FEBRUARY 2018 MEET THE CLASS OF 2018 Scott Audet Eric Bayse John Binder Medina Culver Daniel Brooks Jeremy Engebretson Janice Fordham Amy Fladmo
Reece Gairrett Adam Gross Colby Hernandez Tuff Harris Shannon Johnson Evan Krause Dustin LaValle Eric Markegard
Elizabeth McMillan Nichole Miles David Mitchell Ryan Morris Andrew Newman Chrissy O’Malley Jennifer Owen Patrick Parker
Courtney Ridgeway Michelle Roberts Cheslon Romero Joe Schlosser Harvey Singh Erica Stokke Chad Strecker Parker Swenson
Helen Tolliver Sammy Twito Chris Waite Cody Walter Darrin Williams Anna Wilson Luci Wollschlager Danny Zimmerman
Billings Business 401 N. Broadway Billings, MT 59101-1242
the editor
T HEY DON ’ T MAKE ’ EM LIKE THEY USED TO They don’t make ‘em like they use to. That’s a phrase that old coots and people on the white side of gray hair often say with a grumble. Usually those words are aimed at the next generation, which, along with their music and fashion, always seems to fall short of the expectations of their elders. Well, not so this time. They don’t make under-40-year-olds like they use to. Lucky for us. For those of you who question how much you’ve accomplished — and for those of you who have any self doubt — quit reading now. This group of leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers will make you both proud and feel more than a little bit humbled. Reading through some of the accomplishments and stories is impressive. It’s hard to think that they’ve accomplished all of this before their even considered middle-aged, let alone middle careers. While that might be a hard pill for some of us north of 40 to swallow, it’s inspiring at the same time. As I read through many of these wonderful resume and stories, I couldn’t help but think, “I don’t know if folks of my vintage did quite as many remarkable things.” I suppose they did, but one of the things that stands out about this group is their broad, more compassionate worldview. That’s not a statement of politics. It’s more a reflection of their beliefs. If there’s one theme that seems to run through the stories, it’s a strong sense of mission and giving back. From the farmer who helps the next generation of farmers because he was the recipient of wise coun-
sel to the lawyer who is helping to empower women in the community, this group seems to be driven by the idea of sacrifice, giving and community. This group also seems less concerned about following a traditional career path — one that prescribes very precise steps. Instead, we fi nd a doctor who was determined to obtain her medical degree by age 26, even though some would have doubted the possibility. One is a successful retirement planner while having an entirely different simultaneous career as a photographer. A generation or two ago it would have been an either-or kind of thing. But folks like him (and you’ll have to read to fi nd who I’m talking about) are parlaying those different dreams into one career reality. That’s another key factor about this group of leaders: They all seem to have an entrepreneurial spirit. They’re not afraid to take chances, and almost all seem ferociously loyal to the Billings area. While others may have landed here along their career track, we fi nd that many of these professionals were raised here and wanted to come back. For them, Billings is a place with still-unmined potential. And yet Billings offers the convenience and connections of a larger city with the added benefit of knowing your neighbors. The entrepreneurs here have all taken risk and seem invigorated by the challenges. One of our winners started up two businesses simultaneously, took his company to a disaster area — all while his wife was pregnant. He seems to love the challenge of fi nding success and seems to want to give back naturally. It’s hard to imagine a better, more diverse group of people. And, if they’re this good at 30 or 40, can you think of how lucky Billings will be 10 years from now? They don’t make ‘em like they used to. And Billings should be darn glad about that.
2018
mike gulledge darrell ehrlick COPY EDITOR chris jorgensen GENERAL MANAGER dave worstell PUBLISHER
EDITOR
SALES
dave worstell ryan brosseau ADVERTISING SALES karen anderson ADVERTISING SALES milt lang ADVERTISING COORDINATORS: teresa cox, angie wagner, mo lucas SALES & MARKETING DIRECTORY: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING For retail advertising call Karen Anderson, 657-1492; Milt Lang, 657-1275; or Arcadea Scott, 657-1244. For classified advertising, call 657-1212. You may send material to ads@billingsbusiness.com or FAX to 657-1538. NEWS If you would like to submit a news tip, story idea, announcement about your business or press release, please e-mail it to: editor@billingsbusiness.com website: www.billingsbusiness.com Information published herein does not reflect the opinion of Billings Business. Contents are the property of Billings Business.
Darrell Ehrlick dehrlick@billingsgazette.com
INDEX OF WINNERS Scott Audet ........................................E11 Eric Bayse ......................................... E30 John Binder ...................................... E22 Medina Culver .................................. E27 Daniel Brooks ....................................E16 Jeremy Engebretson ........................E19 Janice Fordham ............................... E24 Amy Fladmo ......................................E14
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Reece Gairrett .....................................E4 Adam Gross .......................................E13 Colby Hernandez...............................E10 Tuff Harris ............................................E6 Shannon Johnson............................ E20 Evan Krause ..................................... E28 Dustin LaValle....................................E18 Eric Markegard .................................E12
Elizabeth McMillan .......................... E23 Nichole Miles .................................... E21 David Mitchell......................................E8 Ryan Morris .........................................E7 Andrew Newman................................E3 Chrissy O’Malley .................................E5 Jennifer Owen ...................................E16 Patrick Parker................................... E26
Courtney Ridgeway ..........................E18 Michelle Roberts.................................E8 Cheslon Romero .................................E6 Joe Schlosser......................................E3 Harvey Singh .................................... E29 Erica Stokke ......................................E10 Chad Strecker ...................................E14 Parker Swenson................................E17
Helen Tolliver .......................................E9 Sammy Twito ......................................E7 Chris Waite........................................ E24 Cody Walter .......................................E15 Darrin Williams....................................E9 Anna Wilson...................................... E25 Luci Wollschlager..............................E19 Danny Zimmerman...........................E12
ANDREW NEWMAN Build something long lasting
Most people fear starting one business on their own, but Andrew Newman has started two, nearly simultaneously. More than that, he’s had success all while having a family. In addition to home restoration and home construction, he left to help with hurricane victims in Houston. You started out in a restoration and cleaning business. Why that business? I enjoy helping and serving the Billings community whether it’s an emergency or through one of the scheduled services my company offers. I also like to challenge my mind. The cleaning and restoration industry is very technical when you dig into the science. One thing that many people note about you and your business is an incredible work ethic. Tell us about where that drive comes from? There are two main contributing factors that helped shape me to have a strong work ethic. Growing up, I was a multi-sport athlete. Sports taught me how to
push through any obstacle that stood in the way. My parents played a major role in my life. They showed me what opportunity looks like and what accomplishment feels like. You expanded into home building. How did that change occur? My grandfather had a wood shop in the basement of his retirement home. I always enjoyed the projects we did together. Later in life I grew a strong love for business. It only made sense to couple the two passions together and hopefully build something long lasting. What are the challenges of running several businesses simultaneously? A single business is overwhelming not to mention two start-up companies almost simultaneously. You simply can’t put too much time and effort into any business. There’s always more that can be done and more that you want to accomplish. Building a team and relinquish-
ing control is the most difficult challenge I’ve struggled with, but the most rewarding task I’ve been faced with. Several of the houses you’ve built have been new for Billings and, because of that, bold and risky. What made you want to attempt those? We have one goal in mind when we design a new home: That’s simply to strike an emotion in people. Our homes are not designed for everybody to like them. We want the people that like them to really love them and for the people who dislike them, we are OK if they really hate them. At then end of the day, we hope to contribute along with many other phenomenal builders in helping make Billings a better community. When a hurricane hit Houston, you left to help the cleanup. Why? One of the scariest and hardest decisions I’ve ever made —not to Please see Newman, Page 31
JOE SCHLOSSER
I don’t wonder if I’ll fail, I just do everything I can to succeed Age: 38 Hometown: Billings (ish, from middle school on) Joe Schlosser began as a mechanic because he had to — he couldn’t afford to have someone else repair his car. Early on, he learned the value of keeping his word and has used that as the basis of his business. Tell us about how you got started in auto repair. I got started in auto repair by necessity. I could never afford to have my car repaired, so I had to learn how to do it myself. What is your favorite aspect of your job? My favorite aspect of my job is being able to repair my customers’
vehicles and keep them safe on the road while providing myself a means to support my family. In one of your nominations, it stresses the importance of giving back and keep your word. Tell us about how that plays out in your business. I try to make sure all of my customers have a good experience. I operate a small business, and we run 100 percent on word-ofmouth referrals. It is important to me and the livelihood of my family to provide honest service that keeps those referrals and repeat customers coming in. What type of automobile is your favorite to work on? I don’t discriminate when it
comes to the vehicles I work on. I can’t say I have a favorite. You built your business from literally the ground up. Did you ever wonder if you’d fail? I don’t wonder if I’ll fail, I just do everything I can to succeed. I hope that is an attitude I can pass on to my daughter. I try to teach her by example. Who was your greatest mentor? I can’t say I’ve had a business mentor. I’ve just learned the business side of things as needed. Where do you see your career a decade from now? I’d like to be retired a decade from now! But, as long as I’m able to provide for my family, I consid-
er the business a success. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I am pretty much always at work—if I’m not at work, I’m talking about work or getting a call about work. I do enjoy snowmobiling in the winter and drag racing at the Yellowstone Drag Strip in the summer. What word best describes you? I don’t know what word best describes me. I asked my girlfriend and she said “determined.” What is one thing you detest? I try not to spend too much time focused on negative things. I suppose I detest negativity. February 2018
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REECE GAIRETT Show them that you care Age: 32 Hometown: Laurel, Montana What began as a part-time job in high school became a career for manager Reece Gairrett. He learned the value of customer service in a small town and loves continuing to be in a community where customers know his name and expect exceptional customer service. You started out at Ace Hardware when you were a teenager. Did you know you wanted to pursue a career there? At first, it was just a fun new job for me, full of lots of new things to learn and fill my time outside of school. It wasn’t until about two years into the job when I was 18 and given keys to the store with a supervisor position that I started realizing it might be something I would like to continue doing throughout my life. You deal with all types of customers in retail, many of whom have very specific needs. How do you manage to keep folks happy? All you can do is listen to them —that is the most important thing when dealing with customer service. You will never keep everybody happy in a retail setting, but if you take the time to listen to
what it is they need and show that you are willing to help and try to take care of them — sometimes that is amazing to them. Giving them the time of day can mean a lot when so much of everything else around you is an instant, automatic answer. On online, people don’t always get that one-on-one experience showing they matter to the business. What’s your secret to success? Any of my success I feel is attributed to people and patience. The people I work with are the frontline that carry out the mission every day. They are the ones who get it done day-in, day-out. To be successful through and with people, whether employees or customers, I believe you must always be patient and thorough and not make rash decisions based on emotion. By closely observing how people act or respond to situations allows you to respond to them or manage them in the correct way. How do you keep your employees motivated and happy? Employee satisfaction is often harder than customer satisfaction. You are always dealing with a broad collection of personalities with varying opinions that are
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rarely cohesive. In the end, no one well be 100 percent satisfied, I just don’t believe it is even in human nature. But if you treat all your employees right and show them that you care, and that they are people and not just numbers on a paper, then you will get more from them. If they don’t feel some personal connection with their work and don’t have a sense of pride in what they do, then they will never truly be satisfied or give you their best effort. You have a lot of competition in the marketplace, how do you help differentiate Ace? Ace has always thrived on being “the helpful place.” Our goal is to impress every customer every time with broad knowledge, friendly familiar associates, fast and efficient help. We want to truly show them that we’re there to help and we want to make that personal connection. Every customer matters from the one buying a $0.10 screw to the one buying a $500 lawnmower. Every one of them is important to us and they are why we are here. What do you do to relax? To relax, I really enjoy travelling and spending time doing things with my family. The very best times are always with my wife and four kids going camping or to the lake just hanging out having
fun together. They all mean the world to me and are the reason I do what I do. What other activities do you participate in? Other than at Ace, I am also a member of the Laurel Rotary club meeting with them once a week and trying to contribute what I can. I also help out with coaching little league here and there and helping with scouts and different programs that my kids might be involved in. My primary role beyond Ace is ‘’Dad”. Who was a great mentor to you and why? My first real mentor was my first boss at Ace, Dean Rankin. He identified my potential early on and focused a lot of time and energy teaching me what he could about managing a customer service business, especially in a small town. To this day I still base the bulk of my business decisions on the methods and thought process that he taught me. Luckily, as Dean stepped aside, Skip King picked up right where Dean left off, continuing to show me the best way to operate a small business and make the right decisions. I feel very lucky to have learned from people that have been doing this so much and have cared enough to show me along the way. You often manage people
much older than you. Is that a hard thing? How do you manage it? The age gap with store associates was very hard for me early in managing. It is hard to give out direction and leadership to people sometimes two to three times your age, as well as peers or people you may have known your whole life. The key is to get into the thick of it and show everyone you know what needs to be done and that we are all working towards a common goal. What word best describes you? ACE.
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February 2018
CHRISSY O’MALLEY The most important stop of the day Age: 34 Hometown: Helena, Montana Chrissy O’Malley is the director of retail store operations at City Brew, the highly successful local coffee chain in Billings. She started as a barista and has helped launch store openings and promote a very popular brand. You started with City Brew and worked your way up. Is that by design or did it happen that way? Really, it just happened that way. I moved to Billings for college, had some coffee experience from before, and applied as a Barista and here I am, 13 years later. I honestly have always enjoyed being a part of the City Brew team. No matter what position I was in, the company values people as its most important asset. Whether it is our staff or our customers, they are always No. 1. What is the most challenging part of your job? Knowing that City Brew isn’t always a career choice for every person we employ. I love this company, but also know that some people are with us for a specific time or phase in their life. We will have really great people move on to greater adventures simply because
life takes them in a new direction (graduation, marriage, new town, travel). I just hope they will always be able to look back and have a positive experience with us, and we are glad to have been a part of their journey along the way. City Brew has grown into a recognized Montana brand. How do you manage to keep it fresh? We focus on exceeding industry standards while maintaining our own core values. We know we invest in innovation and bring in exciting products to keep our customers invested with us. It’s a formula that has been very successful for City Brew. What is your favorite menu item at City Brew and why? Hands down, a drink we call the “Bianco.” It’s a perfect balance of creamy milk and our smooth Cool River Espresso with a hint of sweetness. You can’t go wrong— it’s just delicious! You’ve opened a number of stores, including a new one on North 27th Street. How do you keep each distinctive? We focus on keeping a high level of consistency among all of our stores, but we also recognize that each of our store managers are
going to have their own particular management style. We really try to encourage them to keep their own style, as long as it aligns with our values as a company. You are a local brand going up against one of the biggest retail chains in the country, Starbucks. How do you manage to keep competitive? We really just love being a part of this industry. Coffee to most people is the most important part of their day, no matter what time we get to serve them. City Brew roasts its own coffee and I believe that the high quality of our distinctive beans and our artistry put into the roasting process sets us apart from the competition, as well as our superb customer service. Our goal is to be sure that our customers feel appreciated and that they always know we will do what it takes to make them happy. For our customers, we know that their experience with us is personal and the one thing that can make or break their day. Why have you decided to make Billings home? I moved here for college, got a great job with City Brew and met my husband, Kevin, along the way. I have been fortunate to have
some of my own family here, as well as his family, as he was raised here. Living somewhere that is close to family has always been important to me, as well as having the ability to have a social life. Billings has some of my favorite restaurants, and we have been blessed to develop a lot of great friendships here. Where do you see City Brew and your professional career in 10 years? I really hope to still be a part of it. I have been fortunate to have been part of a lot of City Brew’s growth during the years. It makes me proud to look back at what we have accomplished and it makes me want to continue to see what we can do next. We are excited to continue to grow, and become a part of other communities. I really love that we started here in Billings and it’s still the place City Brew calls home. What do you do to relax away from the office? Mostly, just spend time with my husband, my mom and our friends. I love to cook and am also completely content staying at home watching movies. My family and marriage will always come first when it comes to spare time. What has been the biggest or best learning experience for you?
I honestly believe that every day presents a new learning experience in itself, so it is hard to pick just one. If I had to, I would say its not taking life for granted and being sure to always express your love and gratitude to those that mean the most to you. I lost my dad close to 2 years ago and since then, it’s always on the top of my mind. I wouldn’t be here today without the love and support of my family, friends and great colleagues. Our daily interactions and how we handle them decide the outcome of our future, and I always want to be sure the people around me never have to question what role they have played in my life.
City Brew Coffee would like toCongratulate Chrissy O’Malley
Director of Retail Operations Your 12 years of service contributes to our longevity and success as a company.
