40 under Forty 2019

BILLINGS’

best & brightest

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the editor

A record number of nominees for annual award Looking through this year’s “40 Under Forty” award winners, you can’t help but think, “Holy smokes, I wish I was that good.”

Some of these folks have accomplished more by age 30 than others do in a lifetime.

This year’s “40 Under Forty” publication comes at an interesting time. A recent report put out by a group studying the feasibility of the proposed One Big Sky District tells about the huge surge of Millennials who live here and are building careers and starting families.

Billings is home to a surprising number of folks under the age of 40.

That’s probably surprising only to those who have the idea of Billings being what it was 40 years ago.

But our area is changing – for the better. We have a surge of younger-ish talent, which continues to make remarkable contributions to our region. We will need the brains and the brawn of this group of Millennials to continue to transform our community to make it the kind of place for the next generation’s success.

This year also marks a fun milestone. We had a record amount of nominees. We have three, 3-inch binders full of nominations. Just getting through more than 500 nomination forms took several days.

And that was just the first pass.

We were only able to select 40, of course. But, it was a record number of submissions and we hope many of the friends, family and colleagues who nominated folks take another run at it next year. We were simply astonished at the

depth of aptitude and taken aback by the number of people who suggested great candidates.

We are also proud to announce that three-quarters of this year’s award winners are female. While our selection committee doesn’t set out to pick a certain number of people by gender, it worked out that 30 women have made this year’s honor. That may also change some minds about what the future of Billings looks like, and the deeply talented community we have.

For example, there’s Lacey Maloney who is originally from Cut Bank. She is the Global Outreach Coordinator, with a focus as the Ethiopian Outreach Coordinator at Harvest Church. In addition to helping people in Ethiopia, she has become an adoptive parent there, too.

Jilan Hall-Johnson, 32, is originally from Syracuse, New York and owns The Sassy Biscuit Co. Already, this downtown Billings eatery has become a staple and place to go. She has built the business, but her background is in counseling. Food and talking to her customers is how she bridges both worlds.

She’s a great example of the transformation happening in the Magic City.

Finally, Josh McDowell, an associate professor of aviation at Rocky Mountain College. He took sabbatical and, rather than getting some rest and relaxation, he started working with SkyWest Airlines as a first officer flying the CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) on contracts for Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines. He also works part-time for Edwards Jet Center on the Billings Clinic MedFlight contract, transporting critically injured or ill patients to hospitals.

Folks, it’s clear that these “40 Under Forty” are really overachievers – and we’re lucky because of it.

DARRELL EHRLICK

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INDEX OF WINNERS Kalie Adler Pam Aning Robyn Clausen Bauer Karen Baumgart Christi Beals Sara Becker Zach Benoit Catherine Bergman

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Erin Bratsky Holly Brehm Jesse Butler Alyssa Burkhart Mariah Carpenter Morgan Dake Craig Dalton Holly Dickey

Page 8 Page 8 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

Crystal Bleu Dvorak Kendra Eaton Margaret “Maggie” Goldbach Anna (Biegel) Gramza Kati Grove Kathleen Healy Jessica Iverson Jilan Hall-Johnson

Page 12 Page 13 Page 13 Page 14 Page 14 Page 15 Page 15 Page 16

David F. Knobel Mikayla Kovash Kelly Kovash-Cederberg Jaclyn Laferriere Adam Liberty Tim Lohrenz Lacey Maloney Katie Meier

Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 18 Page 19 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21

Josh McDowell Daron Olson April Sky Peterson Bret Rutherford Leslie Scharfe Molly Schwend Jeff Yeley Bethany Yellowtail

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KALIE ADLER | Taking the time to find inspiration returned to Billings, working with radiologists at St. Vincent’s Healthcare and felt enthused by their intellect and compassion.

Kalie Adler always knew she wanted a caAdler followed their lead and is now a Physireer in the sciences. Upon graduation from cian and Radiologist at Eastern Radiological Billings Central Catholic High School, Adler Associates. received an academic and service/leadership scholarship for Creighton University What is the most rewarding/important in Omaha, Nebraska. She couldn’t decide aspect of your occupation? between a PhD in neuroscience or mediSeeing patients recover and go on to live cal school. So she took a year after college fulfilling lives. I love working face-to-face to work and assess her future. During that with the patients in our breast center and time, she worked as a clinical research co- really getting to know them. A lot of radiordinator in a diabetes clinic. It was the in- ology involves making a difference behind teractions with the patients in the clinic that the scenes, but I am a naturally empainspired her to go to medical school. Adler thetic person, so interacting with patients Age: 34 Hometown: Billings, Montana

in breast imaging is a great fit for my per- and take risks. Trust your instincts. Don’t ever feel above performing seemingly mesonality. nial tasks to help someone have a better exWhat is the most challenging aspect of perience. Sometimes those little things end your occupation? up making the biggest difference. One day, The long hours and emotionally trying I passed a woman in the hallway at work days. I have to break bad news to patients on and had a brief conversation. I thought she a regular basis. Sometimes I see terribly sad might also need physical comforting, so I things. It is difficult to reconcile why these got her a warm blanket from the warmer. things happen to good people. I often lose That same person thanked me for that sleep over those patients. months later in the grocery store.

