Gallatins Greatest - Best of the Best

Gallatin’s Greatest Community Choice Awards

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MEET THE WINNERS!

he Gallatin’s Greatest Community Choice Awards were established by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle in 2021. Recipients of the awards are completely determined by a multiple round voting process that is open to everyone in the Gallatin Valley.

The first phase of the award process is a nomination round.

During the nomination round, all community residents are invited to submit open nominations for any business they wish in 152 different categories that encompass Beauty and Health, Dining, Entertainment and Leisure, Home, Home Services and Finance, Kids and Education, People and Places, Services, Shopping, Sports and Fitness, Top Employers, and Vehicles, Dealers and Services.

67,000 nominations were received.

Once the nominations have all been tabulated, the top 5 nominees in each category move forward to the voting round. Over a period of a month, the community is again invited to vote for their favorite from the top 5 in each category. These results are again tabulated, and the winners and two top finalists in each category are named. Winners receive plaques that are displayed in many businesses throughout the Gallatin Valley, and the top finalists also receive certificates.

In the next few pages, the Chronicle invites you to read the stories of 18 of this year’s amazing Gallatin’s Greatest recipients.

During the 2023 nomination round, over

HELTON

Hearing Care The Helton Hearing Care staff

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By Abby Weingerten

inner of the Best Hearing Aid Center award, Helton Hearing Care is a familyowned business that has served the Bozeman area and its surrounding communities for more than 40 years.

A client testing a hearing device The practice’s three board-certified doctors of audiology have special training in the identification, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hearing conditions.

The staff takes pride in treating every patient’s hearing concern as unique and worthy of customized care.

“Our goal in this practice was to find out everything that everybody was doing wrong and to fix it and do it better,” said Helton Hearing Care Co-Owner Dr. Will Helton, who bought the clinic in 2009 with his wife, Gee. “That’s what we did, and that’s why we have people here who are super happy to come to work. It’s why we have five solid stars on our Google reviews. And it’s something we continue to improve upon every year.”

Helton doctors see more veterans than any clinic statewide, and private-pay patients receive free demonstrations of cutting-edge hearing technology devices, 3-D digital ear scanning, hearing and listening counseling sessions, and aural

Exterior of Helton Hearing Care building

rehabilitation.

“Our reputation speaks for itself. We set out to be different and we are different in every way. We’re happy to go the extra mile for our clients,” Dr. Helton said. “That translates Interior of Helton Hearing Care building into people bringing us donuts, cakes, flowers, all the time. So it just works. What we’re doing works. It takes an awful lot of time and effort to do what we do, but what we’re doing works.”

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| Best of the Best • GALLITAN’S GREATEST • 2023

FIESTA

Mexicana Fiesta Mexicana owners Nayyeli Murillo (left) and Marco Antonio Murillo (right)

By Abby Weingerten

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iesta Mexicana in Bozeman is the pride of Marco Antonio Murillo and his wife, Nayyeli Murillo, who own and manage the eatery. Winning the Best Mexican Restaurant award is proof positive that the locale is serving up some of the most mouthwatering Mexican fare in the Gallatin area.

Interior of Fiesta Mexicana Diners at Fiesta Mexicana

“Fiesta Mexicana is a dream come true, thanks to the support of our customers, the solid union of our family, and the principles that our parents granted us,” the Murillos said.

The Murillo family – originally from San Miguel el Alto in Jalisco, Mexico – founded the local restaurant chain in 2004.

Brothers Marco, Felipe, Víctor, and Miguel Murillo (along with their cousin, Juan, and brother-in-law, Ponciano Gomez) brought the authentic concept to fruition.

“We currently have five restaurants in Montana and almost two decades of pleasing our customers with our Mexican gastronomy,” the Murillos said. “It’s a pleasure to be able to say the city of Bozeman enjoys our food as much as we enjoy the people.”

Fiesta Mexicana’s Bozeman location will celebrate its 20th anniversary in February.

“We believe that an important part of our restaurant is that it’s a family-run restaurant, and we try to make our team feel like part of the family (and also transmit that to our customers),” the Murillos said.

“We constantly Interior of Fiesta Mexicana try to innovate – in our cocktails, in our food, in our menu – always with the intention of providing our customers with a pleasant culinary experience. We feel honored and happy to continue to be here.”