February 2018
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CHESLON ROMERO Using his gifts to inspire others Cheslon Romero has overcome many obstacles — substance abuse, abuse and the loss of a daughter. Meanwhile, he’s created a successful business and growing a base of fans for his music. You have a background in drywall and music. How do both of those things fit together? My oldest brother Andrew began training me when I was 16 in drywall. I enjoyed the freedom that the job site offered as an opportunity for creative freedom. Some of my greatest ideas and revelations have been on my job sites working in the drywall. What serves as your inspiration? My faith in God, my daughter Ismaela, my team and my good friend Richard Todd. I know that with these support groups and systems, failure is less likely to occur. In the multitude of counsel,
wisdom can be learned. Why have you chosen Billings as a place to live? I was born and raised in Billings. I absolutely love my hometown, it made me who I am today. Without Billings, I wouldn’t have close to the impact and influence that I have in music today. It has help me to inspire people the same way that it has inspired me. Your nominations have stressed the team you’ve assembled in your business. What is your approach to building a successful team? Passionate teachability. If the individual has passion and they are able to learn, their skills and value can be developed over time. We like to find individuals that we can encourage to find their voice. You lost your daughter last year. How did that loss affect your business and music? Her life is a testimony to my re-
covery. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. She is the driving force behind my motivation and ethics. Her life is a reminder to give all of my effort to building a new life for the three children that I do have here on earth. Most people look at what happened as a tragedy, I have learned to turn it into a triumph. I am a survivor, not a victim. What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are? From being sexually assaulted as a kid, losing my daughter, and dealing with drug and alcohol addiction — my hardships have made me resilient to adversity. And I am the survivor today. My daughter is a reminder of how fragile life can really be. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? It’s hard to see into the future. I know that whatever I put my mind to, accompanied with consistency and drive, can translate into success in any area. I would like to see a life where I am using my gift
HANNAH POTES, Gazette Staff
Cheslon Romero chats with two men downtown on Saturday. The men received sandwiches and water from Romero’s group as part of a grassroots outreach program.
to inspire and motivate people around me. What is your vision for Billings? I would love to see opportunities grow and build in the city of balance. It would like to see a modern, thriving entertainment scene as well as a community of unified people. 20 years from now, how do
you hope to look back at this time in your life right now? The struggles. Gratitude is short-lived when adversity is absent. Without gratitude complacency can slowly grow roots. What do you do to relax? Relaxation is a luxury I typically don’t have. However, when I do decide to, it’s mostly at a movie theater.
TUFF HARRIS
Loving people through the pain Age: 34 Hometown: St. Xavier, Lodge Grass, Colstrip Tuff Harris believes if you’re going to change the world, you have to do it one person at a time. And, changing a person isn’t about changing just one thing about them. It’s truly about changing the entire person — physically, spiritually and emotionally. How did you first become involved with ministering to the Crow nation? I feel like it is a responsibility and a calling to serve the community that I was raised in. The moment I felt like I was becoming influential I also felt a sense of responsibility. I started by speaking to kids about the path of success and what it takes to overcome the difficulties of the reservation. Eventually, I felt the call to serve
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full-time. What are the biggest challenges facing the Crow nation? Helping people overcome some of the destructive patterns in their thinking. Native people have a lot of beautiful things to offer the rest of the world but if they allow themselves and their families to fall into some of the harmful patterns it is difficult to get out. It is not impossible but it is a great challenge to bring positive change to a hurting community. Where do you draw your inspiration from? I’ve always been easily inspired, whether it’s a movie, a story or just a good quote. I get inspired to stand up and help in any way I can. Also, the women in my family have shown me how resilient people can be. They have made it through some of the toughest situations
and are still smiling and loving people. They inspire me! How did you develop a ministry program that focused on more than just the spiritual needs of the Crow? I compiled all the things that have helped me and packaged it in a program for people who desire to change their situation and eventually help people form a healthier place in life. I believe that there are five key areas of life that require a lot of development; physical, spiritual, mental, relational, and financial. Our program develops all five levels at the same time. Do you ever get discouraged in your work? I can get frustrated if my focus is on the wrong thing. If I focus on the outcome it can seem very difficult and can lead to discouragement but if I focus on input goals then as long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to be, the outcome doesn’t matter. The team sup-
JEFF WELSCH, 406mtsports.com
Tuff Harris, who grew up in St. Xavier and played football at Montana before his NFL career, speaks at the Montana Football Hall of Fame unveiling.
porting me helps me keep the right perspective when things are getting difficult. I could not make it without good people in my life. In your work, you give a lot emotionally and spiritually. How do you recharge? I have a few untouchables in my life to help me recharge; quality time with my wife and children, working out, grilling some meat and an occasional physical challenge. As long as I keep a healthy balance of hard work and
good rest, I will avoid burnout and thrive in my calling. What was the best piece of professional advice you received? There are people who talk and people who do. Be a doer. Tell us about the failure in which you learned the most? When I was a child some of our neighborhood children who were older than me challenged me to a Please see HARRIS, Page 31
SAMMY TWITO Nursing is my true passion Age: 36 Hometown: Fort Peck, Montana She thought she wanted to become a teacher, but instead found her passion in nursing. From there, she’s become a leader and innovator in one of the toughest areas of St. Vincent Healthcare, the newborn intensive care unit or NICU. Originally you wanted to become a teacher, but instead pursued nursing. How did that switch come about? Growing up I wanted a job that would give me the ability to help people and make an impact upon them. I began college pursing an educational degree. In the summer of my second year, I became a certified nursing assistant. After I began caring for and interacting with patients, I knew nursing was my true passion. How did you choose Billings as a community to live in? I am a Montanan. Billings is a
large community with a smalltown feel. It truly is the people and the relationships I have created that make me want to call it home. You work in one of the most challenging, stressful parts of the hospital, the NICU. How do you manage that stress? The NICU can definitely be a very stressful environment but at the same time can be one of the most rewarding. We see miracles and success stories every day. To manage the stress and challenges, I focus on the positive and doing the best I can in that situation — always taking a deep breath, take things one step at a time and always lead with a smile and a positive attitude. To de-stress away from work, I enjoy running, yoga and spending time with family and friends. What is a good day on the NICU? A good day is when you are able to celebrate with a family as they take their baby home often-
times after weeks or months in the NICU. Who serves as your inspiration? I have so many individuals in my life who inspire me. My NICU inspiration is, without a doubt, my nursing team. These nurses work around the clock providing the best care for our babies and families. From providing critical nursing care to taking extra time to create memories for families, they go above and beyond. The NICU team truly loves the work they do and it inspires me to be the best leader I can be for them. Tell us about the NICU graduation party that you hold every year. The NICU graduation party is an annual event when all of our past patients and families we have cared for are invited to a celebration. We have formed such a connection during their stay in the NICU it truly is special to see how our patients and families have grown and changed from year to year. Tell us about the “cuddler” program that you helped start
at St. Vincent. At St. Vincent in 2017 we developed a NICU “cuddler” program called SPROUTS. It is a volunteer-based program. Volunteers receive specific training to interact with our babies such as therapeutic touch, cuddling, hand swaddling and reading. It is not the intent of the program to replace the loving touch or interaction of a parent, but rather to provide an additional level of care to improve a baby’s outcome. Why is yoga something important in your life? Yoga is my outlet. I began practicing a few years ago and fell in love, so much, I became an instructor. Yoga allows me to disconnect, clear my mind and do something great for my body. What did growing up in a rural area teach you? I am grateful to have been raised in small town Montana. It keeps me grounded. Rural life taught me an appreciation for people and the importance of a great community. In my own job it gives me perspective on
so many of the challenges that face our patients and families, whether it be travel distance, limited resources or maintaining a ranch during a hospital stay. What is your guilty pleasure? A fabulous dinner, dessert and wine. You must indulge once in a while.
RYAN MORRIS
Inspired by those who took a chance on me Age: 36 Ryan Morris is the Safety Manager at SibayneStillwater. He graduated from Montana Tech in Butte and has a passion for the mining industry and the state’s history. Hometown: White Sulphur Springs, Montana Working as a safety manager at a large mine must be a stressful job. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? I feel the most challenging aspect of my job is keeping up with everything in a very dynamic workplace. Things can change very fast and even short time frames away can make it chal
lenging to catch up. How did you choose your career? A career working with people where you can have a positive influence is a good fit for me and working in safety and health requires both to be effective. Why do you love coming to work? My coworkers are open, honest and down-to-earth which makes me look forward to coming to work. What is the most interesting part of your job? I find it interesting how every day brings new opportunities and most of the challenges that come
up are centered on a desire to improve. What is something about you that most people don’t know or realize? I have two Labradors that sound like a cross between a pig and a goose when they talk. What would you be doing if this job didn’t exist? I would likely be working in the field of safety and health in another industry. Why have you chosen to make your home in Montana? I grew up in Montana and I would like to always have my home in Montana. Family and friends are close; I enjoy having
all four seasons, outdoor activities and the character of Montana residents. What is one piece of advice you give to others and why? Stay open minded – because you don’t know everything and there might be more there than what you believe. Who is your inspiration? I have been inspired by those in my life who have taken a chance on me and I don’t want to let them down. What is one thing still on your list of goals to complete in the future? I want to become the best version of myself - and learn how to play the piano. Being on a golf course with What is your guilty pleafriends and cold beverages. sure? February 2018
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MICHELLE ROBERTS Helping show off smiles Hometown: I was born in Iowa City, Iowa but moved to Billings at 1 ½ years old Growing up in Billings and loving the outdoors, it seems natural that Dr. Michelle Roberts would come back. But, as she did, she also brought with her the value of volunteering and giving back to the community. What made you return to Billings? I enjoyed things about everywhere I lived, but I wanted to return to Billings to be a part of the community that had given so much to me growing up. I also wanted to be able to take advantage of some the great outdoor recreation opportunities, like hiking and fishing so close to Billings. How did you choose your ca-
reer path? I did not go straight from college into dental school. I considered many things when trying to decide on my career path. Ultimately, I decided on dentistry and orthodontics because I enjoy getting to know each patient I meet and building relationships with them that last long after their treatment is complete. Why do you support Family Promise and Family Service? Why do those organizations mean something to you? I support the Family Promise and the Family Service organizations because they both assist families. If you help stabilize families, all members of the family, adults and children, you can create an opportunity for a big change in
people’s lives. Tell us about your participation in equestrian events? I started riding horses as a kid and it has stayed with me through the years as much as I have been able to at different times with my educational pursuits. I started showing horses as a youth rider. After I went to college, my mother started showing on her own and now it’s something we do together. What is the most satisfying aspect of your work? Seeing each patient grow and change, and watching their joy in showing off their smiles. Who was your greatest mentor? I am lucky to say that I have and continue to have some great mentors. My mentors include my parents, previous faculty members and colleagues. What was the last television
series you binge-watched? I like to watch “Shark Tank,” the National Geographic Channel and the Animal Planet channel. I don’t watch many series where the shows are linked from one show to the next. What has been your secret to success? I think my key to success had been hard work, trying to treat people well, and enjoying what I do. What advice would have you given to yourself at 13? I think the advice I would have given my 13-year-old self would have been take advantage of as many opportunities and experiences as possible that are presented to you, even if it is a little outside your comfort zone. If you had to switch careers, what would you pursue instead?
If I had to switch careers I probably would pursue veterinary medicine. I have always been an animal person and considered becoming a vet before I decided and pursued dental school.
mercial real estate and development? Something in data analytics or technology. In college, I was a cyber athlete. What volunteer organizations are you a part of? Why are they important to you? Boy Scouts. I’m currently a Scoutmaster. I was an Eagle Scout growing up and love its program. Head Start. What that organization teaches and instills in underprivileged kids is inspiring. NextGen. A group of younger, ambitious professionals striving to better themselves and the community. What was the best piece of professional advice you received? Be indispensable. If you are irreplaceable, you can set your own value. Oh, and it is better to be really good at one thing than good at several things. And hustle. Tell us about the failure in which you learned the most? I’m very resilient, so failures are more like opportunities to learn
and grow. One area I’m trying to improve is my emotional intelligence. Understanding behaviors, emotions and motives is critical to a strong, successful leader. When crucial conversations are needed, I want to be able to diffuse unnecessary feelings and find resolution and progress.
DAVID MITCHELL
If you are irreplaceable, you can set your own value Age: 35 Hometown: St. Augustine, Florida Active in his church, Boy Scouts and a developer who has brought development to Billings’ West End and Heights, David Mitchell is a busy man. Volunteering for the Billings Chamber of Commerce and for Head Start means that community is just as much a part of his focus as business. You are active in family, business and church. How do you balance those things? Prioritizing. From time to time, one responsibility will need more attention. Balancing my involvement appropriately allows me to be successful in each endeavor. Luckily, I have a very supportive wife. What is the most rewarding aspect of your business? Analyzing data. There is so much data available in commercial real estate. It is rewarding to me to
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analyze the data and know how to apply it to a client’s desire to lease, purchase or sell a property. That type of research is rewarding to me because ultimately, it rewards the client. How does your involvement in church inform your business? Service, integrity, honesty and perseverance are standards which were instilled in me from church. I hope to emulate those attributes in my profession. You are helping to develop commercial property throughout Billings. Is that a hard thing to do? It is more exciting than hard. Watching a property repurpose itself to a higher and better use is exciting. Being able to advance the quality of Billings makes it worth all the hours of research, site selection, negotiating and closing. Where would you like to see
Billings, as a community, 10 years from now? I want the community to be more independent of its future. I want Billings to be “Montana’s City,” where residents, tourists, students and families achieve the maximum quality of life available. We have the human capital available to attain that, but we need to better educate our community on how to accomplish it. What is the one thing that Billings residents may not realize that makes this place special? The people. There are so many good people in this community. Get to know people in your industry, outside your industry, leaders of our community, business leaders, nonprofit leaders. Connect with them and then serve them. Your love for our city and its residents will multiply. What would you be doing if you were not involved in com-
DARRIN WILLIAMS
A great community with great support in the hub of Montana Age: 31 Hometown: Billings If you’ve been to Divide Bar and Grill, you’ve probably met Darrin Williams, the owner and operator. You may not have known it because he was just another person at work there. But the successful venue near Shiloh Crossing has earned a reputation for a great local hangout to sit and watch spectacular Montana sunsets and take in the view of the Rims. You decided to start a bar and grill – is that a risky thing to do? Very much so. In my opinion, starting any business is a risky move. In many cases, someone is putting everything they have ever worked for on the line in hopes of making it as an entrepreneur. In my case, I entered a very competitive industry that does not have the greatest success rate. The sacrifices endured to be successful have affected my family and personal life and are also things that take a toll during the process of starting
up a new business in this industry. Why did you decide to start your own business? Starting my own business was always a personal goal of mine. I grew up watching my father, as well as many members of my family start successful small businesses. Growing up surrounded by successful family members gave me a vision to succeed as an entrepreneur. The opportunity that was given to me is something that I was personally excited to tackle. At the end of the day, the support I had from all angles of my family helped give me the drive I needed to succeed. What is your vision for Billings? Billings has always been a great community and for a long time the hub of Montana. The consistent growth of our community has given me excitement for the future. I have a personal passion to succeed in my business practices and to help the community continue to
grow in a positive direction. What other organizations are important to you here? I personally like to support organizations that help raise awareness of all kinds. Focusing especially on those that have significant local impact, community influence and drive our economy. You have a passion for local food and local spirits. What are some of your favorites and why? I’ve always personally enjoyed supporting local businesses. I believe supporting locally cultivates relationships that contributes to the success of our economy in Billings as well as Montana. I love all the local establishments, breweries with their many styles of craft beers and and also the spirits at our local distillery. Being in a customer-service related industry is hard because of the variety of customers. What is your greatest challenge?