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration?

My inspiration comes from my family.

My husband is the most selfless partner.

My kid’s sweet faces and inquisitive minds inspire me to be a better mother and doctor every single day. I want to create a nurturing and stable life for them. My mother, a nurse, always encouraged me to pursue medicine and has been my biggest cheerleader throughout life.

How do you view failure and success?

It sounds cliché, but I think of failure as lack of trying or not learning from a mistake. Hardships I have experienced in my life have made me more resilient and compassionate. Success is not about prestige or numbers. It’s about perseverance and the personal satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve tried your best.

What do you do for fun?

Mostly I just want to spend time with my What advice would you give to anyone kids. I also enjoy oil painting and photograwanting to excel in a business or field? phy. My husband and I love hiking, fishing Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and skiing together.

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PAMELA ANING | Think before you speak Age: 35 Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

need to make a better life for themselves.

Sometimes life puts us in situations that are unexpected and we just need a little help getting back on the right track. We see a lot of families who are homeless, displaced and disabled. We often see veterans who feel like this world, community, or even this life, has abandoned them. I love the fact that we are given the opportunity to be able to bring hope and breathe life into situations that people feel are otherwise dead.

Although she is originally from Chicago, Pamela Aning says Billings is her home. She began her career path in the medical field, but found her calling to help others in social services. As a housing resource specialist for the Billings Housing Authority, Aning helps families and individuals who are or about to become homeless attain affordable housing. She believes it is the job she was meant to have to succeed as a public servant and show What makes your job gratifying? devotion to her community.

Being able to help so many families What do you do as a housing resource who are homeless, who have nowhere to go, attain safe and affordable housing. specialist?

Give families the foundation they It is so great.

ROBYN CLAUSEN BAUER

Do you have a motto that you live by?

Before you speak, think: T - is it true?

H - is it helpful? I - is it inspiring? N - is it necessary? K - is it Kind? And always love – that is the principal thing.

What do you do for fun?

I love to write poetry and read books that inspire me.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to excel in a business or field?

No matter what it looks like, always pursue your dreams — no matter how small you think they are, because it could make a big difference in someone else’s life.

You don’t have to put your family on hold for your career or your career on hold for your family

Age: 39 Hometown: Pierre, South Dakota

Robyn Clausen Bauer grew up watching a good family friend practice optometry. She was inspired by the interactions between doctor and patients. Now, she owns Bauer and Clausen Optometry with her husband, Dr. David Bauer. The family friend’s influence played a significant role in who she is as a doctor and how she manages her practice — with attentiveness, empathy, continuous learning and genuine concern for her patients.

Charitable work and community outreach is very important to you. What organizations are you are part of and where do you donate your time and resources?

We donate two exams and two pairs of eyeglasses each month to Tumbleweed Runaway Program to show kindness and generosity to youth in need, and do it in a way that has the potential to impact their ability to achieve success in school or a job that may not have been possible without vision correction. It is great to see the impact this also has on our team – they all feel a part of it and know they are making a difference.

Another community organization that I’m excited to be a part of is 100 Strong, which was started by some amazing women in our community just

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more than a year ago and allows women to pool their resources to make a visible impact right here in our own community.

P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) is a women’s philanthropic organization that promotes educational opportunities for women, and I’m proud to be a member of a local Billings P.E.O. chapter.

to totally “go against the grain.” It’s not that we don’t value experience, but we truly believe that when we find someone with the right personality, attitude and work ethic, we can train the skills they need to become an integral part of our team. While it requires a bigger investment initially to train someone new, it more than pays for itself by having a team that is as committed to providing patients with quality care and a great If you couldn’t do this, what would experience as we are. you do instead?

If I couldn’t be an optometrist I would How do you measure your own sucprobably choose to teach. I didn’t realize cess? when I was going to optometry school One goal that is ongoing, but of course that one of the things I would come needs constant tweaking to keep pullto enjoy the most in my profession is ing off, is figuring out the right balance educating my patients on what is gobetween work time and family time. I ing on with their eyes and what vision will always remember asking my mom if solutions are going to help them pershe thought we (my husband and I) were form their best or to understand a disease process that their eyes are going crazy for having a baby and planned to through. I know I’ve done my job well buy our business when he was just five if my patient leaves understanding and months old. She responded, “Nope. You don’t have to put your family on hold for knowing more about their eyes. your career and you don’t have to put What is the worst advice you’ve re- your career on hold for your family. You just do them together.” She was absoceived and why?

I know many people advise hiring lutely right. Any day that I have a posisomeone with the perfect resume for a tive impact on someone in my practice job or the most experience for a particu- (whether a patient or a teammate) and lar position. While that may be essential also on my family (my husband, David in some businesses, this is one area in and two children, Noah and Lauren), I which my husband and I have chosen feel the most accomplished.