BOZEMAN

Lodge

Exterior of Bozeman Lodge

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By Abby Weingerten

senior living community with a strong focus on independence and community outreach, Bozeman Lodge makes all of its residents feel like family. That’s why winning the Best Retirement Community award was such a boon to the lodge’s staff members, who believe in empowering seniors to live “radiantly.”

General Manager Andrew Steighner (left) and Executive Director Sabrina Colton (right), hold their award

With its host of apartments and freestanding cottages (featuring full kitchens, fenced-in yards, and plenty of available care services), the 2008-founded, family-owned lodge has a long-tenured, experienced team.

“One of the things that distinguishes us from our other senior living communities in Bozeman is that residents can move in completely independent, and then we can add on care services as needed,” said Executive Director Sabrina Colton, adding that the lodge is part of the Radiant Senior Living parent company in Oregon. “Some of the other senior communities, you start at an independent level, but then, when you need the assistance services, you get transferred elsewhere. That is not the case here.”

Residents also enjoy a diverse menu of dishes, created by the dining services director, who was formally trained in

Exterior of Bozeman Lodge

France and boasts culinary experience from 17 countries.

The lodge celebrated its 15th anniversary in November.

“We service seniors in 10 other communities across five states with Radiant Bozeman Lodge staff and visitors mingle Senior Living, and we offer assisted independent care here in Bozeman,” said Colton, who works alongside General Manager Andrew Steighner. “We also have in-house physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. I’m very, very proud and honored to have those services in our building.”

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MATTRESS Mill

The staff of Mattress Mill

By Abby Weingerten

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Bozeman gem since 1986,

Mattress Mill was established by Jack and Nan Thanepohn to be a purveyor of the highest-quality, locally-made mattresses in town. This is the third year in a row that the company has received the Best Mattress Store award.

“Our team helps us provide an excellent product and serve the Gallatin Valley, and we’re thankful to all of our customers who support us,” Jack Thanepohn said.

The company started out small – with staff members building, selling, producing, and delivering only two styles of mattresses and box springs. Now, there are multiple types of mattresses, 16 employees, a remodeled showroom, and a 16,000-square-foot facility.

“From the beginning, we have endeavored to build a better bed. Nan and I grew up on Illinois farms, and we were drawn to Montana’s ranching lifestyle,” Jack Thanepohn said. “When an opportunity emerged to start our own business, we jumped on it. We are proud to be part of the fabric of the Bozeman economy.”

A staff member makes a mattress by hand at Mattress Mill

Authenticity, as well as affordability, make Mattress Mill a customer favorite.

“Though we’re one of only a handful of mattress makers in the country who truly make each of our products by hand, our customers are often surprised to find that our prices are competitive with mass manufacturers,” Jack Thanepohn said.

“We know that budgets are as variable as sleeping styles, and we’ve always aimed to deliver superior products with the best possible value. We’re excited for the opportunities that the innovations of the future will bring.”

Interior of Mattress Mill

MOUNTAIN

Hot Tub

One of Mountain Hot Tub’s signature tubs

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By Abby Weingerten

ounded in 1979 by two Bozeman locals, Tom Walker and Scott Smithin, Mountain Hot Tub continues to be a locally-owned hub for hand-built wooden tubs and a plethora of products designed for total relaxation.

Winning the Best Overall Leadership award was a major point of pride for General Manager/ Principal Max Blaser and the entire Mountain Hot Tub team.

One of Mountain Hot Tub’s “Our simple philosophy handcrafted wooden saunas has remained the same since the beginning: we insist on integrity, the highest level of products, and great customer service (even after the sale, without exception),” Blaser said. “We service and sell the best hot tubs, saunas, swim spas, and cold plunges in Montana.”

In 2014, Kelly King purchased Mountain Hot Tub, and the locale has gone on to be recognized several times by Aqua Magazine as one of the top 100 pool and spa dealers.

The business was even inducted into the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2019, King and his wife, Shirley, designed and built the current Bozeman showroom and warehouse

on Huffine Lane. Then, they sold the business in 2023 to the Mountain Hot Tub owners (left to right: Max Blaser, Shannon Grady, and Jake Peterson)

current employee ownership team.

“The integration of the showroom and the warehouse allowed seamless interactions with our various Bozeman teams to better serve our customers.