Understanding personalities. The growth of my business has given me the opportunity to meet many great individuals. Through these experiences, I have learned that everybody’s needs are different. With each situation and personality, this allows me to challenge myself as well as my staff to overcome these obstacles to continue to grow in a positive direction. What is your greatest failure and why? Dedication. Both in a positive and negative way. When I take something on, I give 100 percent. At times, I tend to focus so much on what is in front of me that I lose sight on things that are equally as important but don’t receive the same amount of attention. How do you achieve a worklife balance? I have a lot of support from my family, especially my wife. Selfemployed as well, my wife has worked around my schedule to
balance our lives so it works for the two of us and our daughter. Much time and dedication is required for a new business that’s open seven days a week. Because of this, I also owe credit to staff members that have allowed me to take time away, whether it’s leaving early to have a night with my wife or going out of town with my family. Please see WILLIAMS, Page 31
HELEN TOLLIVER Creating art, smiles Age: 39 Hometown: Billings The Frame Hut has won The Billings Gazette’s Readers Choice award for the best custom framer for eight years. For the past two years, she’s been the owner of the Frame Hut and Gallery. In addition to running her own successful business, Tolliver has also supported many local causes from the Ronald McDonald House to the Rocky Mountain College art department. You are the owner of a very successful, longtime Billings business. How did you start at the Frame Hut? A Billings Gazette help-wanted ad listed a job opening for someone creative with an eye for detail. It seemed like a good fit and my first position involved learning the
hands-on art of putting pictures together. What is the most enjoyable part of your job? The most enjoyable part of my job is creating smiles. Through my creativity, I craft beauty on a daily basis for others through guiding their custom framing designs and home accent choices. My job is more like play at times in this regard. I really enjoy being my own boss as well as striving to be a positive source of encouragement for others to use their strengths. What is the most challenging part of your job? In the television series “M*A*S*H,” Colonel Henry Blake says, “It’s lonely at the top time” when taking on a difficult decision. Being your own boss means
that you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders including daily decisions on a variety of levels. The most challenging part for me juggling these constant decisions. You support many worthwhile local causes. Why? The local community is a great supporter of the arts. We showcase more than 70 artists at The Frame Hut & Gallery and I feel it’s very important to show support for local causes. Ronald McDonald House is a great one as they provide housing for families at a time when they most need to be with their children when they are ill. What is the hardest part about your professional career? Snowplowing the parking lot after record snow seems to fit. When not working, what activities do you enjoy? Designing and crafting jewelry, paddle boarding, yoga, reading,
skipping, stained glass and crosscountry skiing to name a few. What is your vision of Billings for the next decade? My vision is to beautify and support Billings through visual arts. What advice would have you given to yourself at 13? My words of wisdom would be to never grow up—to never let your spirit of child-like wonder about the world dwindle. What do you hope you’ll remember 20 years from now? My cherished thoughts 20 years from now will include how grateful I am for my loyal patrons and talented staff as they are much more than that, they are my friends and family. What made you want to do what you do now? My strengths include a love of learning and using my hands. Af-
ter 17 years of being in the framing and art business, there is still the opportunity for me to learn new things and to help others on a daily basis and that is very fulfilling. February 2018
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ERICA STOKKE
I wanted to be a great dentist that helped others to the absolute best of my ability Age: 29 Hometown: Laurel/Billings, Montana Erica Stokke graduated from Billings West High in 2006. Since then, she went from being a standout athlete to college student to being accepted to the University of California Los Angeles’ School of Dentistry. She has received national and state awards for her work and accomplishments. How did you decide to become a dentist? I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I knew that I did not want to be a dentist. In high school, I participated in Medical Careers where I explored careers in the medical field, but disappointingly there was nothing that I loved. I knew that I was meant to help people, but didn’t know how. In college, I met with multiple career counselors and they all said the same thing: You are going to be a dentist. Throughout college I started to notice that during my school breaks I was spending the majority
of my time at my dad’s dental office. I saw how he was combining the science that I was learning in college and art to help others while building relationships along the way. I admired the craft of working with your hands and the tremendous attention to detail it took to design smiles or take someone out of pain. At that point I knew I was meant to be a dentist. Why did you choose to come back home to practice? Being young and unattached after high school, I wanted to explore other parts of the country, develop into my own person, and see what I was made of. I moved to three different states without knowing a single person and had to make my own way. I was immersed in different cultures, beliefs and lifestyles and was able to create long lasting friendships and persevere through trying circumstances. But I always knew that I would return to Montana. We still have pristine wilderness, a strong and kind local community and a great simplified lifestyle focus-
ing on people rather than things. In the 10 years of living outside of Montana and pursuing my career, I never faltered with my decision to return home. There is truly something magical about Montana. Why would you tell someone to relocate to the Billings area? I would tell someone to relocate to the Billings area because we have a flourishing economy with a strong local community and small-town mentality. The area has everything a larger city has to offer while being accessible to any outdoor activity — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking and skiing. Whether you are looking for a quick river float after work or a weekend getaway, it is all available right here. Besides the city having multiple opportunities, we are less than an hour away from almost a million acres of true wilderness. The adventure possibilities are endless and offer a fulfilling, relaxed and simple lifestyle. Did you ever think you would fail?
Growing up, I was taught that failure is not an option. My parents raised me to think positively, to think for myself, and to problem solve. My mother has been a teacher at Elder Grove School for more than 30 years and instilled resilience, perseverance and the importance of steady, hard work. She gave me the freedom to think independently, solve problems creatively, and stick to a task until I achieved it. This made me believe in myself. This is not to say that daunting and trying moments did not arise; however, my lessons as a child allowed me to stay positive and resilient. I was fortunate enough to be one of 10 out-of-state students accepted into the UCLA School of Dentistry. My classmates came from private schools and schools for the gifted in California while I came from a country school. I had my mom as a teacher twice, my aunt once and my grandfather was commissioned to come into the school to teach four of us algebra in the school office as it was not offered at the time. Needless to say, when I arrived at UCLA, I wondered how I would stack up against the other students. Through discipline and diligence, I systematically studied and practiced every
COLBY HERNANDEZ Choose quality over quantity At 35, Colby Hernandez has already purchased several casinos. In addition to operating his own businesses, he enjoys helping the community. He is a husband and a father and a winner of this year’s “40 Under 40” award. How did you get into the casino business? My father purchased a casino when I was a freshman in high school. That is when the bug bit me. I was fascinated by the industry and he allowed me the opportunity to see how it worked from every facet. I saw that it could lead to a life of freedom and stabil-
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ity, and decided then in my young teenage years that it was something that I wanted. As soon as the opportunity presented itself to me at age 25, I took the chance and haven’t looked back since. What is the hardest part? In my opinion, it would be the competition. With so many casinos for patrons to choose from and that we all, for the most part, offer the same thing, it can be quite difficult to be the one the stands out and brings people back, or to our spot in the first place. I have worked very hard in establishing a common theme throughout the
three casinos I have owned to make them all offer a sense of comfort, professional atmosphere, cleanliness and a top-notch staff. I hope when someone frequents any of my casinos they instantly feel this. What’s the most enjoyable part? The most enjoyable part of owning a casino isn’t so much casino-related but rather, being a business owner. The flexibility and freedom of being your own boss and creating your own hours is immensely rewarding for my wife and I and our young family. Additionally, I would have to say that knowing I am providing job security and financial stability for my employees brings me great joy.
What organizations mean something to you? I’ve always been a fan of the work Tumbleweed does, and Harvest with all of their outreach/community programs amazes me. Most recently I have been astounded to see the work YES! kids does for our community and am very proud to say I will forever be a fan and big time supporter of them as well. Where do you hope to be in 10 years? In 10 years I hope to be on vacation! In all seriousness, I hope that the time, energy, work and dedication I have poured into my businesses will allow my family and Please see HERNANDEZ, Page 21
day. I did this for myself, but moreso because I wanted to be a great dentist that helped others to the absolute best of my ability. I loved every minute of it and soaked up every tidbit of knowledge so I could be an impactful, honest and helpful dentist for the people I would serve. At the end of my four years, I realized that through my discipline and passion, I graduated at the top of my class of more than 100 students and was inducted into a national dental honor society. Please see STOKKE, Page 13
SCOTT AUDET
Celebrating our very own 40 Under 40.
Shaping a career around things you love Age: 33 Hometown: Great Falls, Montana Position: Creative Services Manager, SCL Health Scott Audet knows how to capture people’s attention. Whether it’s helping to create a marketing campaign or share a story for SCL Health System in Montana, or making products made in Montana for Montanans (and those who love the Treasure State), his creativity and passion for a good story in the Last Best Place have made him one of The Billings Gazette’s “40 Under 40” for 2018. You’re responsible for helping to market an entire health system to a region. What is the most satisfying part of your job? When I talk to someone who has been moved by one of the patient stories I’ve helped to share—and learn they’ve taken an action that improved their own health as a result. The work I do is less about making an image or campaign look beautiful; it’s about encouraging people to improve their overall health or, if they are struggling with a medical issue, to call a healthcare provider who can help them. You have a passion for Montana and sharing it with others. What is your favorite part of Montana? It’s hard to articulate any one thing that defines my passion for this state. Its diversity, in fact, is what draws me to it—not only in terms of its landscape, but also the individual identities that are synonymous with each city and town. While the overwhelming pride that Montanans have for this state is no secret, my favorite thing is finding the local gems. Whether it be a secret fishing hole or favorite watering hole, there’s no shortage of discoveries to be made in the Treasure State. How did your work with Montana Mint start? We started as a Facebook page, and our goal was to bring the best Montana photos, news, music and jokes to Montanans—whether they were living next door to us or halfway around the globe. From there we expanded to the store that sells products designed by Montanans and made (as often as possible) in Montana. Next came our website, which has grown from a place for Montana writers and photographers to host their content to a forum where we can run statewide campaigns. Most
recently, we’ve expanded into Montana sports content with Mint Sports as well as a Montana political newsletter. What has been the most creative item you’ve created for Montana Mint? I have to say one of my favorite campaigns I’ve done with the Mint was the Montana Pizza Bracket. Around the same time as the NCAA March Madness tournament rolled around, we set out to find the best pizza in Montana. We used a bracket format, pitting pizza places head-to-head in rounds of voting. Thanks to our audience and some state-wide media attention, the bracket received more than 10,000 votes. Much to our surprise, Eugene’s Pizza in Glasgow beat out the big city favorites! We even sent them a custom trophy so they could properly enjoy their bragging rights. We had a blast watching it play out. How do you balance the demands of a high-pressure job with the creative needs of an active side business in Montana Mint? A big part of avoiding burnout for me is simply enjoying what I do. I’m extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to shape my career around the things I love, art and Montana. I also have the support of extremely talented and driven teams in both endeavors. It’s been equally important for me to find a healthy work-life balance. I make sure to dedicate time to the things outside of my work that are important to me. I’m intentional about keeping exercise, hobbies and relationships a priority. I don’t know where I would be without the support of my beautiful wife Lindsay, and our time together only helps fuel my professional drive. Why are you involved in the Billings Advertising and Marketing Club? BAM (the local branch of the American Advertising Federation) has been a great opportunity to connect with members of the Billings community who share a passion for our field of work. As a member, I found value in the educational speakers, networking opportunities and insight into local industries. I quickly recognized an opportunity to further my involvement by joining the BAM Board. Through my involvement I’ve been able to apply my unique skills and voice to ex-
Dr. Janice Fordham Laurel Family Medicine Dr. Anna Wilson Yellowstone Breast Center pand the club’s reach. I’ve developed valuable relationships and broadened my professional horizons by learning about the different aspects of not only creative design but marketing, communication, public relations and so much more. What was the best piece of professional advice you received? Don’t let yourself be content in where your talents are. Constantly seek ways to progress your skills professionally. Tell us about the failure in which you learned the most? In 2011 I was laid off from my first job as a professional graphic designer. I’d been working there for several years, but business had declined, and being the newest of the designers, I was the most expendable. Despite the fact I had done nothing directly to lose my job, I found myself really looking within to find if I had the passion for design to continue my dream. After a couple of months of soul (and job) searching, I knew that design was absolutely the right career field for me. I also learned that my friends and family were there to give me the support and encouragement I needed to dust myself off, focus on my goals and persevere until I had found exactly the right fit for me personally and professionally. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? My first passion was fine art, and my favorite college memories are of times spent in the studio. If I hadn’t chosen graphic design, I would have loved to pursue a profession in drawing, painting or ceramics. That, or carnival barker.
Scott Audet Marketing & Communication Shannon Johnson Internal Medicine Evan Krause St. Vincent Physicians Nichole Miles St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation Sammy Twito Neonatal Intensive Care Unit St. Vincent Healthcare is focused on quality, and driven to provide the best patient care experience in the region. Our core values are reflected in the work of these outstanding associates. Congratulations!
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DANNY ZIMMERMAN
Being a part of something meaningful for so many families Age: 30 Hometown: Billings, Montana Danny Zimmerman is the clinic administrator of the Children’s Clinic of Billings. You have stepped into a large role with the Children’s Clinic of Billings. What has been your greatest challenge? I am so fortunate that the pediatricians chose me to run this practice 2.5 years ago, but it’s a big operation. The greatest challenge has been balancing the many hats my role entails. Any given day my to do list may involve managing staff, ordering supplies, negotiating contracts, recruiting new providers, submitting building repair tickets, managing clinic finances, preparing board meeting minutes, identifying cost savings, coordinating floor plans for a clinic expansion, overseeing quality improvement efforts and strategizing for future growth. It can be tough to juggle so many balls that require vastly different skill sets and to do each of those things as well as I would like. However, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity this challenging role has given me to learn a lot and to work with
awesome people at the clinic and beyond. Your nominations mention your work ethic and dedication. Where does that drive come from? My parents deserve a lot of credit — both directly and indirectly — for catalyzing my work ethic. Indirectly, my parents were phenomenal role models by pouring themselves 100 percent into their full-time jobs while also being omnipresent at home and at all my siblings’ and my soccer games, band concerts and other events. Directly, they taught us the value of working hard and not giving up until a job was done and done to the best of our abilities. Extra credit projects in school were expected to be done even if we already had a 100 percent in the class. I think that “all-in” attitude we were taught is a great way to work and live and it is what motivates me to give my all in my current role. What is your favorite part of your job? The Children’s Clinic gets to play an incredible role in the lives of thousands of kids in our community; it is a huge honor that our
patients (or their parents) entrust their care to us. While I am not involved at the bedside, my role involves making sure everything outside of that direct patient care is just right so that those taking care of our patients can focus 100 percent on those kids. While my impact on patients is less direct and immediate than that of our receptionists, nurses and providers, I feel honored that my work is part of something so meaningful to so many families in our area. How do you achieve a worklife balance? There is supposed to be a balance? I am (mostly) joking! I think most driven people have more on their to-do lists than can reasonably be accomplished in a day. I’ve decided the key is very intentionally prioritizing the things that matter most to you and doing those things well. Then, if you’ve then got some spare time once that is done, you can reach for items further down the to do list. What other organizations are you involved in? Montana Medical Group Management Association (board member), Montana Medical Associa-
tion Health Care Plan and Trust (ex officio board member), St. Thomas Catholic Church Youth Group (high school youth leader), NextGEN through Billings Chamber of Commerce, High Plains Chamber Singers. Why did you choose to live in Billings? Billings was a great place to grow up and the people here contributed so much to me developing into the person I am today. When the opportunity to take a phenomenal job here came up, I jumped on it for the opportunity to give back and help Billings continue to be a great place to live and work. Who was your greatest teacher? I had too many great teachers to pick just one. Were there any experiences you had that you originally thought were bad but actually turned out to be very good learning opportunities? I came home for fall break my first semester of college at Notre Dame thinking it was a bad choice for me. It was a thousand miles from home and I didn’t know anyone there, I felt out of my depth
ERIC MARKEGARD Farming is all I wanted to do Age: 39 Hometown: Laurel Eric Markegard is one of the top alfalfa seed producers in the state of Montana. He’s been one of the top producers for several years. Farming runs in his blood and he can’t imagine doing anything else. At a time nationally when fewer are going into to farming, he’s a great example of the still-strong agricultural base of our Montana economy. You’re dedicated to farminga tough business. Why is this your passion? From a very young age, I knew
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farming was all that I wanted to do and there was no other career that I had any interest in. Being a third generation farmer: Is that more difficult because it runs in the family or does it make it easier? Being a third generation farmer has definitely been an advantage for me. Between my father and my grandfather there isn’t a problem or scenario that they couldn’t relate to for advice. You are also knowing for mentoring folks just getting into farming. Why? There aren’t very many young
farmers in the area but if a neighbor needs some help, we are always glad to lend a hand or offer advice. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to others? Don’t be afraid to try new things, and not everything you do is going to turn out the way you had planned, but that doesn’t make it a failure. Why have you chosen to grow alfalfa seed? I chose to raise alfalfa seed because it is what I grew up doing and I have always enjoyed all of the aspects of producing seed from the pollination of the alfalfa using leaf cutter bees to the daily management in season and through harvest.
What keeps you continuing in farming? What keeps me continuing to farm is the fact that every year brings new challenges and circumstances. We are always trying to improve on what we have done in years past and maintain our farm to pass on to our kids, if and when they want to farm. What is a good day at the farm for you? A good day at the farm would consist of a smooth day of harvest with one or all of my boys there to tag along. Who has been your biggest inspiration? Please see MARKEGARD, Page E27
academically, and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to cut it. Fortunately, though, I went back and stuck it out. It turned out to be one of the most formational experiences of my life—not only educating my mind, but also informing my faith and my character—and I know I wouldn’t be who I am today had I not attended college there. What word best describes you? Inquisitive. What is one thing you detest? Ironing my clothes. I’d trade all kinds of chores to get out of having to do that every day.