KAREN BAUMGART | Success and failure is a matter of perspective Age: 32 Hometown: Helena, Montana

Karen Baumgart was a coach and facilitator at local startup company, Elation, when she was presented with the opportunity to travel through Europe on a six-week pilgrimage. With a restored mind, body and soul, she returned to Billings ready for a new beginning. She found a desirable position as the director of BillingsWorks, with Big Sky Economic Development, providing her with familiar occupational fulfillment and new challenges.

What made you choose BillingsWorks as the next step in your professional life?

The position of director at BillingsWorks through Big Sky Economic Development contained elements I previously relished — strategizing with groups of people, facilitating conversations, and working in collaboration toward change. I didn’t have any experience in economic development nor specifically workforce development but saw this as a chance to get back into a position where I would collaborate with and connect leadership teams.

What is the most challenging aspect of your occupation?

Nurturing my patience. When I get excited about an idea, program or partnership, I want to go from brainstorming to implementing immediately. Knowing what BillingsWorks builds today may not produce results until years from now is difficult. I like to start a bunch of programs and often find it taxing to stick with them while they overcome hurdles, get derailed, lose funding, etc. This position is about the “long game,” and I find I’m having to dig down deep for resiliency, so I don’t get frustrated and, honestly, bored and want to move on.

Who is your greatest mentor?

The singular “who” aspect of this question is difficult for me to pinpoint as I’m blessed to have so many influential mentors and teachers in my life. If, however, I had to select one human, it’s pretty difficult not to go with my mother. She has an amazing ability to love unconditionally, forgive effortlessly and hold a level of power and strength quietly. I love watching her care for others and provide the scaffolding they

need to feel capable. She’s something, that mom of mine. Plus, she puts up with me and my dad’s constant teasing, so she deserves all the praise I can give.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

Two. And I stole both from friends of mine: “If it’s not a hell-yes, it’s a no,” and “Ain’t nobody looking at you, babe.” The combination keeps me striving for the magnificent while keeping me grounded.

How do you view failure and success?

You’re supposed to say they are the same thing, right? Such connotative terms.

Failure, if you allow it, can bring immense amounts of humor in your life and I like that. I find myself using my fails for entertainment purposes, not in a self-deprecating manner; more like, “the universe keeps me humble with a comedic flair.” Success.

Now that’s more difficult. Striving for success in the past has led me to exhaustion and just plain busyness. I hope I can view success as feeling aligned with what I do and always having time for a good meal with family and friends.

Please see BAUMGART, Page 31

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CHRISTI BEALS | I believe success is defined by the relationships we create along the way Age: 39 Hometown: Billings, Montana

home. My kitchen counters are usually covered with science experiments and it’s rare that a Saturday goes by without something When Christi Beals was on maternity being blown up in my backyard. I guess it’s leave with her first child, her husband came all in the spirit that learning can be fun. home from work one day and announced he wanted to get a graduate degree. Having a How did you get started in this busihealthy amount of competition between the ness/venture? two, Beals decided she would also go back to I’ve worked in the healthcare industry school for her master’s degree. She gradu- for 17 years. I started as a CNA in the float ated with a Master of Business Administra- pool at St. Vincent Healthcare while I was tion from the University of Mary in 2011, in nursing school. When I graduated from four months after her second child was born. nursing school, I started my nursing career Now, she is the Chief Nursing Officer/Senior on the telemetry unit. During the 12 years I Director of Inpatient/Residential Services was at St. Vincent Healthcare I also worked at Rimrock Foundation. as the Nurse Recruiter, the Nurse Manager of Orthopedics, and the Senior Director of How do you show your children why Nursing. In 2013, I transitioned to the Yeleducation is so important? lowstone Boys and Girls Ranch as the Chief Our degrees line the wall in the basement Development Officer. I was afforded the to the laundry room. It’s a good reminder of opportunity to work on specialty projects the hard work that we’ve put in. When our and stretch my professional efforts beyond daughter graduated from kindergarten she the clinical world. In 2016, I joined the team asked if her “diploma” would be placed on at Rimrock Foundation and have been forthe wall of fame. My husband and I instill tunate to work with an amazing team that the concept of “lifelong learning” in our helps people who struggle with addiction.

What kind of volunteer work do you do?

I’m currently a member of the Montana State University Billings Healthcare Advisory Board. This board is comprised of knowledgeable and energetic healthcare leaders who want to help create a steadfast future for the local programs. I’ve also been on the board of directors at COR Enterprises for the past four years. I enjoy learning about programs and employment opportunities offered to those with disabilities.

This year I was asked to join the Crisis Intervention Team, and jumped at the chance. This team is a collaborative effort to train law enforcement with the needed tools to be first responders to those in a mental health crisis. This is a collaborative approach with several community partners assisting in developing the education to allow our law enforcement to be safe and effective when responding to Please see BEALS, Page 31

SARA BECKER | It’s important to me that I work for a company that shares my desire to give back Age: 39 Hometown: Great Falls, Montana

in support of a common good.

What is the most rewarding/important aspect of your occupation?