Happy customers relax in a Since the build, the Mountain Hot Tub tub Bozeman location has been highlighted in numerous industry publications,” Blaser said. “Over the years, we have expanded our leisure product portfolio, offering the highest-quality products to enhance our customers’ relaxation, health, and wellness. We’re proud to be Montana’s highest-volume hot tub dealer.”

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| Best of the Best • GALLITAN’S GREATEST • 2023

PURE

Dermatology Pure Dermatology’s Dr. Teresa Mann

By Abby Weingerten

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o one feels like a number at Pure Dermatology, and that’s a big part of what makes the Bozeman business so beloved. Winner of the Best Dermatologist (Teresa Mann, M.D.) and Best Esthetician (Wendy Peter, CLOA) awards, the practice has a team committed to customizing care for clients.

“We’re a caring and sincere group of professionals. We strive to create a unique experience for patients so that every individual who leaves our office knows we truly care about their well-being,” Dr. Mann said.

Dr. Mann (who has 20-plus years of clinical experience) opened the practice in 2013, with the support of employees like Peter and office administrator Poppy Gard, L.E., M.Ed.

Interior of Pure Dermatology

“Our patients deserve everyone on the medical and administrative teams to be present and engaged,” Dr. Mann said. “By creating a supportive and flexible work environment, our staff is simply able to provide better medical care, to be present, and to connect. Creating and nurturing a healthy work culture and providing exceptional, cutting-edge medical care hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it.”

The practice has grown to a staff of nearly 30 individuals, including two board-certified dermatologists (Dr. Mann and Dr. Ashlee Culver), three physician assistants, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and an esthetician.

“Our award is meaningful because it concretely affirms that the vision and mission we hold so dear is felt by our family of patients,” Gard said. “It lets our staff know that their commitment to our community makes a difference.”

Interior of Pure Dermatology

BRIDGER

Orthopedic

Exterior of Bridger Orthopedic

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By Abby Weingerten

xceptional care from toptier, fellowship-trained physicians has always been the promise of Bridger Orthopedic. So, when the practice earned the Best Orthopedic Group award, CEO Michael Johns gratefully reflected on the company’s mission.

“We’re excited that we can Dr. Richard Vinglas talks to one of his patients deliver best-of-breed orthopedic and rehabilitation care to Gallatin County and the surrounding region,” Johns said. “Our patients receive world-class care right here in Bozeman.”

Bridger, which opened in 1997, is a pioneer in the orthopedic field, having been the first group to bring robotassisted knee replacement surgery to Bozeman about six years ago. The practice also recently collaborated with Bozeman Health to create the only Spine and Joint Institute in Montana.

“Bridger Orthopedic Drs. Smith, Gelbke, and Vinglas have worked tirelessly with Bozeman Health medical staff to develop a program that improves the quality of orthopedic care, shortens post-operative stays, and creates a more enjoyable experience for patients,” Johns said. “We have created a program that is unparalleled, with patient satisfaction as our top priority.”

When the staff members are not in the office, they are out in the community, staffing the sidelines at high school and college football games, supporting the development of the

Clients and staff members work together on orthopedic therapies

Bozeman Sports Park, and sponsoring the 2023 Bozeman Schools Foundation Santa Run. “Our goal is to treat each patient like family, with a communitybased approach,” Interior of Bridger Orthopedic Johns said. “With comprehensive patient education and individually tailored care, our programs are designed to provide the information, care, and support you need every step of the way to achieve your goals.”

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WILLIAMS

Plumbing & Heating

By Abby Weingerten

Maverick Wagner, plumbing apprentice (left); Lance Wagner, superintendent in residential (center); and Kobe Korrell, plumbing apprentice (right); head to a job

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hat began as founder Ken Williams’ oneman shop in 1979 has evolved into the empire that is Williams Plumbing and Heating – one of the largest job creators in Montana, D.J. Janiszewski, HVAC service with more than technician, prepares for a service visit 350 team members statewide. Receiving the Best Plumber award was an honor for President/CEO Quin Williams, Service Manager Justin Mancoronal, and the entire staff.

“This award is a culmination of what happens when great people come together to work side by side to accomplish the common goal of making a difference in our departments, the company, and the community,” Quin Williams said. “We would not be successful without the teamwork, dedication, and hard work of everyone that makes up our team.”