ADAM GROSS
Make a plan and be intentional Age: 35 Hometown: Park City, Montana Adam Gross is a financial planner with an eye for photography. His photography has been featured the Billings’ Downtown Artwalk, and he’s been able to cultivate that as a business while being a respected financial planner. You’re both a financial planner and a photographer. How did you wind up doing both of those seemingly disconnect things? The key to achieve the best possible outcomes is to make a plan and be intentional. Whether that includes trying to get five people to look at the camera at the same time, or simultaneously trying to get one child through college, and another married, while the young-
est needs braces, the focus and intentionality are similar. I seek the best possible outcomes and focus on the right questions. What is your biggest professional challenge? We all have those things that keep us up at night, and worries about money shouldn’t be one of them. My biggest challenge is painting a financial picture that fits my clients. The picture is not usually a huge pile of cash on which to sit. Rather, it’s the lifestyle and freedom of choice that the huge pile of cash can facilitate. You shoot a lot of Montana landscapes in your photography. What is your favorite subject to shoot and why? I love taking pictures of my wife and now two little girls. (We just had another
little girl on Jan. 2, 2018.) Taking photos of them reminds me of the moments we love most about life. Is it hard to find time to do all the things you want? There are certainly moments where I feel as if I’m running around like my hair is on fire, but my family really is priority No.1. Without them, what’s the point? Life has given me the opportunity to increase my capacity to prioritize. What is your passion? Loving others and being great at what I do. What is your vision for Billings in the next 10 years? Billings needs to be not just a good place to raise a family, start a business or retire; it needs to be a great place to do those things. My mission is to set Billings area families up for financial success because then the whole community benefits from these families’
Stokke
needs. I chose general dentistry because I am able to help people of all ages in a variety of ways. I can help patients by relieving pain, by helping someone chew again or by improving self-confidence with a new smile. I enjoy working with patients to put together the pieces of the puzzle for individualized treatment and educating patients on their risk
factors to prevent them from needing major dental work down the road. One of your nominations mentions that you have training in medically complex patients. To some, that would sound scary. Why have you chosen to train for complex cases? I chose to train for complex
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What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping others, creating relationships, planning comprehensive cases and educating patients to prevent future dental
capacity to participate in and contribute to the growth of our city. You have been active in the Billings NextGEN program: How have you helped keep young adults in Billings? I hope that I’ve successfully encouraged those whom I’ve met and with whom I’ve developed relationships in NextGen to be the best business owners, the best employees, the best spouses, the best parents and the best human beings they can be. No matter who you are or what you do, the rest of your life starts right now, so be the best in the world at one thing and create a buffer around it with your time, energy, money and passion. What word best describes you? Goofy. What is one thing you detest? Negativity. What’s one habit you’re pas-
sionate about? I have a habit of asking a ton of questions. I believe by finding out what drives a person and what they really want, I can better help them achieve their goals.
cases because I believe that everyone deserves competent dental care. If something is scary, I believe you should learn more about it. The more you understand, the less scary something becomes. What is one thing still on your list of goals to complete in the future? One thing that is on my list of
goals that I would like to complete in the future is to volunteer for dental missions abroad. In dental school I did free dental work in Guatemala during one of my breaks, and I’d like to continue to give back in the future. I am fortunate to be trained with a specific skill set and believe it is my responsibility to share it and help others.
Congratulations
David Mitchell
We are proud to have you as a partner on the Coldwell Banker Commercial Team!
Thanks for all you do for us, and Billings.
1215 24th Street, Suite 240 Billings, MT 59102 406-656-2001
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AMY FLADMO
Stretch, reach, grow into goodness Age: 30 Hometown: Billings This is the second time Amy Fladmo has won the 40 Under 40 award from The Billings Gazette. This time, her nomination is for the work she’s done to turnaround and help stabilize The Center for Children and Families in Billings. She currently serves at its executive director. This is the second time you’ve won this award. Last time it was for something different. Why embark on a new challenge? I have been with The Center for Children and Families for more than six years. I am very passionate about the organization’s mission and knew that stepping into this role would allow me to be an even bigger part of furthering the work we do to help children and families in our community change their stories.
You joined an organization that was in turmoil and helped stabilize it and turn it around. What was that experience like? The last year and a half in my current role has been quite a roller coaster; however, the progress we have made towards being a healthy, sustainable organization was well worth it. Were you worried you would fail? Absolutely! I think there is always that fear in the back of anyone’s mind when embarking on a new adventure that they will fail, but I love a challenge. That being said, The Center would not be where it is today without the amazing team of passionate, dedicated individuals who both work and support The Center in various ways. Why do you feel passionately about The Center for Chil-
dren and Families? I love the full-family, traumainformed approach we take to working with each and every individual that walks through our doors. I believe that true healing and growth is directly related to the relationships we build with others. The Center’s staff goes above and beyond to build healthy, lasting relationships that drive positive change for the families we work with. With increasing demands on social services and limited funding, how do you maintain a positive outlook? Maintaining a positive outlook can be difficult at times, so when I’m struggling I often look back on the last couple of years and remind myself of the great challenges our organization has faced and more importantly how we always Please see Fladmo, Page 31
CHAD STRECKER
The gratitude from the customers has been extremely satisfying Age: 39 Hometown: Billings Chad Strecker is working to make his business grow. He started out working as an apprentice, then journey and now out on his own. Clients speak of how they’ve been impressed to be treated like family. His family is amazed by his dedication. How did you decide to become an electrician? After graduating from high school, I started in construction as a tile installer. After six years I realized that I wanted a new challenge and had the opportunity to sign on as an apprentice electrician. What is a good day in your business? Walking through a completed job with a client and having them thank you for a great job,
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all while knowing I have five to 10 more jobs to finish, hopefully with the same results. Having your own business and working for yourself is bold. Were you ever worried you were going to fail? I think at the very beginning those thoughts where there, but once we hit the ground running it all felt natural. There was no looking back. For me the satisfaction of working for myself and gratitude from my customers has been extremely satisfying. Where do you see your business 10 years from now? I definitely see growth. I am working with a young apprentice now with the hopes to add more electricians and then expand my storefront and/or build a shop. What made you decide to make Billings your home?
Growing up in a small town, Custer, Montana, I liked the opportunities that Billings presented and yet enabled me to stay close to family. How do you maintain a work-family-life balance? This is the hardest balancing act that I have. I typically start my day very early in the morning, which frees up the time needed in the evenings for my children’s extracurricular activities along with a sit-down dinner with my family. What is the best piece of advice ever given to you, and who gave that to you? My father always told me to stop and smell the roses, don’t get too focused on the job and forget why we are doing what we are doing. You have to remember the wonderful people that we are
working so hard for. Your nominators all mention the importance of family. How did that value become so instilled in you? From a very young age, my brother and I would go to work with our Dad, some of my most fondest and colorful memories come from those times. Now I get to enjoy spending time with my children when they want to come along to work with me. My wife is my right-hand person and I couldn’t ask for a better partner. Tell us about the failure in which you learned the most? I wouldn’t necessarily say there was one gigantic failure. I have learned over the years from many small mistakes that help me in my decision-making every day.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would own a small farm or ranch. You can take the boy off the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy.
CODY WALTER
Hard work and hustle helped a delivery business prosper Age: 35 Cody Walter is a third-generation Montanan who started his own business at 29 years old, a courier service that mainly served Yellowstone Valley. From there, that business has grown to one that delivers anything from packages to meals. You started a new business at the age of 29. Was that scary? It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. Especially not knowing if the outcome was going to be what I wanted. I had a lot to lose at that point. I could have gone from one corporate job to another. My wife and my mom encouraged me to make the move and I did it. I’m glad I listened to two of the smartest women I know. What was the biggest obstacle you faced then? The biggest obstacle was trying to get my foot into new businesses. Every company I spoke with asked me how long I had been in business. It was incredibly hard to tell them that this is a new company, but that I could promise great service and reliability. Thankfully to the Billings Gazette, I was able to get an article published about my new
business and I had a few local companies that decided to take a chance on me. What is the biggest obstacle you face in the future? The biggest problem I am facing is expansion. I worry daily if it is worth buying more trucks, hiring more people or expanding to another city. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career? I love being able to provide for my family! My wife was able to step down full-time as a nurse at a local hospital to only working a couple days a week. She has been able to spend more time with our daughter and she is invaluable to the growth of the company. Running a delivery service in Montana can be tricky with the weather. How do you manage your customers’ expectation? That is not easy. I work for some great companies and great people. I think the main thing is setting realistic expectations. I would rather underpromise and overdeliver then promise a delivery I know I can’t make just to get the business. What are your hobbies? Saltwater aquariums, golfing, hunting and camping. I have
two saltwater tanks. One is a tank filled with more than 20 types of coral and the other is dominated by a very frisky Lionfish. I golf as much as I can during the summer and during the winter I am on an indoor golf league at Mitchell Golf. I hunt as much as I can. I can say that it takes up a lot more time then my wife would like. My daughter and my wife are my lucky charms. Tell us about your interest in saltwater aquariums. My interest in saltwater tanks is about the challenge and the beauty. If you can get a saltwater tank past the first 2 years, it’s amazing all the colors and life that you can grow. You have to nurture a new saltwater tank just like a new business. I started my first tank and the business at the same time. Going from one to the other gave me a chance to clear my mind for awhile about the other. Owning a small business and worrying about the day-today operations is very stressful. You can lose focus of the big picture very quickly. My saltwater tanks remind me that the day-today maintenance is critical. If I don’t look forward to the overall future, I could lose everything in a day.
Who has been your greatest mentor? That’s a very tough question. I have so many people in my life that I look up to. As far as business is concerned, it has to be my stepfather, Jeff. He has helped me since day one. He was the one that helped me file the paperwork to get my business off the ground. He continues to show me what will make a business prosper and also what will make a business fall on its face. He’s taught me what has made him successful and he has shown me the downside of taking shortcuts. If I ever have a question or an issue with a customer I know that I can always call him and he will give me the advice I need, even if it is the advice I don’t want to hear. I don’t think my company would be where it is today without his knowledge of business and his guidance. What role does family play in your life? Family is everything! The older I get, the more I realize this. I am very lucky that my family still all lives in Billings. It makes it easy to get together as much as we can. My wife and daughter are why I try to push myself harder everyday. Each time we add a new
client I always tell her just two more and we will be set. My wife Kristen just went from full time as a nurse for a local hospital to part time to help me manage the day-to-day operations. This has been a great change for us. We get to spend more time together and it also gives her more time to spend with our daughter, Mia. What is your favorite book and why? I wish I had more time to read. I spend most of my time in my truck. I love my Audible subscription. One of my recent favorites is “The Operator” by Robert O’Neil. I really enjoy biographies and tell-all books.
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DANIEL BROOKS
There is a lot of opportunity to establish your career here Age: 33 Hometown: Three Forks, Montana Daniel Brooks is the Business Advocacy Director of the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Whether it’s leading the “NextGEN” group of future leaders or putting together training for those considering running for public office, Brooks is a passionate advocate for making the community better, one person at a time. He understands that in order to make Billings more attractive to young professionals, you can’t just take for granted that they’ll come — you have to recruit them. How did you become involved in the Billings Chamber of Commerce? Very fortunate timing. Shortly after returning to Montana and beginning my job search, a friend informed me of an opening at the Billings Chamber. It was an opportunity to get my foot in the door and show the value I can provide. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Getting to work with our talented Billings Chamber team and our great community leaders that want to move Billings forward. You support local business-
es. What is the most pressing need facing the businesses that you serve? Attracting and retaining a talented workforce is the most important need for our business community. In the next 10 years Billings employers will need to fill 30,000 job openings due to business growth and retirements. Even if we could retain every individual coming into the workforce, we would remain significantly short of the 30,000 we need. In order to meet that need, we must continue to build a community attractive to the talented workforce we seek. How have you helped shape the next generation of leaders through the Chamber? Two important aspects of my job at the Billings Chamber are awareness and engagement. We keep our members up-to-date through e-communications, events like our Tax Reform Breakfast and initiatives like “Elections Have Consequences” in which we graded local candidates and hosted a candidate forum. We also encourage our membership to engage with elected officials through our online advocacy platform, meet them at events like our Cof-
fee with Councilpersons and serve on open city boards and commissions. As a member of the Billings Chamber’s NextGEN group, I put an extra emphasis on the involvement of my fellow NextGEN members. What is your hope for Billings in the next 10 years? I hope our city is realizing the additional economic impacts of One Big Sky Center investment. With a regional convention center and two development districts incentivizing investment in our downtown and hospital corridor, I’m optimistic we will see record growth in our business sector along with the attraction and retention of the talented workforce our businesses need. What is the biggest obstacle facing our community during that same time? Our biggest obstacle is funding for community projects. It will be increasingly difficult to continue building our great community if the funding burden is borne primarily by our property owners. Our state attracts more than 12 million visitors who use our services without paying a general or local option sales tax. We need to
allow local communities to relieve our property owners and tap into tourists to help fund our community needs. What makes the next generation of leaders in our community different from previous generations? I think the biggest difference between this generation and others stems from history and circumstance. Our millennial generation is the most educated and heavily burdened by debt. And having recently entered the workforce during the Great Recession, many faced challenges requiring unconventional and entrepreneurial thinking that has reshaped mindsets. Out of necessity our generation learned to meet challenges with innovation and reconsideration of the status quo. What is Billings’ biggest advantage for young professionals looking to locate here? There is a lot of opportunity to establish your career here. As the labor market continues to lose Baby Boomers to retirement, and our business sector grows, there is plenty opportunity for advancement. And if you enjoy the natural and cultural amenities,
you ever got? “You don’t have to know the answer to every question, but you need to know how to get it answered with one phone call.” It was such great advice. It taught me to build good relationships with people from lots of different backgrounds. It taught me to be curious, to learn from people from all walks of life. It taught me that no one succeeds alone. But most importantly, it taught me about integrity. I learned that part of being able to seek answers to questions means being the kind of person who can get calls returned. I learned to help others, just as I had been helped. I learned to be genu-
ine and build lasting relationships. What was the toughest challenge you’ve faced? Putting my life back together after my first husband, Kurt Owen, died in 2009. He was my high school sweetheart and soulmate. Finding purpose again, trusting in God’s plan for my life… even just smiling and laughing was an enormous challenge. There were many, many days that I just wished for my own life to end as well. To a large extent, I am still working through that challenge, trying to orient myself in a world that I never expected to be in.
JENNIFER OWEN We all need support at times Age: 39 Hometown: Billings, Montana From law school to politics to journalism to Head Start, how did your career take you in so many directions? I have been incredibly lucky to have had some wonderful and diverse career opportunities, but I don’t really see them as different directions. I want to help others and serve my community. So whether that’s telling people’s stories as a journalist, helping create jobs and economic growth through law and public policy or
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immersing myself in the challenges faced by vulnerable women and children, the common thread for me is service. What is the accomplishment that you’re most proud of? I don’t know if I would call it an accomplishment, but I’m really proud of the caliber of people in my life. I have a team at Explorers Academy that I am so lucky to work with every day, as well as an amazing network of friends and family that love and support me. I have a very blessed life. What was the best advice
Please see OWEN, Page E20
Billings can be your trailhead to a great work-life balance. We’ve got parks, trails and the mountains out your backdoor as well as a great downtown scene. To top it all off, we’re much more affordable and have far less traffic than larger metro areas in the U.S. What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of? Earning my Eagle, Globe and Anchor, and the title, Marine. What is one of your guilty pleasures? Playing Destiny or Rory McIlroy PGA Tour on the Xbox.
PARKER SWENSON
Making Billings even better than it already is Age: 24 Hometown: Billings, Montana At just 24 years old, Swenson is one of the youngest 40 Under 40 award winners. He’s already served a mission for his church and has started a successful business “Your Pie.” How have you been able to accomplish all of these things? Until this semester I was able to take classes in the mornings and work later into the evenings. However, when we opened up Your Pie I was there 12 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week. So at this time I have put school on hold and am focusing solely on Your Pie. How did you decide to open Your Pie? My wife, Josie, and I were living down in Phoenix and we were regulars at several of the fast casual pizza restaurants that were similar to Your Pie. We loved the concept and thought that Billings would really benefit from having a place like that. We started to look at some of the franchises doing the same thing and came across Your Pie. We met with them and loved the founder, CEO and the team that
they had built at the franchise office. We also believed their product to be superior to any of the other franchises that we had looked into. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? There are several things that immediately come to mind when I think about this. First, I love being in a position where we are able to give back to the community. We partnered with the Explorer’s Academy for our Dine and Donate event and ended up raising nearly $5,000 for them. Second, I love seeing families come in to our restaurant and be able to spend quality time enjoying their meals together. Lastly, it is so satisfying when we see a customer come in for lunch and enjoy their meal so much that they bring their family back in for dinner. How do you find any worklife balance? When we first opened it was nearly impossible to find any balance; we were there all day, every day of the week. Now we are getting to a point where I am starting to get some time off and my wife and I have decided that we
are going to make the most of it. We have enjoyed some snow skiing and a couple of weekend getaways recently. What role did serving your church for two years have in what you do now? I firmly believe that my twoyear church mission played a major role in where I am today. I was away from friends and family the whole two years and really learned a lot about myself, including what my strengths and weaknesses are. I was put into leadership roles early on in my mission and learned a lot of valuable lessons that have helped me manage our employees and run a business. I learned to think for myself and take responsibility for my actions. I feel like I learned a lifetime of skills on those two years that I was in Samoa. What other community organizations are important to you? An important organization to me is my church. Not only is it a religious practice but it is an organization that cares deeply and does a lot of good for the community. Head Start is also an organization that I think is extremely
important and that I respect immensely. They do so much in helping our local kids get a better education and helping their families to improve their overall quality of life. What is your vision for your life in the next 10 years? In the next 10 years, I see Your Pie growing in Billings and in the state of Montana. I would like to follow my dad’s lead and get involved in some real estate, for example, rentals, commercial properties and land. I want to continue to travel with my wife and experience new things with her. In the next couple of years I would imagine that we will start making some additions to the family and having several children. Why is Billings important to you? I have lived in Billings since I was 6 years old so I do not remember very many things about my life before Billings. My parents made a strong effort to get me involved from a young age. I was a sports fanatic growing up and got to play alongside some amazing people who pushed me and helped me become a better athlete and a better person. I have met so many amazing friends, coaches and mentors who have
guided me and helped me become a better person. Billings has given my family and me so much opportunity, and I am trying to make the most out of it and at the same time trying to make Billings an even better place than it already is. What is one of your guilty pleasures? I would have to say eating a big bowl of cereal and watching Netflix. What is your favorite book? “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill.
CONGRATULATIONS, PARKER SWENSON!