I’m lucky—I love what I do. It’s extremely rewarding to be part of a growing company, and know that my personal contributions in an area I’m passionate about are making an impact. At the end of the day, what we’re responsible for here at First Interstate isn’t money—it’s people. Getting to do what I love and help make people’s lives better You are a board member of the Billings is quite satisfying for me, personally and Public Library Foundation; you are an ac- professionally. tive member in the community and do a lot of volunteer work; how does this ben- What is the most challenging aspect of efit you and others to work for a greater your occupation?

The term “marketing” is often used very good and community togetherness?

We’re all just one piece of a larger puzzle, loosely, which means people in my field and it’s important to me that I work for a wear a lot of hats. That can be challenging, company that shares my desire to give back but it’s also part of the fun. In my position, and make an impact on the community in I get to “think big” and formulate advertiswhich I live. I have that at First Interstate. ing strategies across six very diverse states.

It’s a privilege to work alongside people I help with grand openings of new facilities who strive to make this world a better and get to welcome new communities and place, day-in and day-out. Whether serv- employees to the First Interstate family. ing on a local nonprofit board or dedicating The possibilities of what my day-to-day time volunteering at a community event, tasks may be are endless, and I love that. my favorite part about giving back is seeing people from all walks of life come together Please see BECKER, Page 31

With a bachelors in public relations from Gonzaga University; diploma from the American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing and Management; and graduate of Leadership Montana, Sara Becker joined First Interstate Bank in 2010 as Advertising and Personal Relations Manager. Less than 10 years later, she is the Vice President and Marketing Manager.

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ZACH BENOIT | There’s good all over if you know how to look for it Age: 37 Hometown: Billings, Montana

Zach Benoit was an accomplished and celebrated journalist at The Billings Gazette.

For 10 years, he wrote compelling and often heart-wrenching stories, focusing on the people of Billings. When an opportunity and time for change aligned, he left the Gazette and turned his talents to Billings Clinic as the public relations liaison.

You left the Gazette, telling stories of patients and doctors. Now, you spread the word of medicine in a new way. How has the transition been challenging and how did your background in journalism help?

Learning an entirely new profession and the ins-and-outs of a huge organization like Billings Clinic has been an incredibly rewarding experience. At first, it was daunting to come into something completely new after spending the previous 10 years as a reporter at the Gazette. It was the only job I’d known for the better part of my adult life, but a few things quickly became evident that have driven my professional life since.

First, there are skills that are universally

valuable – being able to communicate effectively and connecting and working with a wide range of people – that I’d already spent years honing and quickly learned to apply to this new adventure. Second, the opportunity to once again work at a place that has such a momentous and positive effect on our community and state, with so many people who have spent years serving and improving the lives of others, is truly inspiring. I’ll never know all of the intricate details of a care provider’s job, but I know that I can rely on the experience, expertise, accumulated knowledge and compassion of countless people here in order to find the best ways to share their stories and messages.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your occupation?

Plain and simple, my role at Billings Clinic lets me be an advocate for our patients, for our staff, for our programs and for efforts that make a real difference in the lives of people across our state. I get to share stories and connect with people on a daily basis and in a way that, hopefully, it helps people.

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration?

Hopefully this isn’t cheating, but there are two and it’s not even close. First, my greatest mentor is my mother, Kathleen.

Not only has she followed a similar career path, showing me how to successfully navigate the path from reporter to PR and communications specialist, but she has also provided invaluable advice when needed.

She has been a sounding board in times of uncertainty and given unshakable support all throughout. As for my inspiration, it couldn’t be anybody but my wife, Lesli.

She’s the one who drives me to always strive to be and do better — the one who has, time and again, helped find the right answer at the right time and the one who always, always makes sure we find the right path.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to excel in a business?

Excelling isn’t always about being the very best or knowing exactly what to do in every situation. It’s about being confident in what you’re doing and knowing that you’ve got the ability to find the right answers.

Please see BENOIT, Page 31

CATHERINE BERGMAN | Hard work, laughter,

family and loyalty make for great success

Age: 35 tor, to a partner at Langlas & Hometown: Billings, Mon- Associates, Inc. Construction Company, Catherine Bergtana man never wants to worry There are some of us that about the “what ifs?” take the roads less traveled, and Catherine Bergman is What is it like being a one of them. From an acting top executive in a rather career in Los Angeles, to an improv comedy troupe direcPlease see BERGMAN, Page 30

Congratulations to

Jeff YeleY on your

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WIN! Sunday, February 17, 2019

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ERIN BRATSKY | Take courage to show up in your life, in your career and with your family Age: 37 Hometown: Bozeman, Montana

Erin Bratsky began her career with a Bachelor of Science in health and human development. She began working as a case manager in the field of mental health and quickly realized she wanted to pursue her master’s degree and become a licensed therapist. Now, the owner of her own private practice, Brighter Sky Counseling, Bratsky finds balance in the love she has for her work and her family.

You have a gravitation towards youth.

What was your first experience working with children?

My first experience as a therapist was a wild adventure providing experiential wilderness therapy to at-risk youth, where we lived in tents, backpacked, cut trail, and rock climbed, teaching youth the power and impact of self-sufficiently and the simplicity of outdoors. My love for working with youth continued and I began an eight year period working in schools and providing mental health programs to kids in the school system. Working in schools allowed me to reach kids that may not have had access to mental health services. In 2015, my family and I moved to Billings, where I continued to find opportunities to work in mental health, including ongoing

work in schools.