Williams offers a comprehensive line of plumbing, civil construction, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, green energy, engineering, fabrication, and service solutions to meet the needs of any building project.

“We are fortunate to employ the best of the best. We prioritize training to ensure our team is equipped with the proper skills they need in the field,” Quin Williams said. “Our

Exterior of Helton Hearing Care building

employees are our greatest asset, and investing in their growth and success is key to our company’s success.”

Williams also supports the next generation of employees, with 64 people now training in the company’s plumbing apprenticeship program.

Foreman Jordan Cameron works on the mechanical system at Williams Plumbing

“We’re acutely aware of the responsibility we have as a local business leader to honor our teams and community by giving back to the causes that matter and making a difference in the Gallatin Valley and beyond,” Quin Williams said.

STAY

Montana

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By Abby Weingerten

tay Montana, winner of the Best Property Management Company award, is a local, familyand-employee-owned vacation rental company that specializes in making Montana memories.

The staff at Stay Montana

Chris and Jen Torsleff founded the company in 2016, bringing with them more than 60 years of combined hospitality and resort property management experience. In 2022, Stay Montana became employee-owned by David Moore and Laura Dwight.

“We’re a passionate team, striving to operate an industryleading property management and vacation rental business,” Chris Torsleff said. “Our mission and values are driven by a ‘service first’ culture, resulting in owners and guests that are raving fans.”

The landscape around Stay Montana properties

Boasting Airbnb Superhost and Vrbo Premier Host elite statuses, Stay Montana provides homeowners with added visibility and revenue. The company also partners with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, offering an international luxury reach with a local, tenured team.

What else makes Stay Montana different? It’s the top-notch home care and income generation for homeowners through expert marketing, revenue management, detailed home inspections, and industry-leading service. Sustainability and giving back to the community are also key components, as well as Stay Montana’s family recipe, Ella Cookies (handed out at check in, which guests and owners adore).

“We’re honored to have won this award and to be finalists in the Best Employee Recognition Program and Most Innovative Workplace categories,” Jen Torsleff said. “We pride ourselves on team building, technology enhancements, and having a company culture that empowers our employees. Thank you to

The landscape around Stay Montana properties

the community for your support and our team for their hard work.”

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MORGAN STANLEY

Bozeman

By Abby Weingerten

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eeping clients flourishing financially is the priority at Morgan Stanley in Bozeman. And Mary Howard – a chartered retirement planning counselor, first vice president, portfolio manager, and financial advisor at the West Main Street location – is well-known for making this a regular reality. That’s why she earned the Best Financial Advisor award.

“I help individuals and families, businesses and nonprofits build, preserve, and manage wealth so they can pursue their financial goals,” Howard said.

Morgan Stanley is a global investment bank and financial services company that was founded in 1935 with a staff of 13 people. The company now operates in more than 40 countries with 80,000-plus employees. In 2009, the Bozeman branch opened concurrently with Smith Barney’s integration with Morgan Stanley, and Howard was part of that original team.

Morgan Stanley’s Mary Howard

With new clients, Howard begins by helping them create a financial plan and customizing an investment strategy. She collaborates with tax and estate planning attorneys, puts philanthropic plans in place, crafts workplace retirement plans, and recommends insurance solutions.

“I’m proud and thrilled to be recognized locally for the work that I do, but I couldn’t do it without the backing of the wealth of resources provided by Morgan Stanley,” Howard said. “I couldn’t imagine working with a better investment firm. Morgan Stanley is a champion of the women in the firm, providing tremendous support and opportunity. They prioritize diversity and inclusion and find meaningful ways to give back, all to contribute to a future that benefits my clients and the community.”

Mary Howard

BIGHORN

Buds

Mural inside Bighorn Buds by Kira Hopkins

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By Abby Weingerten

utting quality over quantity, Bighorn Buds is quickly becoming the go-to hub for cannabis consumers in Bozeman.

Winning the Best Marijuana Dispensary award is a testament to this growth.

“It’s so nice to see the team recognized for all of their hard work and dedication,” said general manager Myra Uribe.

“The success, passion, and drive to excel in the space of cannabis is a team effort.”