-40 UNDER 40- Your Pie Billings is proud to have you on our team! YOUR PIE BILLINGS 824 Shiloh Crossing Suite 1 Billings, MT 59102
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DUSTIN LaVELLE
If they leave with a smile, I find great joy in that Age:26 Hometown: Butte, Montana Dustin LaVelle is a manager at Glass Specialist, an auto glass repair and replacement company. He was nominated by several customers who were impressed with his customer service and helped solve a problem with a bad windshield. He also takes pride in mentoring others in the career path. How did you begin your career? I was working full time at Taco John’s when a friend of mine informed me there was an opening at Glass Specialist. After visiting with John and Matt, I felt compelled to join their team. I shared
their passion for cars, and shortly after joining their team, I had become just as passionate for Auto Glass Replacement. What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Embracing the constant challenges in a rapidly changing and evolving industry. Learning and perusing growth for myself, my company and the team is very fulfilling for me. A properly installed windshield could literally save a person’s life in the event of a major collision. Knowing we didn’t cut any corners and our guest is safer because of it brings me great satisfaction. Has mentoring been challenging?
My natural aspiration to be a leader has fueled me through challenging times as a mentor. My brother Nate and my best friend Jeremy work with me. Watching them grow under my leadership has been very fulfilling. What’s your greatest failure? Choosing friends that did not share my common values, goals and motivation. What do you enjoy about working with guests? A cracked windshield can really put a person in a sour mood. I find it very meaningful to put a smile on our guest’s face turning there negative incident into a positive experience. If they leave with a
smile, I find great joy in that. What is your goal in the next 10 years? To continue being intentional, pursuing growth, becoming the best man, father and leader I can be. Your nomination mentions you’re a leader in the organization. How did that come about? John, my leader and mentor, helped me to tap my hidden potential. He has helped push me to a level I thought was unachievable for my young age. My family and friends keep pushing me forward and encourage me to keep hustling, stay humble, and hungry. Decision paralysis. What word best describes How do you relax when you? you’re not working? Ambitious Spending time with my daughWhat is the one thing you ter Alliah, working on cars, camping and snowboarding. detest?
COURTNEY RIDGEWAY
Billings and its people are truly good and desire to be even better Age: 32 Hometown: Naples, FL Courtney Ridgeway works oneon-one mentoring women through the Dress For Success program. She also volunteers at Passages as part of the Dress for Success program in addition to being a CASA advocate and does work pro-bono as an attorney for those who could not otherwise afford a lawyer. What made you decide to move to Billings? Love. I firmly believe in capturing all that life has to offer and embracing the adventure it shares. I met my husband, Jeff Ridgeway, in San Diego where I went to law school and lived afterwards; we were engaged four months later. He was raised in Billings and his family lives in Billings. Admittedly, I could recognize Montana on a map because we were taught in school that the west side of the state was shaped like Joe Montana’s face, but I also knew of its vast Big Sky and craved such wide open spaces. Although I was apprehensive about leaving my support system, career and 70-and-sunny weather, I was
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anxious to build a stronger sense of community and start a new chapter, so north we went! Tell us about the Legal Samaritan program. I felt there was a huge imbalance in my life – the sense of fulfillment I received from my 9-to-5 work as an attorney outweighed the time I spent serving others and using the gifts I’ve been given. I founded Legal Samaritans to flip that script and break down the barriers that lie between those in need and their ability to reach the justice system. I understood why so many individuals and families couldn’t afford to pay the hourly rate most attorneys charge, nor were they able to receive the help they requested from other legal aid programs. I was driven to reach and assist people on a holistic level to provide legal assistance and long-term solutions for their life, not just their current legal issue. I am an entrepreneur at heart and a Christian, so those two things led me and Legal Samaritans was born as one of the buckets within the expansive service that Com-
munity Leadership Development, Inc. (CLDI) offers to communities in need. Why have you chosen to give time to the Dress for Success program? I continued to hear about Dress for Success through other volunteer organizations and the vast impact it was making on so many women in the Billings community. I am all for empowering women who are working hard to better their life for themselves, their family and their career, and Dress for Success fits that bill through and through. When I learned how expansive their assistance was – from providing professional clothing to women who are seeking employment, to their career services (resume building, interview skills) and mentorship program, I knew this would be time well served. You dedicate so much of your time to volunteering. What caused you to do that? I’ve always had a deep understanding and respect that this life is not just our own and feel
that we each are given strengths. I think it’s easy to get wrapped up in our day-to-day lives and not intuitively look around for ways we can connect with others and share what we have with them. So many people serve so many in a variety of ways, I just feel led to simply use my strengths to do the same. Whether it’s time, talent or resources, we all have something to give to others. Who do you credit as a mentor who had a large impact on your life? God has put so many people and experiences in my life and I am grateful for how each one has helped shaped me into the person I am. I think His greatest gift to me was my father. My father was always my rock, my protector, my inspiration and my strength. I didn’t fully realize until he unexpectedly passed just a few months ago how many of his lessons, how much of his wisdom and how often his guiding voice rings through my head and my heart. He taught me to uphold my character first and foremost. He strongly emphasized
that no matter who you’re talking to or where they have come from you never know someone’s story, and it is never yours to judge. He found beauty and humor in all things and encouraged laughter at all times. He was an attorney, a judge, a fisherman, an outdoorsman, a lover of classic rock and the wisest person I knew. To call him my mentor would be a gross understatement and I am eternally grateful I was able to call him my father. Please see RIDGEWAY, Page E27
JEREMY ENGEBRETSON Soul-full, craft-driven dining in Billings Age: 35 Hometown: Miles City Lilac owner and executive chef Jeremy Engebretson has helped put Billings on a culinary map. His restaurant, Lilac, has become a mainstay and helped bolster downtown Billings’ food offerings since 2010. Consistently highly rated, he recently took on a recreation of the Petroleum Club’s menu. Through your efforts, you have helped to put Billings on a culinary map. What inspired you to create great restaurants in Billings? Creating a restaurant that would compete in a major metro scene has always been a goal of mine. I ended up moving back to Billings in part because it’s where I (mostly) grew up, and also because I felt a restaurant focusing on excellence in product and process would be well received here. Is Billings a challenging place to establish great culinary options? It is indeed. We have the largest
population in Montana by quite a margin; however, our per-capita restaurant ratio here shows there is a ton of competition on a ton of different levels. I feel a restaurateur, especially a small-scale place such as ours, really must operate intelligently and pretty close to perfect to make it. What is the best part about operating restaurants here? I am really honored by the repeat locals that continue to visit our establishments. I have had Lilac for almost six years, and we have a group of guests that have been coming in regularly for that whole time. It is incredibly rewarding to have people believe in and support what you do week after week. What do you predict will happen in Billings in the next 10 years? Hopefully we can keep producing small, independent operations that meet different demands of our city. I feel that we are going to keep growing and developing as a
city, which should in turn lead to a higher demand for unique, independent eateries. Hopefully I get to keep having a hand in that growth as well. Have you ever thought of giving up culinary arts in Billings? In 2010 when I cemented the idea of opening a restaurant here, I knew I would make it work here in the place I grew up. We create meaningful career options to people in the service industry. We prepare soulful, craft-driven dining to our neighbors and folks passing through town. We use quality, from-scratch products and processes to create healthy unique experiences for our guests. We give back to a plethora of local charities and non-profits in an effort to better our surrounding communities. I very much want to better the place I live in and make a difference. My skillset allows this to happen through restaurants, and I don’t forsee this leaving Billings.
What is your favorite type of food to prepare? To echo a chef I respect a lot, Daniel Patterson, my favorite type of food to prepare is the stuff that looks incredibly simple but has a lot of underlying technique almost hidden in the preparation. Everything from our gnocchi to the burger at Lilac has many layers and steps that are basically invisible until you actually eat the dish. This creates a product that is fairly hard to replicate and is incredibly high quality without being pretentious. I love this about our style of cooking. What is your guilty culinary pleasure? Fast food hamburgers and fried chicken. I also eat foie gras once or twice a year because it’s so damn delicious. What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Once Hannibal crossed the Alps, there was no going back. If you couldn’t be in restaurants and kitchens, what would you be doing? Something creative, with lots of steps and a seemingly simple
appearance with a lot of work behind it. Woodworking or something of the like. What do you do to relax and recharge? When time permits, I like to travel and be taken care of in other places, which usually means dining. When time doesn’t permit, I like to spend time with my family and fall off the grid for a few hours at a time.
LUCI WOLLSCHLAGER
In a community like Billings, volunteering is a business Age: 32 Luci Wollschlager manages a successful business and finds time to give back to her community. The list of community organizations she volunteers for is almost as impressive of businesses she counts a clients. You manage a successful business and volunteer. How do you manage to balance the two? In a community like Billings, volunteering is a business. I feel that both my volunteer work and my design work feed one another. Being involved with organizations like the Moss Mansion and Dress For Success gives me opportunity to meet new people, creates new possibilities, and most importantly, allows me give back.
What organizations are important to you and how did you get involved in them? Being in the design industry, I felt a connection with the Billings Preservation Society (runs the Moss Mansion). Conserving the historic buildings in town is one of the best ways to show the authenticity of material and the craftsmanship we don’t see very often today. I was brought to this board by my aunt, Diane Cross, more than 7 years ago and thank her for introducing me to a great group of people. I am also involved with Dress For Success Billings. I started volunteering as a model for their annual event’s fashion show. From there I became the chairwoman of the decoration committee and
am now involved with numerous events the organization holds throughout the year. My mom, Kathy Cross, sits on the board of directors and initially “voluntold” me to model their first fashion show. Since then I have gotten to see how much Dress For Success has helped the community. There are so many women deserving of a fresh start, and Dress For Success is their only hope of getting a new outfit, writing a resume, setting up interviews and getting the job. It is very rewarding to see someone else succeed. If you had a motto, what would it be? Don’t ever apologize for the past. Learn from it and better yourself for the future.
What is your vision for the Billings community? I see Billings growing in development, generosity and loyalty. This community is strong in local commitment and I see the relationships from business to business flourishing with the older generations passing on their knowledge to the next. What is your greatest failure? Not learning to cook. Being a wife and mother of 2, I struggle to find new and healthy things to put what you do now? on the table. I grew up in the design indusWhat do you hope others retry. My dad instilled the love of member you by? My social personality and the furniture in me at a young age. upbeat way I take on a situation Please see WOLLSCHLAGER, Page 22 What made you want to do February 2018
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SHANNON JOHNSON I do what I love
Age: 38 Hometown: Billings She works at St. Vincent Healthcare as a clinic manager, but also is a licensed massage therapist and just earned her naturopathic doctorate. She volunteers, is loved by colleagues and finds time for her family, including a daughter and a son. You span both Western medicine and naturopathic medicine. How do you balance both professionally? First, it is important to clarify that being a naturopath does not necessarily mean prescribing “medicine.” There is a stigma attached to the word “medicine” in our society today, especially. The idea behind traditional naturopathy is to use naturally occurring remedies that are organic (grown in or on the earth) in nature to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. The body is an amazing organism that knows how to heal itself – if we allow it the rest and care that it needs to do just that. There is a place for both naturopathic medicine and western medicine today, so it really depends on the person seeking the help and what their preference is for health management. As for balance, it is just like knowing two different specialties. Knowing how each functions within its domain makes it easy to keep it balanced.
Owen From E16
You work with families and children in need of support. How do you guard against burnout? Honestly, I don’t think about it much. We all need support at times, so I don’t see myself as all that different from the families enrolled in our program. The vast majority of people we work with are moms (and dads) who want the best for their kids. Our abilities vary with our circumstances,
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What caused you to pursue naturopathic medicine? When my son was born, we discovered that he had a medical issue with his renal system. There was a lot of trauma in the beginning of his life. He was only 29 days old when it manifested and it took its toll on our life as parents and a family. I just remember feeling so strongly that I did not want him to have a surgery or other serious corrective procedures; we had already been through enough. That was when I decided to seek out the answers he needed. I began studying natural methods that might work to cure him. It was at this time I discovered that I had an unequivocal passion for natural health and continued to pursue it until I completed my naturopathic doctorate in September 2017. It has been 10 years since I first began studying natural wellness, and I have never looked back. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the connections that we make with our patients. Many of them have been patients at the clinic for more than 20 years. It is wonderful to see the relationships that have been established between the patients and the providers and staff. You are involved in several volunteer organizations. Which ones and how did you come to have an affinity for them? Thanks to my daughter, I am
a volunteer with Zoo Montana. She has always wanted to volunteer and asked every year for the last five until she finally was old enough to do it. When she turned 12, she could not wait to sign up for volunteering at the zoo, but she needs a parent with her because of her age. So I started volunteering to be with her, but it has become so much more than that. I love to volunteer with her, and the rest of my family comes too. We have fallen in love with the zoo and the staff and other volunteers, and now we look forward to all going to volunteer together as a family. We have a lot of fun at a great organization. You recently agreed to join the Billings Area Family Violence Task Force. Why? At St. Vincent Healthcare, we are involved in our communities and volunteer as part of our leadership roles. There was a list of community volunteer opportunities that listed the BAFVTF as an opportunity to serve. I chose it from the list because I have experience working in the court system, and my husband serves as an officer for the Billings Police Department, so it was something I felt a connection to and a cause where I felt I had something I could offer. You are also working on your first book. Between your jobs, volunteering, being a mother, when do you find time to write? Why do you write? I believe people make time for the things that are important to them. I get asked this question a
lot, and the truth is: I do what I love. The things we are passionate about give us energy rather than exhausting us, so while some things can be draining, it is the things that I love that restore my energy and fill me back up. I write because I feel it is a part of my nature. I feel better when I get things out on paper. My office at home is chock-full of journals of all shapes and sizes. When I feel it welling up inside, I write it down. I also carry a recording device with me so when an idea strikes, I dictate it so I can remember to write about it later. Another reason I write, though, is to help others perhaps benefit from my knowledge, or experiences. We all have something to offer others; iron sharpens iron. It seems like you have many interests. What inspires you? I do have a lot of interests! What inspires me is encouraging others to be the best person they can be. That may sound corny, but when you encourage someone and see their eyes light up, there is no greater feeling. Whether it is through counseling them to take better care of themselves physically, or whether it is writing them a personal note, or even speaking life to them, it creates a residue of positivity. Creativity inspires me. Acts of love inspire me. My kids inspire me. A well-written novel or story inspires me. Coffee inspires me. Life itself is inspiring; you just have to know where to look to be inspired. What is one thing still on
your list of goals to complete in the future? #worlddomination. I kid, kid, but I will finish writing my book this year. I will also finish earning my master’s in health administration in May 2018. Then… look out world! What is one of your guilty pleasures? Binge-watching “The Crown” on Netflix. What do you like most about the Billings area? I grew up in Billings. This is just home. I really love the Rims. We have this wonderful, natural place where we can look out over the city and see beyond it. It helps give me perspective. We are still a small city in comparison to many, but our city is great for so many reasons.
but in general, I feel pretty connected to the families we serve. I easily get as much as I give in the course of a day. But, like anyone, I do need my downtime. I love to cook, garden and watch really, really bad television. A good cup of coffee with a friend does a lot for me as well. Why have you chosen to make Billings your home? Billings is my home. I was born and raised here. This is the community I want to serve. What experience best prepared you for the job you have now?
Certainly, my time as an attorney helps immensely. Head Start programs have a lot of federal, and increasingly state, regulations to comply with, and I have spent a fair bit of time working on regulatory compliance. But nothing has prepared me better for this job than being a mom. My son was five months old when I started at Explorers Academy. Watching him grow and develop impressed upon me so vividly the importance of the first five years of life. I see every day how critical it is that young children have rich opportunities
to play, experience new things, be challenged, fall and get up again and have stable, loving adults in their lives. Nothing could make our mission more real to me than living it every day myself. Who was your greatest mentor? That is a tough question, honestly. I have been guided and challenged in my personal and professional development by some incredible people, and I am not sure I could pick just one. What’s your favorite book and why?
“Silence,” by Shusaku Endo. It is a vivid depiction of the complexity of faith, of the challenges we battle in our minds when we feel like God is silent in the face of suffering. It highlights the human weaknesses in all of us, as well as the consequences of rationalization. What word best describes you? Driven. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a restlessness inside me, a need to make my life meaningful. I hope to leave a positive mark on this Earth.