What kind of volunteer work and community outreach has Brighter Sky Counseling been a part of?

Myself and therapists at Brighter Sky Counseling volunteer and are sponsors to local events including the Out of the Darkness Walk and 406 Pride.

You are an advocate for suicide prevention and now the co-chair of Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Why is this so important to you?

Knowing the impact of suicide, professionally and personally, has been the driving force for me to become more involved in suicide prevention efforts. Montana continually ranks within the top three states in the U.S. in rates of suicide. It is unacceptable that people who are suffering and in pain are not able to access help, support and services that can save their lives.

My involvement with the Out of the Darkness Walk began in 2015 as a participant and has grown throughout the years. This cause brings awareness and funds to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In 2018, the Yellowstone Valley walk raised over $90,000. I am excited and honored to take on a new challenge of co-chairing the walk for 2019. The goal of the Yellowstone Valley Out of the Darkness Walk in 2019 is to raise over $110,000. I’m delighted to be a part of this process.

What is the most challenging aspect of your occupation?

The hardest part of my job is knowing what my limits are, I have to balance my life to be able to show up and be the kind of therapist that clients deserve, the kind

HOLLY BREHM | Doing what you love is a matter of the heart Age: 27 Hometown: Billings, Montana

As a Physician Assistant at St. Vincent Cardiology, Holly Brehm is commended for her compassion and empathy. As a youth, Brehm went through her own medical scare when undiagnosed abdominal pain sent her to multiple medical professionals and extensive amounts of medical procedures. She was finally diagnosed as a teen with an under-functioning gallbladder. Consequently, the exposure from years of visiting medical professionals and undergoing medical test created an interest in her to pursue a career in medicine.

What does your daily life in cardiology look like?

As part of my job, I see patients who are hospitalized with primary cardiac issues (heart attack, heart failure, rhythm issues, etc.), or patients who are admitted to the hospital with another problem,

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but also need to have a heart problem addressed. Many patients who are hospitalized with a heart issue have many questions and concerns, because, honestly, having an issue with your heart, whether it’s old or new, is a very scary thing for most people. I love learning about the pathology of the heart and applying that knowledge to my patient care, but I am most passionate about patient education. Knowledge is power and taking the time to talk with patients about their particular situation can really change their perspective on their medical condition and empower them to take charge of their health and be their own advocate.

setting and have more specific follow up as it pertains to this diagnosis. Heart failure is a chronic condition that is affected by many other aspects of their health and lifestyle and can result in continuously changing symptoms. By having a clinic dedicated to these patients, the goal is to give them the opportunity to be seen before their symptoms worsen to the point where they require hospital admission, as well as provide them with tools and resources to educate themselves on their diagnosis and how to be proactive in their health. This also aligns perfectly with my passion for patient education, as a large portion of each patient’s appointment is discussion about their symptoms and how to continue to care for themselves.

What advancements have you made in the cardiology department that What advice would you have given you are proud of? yourself as a teenager?

A significant portion of my job is deI think I would tell myself to have more veloping a Heart Failure program, in confidence in my abilities and myself. It which patients with the diagnosis of heart failure can be seen in the outpatient Please see BREHM, Page 31

of mother my children need, the kind of wife, woman and friend that I want to be. I know the difficulties it takes to find balance, self-care and self-compassion.

These are things often spoke about and processed in therapy, and I work hard to practice them on my own in order to live within my own values. It is not always an automatic response to have good self-care, it is a practice that I have to do with intention.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

“Show up, be seen, and live brave.” A quote by Brene Brown is a motto I live by.

It is a quote on the wall in my office. I use it in a therapeutic sense and I do my best to live and practice it in my personal life. It really does take courage to show up in our lives, in our careers, with our family in an authentic and real way.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start new business?

I would tell anyone looking to start a business to surround yourself with others who are going to motivate and push you into new challenges. Having my own business has pushed me beyond what I thought I’d ever do and allowed me to think bigger about the impact I could have for others as well as for myself and my family.

JESSE BUTLER | Small steps, big dreams and believing in yourself Age: 34 Hometown: Ryegate, Montana

If you could use one word to describe Jesse Butler, it would be ambitious. Upon graduating high school in 2003, Butler joined the Navy Seabees. When his enlistment was over, he worked for Strong’s Crane Services.

When the opportunity to buy an asphalt patching truck arose, Butler jumped at the chance. He began patching holes for MDU and that is how he began to plant the seeds to owning his own business. Now, Butler is the owner of his successful business, True North Contracting.

see what her heart says and do what I feel dad and husband. is best.

