benefits.

Join us at the City of Bozeman, the Most Livable Place!

The CITY OF BOZEMAN is recruiting to fill the following positions:

High School diploma or equivalent is required, previous experience in the mortgage industry is preferred.

We can offer you competitive pay, Group Health, Vision and Dental Insurance with employer contribution of 95% (employee premium); 401(k) with employer match; profit sharing plan, incentive opportunities; employer paid life insurance; short term medical leave; bereavement leave; paid community service time; continued education & training opportunities; long term disability insurance; flexible spending plan; paid time off and Holiday pay.

Food Service:

Apply online at www. opportunitybank.com seeks to hire Apply in person between 2:00-5:30 PM, Mon-Thurs.

No Phone Calls Please.

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Professional

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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Full-time career opportunity for an experienced administrative professional who thrives in a fast paced, public support environment.

Provides administrative support to the City Manager's office.

Salary: $42,696 - $50,231/year depending on experience and qualifications Application Deadline: April 11, 2016 @ 5:00pm SUMMER SHORT TERM WORKERS Summer is almost here...are you looking for a summer job?

The City of Bozeman is now recruiting for Short Term Workers! There are 51 total positions available in various departments including: Parks, Cemetery, Forestry, Recreation, Solid Waste, Streets, and the Swim Department (Lifeguards.) For more information please visit our website at www.bozeman.net/jobs. Application Deadline: Monday, April 4, 2016 @5:00pm (April 11th for Lifeguards) WATER/SEWER OPERATOR I Assists in installing and maintaining the City of Bozeman's water and sewer systems, repair meters and accessories, and read utility meters.

Must have 1-3 years manual labor experience in plumbing or construction, experience with heavy equipment, and computers. Career-oriented position with excellent benefits! Wage: $16.98/hour.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

TO APPLY Go to www.bozeman.net/jobs, click on the position listing, and follow the specific application instructions

My Two Cents “I’m overwhelmed and frazzled. I set out with good intentions and goals this year to balance my life, but it’s not working and it’s only March. I have a beautiful little girl and a husband I adore.

I really like my job, which is good because we need the income, too. What am I missing? What can I do?”

-P.J., department manager, Bozeman I don’t think you’re missing anything, P.J. Each of us who chooses to work outside the home juggles many balls and often lives in fear of what would happen if we dropped one. When that happens it’s hard for the best version of us to show up in any part of our life. I have spent 42 years of my career trying to achieve some sort of balance myself with a husband, two sons with families, work, self-care and friends. About 10 years ago I finally came to the conclusion it really isn’t about balancing, because I don’t know if you ever really can. What I have learned is that if I can stay connected with all those aspects of my life, it actually works. I can bring sanity to my life, and so can you.

Our contentment in life and work has more to do with how well we are connected with each other and ourselves than whether we can check off an item on a list. Balance is not an issue of just time management, but about gaining clarity on how we are connected in our lives, or not. I believe underneath all our “busyness” is a desire to let people at work and in our personal lives know we appreciate them, we love them, we care about them and want them to know how important they are to us.

It starts with us, P.J. When we lose ourselves in the rush of getting everything done — what I call the “do-it-all-syndrome” — the impact on us is often like shooting Novocaine into our hearts. We quit feeling. We just focus on getting done what is in front of us. When this happens, we halt our ability to be present, to notice the expression on our spouse’s face, the tone in our colleague’s voice or the message underneath what our child really wants to say but doesn’t know how.

We know something is off, so we often work harder thinking that will help. We stay up until 2

a.m working, say yes to cookies at school when we really don’t have time or go on autopilot with the people most dear to us.

What I’m talking about is the cost to us when we think there is no other way. There is.

Hit the pause button and consider this pearl of wisdom from Wayne Muller in one of my favorite books, “Sabbath:” “Because of our desire to succeed, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way. Without rest, we respond from a survival mode, where everything we meet assumes a terrifying prominence…every encounter, every detail inflates in importance, everything seems more urgent than it really is, and we react with sloppy desperation…If we do not rest, how can we find our way, how can we hear the voices that tell us the right thing to do?”

That is why connection with ourselves is so important. When we do that, we can more easily bounce back from overwhelm and frazzle because we are able to rejuice and recharge. Bouncing back is a conscious choice we make, choosing what makes us happy, what feeds our soul. It’s a question of how to enjoy ourselves, to be present and notice, while still doing what needs to be done.

When we are feeling fried, however, it’s hard to think of what makes us happy or what would bring us peace.

After all, if we already knew, wouldn’t we be there?

One of the best ways to start is by identifying what brings us happiness. Make a list of 10 items.

Start a list now, even if you can’t come up with 10 right away. Add to it for the next couple of days.

You might ask your spouse or a friend to create one, too, explaining why you are asking for this.

Then share your lists with each other. I’ll bet your list will grow as you hear and discover together what makes you happy. If your child is old enough, ask her to create her own list. I can guarantee you will be delighted and surprised in listening to her ideas.

Start with one of the ideas that speaks to you today; the smaller the better. A five-minute morsel of soul food may be all you need to jumpstart your connection with yourself. Then select another item on your list for the following week.

By RIS HIGGINS

Of course, to even make time possible to create this list, I found I needed to learn the art of making appointments with myself. I make appointments with other people all the time and I hold that time as sacred. I don’t miss appointments, show up late or forget them. Do the same with yourself. When someone calls and wants to schedule time with you, you aren’t lying when you say, “I have an appointment then, let’s find another time.”

One of the items always appearing on my “what makes me happy” list is my weekly deposit. It’s a practice that stops the overwhelm cycle in its tracks. I’ve learned when I’m stressed, it’s hard to contribute to my family or my colleagues, so I plan a deposit. Here’s how it works. On Sunday of each week, I list one thing I’m going to do for my husband, each son and myself during the week.

This deposit is something above and beyond everyday life. I may decide to play a card game, Fish or Gin Rummy, with a son. I may give my husband a 10-minute shoulder rub. I may close my office door and ask myself these five questions: What do I need? What do I want? What needs to happen for me to get that? If I can’t do that, what can I do instead? Who do I need to ask for help?

You get the idea. You can see that knowing their happy lists and yours as well helps. The point is, it doesn’t have to take up much time. It’s about me being able to be 100 percent present in that moment. It creates a richness that connects deeply.

During one Gin Rummy game, my son, who was 13 years old at the time, said after 15 minutes of playing, “Thanks, Mom. This was fun. I’m going outside to play now.” He was happy and full after 15 minutes, and so was I. That’s what a weekly deposit can do.

Balance isn’t always a matter of the amount of time together. It’s what the time is like when we are together. That’s what keeps my life sane. Little by little, you’ll notice your connections deepen while the overwhelm and frazzle recede. You’ll notice feelings of more contentment. Less isolation and more presence. Less overwhelm and more peace.

Gandhi had it right when he so beautifully said, “There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.”

Ris Higgins is a leadership coach, change agent and innovative thought-leader at Leadership Outfitters. Contact her with at 406586-5504 or at ris@leadership-outfitters.com.

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FEATURING DEAN FOLKVORD, WHEAT MONTANA; BRYAN ULRING, YELLOWSTONE GRASSFED BEEF; SUE, MEL OR NATE BROWN, AMALTHEIA DAIRY. The Farm to Table movement is alive and well in southwest Montana, with an abundance of local growers, providers and eateries. Hear from some of the top local producers about their dedication to sustainable agriculture and how they provide a broad range of locally-sourced ingredients.

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