Owner Darian Gregory and Cultivation Manager Daniel Uribe, harvesting

Founded by Montana State University graduates Darian Gregory and Matthew Mallory, Bighorn Buds was born in 2017 under the medical system, only providing products to a handful of patients. Now the company has eight employees who are all deeply engaged in every aspect of cultivation, manufacturing, and retail, which creates an educational experience for consumers and patients.

“It started as a small passion project and developed into something much more. Through many trials and tribulations, Bighorn Buds finally found its niche in living-soil-grown, organic cannabis,” Gregory said. “We noticed much of the

General manager Myra Uribe (left) and owner Darian Gregory (right)

Staff member Jeff Andrews, processing flower for extracts

industry was incorporating a ‘big ag’ approach to cannabis production, flooding the market with poor-quality products.

This is where we differ.”

Finding the rarest and most flavorful cultivars is part of the signature process. And the company specializes in small-batch cannabis – from its flower to its solventless concentrates.

“Our passion and desire to keep searching, to keep exploring the wonderful and abundant flavors of cannabis, and to bring them to our local market, remains a priority,” Gregory said.

“Everything we do is carefully curated to be the best that it can be.”

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CANYON RIVER Spa Interior at Canyon River Spa

By Abby Weingerten

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ndulgent relaxation at Canyon River Spa and Salon keeps Bozeman residents and visitors blissful.

Receiving the Best Spa award was hard-earned, and co-owner Heather Ripplinger couldn’t be prouder of the recognition.

A massage therapist with 23 years of experience, Ripplinger The steam room at Canyon River Spa founded Canyon River in 2008 while her husband, Chad, was deployed with the Navy. Her dream was to create a community for healing, connection, and self-care. In 2010, the original spa space burned down. But five months later, Canyon River was rebuilt with overwhelming support from the Bozeman community.

“What makes Canyon River so special is our teamwork.

We all choose to do a job where people leave feeling relaxed, happy, and beautiful from the inside out,” said Heather Ripplinger, who owns the business with her husband. “The beauty industry can sometimes be looked down upon, but everyone who works here is genuine, loves what they do, and that shows on a daily basis.”

In 2015, the spa expanded to the space next door. It became an Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa with a full experiential retail center and a new in-salon advanced

Guests enjoy a steam at Canyon River Spa

education platform with tiered pricing by each stylist’s level of experience.

“Canyon River believes in creating the beauty we want to experience in the world, and in celebrating the small moments of meaning that bring color, light, and love to our individual and shared human experiences,” Heather Ripplinger said. “We’re so thankful that the people in Bozeman and the surrounding areas choose us each and every day.”

MEDICAL EYE Specialists The Medical Eye Specialists staff

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By Abby Weingerten

ll eyes are on Medical Eye Specialists, ever since ophthalmologist Dr. Patricia Cosgrove earned the Best Eye Care Professional award for the second year in a row.

The expanding practice serves Bozeman residents with customized care and compassion.

“I feel indebted to the people who’ve entrusted the care of their vision to me for 25-plus years, whether for a single surgery, a time-limited consultation, or a long-term relationship,” Dr. Cosgrove said. “The medical and surgical treatment of eyes defines what I do for a living, but it’s the people (patients, colleagues, and coworkers) who define the why.”

Medical Eye Specialists was established in Bozeman in 1963 by Dr. Everett Lensink, the first board-certified eye surgeon in the Gallatin Valley. Six decades later, the practice remains the Gallatin Valley’s only independent, local ophthalmology practice, comprised of eight physicians and 50 staff members.

Dr. Lisa Herrygers and Dr. Colin

McInnis provide subspecialty glaucoma Exterior of Medical Eye Specialists

care; Dr. Joe Sheehan offers subspecialty cornea care; and Dr. Kristy Moeller, Dr. Angela Watkins, and Dr. Cosgrove perform various eyelid surgeries. The practice is moving from downtown to a state-of-theart building at North 27th and Valley Center Road. The clinic space will open on December 18, and the ambulatory surgery center will launch in the spring.

“Our new space will allow us to expand services that support our goal to remain the center of excellence for comprehensive eye care in the region,” Dr. Cosgrove said. “We’re honored by the outpouring of positive support we receive from our patients.”

Dr. Patricia Cosgrove at Medical Eye Specialists

Dr. Lisa Herrygers at Medical Eye Specialists

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MONTANA

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

The team at Montana MMA

By Abby Weingerten

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What began with a small group of college students nearly 30 years ago has grown into a coveted space for athleticism, so it’s no surprise that Montana Mixed Students learn martial arts at Montana MMA Martial Arts (MMA) has earned the Best Martial Arts Academy award.