When the day is over if I can look at myself as say I truly did my best at balancing What advice would you have given your- it all, to me that is a measurement of sucself as a teenager? cess. As far as the company goes, 99% of Even as a teenager, I worked a lot. I would our business is return customers. probably tell myself to play a little more So, I measure success in quality and cuswhile I could and not worry about work- tomer satisfaction. Whatever job we do, it ing all the time. must be perfect. Success to me is being available when we are asked to be available What’s your guilty pleasure? and being the best at what we do when we I love Wilcoxson’s ice cream. In my opin- are there. When I know we have provided ion it’s the best ice cream you can buy. My a customer the best quality work possible, 4-year-old daughter shares the same opin- I consider that a success. ion.

What is the hardest part of your job?

What is one professional accomplish you A man once told me that the hardest still want to achieve? thing for a small business owner is saying Honestly, when my wife and I started “no.” For me, this is defiantly a true stateTrue North Contracting I didn’t know if ment, so since the answer is always “yes,” we would be successful or not, I just knew the hardest part of my job is making sure I would never stop trying and I would give we can always follow through with meeting my all every single day. I never imagined we time lines and having the guys and equipwould have accomplished what we already ment to make sure we maintain a high level have. It’s pretty simple for me, at the end of quality work and professionalism. of every year I set a goal for the next year.

In 10 to 15 years, I hope to have built a team What failure have you learned the most and the equipment that can tackle any size from? project that comes out for bid.

I once started a grass-mowing busi-

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

I was going to start True North Contracting about two years earlier than I did.

The foreman where I was working at the time advised me to not do it and gave me a list of all the things that could go wrong, so I got scared and stayed working there.

I wish I would have just followed my heart sooner.

Being young, I get advice from older business people all the time. I really like to hear what they have to say and try to draw from their experience. At the end of the day, I weigh their advice against what my heart How do you measure your own success? and stomach tell me, I talk to my wife and Personally, my priority is being a good

ALYSSA BURKHART, MD |

It’s satisfying to be constantly learning and growing my skills and knowledge Age: 34 Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Every day, Dr. Alyssa Burkhart is in a hospital full of multiple, competing demands. She deals with patients and families who are often experiencing the worst days of their lives. She credits her parents, whom have inspired her and instilled empathy and compassion into her. As the Assistant Program Director for the Billings Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Program, she guides her patients through the good and bad times, reflecting the lessons of humanity from her parents.

Many young girls and women aspire to be doctors, what is something you would tell those girls about making their dreams come true?

ness as a side gig to my day job. I worked the grass business in the evenings and on weekends. It didn’t last long. I was always working, day and night. My day job suffered and so did the grass business. I had to choose one or the other. So, I sold all the grass equipment and stayed with my day job. The lesson I learned was that, whatever you do, you must jump in with both feet and give it all your heart, you can’t “play it safe” and achieve great things.

sweet.

Enjoy our Token of Appreciation for recognizing Daron Olson, Marketing Director Rimrock Mall in Billings 40 under 40!

6 FREE Original Glazed Doughnuts with the purchase of any 6 doughnuts.

Must surrender coupon upon redemption.

Limit one per customer.

Not valid with any other offer.

Valid only at Rimrock Mall Krispy Kreme.

Expires March 31, 2019.

Please see BURKHART, Page 30

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MARIAH CARPENTER | I love creating ideas and then seeing them come to life Age: 31 Hometown: Lewistown, Montana

has helped me grow as a leader and given me the perspective of ownership responsibilities. For all of our businesses, most of all, we love our staff. Without them, nothing would be possible and we love taking care of them and collaborating with them for new ideas on growing our industries – we enjoy being a local business.

Mariah Carpenter is a very busy woman.

She is the co-owner of Black Dog Coffee House, operations manager and buyer of Sanctuary Spa and Salon and the popular novelty boutique, The Joy of Living. Whether it is having a cup of coffee with friends, a relaxing massage, or exploring a heartwarming gift shop, all three business encompass a similar concept — comfort.

How did you get started in this venture?

As I was going to school for business management, I started assisting Kris Carpenter at Sanctuary Spa and Salon. As I learned more about small business and the impact it has on the community, I knew someday I would want to start my own small business. Learning how much time and work it takes to excel at small business was a little frightening, but it was also extremely exciting to call something my own.

So with that, after a few years of office work at Sanctuary, my new mother-in-law asked me to help her open a dream of hers, The Joy of Living, a gift-inspired store that would bring joy to the gift giver and receiver. We

Who is your greatest inspiration?

I am inspired in many ways by my mom, Kitty Agostinelli, for her love and her compassion for others. I am inspired by my mother-in-law, Kris Carpenter, for her drive and teaching me so much in business and love for our community. I am inspired by my husband, Rob Carpenter, for his dedication, passion and always supporting my dreams. These are the people who have helped shape me into who I am today.

Do you have a motto that you live by? have created joy and so much more at our Be kind. store. Helping my mother-in-law create her dream helped kindle my passion to open a What advice would you give to anyone coffee house with my husband and create a wanting to start new business? space for the community to gather and enMy advice would be to make sure you have joy. Black Dog Coffee House is the baby of a clear goal of what you want to achieve, you the businesses but also my passion and it must have heart and passion, and also make

sure it works on paper.

How do you view failure and success?