NICHOLE MILES Cherishing the sacred moments Age: 34 Hometown: Hardin, Montana As the senior director of legacy giving at St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, Nichole Miles knows the importance of giving from her own family experience. Her work at the foundation includes a successful campaign for a pediatric intensive care unit and she’s helped with a public awareness campaign to get drivers to slow down near playgrounds and in residential areas. How did the experience with your brother’s medical condition and your family influence what you do now? When my brother Weston and I were kids, our family would travel back and forth from the Shriner’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington for him to receive care. As is true for most farming families, we didn’t really take summer vacations, so we would make the most out of those medical trips through shopping, hotel stays and dropping in at the 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar gift shop. As the younger sibling, it was hard to see my brother going through such terrible pain and spending time away from his favorite activities to heal. Selfishly, I wished that we could be traveling to Disney or some other fun place, and not having Weston return home from the Shriner’s Hospital in a cast. When the position came open at St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, and I learned that my primary responsibility would be fundraising for pediatrics, I recalled the difficulty of my personal experience and imagined how challenging this must have been for
my parents. I decided that spending my days as an advocate for families by raising awareness and money for our pediatrics program would be a worthwhile career. Just five days after I started at the Foundation, my brother died unexpectedly from an unrelated medical tragedy. As difficult as this has been, I feel as though I am somewhat honoring his life through my work. When days get long, I imagine his big smile and hearty laugh to keep me focused and motivated in helping keep kids and families close to home. I think he’d be proud of his kid sister. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? I feel so fortunate to spend my days building relationships with remarkable people in and around our community. Oftentimes, sacred, life-changing moments occur at St. Vincent Healthcare, and most grateful patients become donors. Whether our providers fixed the pain, saved a life or made the last days comfortable for a loved one, when I have the opportunity to learn about those sacred moments, a very sincere and special relationship is formed. You get to deal with people being generous. What are some of your favorite moments? I have so many meaningful memories through my work at the Foundation. Whether or not a person has significant means doesn’t necessarily shape the magnitude of my memories. My favorite experiences are when people give to honor or memorialize someone they love, then come to realize what a tremendous impact they
are making on other families and patients. How do you relax away from work? I enjoy spending time with my family. Whether we are playing at home, golfing, gardening or skiing, I find the most joy in sharing life with my husband, Trevor and kids, Lauren and Jackson. On the rare occasion that I do get time to myself, a good book and a bath do the trick. Describe your work with the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) and how that shaped your professional career. Approaching a capital campaign with a price tag of a few million dollars can be quite daunting. When raising money for this project, a very special donor told me, “You have to be passionate about what you are raising money for, otherwise you won’t be successful.” I have since held that statement very close to my heart. I imagine fundraising to be similar to what actors do in preparing for a big role. You have to immerse yourself in the work and understand the project from all angles to stir up the passion for the task at hand. Learning what the PICU meant for the administration, providers, families and patients helped me in crafting my messaging and sharing real life stories of impact. What other causes are important to you? I believe that educating and supporting our youth is the best way to invest in a prosperous future. I tend to support and volunteer for programs that uplift the kids in our community. How did you get involved in the “Slow Down” street signs in
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Billings has always been home to me. I have never known another place that speaks to me the way Montana does. It is the perfect sized city and offers nearly everything I could want. I don’t for a minute take for granted the immense beauty all around or the way we get to experience four completely different seasons. I honestly couldn’t imagine raising my family anywhere else.
How do you balance a young family and work? The art of balance is a difficult one, and one that I think will take many, many years to perfect. I have an incredible support system within my family, a team of fantastic employees and many mentors. It is always a work-in-progress to make sure I am devoting enough time in each area. What kind of music are you
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I to do things we’ve always only dreamed of. Ideally, humanitarian work in developing countries, visiting far-off places and showing our children how great this big world is and all it can offer. Why have you settled on making your career in Billings?
Billings? We have an abundance of distracted and speed friendly drivers in our community. As I watched one of my neighbors repeatedly speed through our cul-de-sac, I started worrying about the safety of all the kids in our neighborhood and beyond. Since it was an election year and yard signs were fresh on my mind, I thought it would be beneficial to remind drivers to SLOW DOWN in hopes of keeping our kids safe through a “Slow Down” yard sign campaign. With school getting out for the summer, and the generosity of St. Vincent Healthcare and Langlas & Associates in sponsoring the signs, the timing was perfect. We were overwhelmed with the response and requests for the signs. Not only did these signs serve Billings, but we had signs present in other communities like Red Lodge, Forsyth and Hardin. We look forward to continuing this safety campaign. What is your vision for Billings in the next decade? I’d like to see a flourishing business community paired with strong schools and increased safety and cleanliness. If we can achieve those things, all the rest will fall into place. Why are you involved in the Billings Chamber of Commerce? Strong relationships have played a vital role in my professional success. My involvement in the Billings Chamber has allowed me to foster these relationships and provided opportunities for me to learn and grow. I now serve on the Board of Directors as a way of giving back to an organization that has been influential. I would hope that my involvement in this orga-
nization continues to pave the way for other professionals in the community by advocating for business and place making. How did you become good at Texas Hold ‘Em? I was born into a family of card players. Whether it was playing King’s Corner with my grandmother after school, or marathons of pinochle, we always had a deck of cards lying around. I learned the rules of engagement at a very young age by observing my family and their friends play cards for hours on end. When I finally became old enough to have a seat at the table, I loved playing poker and the time that it allowed me to spend with the men in my family. In one large tournament that my dad, brother, grandfather and I entered, each of us placed in the top 12, with my dad winning the tournament. While I don’t often have the opportunity to play anymore, the intuition, chance, strategy and reading of people make it a very fun game.
listening to? Lately, I find that I gravitate to music that doesn’t distract me. Therefore I go for mostly instrumental music. However, I am a child of hip-hop for sure so that’ll always be a part of my roots. Not to mention anything with really good rhythm and a killer bass line will always make my heart skip a beat. What was the last television you binge watched?
Stranger Things was my last binge-worthy series. What is your secret to success? My secrets to success have probably evolved a bit over the last decade but I would say that starting from the bottom, choosing quality over quantity, seeing the full vision and making your customers your priority have always served me well. February 2018
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JOHN BINDER
Take care of kids in real need Dr. John Binder is a pediatric neurologist at Billings Clinic. He loves to live in the moment and is passionate about helping younger patients. He has been recognized by his colleague for his professional work as well as setting up a clinic for patients with muscular dystrophy. How did you decide to practice in Billings? I went to medical school at Loyola University, a Jesuit institution with a strong emphasis on providing medical care for the underserved and this has always been a priority for me. In this region, there is a significant shortage of pediatric specialists and I love being able to take care of kids in real need. The other huge draw is the outdoors. I have always loved being outside and this a beautiful state to call home. How did you decide to go into pediatrics and neurology? I have always enjoyed working with kids. They are much more fun than adults and they keep me on my toes. I specialized in neurology because the brain is the most interesting part of the body and the least well understood. This keeps me engaged as I am constantly pushing myself to learn more. Pediatric neurology is a perfect intersection between great families and a fascinating field. Why is creating programs for children with muscular dystrophy important to you? When I started my practice at Billings Clinic, one of the hardest diagnoses I made was tell-
ing a young couple their son had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe neuromuscular disease causing progressive weakness. At the time, I was really at a loss with respect to how to deliver the best multidisciplinary care. There was a great Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic within adult medicine but the pediatric specialists were often seeing these patients in isolation. I worked with Drs. Shenk and Arbogast to develop a pediatric MDA clinic in January 2016. Now, kids from our large region can come here for one half day and see their key pediatric providers in one visit. The timing of this multidisciplinary clinic coincided with the first ever FDA approved therapies for many rare neuromuscular diseases, so this work has new significance. Every one of my textbooks will need to be rewritten due to the advances we are seeing today, and it is a very exciting time to be in the field. I learn so much from these resilient kids and I have the most fun with them as the Montana MDA summer camp physician. What do you consider a good day at the office? A good day at the office can take many forms. Sometimes it involves great news such as seizure freedom and withdrawal of antiepileptic medications or massive reduction of migraines and improved quality of life. Other times I can have a good day even after delivering bad news if I feel that I really walked with a family through a difficult time.
Spending time with grieving parents is a real privilege I do not take lightly. Many good days involve collaborating with incredibly bright colleagues at Billings Clinic. I really love getting to know my patients and taking a holistic approach that tackles the root problems. I enjoy diving into lifestyle issues such as stress, mood, hydration, nutrition and exercise—most of which are more important than the medications I prescribe. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? Dr. Brad Miller is a pediatric neurologist I trained with in Denver and I try to emulate him as a physician. He is bright, kind and funny and when I worked with him, it didn’t feel like work. The first time we cared for inpatients at Children’s Hospital Colorado, he started rounds by writing three goals on the workroom whiteboard: No. 1: Provide excellent patient care. No. 2: Learn a pant-load. No. 3: Have fun. Those are goals that I try to bring to work each day. What is your vision for Billings? I envision a close-knit, vibrant community of people from all walks of life meshing well together, embracing our similarities and differences, learning from each other and making the city a better place. When you’re not working, how do you relax? I love spending time outdoors with my wife, Kelli, daughter,
Ella, son, Jack and dog, Maize. We have a restored 1960s camper that we have used to create the best Montana adventures. What is a guilty pleasure of yours? I love fried chicken. If you couldn’t be a doctor, what would you be instead?
I would really enjoy being a park ranger or teaching special education or biology. What is your favorite book and why? “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. The core message is great: Slow down and live in the moment.
Wollschlager
able to help create that space. My volunteer gene came from my mom. I had a wonderful childhood and was very fortunate that my parents gave my brother, sister and I the opportunity to travel, play sports, go to college and explore our future careers. If I can give back to someone who didn’t get that chance, why wouldn’t I?
Did you ever want to do something else? Not really! I’ve always wanted to be a wife, mother and designer. Being able to give my time back to the community that raised me is just an added bonus. Not saying I wouldn’t love to design a big extravagant restaurant in Vegas or New York City.
What person helped you achieve success? My husband, Jeff. He is the backbone to A-Line Drafting and Design. On top of full time drafting/design projects, he manages the finances, marketing, payroll and other aspects of our business, and comes home with a smile on his face ready to play with an energetic
3-year-old or bounce the baby. He is supportive of my job opportunities and also works hard so that I can be home part time with our children. My favorite project is one that we both have a chance to work together on, he draws the construction documents and I work with the client on interior layout and finishes. It’s fun for us.
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My husband, who is a draftsman, further encouraged my love of design and the ability to see our client’s vision come to life. To see the way a space can change the way somebody feels is pretty neat. I wanted to be
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EMILY McMILLAN
Be a part of the exciting movement Who inspired you to become a doctor? I never set out as a child to become a doctor, though I believe now that observing my father as a dedicated physician was extremely impactful. His example of service to others, hard work, clinical excellence and continued growth and improvement really shaped my view of the profession. It wasn’t until after college that my interests in serving others, anthropology and public health came together and directed me towards a career in medicine. I was inspired at that time by Paul Farmer, an anthropologist and physician, well known for providing medical care and humanitarian work in developing countries. Why did you choose to come back home? I primarily chose to come back home to Billings because I love Montana. I love the expansive spaces and the people. I love the culture and wanted to be around family. I wanted to raise my children with the quality of life that a smaller town can provide. Professionally, Billings is an ideal place to work as a psychiatrist. There is a significant and pressing need for increased access to
mental health services in our communities throughout Montana, and even here in Billings. I felt that my skills and training could truly be of benefit in service to our community. I felt that Billings Clinic was on track to make significant and meaningful changes in mental health care and access and I wanted to be a part of that exciting movement. What is your vision for Billings in the next decade? I hope that Billings continues to grow, providing improved access to cultural resources, community services and recreational opportunities. I would like to see additional community resources being dedicated for mental health, social services and for our community members struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction. I would like to see ongoing work in developing our trail system and parks. I would like to see continued improvements to downtown Billings and improved access to cultural events such as concerts and festivals. Why did you choose to specialize in psychiatry? I chose psychiatry because it allowed more time to really get to know my pa-
tients and to try to understand their situation and needs from a more holistic viewpoint. I am able to take time to develop relationships and understand social dynamics and past experiences that have shaped the lives of my patients. I have always been fascinated by the brain and human behavior and I found that my skill set and interests were best matched in psychiatry. What is the most challenging part of your job? Staying on time with my clinic schedule. The day is never predictable and sometimes remaining on time for a 20-to-30 minute appointment is quite challenging, depending on the clinical situation. What is the most rewarding part of your job? Developing relationships with patients and seeing improvements in their symptoms. When you’re not helping patients, what do you enjoy? I enjoy spending time with my family and in the beautiful outdoors of Montana. I love live music and attending concerts. I enjoy the arts. In another era of my life, I spent much of my time Please see McMILLAN, Page 31
Dedicated to helping improve the lives of others John Binder, MD, Pediatric Neurologist, has dedicated his practice to diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with neurologic disorders.
Emily McMillan, MD, Psychiatrist, is passionate about the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
Both of these physicians are an inspiration to those around them. Billings Clinic is proud of you. Congratulations!
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JANICE FORDHAM Never stop advocating for my patients Age: 33 Dr. Janice Fordham never thought about living in Montana. But after a visit here, she and her husband decided they loved what the Treasure State had to offer. She is a family medicine physician at St. Vincent Healthcare. You’re originally from Georgia. What made you choose to locate in Billings? I attended a medical conference a few years before we moved. We loved the quality of life- that you can sneak away on the weekends in an hour and be at the mountains, fishing and camping. We love the work-life balance. We said we better move before we started our family and sure enough I signed my contract and we found out we were expecting. Now we have three girls and really love the family aspect of this town. What aspect of medicine do you enjoy the most? I really love treating the entire family. I have a family with four generations that I see. I love get-
ting to know each of them and understanding their family dynamics. It really makes coming up with a treatment plan easier when you understand the family and where they are coming for. What is the most challenging aspect of your career? Delivering bad news. What do you do to relax? Ha, relax — not much with the three kiddos. We try to camp a few weekends a month during summer. We have a new goal to find a new campground each time to experience all of Montana and the West, and in the four years we’ve been here, we’ve barely made a dent. You work in Laurel. Why did you choose to work there? I really enjoy that we are removed from the main hospital campus that we get to practice full-spectrum family medicine. I get to save people a trip into Billings to do some of their skin biopsies, fracture management, women’s health and pediatrics. It’s nice
to work in such a welcoming community. How did you get involved with Moms of Multiples? While I was pregnant with my twins, an acquaintance sought me out to give me info and attend a few meetings. I attended several “mom’s night out” where we’d have informal dinners and then a few meetings with speakers. It’s been such a great experience, these ladies were such great support during pregnancy and early infancy with the twins and continue to be some of my dearest friends, but now as my kiddos get older it’s nice to be able to return the favor. As I’ve become more involved with the club (hospitality chair), I am able to help organize meals for new moms, help with planning social events for moms to get together, attend meetings. If you weren’t a doctor, what other career do you believe you would have pursued? My parents always to this day thought I would be a vet. I grew up
around horses, went to college at the University of Georgia where I was on the equestrian team. Several of my friends from the team did pursue careers in veterinary medicine, but for some reason I was always drawn to people. What person helped you achieve success? I’d say my parents. They were firm believers in education. We came from modest upbringing, but my parents put our education before anything else. They took out loans to help my brother and I attend school, and neither of my parents ever attended college - so I admire their dedication to our education. Who was your greatest teacher? My grandmother. She was the matriarch of our family. She was a firm believer in education, especially for females. She went to school to be a social worker and got her master’s in the days when many females didn’t go on to get higher education. She taught about life lessons of perseverance and the importance of family. Were there any experiences
you had that you originally thought were bad but actually turned out to be very good learning opportunities? In residency, I received feedback that I was “too close to my patients.” Another faculty member caught wind of the feedback and coached me to never stop advocating for my patients. To this day I follow that advice.
CHRIS WAITE
Working with more than 2,000 volunteers a year Age: 37 Hometown: La Grande, Oregon Chris Waite is responsible for a huge portion of keeping the Parks and Recreation Department running for the City of Billings as the volunteer coordinator. He helps secure funding for the department and work to coordinate activities in the parks and programming for the community. You are responsible for making the Billings Parks and Recreational program successful. Is it stressful to have to oversee that many people? My main area of responsibility is coordinating volunteers for the Parks and Recreation Department. On average, there are about 2,000
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volunteers that provide service each year to the parks. I find that I thrive on being busy and engaged, so I don’t view my job as stressful. A big part of being successful is time management. It is important for me to provide a positive experience to volunteers. When I am facilitating a project or volunteer opportunity, I try to be open in my communication about the timeframes that are required to have the most successful service. Volunteers have a lot of enthusiasm and usually want to jump in and get involved right away, so it is important to be clear that a lot of the work we do in parks and recreation takes planning and coordinating to be done correctly. What is the most rewarding
aspect of your job? I find it very rewarding to work with such a broad group of people who are passionate about improving their community through volunteerism. These volunteers are an inspiration and a gift to work with. What is the most exciting part of the parks and recreation future? The Parks and Recreation Department just completed a comprehensive plan. Part of that plan took a critical look at deficiencies and opportunities within the park system to address inequalities. There is a lot of positive momentum building to find ways to fund the completion of undeveloped and underdeveloped parks. I am
most excited to see how this plan comes to fruition in the future. What is your vision for Billings during the next decade? During the next decade, there will be a big turnover in the workforce as Baby Boomers retire. Billings has so many great features like trails, parks, good schools and healthcare services. My vision for Billings would be to build on these strengths and invest in the community to make it a place that can attract and retain the next generation of leaders and innovators. What is your greatest failure? I failed to buy bitcoins early on We hear a lot about trails as when they weren’t as valuable. On a more serious note, I don’t know part of Billings’ future. What if this is considered a failure, but role will trails play in Billings in I have a hard time saying no to the next couple of years? things. I have a tendency to overPlease see Waite, Page E25 commit.