The gym has expanded from a 500-square-foot garage in 1994 to a 5,000-plus-square-foot training facility in Bozeman (with an added facility in Livingston).

“We are the first MMA gym in Bozeman and one of the first in the state of Montana. This award means that all the hard work and dedication of our coaches has paid off,” said coach Bryan Deats. “We’re Bozeman’s MMA team and represent the town everywhere we compete. Several of our coaches donate their coaching time, which we donate back to students in scholarship programs. We can’t thank them enough.”

The company’s team has experienced more than 400 combined wins in MMA and kickboxing, and double that amount in grappling tournaments. The team has also won eight championships and is ranked No. 1 in the United States for 2023 in No-Gi grappling teams through Grappling Industries.

Mixed martial arts athletes compete

The Bozeman location houses some of the best training equipment for MMA available: a full octagon cage, heavy bags, Thai pads, boxing mitts, and grappling dummies.

There are classes in American wrestling, Students learn martial arts at Montana MMA Judo, Dutch kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, and MMA. “We have striven to create a true MMA community,” Deats said. “Coaches from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds all work together to provide the most diverse training around.”

FIRST SECURITY

Bank

Exterior of First Security Bank

By Abby Weingerten

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ew businesses can claim more than a century of service to their communities, but First Security Bank in Bozeman holds that honor. And the venerable institution received the Best Bank award for its consistent commitment to the Gallatin County area.

“We’re proud to be recognized by the people of Gallatin County, and proud to support the communities we serve,” said Jim Ness, the bank’s president and CEO. The business began in 1919, when local bankers A.G. Berthot, H.S. Buell, and W.N. Purdy pooled their resources to charter a brand-new bank. The location of the proposed bank was the John Kopp butcher shop at 110 East Main Street. After extensive remodeling, the bank opened as Security Bank and Trust Company.

Exterior of First Security Bank

Ultimately, after outgrowing the Kopp location, First Security Bank moved to its current location on 208 East Main Street, just a few blocks away, in 1960. The bank now runs nine locations spread across Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone (and it merged with the Glacier family of banks in 2018). Recently, First Security Bank announced the appointment of Kalli Ryti as its new chief executive officer, following a nationwide search. Ryti will replace Ness upon his retirement on December 31.

“We offer a full range of banking products and services, providing individuals and businesses with the help necessary to achieve their financial goals, today and throughout their lives,” Ness said. “First Security Bank is the community banking leader, and we proudly serve Bozeman and the surrounding area.”

Exterior of First Security Bank

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RTE PROPERTY Group

RTE Property Group staff members go out into the community

By Abby Weingerten

By Abby Weingerten

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ffering fferingthe thehighest highestlevel levelofof hospitality hospitalitytotoits itsresidents, residents,RTE RTE Property PropertyGroup GroupininBozeman Bozemanisisa a well-deserved well-deserved winner winnerofof the theBest BestApartment Apartment Complex Complex award. award.

“We’re beyond beyond grateful gratefuland andhonored honoredtoto receive this this award; award;it’s it’saatrue truetestament testamenttotothe hard workwork and and dedication our team puts in the hard dedication our team puts each day,” saidsaid RTE General Manager Rachel in each day,” RTE General Manager Dudley.

“We’re grateful the trust andtrust Rachel Dudley.

“We’re for grateful for the confidence that our and tenants have and confidence thatowners our owners and tenants placed in us with for their have placed in uscaring with caring forassets their and homes.

We’re excited to see RTE to continue to assets and homes.

We’re excited see RTE grow and to succeed.” continue grow and succeed.”

RTE is aa locally locally owned ownedand andmanaged managed company, launched in the fall of company, launched in the fall of2021.

2021.

The principals principals have havedecades decadesofofreal realestate, estate, property property management, management,hospitality, hospitality,business, business, and local local market marketexpertise. expertise.

RTE Property Group staff members RTE go Property Group staff members out into the community go out into the community. by hand at Mattress Mill

“We also take a proactive approach to Exterior of RTE Property Group Exterior of RTE Property Group

“Our leaders leaders provide provideaafocused focusedservice service niche in in commercial commercialproperty propertymanagement management to support support property propertyowners, owners,developers, developers, and tenants tenants with withprofessional professionalmanagement management services,” services,” Dudley Dudleysaid. said.