Failure and success are just a mindset. In failure, there are wins even though sometimes it is hard to see or accept as just a lesson learned. Without failure, there is never success. Success is that energy that radiates from within you, when it is not only a win for you but also a win for others too.

What do you do for fun?

I love to travel. It gives me such joy to explore other cultures, businesses and bring a little home to each of our businesses. I also love photography. My husband is a HarleyDavidson motorcycle stunt rider and we love going on adventures to capture amazing shots for his sponsors.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? I love all gifts. But I especially love gifts from the heart, whether is it a gift from a friend that thought of me when they saw it or a sweet note from my husband. Any gift from the heart makes it special and also makes it a gift that lasts forever. But I also love a real great leather bag.

MORGAN DAKE | Treat others how you want to be treated Age: 35 Hometown: Vacaville, California and Charlo, Montana Morgan Dake spent most of her life training as a professional dancer. Through the joy, comradeship and artistic expression, she found community. Life took some unexpected turns and she soon developed an enthusiasm for law. As the senior deputy county attorney at the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and pro bono associate at Crowley Fleck Law Firm, Dake has found a way to balance both her dedication to dance and commitment as a prosecutor.

torney’s Office. As a prosecutor, my caseload included violent and sexual offenses, which gave me experience working with some of the most vulnerable populations, at the most vulnerable times of their lives.

In that context, I gained an appreciation for how intimidating the law can be for people who need it the most. And so three and a half years in, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Crowley Fleck Law Firm, where I am able to provide pro bono (meaning for the good of the community) legal service on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged people in our community.

How did you transition from focusing on a dance career into a career in law?

Some unexpected trajectories diverted me from a lifelong pursuit of professional dance to attend law school. Law school then gave me the chance to study abroad in China and Ireland, where I developed a passion for issues that highlight how the legal system intersects with ordinary life. After completing a judicial clerkship, I jumped at the opportunity to become a deputy with the Yellowstone County At-

What community outreach programs are you part of or developed?

In the past year, I helped draft and work implement a new protective order to be issued in the Yellowstone County Justice and District Courts, making it possible to hold offenders criminally accountable for violations of domestic violence release orders.

I am a member of the Yellowstone County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Multi-disciplinary Team, a team that works to protect children from sexual and domestic abuse.

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I am also working to start a local Sexual Assault Response Team with the assistance of law enforcement, Billings Clinic nurses, counselors, and the YWCA. That program will provide immediate assistance to adult survivors of sexual assault. I am in my third year as the chair of the Yellowstone County DUI Taskforce, a coalition of law enforcement and concerned community members tasked with raising awareness about the prevalence of DUI in our community.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? I would say the greatest gift I have ever received came from my parents and it was a lifetime’s worth of dance.

My parents paid for years of dance lessons, drove me to the dance studio - one hour each way – five days a week, took me to workshops all over the country, and supported my pursuit of dance in college.

Through this, they gave me a community and purpose. That is something that I am still able to tap into now. I have been teaching dance since I was 14 years old and love that it gives me a chance to “pay it forward”

to the next generation of dancers.

Here in Billings, I have been able to teach dance at Montana Dance Center, Diversity, and Movement Montana. The studio owners and teachers are incredible. Billings has one of the most loving and open dance communities I have gotten to be a part of and I cannot imagine my life here without my “dance girls.”

CRAIG DALTON |

Opportunities will reveal themselves – learn to identify good and bad intentions

Don’t just accept the future... make it.

Age: 30 Hometown: Helena, Montana

Craig Dalton credits his career path to his mother. An avid athlete, sports was the main focus in his young life. But when he expressed interest in a weightlifting class his senior year, his mother urged him, instead, to take physics. Dalton followed her advice, which resulted in meeting Montana State University engineering students, who came to class and performed demonstrations related to structural engineering. That was the influence that drove Dalton to become a successful co-owner of his own firm.

You co-own two successful companies, one of which is founded on your developmental use of idle hydropower. Both are geared towards the improvement of water and land. How does this work benefit the community?

Performance Engineering is a civil engineering firm started in 2013, by myself and co-founder Scott Aspenlieder. We specialize in irrigation, land development, municipal facilities, and surveying. Scott and I started the company based on the premise of providing the expertise of a larger engineering firm with quality customer service.

Billings has been a great place for us to start a business and we have had the opportunity to work with a wide breadth of other highquality small businesses and people.

Watterra Energy is a company I helped co-found (also with Aspenlieder) to try and develop underutilized infrastructure for hydropower. There are more than 80,000 dams in the United States, of which three percent actually generate electricity. We have worked diligently over the past several years to study the feasibility of existing dams across the nation. We currently hold the rights to study, permit and develop hydropower facilities at several dams.

If you couldn’t do this, what would you do instead?

I’ve been drawn to the financial aspects of the business. When I first started as a professional, I got really into financial planning. Having read a lot on the subject, I really enjoy sharing what I have learned with my friends, family and recent college graduates that we have hired.

What advice would you have given yourself as a teenager?

Play golf. I started playing golf more regularly about six years ago and it is one of my favorite things to do. I hope I’d be much

better than I am now (which isn’t saying a whole lot) if I had started earlier in life.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Pumpkin spice Oreos. They are hard to track down, so when I do find them, I will buy an entire end cap.