ANNA WILSON
My responsibility is to treat them like a human being Age: 34 You grew up in a different country. How hard was it to leave your home and come to a new place? I was born in Baku, Azerbaijan in the former USSR. My parents had to move a couple of countries while I was still a young child. Our first move was from Azerbaijan to Armenia when I was about 6-years-old. Our second big move was from Armenia to Russia when I was about 10 and our final big move was to the United States when I was 17 ½. I am now 34, so I’ve lived longer in America than anywhere else and soon it will be longer than everywhere else combined. America is my home and I love it here. As an immigrant moving from former USSR countries to the U.S., it was a huge culture shock. Of course, language was a big issue in the beginning but I was blessed to learn on the fly which is what you do when you are immersed into a foreign country. I knew I wanted to be in school so I worked hard to get my English up to speed and I started college right away. Why did you choose medicine, specifically radiology? Back in Russia I loved the sciences and I excelled at them. I decided in high school that I wanted to become a doctor because I thought I would be good at it. I started medical school in Russia and completed a year before coming here. I think besides leaving family and friends behind, leav-
ing medical school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I didn’t know what kind of doctor I wanted to become and the decision to become a radiologist didn’t come until after I started medical school. Your patients tell about how compassionate you are when treating them. How did you develop your passion for patient care? I love patients. I think as a physician it is my responsibility to treat them not only from a diagnostic standpoint but also as a human being. Life is not easy for anyone, and we all face challenges and that is why it’s important for me to treat my patients with compassion — to see them as a mother, daughter or sister of someone. Besides providing an accurate diagnosis when I see a patient, my goal is to connect with them on a personal level and make sure that they know that I care. I think it is easy to dissociate from the human aspect of “patients” when you are in a busy practice but that is where you lose that personal fulfillment, the satisfaction that you get from knowing that what you did made a difference in somebody’s life. My goal is to make sure that when my patients leave my office that they know that I care and will do everything I can to take good care of them. What is your secret to success? I am learning more and more that in giving we receive. I don’t
think there are “secrets” to success. Success comes with a lot of hard work and diligence. My parents have always been the best examples to me when it came to working hard and persevering in some of the hardest seasons of our family’s life. How do you achieve a worklife balance? Having three little ones at home can make achieving worklife balance challenging. On the other hand, the minute I step into our home, my world changes. Our children are young and they need quite a bit of attention. I would say that most of the time my thoughts almost immediately go from work to the needs of my children and I think that helps me to de-stress and switch gears. Refocusing on something greater than imaging and patient care nourishes my spirit. My family is the most important thing to me. Who has been your greatest mentor? My parents are by far are my greatest mentors. My mom and dad are the bravest people I know. They were forced out of their home when they were my age and had to move from country to country while struggling to provide for us. My mom was an especially huge influence on me when it came to education. She continually encouraged me to achieve and expressed her pride in me. Is it difficult working in a field where the stakes are high? How do you manage that
stress? Stress is a significant factor in medicine and radiology is no exception. Some days are more stressful than others but in the end, I think you just need to know that you have done your very best and that you are human. What achievement are you most proud of? My family. I am blessed with an incredibly patient husband. He is also an amazing father. We have three little children who keep us very busy and are a source of great joy in our life. I am also blessed to be a part of big extended Wilson
and Babayan families. Being surrounded with good people makes life easier. What advice do you often give to others? I am a big believer in continual improvement, whether through obtaining education, skills or talents. Through learning we grow. I try to share that with those around me. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. I try to stay away from sweets but I mostly fail, especially when it comes to chocolate.
Waite
serves as a public space that brings citizens of varying backgrounds together. Growing our trail system will hopefully strengthen our connections with each other. Why have you chosen to live in Billings? I originally came here because my position was newly created and it would give me the opportunity to shape and build a program and grow professionally. Since moving here, I have found Billings has a nice mix of amenities that me and my family enjoy like parks, trails,
places to paddle board and a nice public library. It is large enough that it has all the things I need, but small enough that everything is very accessible. I love being able to meet up with my wife and children after work in places like Riverfront Park or the trails in the Rims. How do you get others excited about parks and recreation in Billings? I love the work I do. I am very passionate about parks and trails. We are fortunate to live in a city where our predecessors preserved
and invested in these great public spaces that touch all our lives directly or indirectly. For me, sharing that enthusiasm is key to energizing others about parks and recreation. We have a few special events like Arbor Day and Refresh the Rims that are another great way to get people excited about parks and rec. How do achieve a work-life balance? My line of work requires me to work when volunteers are available, so that means I work odd
shifts that include nights and weekends. Achieving a work-life balance includes consciously scheduling in time to be with my family. My wife does a good job reminding me that my employer gives me vacation time so I can recharge. Taking time off from work on occasion to recreate helps preserve that balance. What is the best piece of advice given to you? You can’t control what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond.
From E24
Many people value the improved quality of life that a strong trail system brings to a community. As our trail system expands, I think it will play an increasingly important role in attracting people to Billings. Also, it will continue to be an amenity that improves health outcomes for citizens. The trail system connects our city in a transportation sense, but also
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PATRICK PARKER
Creating memorable and meaningful designs Age: 38 Hometown: Montana born and raised (I moved around a fair amount growing up so I claim the whole state) Patrick Parker doesn’t just do one thing right, he does two well. He is a small business owner that is focused on both landscape design and graphic design. In addition to running Bearthtooth Design, he was also instrumental in the design of the newly revamped Yellowstone Kelly site. What made you choose graphic design and landscape architecture? Both disciplines are the result of an interesting, circuitous path. I thought I wanted to be an architect or engineer when I finished high school. After some introductory classes at Montana State University during my freshman year, I realized I liked aspects of architecture but my focus was more on the artistic possibilities. Fast forward to that following summer, an advisor at North Dakoa State University explained
landscape architecture to me. I loved the outdoors so it was a pretty natural fit for me to want to enhance the outdoors in any possible way I could. I ended up transferring to the University of Idaho to pursue a landscape architecture degree and I was fortunate enough to continue exploring art while I was there. I was borderline illiterate on a computer until I got one of my own but as soon as I did, I realized I could do so much more with art and design and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities. As a young landscape architect, I kept my graphic design skills sharp, and my boss at the time, Stacey Robinson (a fantastic artist himself and former “40 Under 40” winner), really encouraged me to find the balance between the two disciplines. We talked often about how the graphic element took our projects to the “next level.” The big epiphany came from a client (land developer) of ours not long after, though. The client owned the Vanity
retail chain and he wasn’t happy with an ad in Seventeen Magazine. He asked me to take a stab at it and the rest is history. How much overlap is there between those two things? Having been exposed to a couple well established multi-disciplinary design firms early in my career, I would say there is a ton of overlap but it really depends on the project. Everything I do is based on user experience and identity. Part of the user experience and identity is the feel and look of a presentation (graphic design) and part of it is the sense of place (landscape architecture). I’m a designer and I use basic design principles (i.e. form, function, texture, color, balance) with everything I do. While the connection between landscape architecture and graphic design is somewhat difficult to grasp, they are very similar. If you couldn’t be a designer, what other profession do you imag-
Congratulations to all of the 40 Under 40 winners.
Special accolades to Patrick Parker and Dan Brooks! You guys totally rock!
Bill and Anne Cole 26
February 2018
ine yourself in? I would love to be a mountain guide but I’m kind of introverted and my cooking is pretty pathetic. I could be a Sherpa/pack mule though and live and work in the environment I love the most. I’m pretty sure my tree trunk legs were built for that career. What part of your professional life brings you the most pleasure? I truly love what I do. I get to challenge myself every single day to create memorable and meaningful designs. I get to collaborate with other creative people that always help me elevate my game. I get to help clients see and achieve their goals and dreams using art and design. I get to do something different and unique everyday and I have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Being a designer is incredibly satisfying. What other organizations matter to you? There are so many worthy organizations we have in Billings but I do have a few favorites, namely Billings TrailNet, Landon’s Legacy Foundation and the American Cancer Society (Relay for Life). Those three are really special to me because I am completely on board with their missions and the other people involved are truly amazing and inspiring and they motivate me to do more. If I had to highlight one though, it would be Landon’s Legacy Foundation. More people need to know about that project and Landon’s story. He was a very special kid. I was his wish-granter with Make-A-Wish before he passed away…such a gutwrenching, helpless experience that blossomed into an incredibly impact-
ful idea, a Miracle League baseball field and specialneeds playground. Great family, awesome project. I am hopeful it will be built soon. Why did you choose to become involved in the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretative site? I call projects like that “legacy work.” Those projects force you to learn more about your community and get a better understanding of the culture and history. The also provide an opportunity to leave your mark for future generations in a very positive, impactful and respectful way. Last but not least, the Yellowstone Kelly project gave me a prime opportunity to work with some truly in-
credible individuals that are very community-focused and that’s special to me. If you could imagine Billings 10 years from now, how would it look? It would look like a destination city complete with the wow factor. It would be clean and lush with fantastic, interesting landscapes showcased at every possible opportunity. It would have a gorgeous interstate corridor that shows off a completed trail system that is constantly being used by a diverse community of people. It would be a city that showcases the river more and the other recreational opportunities that Please see PARKER, Page 28
MEDINA CULVER
Giving people the power to help themselves Age: 29 Hometown: Billings She was determined to finish medical school by 26. She loved Billings and knew she wanted to come back. She spends her time with patients, with family and volunteering and studying sports medicine. And, she hasn’t even turned 30 yet. What inspired you to become a doctor? I had always wanted to have a challenging career that allowed me to give other people the knowledge to improve their own lives while at the same time developing a lasting, meaningful relationship. Being a family physician is so much more than helping people, it is giving people the power and the ability to help themselves. You had the goal of finishing medical school by the time you
Ridgeway From E18
What inspires you? I am inspired by others and our ability to effect change in ourselves and the community around us. Life can be exactly what you want to make it, and it’s your own to embrace as much of it as you want. There are so many people out there with enormous hearts and genius minds doing good and I am continuously inspired to try and keep up. Where would you
were 26. How did you develop that goal? Honestly, just me being an extreme Type-A personality and wanting to have as much time with my career as possible. Looking back, I could have slowed down and taken more time to enjoy my early 20s. But I do not regret being where I am at 29 years old. How did you decide to come back to Billings? My family. My parents are two of the most amazing, supportive people in the world. I wanted to spend more time with them now that they are not only my parents but also my best friends. How did growing up here shape what you’ve become? It taught me how to be resilient, how to stand out and be OK with that. Billings showed me that not
like to see Billings in 10 years? I believe Billings and its people are truly good and desire to be even better. I think it’s one of the few places left in America where kids can still ride their bikes outside and neighbors still wave at each other. I hope more places like Poly Food Basket, Harper and Madison, our beautiful library, coffee shops, Smiling Dog records, Yellowstone Cellars, the Local and so many others continue to thrive or sprout up reminding us that family-owned busi-
everyone will like you, and as long as you are confident in yourself and a genuine person, then that is all that matters. You also work with sports medicine. Tell us about how you balance that with your other work. Being an athlete during high school, I really fell in love with sports and sports medicine. I got to present at the AMSSM Conference last year and was the only resident from Montana who got to do that. I balance volunteering covering different sports just like I do anything else that’s important to me: I just make the time. What is the most challenging aspect of your work? Knowing that sometimes no matter what you do, you cannot fix everything.
nesses are the heart of strong communities and help nurture relationships. Sense of community and connectivity is essential, and I think so many people in Billings strive for more of that. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I would have to say I am most proud of those I surround myself with and the clients I get to serve. Billings is filled with good people with good hearts and I am grateful to glean from their passion and wisdom. I am proud to be
What do you like most about the Billings area? It’s a tough question to answer. Honestly, Billings has good and bad aspects to it. I love being in a smaller town that gives you an opportunity to change things about the city, but its tough because there is a lot of resistance to change in Billings. What is your favorite book and why? a. The Great Gatsby—the romance of the Jazz Age combined with the American Dream just pulls at my heartstrings. What is your favorite type of music? Why? It depends (I know, classic answer), but I would say if I am hanging out on a Friday night with a glass of wine then I love jazz music. If you couldn’t be a doctor, If I am studying, then it is always what other profession would classical piano; and if I am driving have you pursued? along in my car, it’s usually counESPN SportsCenter anchor, try music. that’s easy.
an attorney and that I have the ability to use my profession to effect positive change within someone’s life and within a community. Why would you recommend Billings as a place to live to others? Billings is small enough to feel rooted in communi-
ty and see friendly faces at Albertsons, but big enough to offer lots to do. Bonus – it has the most breweries and best restaurants in the state! What is your guilty pleasure? I truly love to watch Chip and Joanna Gaines take care of business on
some fixer-upper properties. It is inspiring to see vision come to life and turn something no so attractive to others into something beautiful. I also really enjoy a night at home with the hubs, a glass of red wine, eating mac and cheese, listening to some vinyl and hanging by the fire.
CO N G R AT U L AT E S
Markegard From E12
My father and grandfather have always been my biggest inspiration. What do you wish more people knew about farming in this area? I believe a lot people think that most of our time
is spent in tractors and equipment when in fact it is just a small portion of our job. A lot of our time is spent scouting fields for problems related to insects, lack of moisture and/or diseases. Even with the technology today we still have a lot of physical labor that we have to do on a daily basis and the amount of time we actually
spend in a tractor per year is minimal. What do you do when you are not farming? I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. Our boys keep us busy running with all of the activities that they are involved in. We try to make the most of the winter before we get real busy again.
MEDINA CULVER
Montana Family Medicine Residency Thank you for helping to improve the life, health and safety of our community.
406.247.3200 • 123 South 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101 • RiverStoneHealth.org
February 2018
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EVAN KRAUSE
We are here to comfort and heal Age: 33 Hometown: Sidney, Montana Evan Krause is the Clinic Operations Director at Saint Vincent Healthcare in Billings and Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City. He works with a variety of services, including heart and vascular surgery, cardiology and pediatrics specialties. He was a talented athlete in high school and college, with a passion for baseball. How did you decide to pursue a career in health care? After my baseball days were over, I found myself searching for a career that would be fulfilling. Both of my parents worked in healthcare, so I decided to try my luck in the profession and I was fortunate to land an entry level job at Providence Health & Services, a large integrated healthcare organization in Portland, Oregon. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? I’d have to say being available and present in two places at once. Supporting two different care sites in separate towns is certainly a challenge. Our teams have also been working shortstaffed so I feel I should be even more available and I don’t think I’ve been able to meet everyone’s needs. How do you balance the needs of two diverse communities like Miles City and Billings? They are different communities, but I believe what we do in healthcare can be translated
across any region. We are here to comfort and heal. Seek to understand. I’m obviously not clinical, but I strongly feel I can play a big role in someone’s life by how I interact with them while I’m rounding in a clinic or while I’m walking the hallways of the hospitals. If you weren’t in healthcare, what career field do you imagine yourself in? Most likely an engineer or a pharmacist. I like math and sciences and I have always liked to design and draw. When I was first coming out of high school, these were two career paths I was very interested in. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? A few things come to mind. Watching our caregivers learn and grow is one of the best things I see as a leader. Solving complex (or completely unknown) problems is always a fun challenge and when we find the answers and improve patient care or increase the bottom line — that’s very rewarding. The people I work with are tremendous. I’d argue I’m still very green but I have the luxury to be surrounded by brilliantly talented physicians, experienced support staff and fun and energizing colleagues. Every day presents a new challenge. How did your work with Kodak influence what you do today? I’m naturally shy and introverted, so my work in this arena really helped me come out of my
shell. In a million years I would have never thought I would be in print ads or commercials. This also taught me work can be fun and the people you meet along the way can become friends for life. What role has sports/athletics played in your life? Teamwork is the first thing I always mention. After that I would say work ethic, humility and personal values (sportsmanship). Why did you decide to come back to Montana? Because it’s MONTANA! I’ve always told people I’m from “The Great State” where the sun shines and the mountains seem larger than life. I was pretty tired of commuting 45 to 60 minutes one way and the Pacific Northwest weather isn’t really my forte. Sunny and 30-degrees in the winter is perfect in my mind. What is your greatest failure? Now that I have a family and moved backed to Montana, I have let some of my good friendships slip away. If I could go back and fix anything it would be putting a little more time and effort with a couple people I used to be much closer to. What person helped you achieve success? My parents have played a huge role in just about everything I have done in my life. They provided a great deal of emotional and financial support throughout the years and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. In addition, I have been extremely
fortunate to have some great professional mentors in the healthcare sector. I had formal mentorships when I first started
my career at Providence and I continue to find positive influencers so far in my short time at SCL Health.
Parker
but not least, Billings would have a new billionaire resident that would provide the spark for all of this to happen. Why do you volunteer for Relay For Life? The people involved are easy to rally behind because they are so positive and passionate. It is truly infectious to be in the same room as some of them. I also have a personal connection to cancer
with family members and friends (who doesn’t?) and I have had cancer (skin cancer). The visible impact Relay For Life has in the Billings community is astounding. A community of 100,000+ that is able to crack the top 10 fundraising relays in the world is almost unbelievable. That stat alone tells you how special this city is. What is your favorite book
and why? Blind Your Ponies by Stanley Gordon West, no doubt. The book constantly reminds me of my quirky but fond life, sports, community experiences in small town, Montana. It is a sleeper book that is an underdog story focused on the human spirit, hope, relationships, community pride,and resiliency. What is your favorite type
of music? Why? I seem to gravitate towards folk rock more than anything else lately, but I like a lot of different types of music. I like folk rock because I can listen to it with my kids without worrying about the lyrics too much and it is smooth and upbeat enough that I can jam to it when I’m designing. My kids like to dance to it too, definitely an entertaining bonus in my house.
