A Note from the Executive Director

this position. It was my way of documenting what I hoped would be a successful transition to a position I had been seeking for years. I also had COVID and was under quarantine, so I was thankful for the Zoom option and the time off to accommodate the interviews! I landed a second interview and the appointment to the position while under the influence of NyQuil and a virus. I stood out for one reason or another, and I am thankful the board voted me in! I do want to thank the members and board of directors for their support, grace, humor, commitment to leadership, and no-nonsense way of doing things. The fact that you all have been able to get behind me so quickly and energetically with relatively little pushback has been no less than remarkable. I changed some things—BIG THINGS—and that can be scary.

In addition to a supportive board, I want to personally thank the local EOs who have been so quick to cheer me on, give me feedback, and trust the process. I know changes at the state also bring changes to the local associations, and I truly appreciate the efforts that have gone into making this a functioning and cohesive team. You are all invaluable to this association, and I hope to continue to build our team!

Next, I want to thank the MBIA staff who have shifted and flexed continually as we have assessed what needs are not being met and/or had to shift directions due to impossibilities. One of the biggest challenges in stepping into the unknown is anticipating what will happen with accuracy, and I have missed some marks. I can say that both Monty and Ashley have embraced the crazy and are doing phenomenal jobs. Without them, we would not have been as successful in implementing the changes we needed to make

We’ve tackled GRIP full on. We’ve rebranded, expanded training, and restructured GRIP with the support of Montana State Fund.

We’ve also made changes at MBIA! We streamlined internal processes and procedures, built a new website, implemented a new strategic plan, and have a new legislative strategy in place. We also repainted the offices and have made this place our own!

I know the Montana building industry is a diverse industry with many members spread across a large state, and I choose to view this as an opportunity rather than a challenge or problem. Diversity is inherently resourceful, and I feel we have what it takes to bring the best solutions to the table in a time where we need solutions—not problems.

Avoiding distractions these days can be challenging, and my goal is to remain focused on what truly matters. We cannot get wrapped up in the weeds. I aim to be mindful of that because, every legislative session brings with it a plethora of information. I aim to establish a clear and effective communication channel that will provide the best information disbursement, as well as a responsive audience that will keep our legislative team well informed and able to communicate effectively with our legislators and our members.

With the political climate as it is, I foresee a very busy legislative session this year with our key issues being DNRC water permitting process and exempt wells, DEQ subdivision review, supply chain challenges, building codes, growth plans/local jurisdictional issues, and property taxes.

I believe that there are opportunities for big and positive changes in all areas we as an association operate, and I feel we can make excellent change if we work together and communicate effectively.

Thank you all again for your support, engagement, and encouragement! I realize that you all participate in this association on a volunteer basis, and your commitment and engagement are a true testament to your belief in this association and the benefits it brings you. I am looking forward to a productive and successful year!

The basic template is laid out, with more changes coming as I have time to work them in! The future of this site is unlimited as far as features. My hope is to turn the site into a resource for our community and our members. It will be an effective tool for legislative updates, safety updates, signing up for classes, etc.

If you have not checked it out, you should! Here’s how you can help! I want to update the images on the site so that we feature member images with callouts, so please email me images of your builds, families, vacations, etc… my vision for the site is to see it become an invaluable resource for you all.