“We also take a proactive approach to resident resident retention. retention.Each Eachmonth, month,we weconnect connect with our our residents residentsininaapositive positiveway, way,offering offering events and monthly giveaways that get and monthly giveaways that getthem them actively actively involved involvedwith withtheir theirmanagement management team,” Dudley Dudley said. said.

The company’s company’s mission missionisistotohave havea “service first” culture andculture a “do the thing” a “service first” andright a “do the approach.

The team offers right thing” approach.

Thecomprehensive team offers property management services for apartment comprehensive property management communities and multi-family facilities in services for apartment communities and Southwest Montana. multi-family facilities in Southwest Montana.

In addition, addition, RTE RTEstaff staffmembers membersregularly regularly give back to the community.

For example, back to the community. For example,the company is currently hosting its annual food the company is currently hosting its annual drive for itsfor multi-family portfolio, and alland food drive its multi-family portfolio, donations andand proceeds will will be delivered in all donations proceeds be delivered mid-December, prior to the holidays. in mid-December, prior to the holidays.

RTE Property Group General Manager Rachel Dudley

ALARA

Jewelry

By Abby Weingerten

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inely crafted adornments – made by both local and global designers – comprise the inventory at Alara Jewelry in Bozeman. And the dazzling store, owned by Babs Noelle, now holds the title of Best Jeweler.

Staff assist customers at Alara Jewelry

In 2004, Noelle launched her shop on West Main Street, based on a European jewelry gallery concept. Chantell Cazell became her partner in 2020, and the Alara Atelier location opened on East Main Street in 2021.

“Winning this award is acknowledgement that our approach is on the right path for our community: helpful and educational, serious about jewelry but not about ourselves, and reviving jewelry to the artform it once was,” Noelle said.

Noelle (who trained in Germany) wanted her customers to have access to small-batch, artisanal fine jewelry. So she started by carrying styles from a few artists she admired, and the curated collection has grown to showcase more than 80 designers (in addition to two inhouse goldsmiths at the Atelier, plus a former in-house goldsmith who still designs for Alara).

The team at Alara Jewelry

“Because life happens, fine jewelry requires care and maintenance, as well as restyling, appraising, and insuring,” Noelle said. “Those services, plus complete bespoke creation, are among the robust menu of jewelry services Alara serves up.”

Alara proudly proclaims “No McJewelry” because nearly everything within its walls is lovingly handcrafted. The company’s goal is to be a leader in eco-consciousness, sustainability, upcycling, and the eradication of child labor in gem mining, cutting, and jewelry making – allowing customers to give gifts that are joyful on every level.

Staff assist customers at Alara Jewelry

Staff assist customers at Alara Jewelry

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ACE Roofing

By Abby Weingerten

Ace Roofing project

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aving experienced remarkable growth in the past five years, Ace Roofing’s recognition as the Best Roofing Company is no shock at all to its clientele throughout Bozeman.

Inspired by a long family legacy in roofing, owner Jake Magalsky opened Ace Roofing in 2004. Ace started out as a Wilsall-based company but, as the need for its services grew, it expanded to Bozeman, Southwestern Montana, and much of the state.

“Winning this award is a tremendous honor that speaks volumes about the dedication and expertise of our team. It’s a symbol of the community’s trust in our services, motivating us to maintain the highest standards,” Magalsky said. “The recognition fuels our commitment to excellence and serves as a proud milestone. We’re grateful to our community for this acknowledgment, and it inspires us to continue delivering exceptional roofing solutions.”

Ace Roofing project

Magalsky has since partnered with Samuel Brokenshire, whose expertise in business growth and strategic vision complements the founder’s entrepreneurial spirit. Jody Roberts became a partner in 2020, with extensive experience in distribution that contributed to Ace’s expansion.

“The journey from a modest beginning to the thriving business it is today reflects the dedication, hard work, and vision of the entire Ace Roofing team,” Magalsky said. “Our vision encompasses a commitment to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction. The goal is to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our clients, establishing Ace as a reliable partner in the roofing industry. Our goal is to provide a fivestar service to every customer, every time.”

Ace Roofing project