From E26
exist here. It would have numerous venues to attract more visitors to concerts, conferences and events. It would have a ton of public art placed throughout the city. It would have a couple large-scale recreation centers and a brand new high school. Last
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February 2018
HARVEY SINGH
A great new place for future generations Contractor, builder and developer Harvey Singh didn’t think he’d spend much time in Billings. But, after being here for work, he fell in love with the place and its downtown. From there, he’s launched a successful business, restaurant and put together a vision for an around-the-clock downtown. What made you decide to call Billings home? Originally, when I first came to Billings for work, I simply was passing through. After being here and working for some time, I noticed that Billings was in a transition from the old to the new. Having traveled to many larger cities in the U.S., and even other cities in Montana like Bozeman and Missoula which have already begun developing their identity, I realized I was in a place that was changing, but was yet an open canvas for what it could be. Billings is still not decided. We have so many good people here and such a great sense of community. All of this, and also the fact that I now have a son whose future I am very invested in. I want to do my part to ensure a bright future for him. That is why I love this place. We can take the good and the bad from all other places and, together, we can make Billings a great new place for future generations, mixing the old heritage, and fusing it with new progressive and modern ideas. I feel blessed to be here in this very important time in Billings’ growth. Is it hard to keep all of your businesses going simultaneously? It is very stressful and difficult at times, trying to run so many different operations. But, they also work together in many ways. I also have a great group of people with the same vision and passion who do an amazing job helping manage and shape the future of all the different businesses. It’s really a big family. I could not have reached this level, and where we plan to go, without these wonderful souls. It seems like folks know you and associate you with your son. Tell us about your rela
tionship with him. Taj and I had some very tough beginnings. I have been raising Taj almost completely on my own since he was about 10 months old. He is the one that gave me purpose. His spirit invigorated me and gave me the courage to do the things I have been able to do. We are very close because of it. We do everything together. You will often see Taj and I at business meetings together: board meetings, social gatherings, events that we sponsor. He is very integrated into my business life to the point that our personal life and business life have no separation. It has proven to be very fruitful for him. He is very wise and well-rounded. One minute he is socializing and laughing and joking at a very sophisticated level with adults, and the next moment he is running and playing; being a kid. It’s a wonderful experience. Especially being able to expose him to so many things that I did not have available. And we get to do it all together. We have a father-andson relationship, but also a very great friendship. You developed a downtown property into a very successful restaurant. What inspired you to do that? One of the things I noticed most about Billings when I first arrived in 2010 was the lack of fine dining and music. I also noticed that downtown was not a popular place. It has changed quite a bit, even before we opened Seva Kitchen in 2016. But I still saw a gap in the options available. I have always wanted to have a restaurant, and I have always liked the feel of a great downtown. I truly believe that any city is only as strong as its center. After three years of hard work, I finally had the means to do it, and I jumped right on it. The next step will be tackling the music aspect and adding some missing influence on that end as well. Where do you see Billings going in the next decade? I see Billings growing so fast. I think our downtown will be a 24hour experience. I know it will.
I do have future plans to expand outside of downtown as well with much of the future expansion that is already underway in the Heights and West End. Our city is becoming so much more diverse and creative. I look forward to seeing a bridge between the old heritage of this area, which I do not want to lose, and the new ideas that are coming to fruition currently. I think we will not only see continued growth, but accelerated. It is a very exciting time for Billings. Why have you chosen to get involved in downtown Billings? When we first started seeing success, I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude because of the amount of support from the community. When we first began, we donated money to local non-profits and other organizations and causes, and we began sponsoring almost every event you can think of. Since then we have decided to divide our giving in bringing new experiences in food, music and art, and dialing our donations and sponsorships to focus more on our younger generation. We want help add great new amenities to improve the quality of life, but we also want to make sure the next generation has greater opportunity and a safer environment to continue the growth of Billings in the most positive direction possible. It is hard to say what causes and organizations are close to our heart, because it is everything. We want to support the community completely as best as we can and help build a strong foundation in every area. Downtown Billings has attracted me the most because I believe any city is only as strong as it’s downtown. Much like a cell, it is only as healthy as its nucleus. I love the idea of being able to live in a place where you can walk down the street and have everything you need. I have always loved older architecture as well. There is a certain feeling downtown that I just can’t completely explain. What is the most rewarding part of your professional ca-
reer? The most rewarding part of my professional career is how much it has allowed me to help others. I have always wanted to help people, and for most of my life, I could only do what my two hands could physically do. But now, I have been able to give to so many charities and causes and have also been able to help so many individuals chase their dreams and passions. It fills me up and energizes me, and it makes me want to do more. I believe energy attracts like energy. So the more we are able to help others, the higher the level of giving we continue to experience. We give to others, and they support us right back, which allows us to do even more, and it keeps snowballing. It’s very exciting. What word best describes you?
Driven. What is one thing you detest? The one thing I detest is competition. Whether it be among people, or business. It creates so much ugliness and negativity in the world. This is why we don’t compete with others. We create. And by doing so, we are adding something new. What’s one habit you’re passionate about? The one habit I am most passionate about is visualization. In 2006 I watched a documentary called the “Secret.” I learned how important our thoughts are; namely, the images we hold in our minds. This is one thing that I practice every day. It is how I have manifested everything I have been able to do. And this is how my deepest passions come into fruition. February 2018
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ERIC BAYSE
Loving God by loving people Age: 39 Hometown: Jackson, Wyoming Eric Bayse is the Executive Director of Community Leadership and Development, Inc., and has helped lead a revitalization of building and community projects on Billings’ South Side. Some of the things he’s helped lead include Hannah House Ministries, youth Works, Koninia Housing Construction, 316 Youth Center and the Southside Christmas Store. Currently, CLDI is refurbishing the Labor Temple. How did you become involved in Community Leadership and Development? Originally born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming, after graduating from Denver Seminary I moved to Memphis, Tennessee after getting married to my wife Shelly, who had just completed her first year of medical school at UT Health Science Center. Having spent seven-plus years in Memphis, I had become heavily involved in urban ministry as I worked with a Christian home repair camp in the inner city of Memphis in a neighborhood known as Binghampton. In addition to working and eventually leading this organization (www.sosmemphis.org), my wife and I also lived in the community we served as part of a church community that intentionally sought to live among those we served. Needless to say, these years of living and working in a lowincome community made a huge impression on our lives, such that my wife and I had committed ourselves to continue to live and work among marginalized communities. Having been vaguely familiar with Billings, what first drew us to consider moving from Memphis were the South Side and North Park neighborhoods. Shelly was able to get an interview for a hospitalist position at Billings Clinic in the spring of 2008. While she was in the interview process, I was busy scouring the South Side and North Park to determine if we were going to move to Billings, and if so, to which neighborhood. Needless to say, Shelly and I both fell in love with the city of Bill-
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February 2018
ings and the South Side community as we had found our future home, a burned out house on the 400 block of South 31st Street. Shelly accepted a job offer, we connected with Dave Goodridge to buy this condemned home and we had plans to move to the South Side upon Shelly’s completion of residency (the fall of 2009) with a vision of buying a house, raising our family and planting a church with our friends Steve and Tasha Houlihan. Leading up to this point, I was unfamiliar with CLDI. Having spoken with Mike Yakawich during Shelly’s interview process, he suggested I call Dave Hagstrom. Arriving back in Memphis, I called Dave, introduced myself and told him of our plans to buy a house in the South Side and plant a church. Much to my surprise, he knew the house we were trying to buy. In fact, he had even watched it burn, from his front porch! Leading up to our arrival in Billings, Dave and I had become well acquainted as we hired CLDI’s job training program, Koinonia Housing Construction Company, to tear down the home we had bought and then hired them to start the construction of our new home prior to our arrival. I was both amazed and delighted to learn more about CLDI and the remarkable works that had been at work in the South Side community since the late 1970s. Finally moving to Billings in October 2009, my first year was devoted to starting the church we had planted and creating an internship program that was housed underneath the umbrella of CLDI. In the summer of 2010, Dave approached Steve Houlihan (our friend that had moved with us from Memphis with his family to plant the church) and myself and asked us if we would consider taking over CLDI and the construction company. This was a perfect fit for Steve, a talented builder, and myself as we hoped to be further immersed in the South Side to make Jesus known in word and deed. In February 2010 I officially became the Executive Director of CLDI and Steve became the Presi-
dent of Koinonia Housing Construction Company. You’re passionate about the South Side of Billings. What drew you to that? First and foremost, my wife and I are passionate about the person of Jesus, to both enjoy Him as well as make Him known so others can enjoy Him. As followers of Jesus, we look to the Bible to learn the heart of God in order that we may live in ways that please Him. It is very clear in the Bible that God has a concern for all people and gives concern to those on the margins the widow, orphan, stranger and poor. For this reason, my wife and I are passionate about engaging communities like the South Side as often times such places are considered unsafe, undesirable and on the wrong side of the tracks. We believe this simply is not true as all people have been made with Imago Dei (in the image of God) and therefore have intrinsic value and worth. Our passion is to love God by loving people as we share this life-giving message of the good news of Jesus with our neighbors and friends. What aspect of your job is most satisfying? The aspects of my job that I find most satisfying are: The mission to make Jesus known in tangible ways; the amazing friends I have the privilege of working with; the beautiful people, history and community of the South Side; and the variety of our work, ranging from volunteering in the schools to large building projects. What aspect of your job is most challenging? The most challenging aspect of my job is that often I feel illequipped to do what it is we hope we do. I am regularly reminded that we are called to do works greater than ourselves in order that others may see these works not as our own, but as God’s, and give praise to Him. You care about Billings and its future. What do you see Billings looking like in 10 years? I am excited for the continued growth and development of Billings as a whole, especially in the downtown/South Side area. I remember my first time being in Billings in 1990 when we dropped
my oldest sister off to college. Needless to say, Billings is a very different city than it was then. Even since we moved here in 2009, Billings has continued to develop and grow into a more desirable community in which to live. What is the community’s biggest challenge? I believe that education is a very real challenge our community needs to consider, especially when it comes to the schools with a higher density of poverty. As a father of four school-age children, we have had to make some very challenging decisions as to the education of our children, but my concern extends to all of the youth of the South Side. The challenge we must deal with is: how do we provide the best education to all children and how do we support the amazing teachers and administration of our Title 1 schools? Undoubtedly, another challenge our community faces is that of quality, affordable housing for all people. As we see in the South Side, often times the only viable housing option for some of our most vulnerable community members is housing from private
landlords in expensive, sub-par living conditions. What first drew you to recreating the Billings Labor Temple space? To be honest, I wasn’t initially drawn to the Labor Temple building for two reasons: 1) the sheer cost of making it a usable space once again; and 2) it wasn’t a very attractive building to begin with. However, it is also for these two reasons that I am glad CLDI took this project on. Due to the cost of restoring this dilapidated building, I believe it is fair to say most would have passed on this project because of the cost and location. When the idea for this building project was first conceived in 2014, I never imagined it would be the Labor building and at a cost of $3.5 million! However, as God grew the vision of this project, so also did He provide in abundant ways to make it feasible. In the end, this once-dilapidated rubble of a building will be transformed into a beautiful space for the benefit of the South Side and city of Billings. Please see BAYSE, Page 31
Williams
Fladmo
From 9
From 14
Why is Billings the place for you? Moving here at the age of 6, Billings has always been home to me. I believe Billings provides many different interests, offering a little bit for everyone. Being the biggest city in Montana allows us to have amenities many other cities do not. Billings is also close to many outdoor features such as the Beartooth Mountains and Bighorn River letting me experience my many outdoor passions. Whether it’s fishing, biking, camping, skiing, or hiking with my family and friends, there are many activities within a close range of Billings to enjoy. What is your favorite type of music? Why? I am actually a fan of all music. I believe there’s a genre of music for every mood and occasion. On a regular basis you can generally find me listening to country though.
persevered. I remind myself that there is always a solution to every challenge. What is your vision for Billings in the next decade? My vision for Billings is that as we continue to grow, the various social service agencies in town will have the adequate resources (funding and staffing) to keep up with the increasing demands on the services we provide. Unfortunately, this is not currently the case in our community or our state. Strong families create stronger communities and it is more important now than ever that every family has the opportunity to be healthy and strong. Without the adequate resources
Bayse From 30
How do you recharge and refresh from your work? My favorite and most needed time of the day is early in the morning, before any of the other Basye clan is up, to sit in our sun room and drink a cup of coffee as I spend time with the Lord to read the Bible, pray and meditate. Without this daily time I would have nothing to offer either my family or community. Beyond this, I love spending time with my family, enjoying our evening meals around the table, and taking in all of the outdoor beauty Montana has to offer. What is one piece of advice you give to others and why? Do you want a full life? Fullness of joy? And pleasures without end? Then look to Jesus, the giver of life. His word says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
Harris From 6
bike race. My name is Tuff so I had to accept. We lined up and the race was on. Half way through I hit a patch of gravel and lost control of the bike and flipped the bike on my head. I only remember flashes of what happened next but I do remember a random stranger helping
Newman From 3
mention it was not an ideal time to leave Billings for five weeks! My beautiful wife and I were due to have a baby as soon as I would return home from Houston. Newman Built also had a home to showcase in the 2017 Parade of Homes. We prayed a lot. I really felt God was pushing me to
McMillan From 23
dancing and playing music. I occasionally still find time to enjoy those hobbies and hope to continue building on that. Who do you consider to be
“It is amazing what an individual can achieve when they are able to thrive in a supportive environment and healthy organizational culture.” this will not be an option for all. In your job it may be easy to be discouraged, how do you counteract that? Ensuring I stay connected to the “why” of my job. I make it a point to stay involved in the daily operations of our organization so that I can be reminded of all the success our families achieve no matter how small or big. You have succeeded in several different professional settings. What lessons are transferrable between the two settings?
Relationships are key. It is a rarity that administrative personnel have a background in working directly with the individuals its agency serves; however, I believe this experience is key to succeeding in a management role. In my previous roles, building relationships with the individuals I worked with was imperative to helping them achieve their goals. Because relationships are so important no matter what position you are in, I have prioritized continuing to build those healthy relationships built on a
foundation of trust and support with the employees I oversee. It is amazing what an individual can achieve when they are able to thrive in a supportive environment and healthy organizational culture. What was the last television series you binge-watched? “Stranger Things” What advice would have you given to yourself at 13? “No Matter what is going on in your life today, remember, it is only preparation. People come and go; situations rise and fall; it’s all preparation for better things. You must stretch, reach, grow into your goodness. Without the preparation we receive through adversity, disappointment, confusion, or pain, we could not appreciate the goodness when it arrives.” - Iyanla Vanzant
me pick the embedded gravel out of my face and head then taking me home. I thought my parents would be mad at me but they only loved me through the pain. I learned that no matter what you get yourself into you will always have people around you to help you up and love you through the pain. I am more careful today but I still feel the confidence to take on challenges knowing I have people in my life
that will pick me up if I fall. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would take a run at being a professional golfer. I have never been as challenged in any sport as I have been in golf. I love to do things that are near impossible and golf is something that is near impossible to master. No matter how perfect you play there is always room for improvement.
What is one piece of advice you give to others and why? On the path of life there will be many forks in the road. I tell people to choose the harder path. Most people don’t know what to do so they choose the path of least resistance. It is safe, but safe never got to the top of anything. It’s going to take a lot of courage to get to the top. Have courage and choose the harder path.
leave my comfort zone to grow personally and as a business owner. The financial risk itself was almost enough to put my wife into labor eight weeks early (ha,ha). We pulled together the financial piece as well as an eager team of eight technicians and off we went. We had an incredible journey full of unforgettable experiences. I learned that I have ability to help even when making a living to provide for my family. I learned that at any moment
everything we work hard for can be swept away. We laughed with our clients and we cried with them. My younger brother brought his restoration company from Gillette, Wyoming and we got to spend some really charitable time together on our journey. Shortly after we got home, he passed away unexpectedly at age 31. Before I left Billings it wasn’t totally clear why I needed to make this trip. Now there are no questions about it.
What do you do to relax away from work? We spend a lot of time at home entertaining friends and family. My family likes to spend time in different cities enjoying the great food and amenities each one has to offer. We need to do this more often. What is your greatest success so far? Showing my kids that anything is possible in life if you work
your greatest mentor? Looking back throughout my life, my greatest mentor has been my childhood dance instructor, Betty Loos. I spent much of my adolescence in a dance studio studying ballet fairly intensively. Betty helped to teach me discipline and re-
spect, and to develop my artistic interests as well as a strong work ethic. This process helped me to build a strong sense of self and these traits have followed me throughout my life, and enabled me to be resilient in other pursuits, including in medicine. What is the best piece of ad-
vice you’ve ever been given? “You’re not that important.” It sounds cynical and a bit negative, but I think it’s always helpful to remember our own limits and remain humble. We are all equally important and reminding myself of that regularly can help to keep my struggles in perspective. February 2018
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Billings Business congratulates the 2018 40 Under Forty winners. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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February 2018