How do you measure your own success?

I measure my own success based on my ability to keep learning new things and ways to improve our company as a whole.

I also take a lot of pride in working with our associate engineers to come up with ways to improve our designs and operations. We have a great team.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“Jack Ryan” on Amazon. But I am really looking forward to the last season of “Game of Thrones”.

What advice would you give small business owners?

I became a business owner at the age of 25 and was naïve to the “business” aspects of being an entrepreneur. My business partner Scott and I started our company because we knew we provided a quality product with a focus on customer service. We came to learn that opportunities will reveal themselves, oftentimes with people who have good intentions, but at times not. I have developed a better sense of identifying the good from the bad through these experiences.

Passion, creativity and leadership are alive and well in our community. You can see it in these pages.

We celebrate all the honorees in this year’s class of 40 Under Forty. Well done!

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HOLLY DICKEY | My clients inspire me to keep learning and face challenges in my career Age: 26 Hometown: Billings, Montana

having so many options to help everyone, which also makes it the most challenging.

In order to set ourselves apart and to help the most people, we have to know guidelines and programs inside and out. Guidelines are constantly evolving, so we are consistently learning and keeping up on the most current information, which also allows us to help more people.

Holly Dickey was attending college for a career in the medical industry when an internship opportunity at a mortgage company stopped her in her tracks. Without any experience in real estate or finance, she followed her instinct, left college and took the internship. Five years later, she is Loan Originator at Keystone Mortgage Company and loving every Do you have a motto that you live by? minute of it.

“What is meant to be, will be.” It is pretty What does it mean to you to help people self-explanatory but I think what this saying means to me is to not dwell on the past get a home?

Providing home financing is such a reward- or misfortunes. Life in general is hard, but ing career. I am able to give people hope who dwelling on that won’t make your life or didn’t think that home ownership was pos- situation any better. Have a good cry and sible. When I have clients come in that have push forward because there is something been denied somewhere else and I am able to better out there that is meant for you. issue a pre-approval letter for them, seeing those clients at the closing table with tears in What advice would you give to anyone their eyes and smiles on their face is priceless. wanting to excel in a business or field?

Having a positive attitude while being What is the most challenging aspect of able to adapt and continuously learn is going to be your biggest asset because things your occupation?

One of the benefits of being a broker is are always changing in every industry.

How do you view failure and success?

Success is kind of like art, everyone has their own perspective and version of it, so my failures may not be what someone else would consider a failure.

That being said, I think failing is hard and obviously no one wants to fail – but if you learn from it, then it isn’t a failure, it is a learning experience.

What do you do for fun?

I love just spending time with my husband and our two puppies. Family and friend game nights are also one of my favorite things to do. I’ve been told that I have an old soul. I enjoy crafting, building and scrap booking — anything to use my creative side is enjoyable.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? Support, while it isn’t a physical gift, it is the most important to me. My husband is my biggest supporter, as well as my family and friends. I have amazing people that surround me and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.

CRYSTAL BLEU DVORAK, AU.D | Giving the gift of communication Age: 39 Hometown: Belle Fourche, South Dakota and Lancaster, California

Their brain needs to learn to adjust and we counsel them through the process called Aural Rehabilitation. Some of my patient adapt quickly and others I need to be there to guide them step-by-step. Whatever is needed, I am there for them. I am fortunate that I get to spend time with my patients, getting to know them as friends.

Crystal Bleu Dvorak was attending grad school to become a Speech Language Pathologist, not even knowing what audiology was at the time. Dvorak took a course called “Introduction to Communication Disorders,” covering disorders of speech, language and hearing. She recalls the moment the professor taught about the transduction process –how the ear works –and how that lecture changed her career path forever. As a Doctor of Audiology at Rehder Balance and Hearing Clinic and captain with U.S. Army Reserves, she combines her two passions to help veterans who suffer from hearing loss in the military.

This profession and science ignited a spark in you. How does it feel to help those with hearing loss?

I am fortunate to be able to give people the gift that matters most: communication with their friends. I’d love to say it’s an easy field, but there are many obstacles I have to help people overcome. One of those being getting people to admit they have a problem in the first place. We need

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to assist with issues related to vision and dexterity combined with using devices.

The biggest issue is helping people realize it isn’t as simple as just putting a device in their ear, they need us to help guide them to optimize their hearing, which takes time.

How did you start helping vets ?

My husband has honorably served in the Army National Guard for 18 years, and my father and stepfather were both soldiers in the army. The Army Reserves was in need of an Audiologists and it called to my desire to serve and I started researching to logistics.

It took many months and lots of paperwork, but I saw it through. I commissioned as a Captain in the Army Reserves in February 2018. I started drilling a few months later in Helena with a medical unit.

In the next couple of years, I will complete training on how to be an Officer in the Army. There’s lots to learn. It’s been exciting, but I would suggest to anyone considering this path to do so before they are in their late 30’s. Once I have completed my extensive training as an Audiologist in the Army I will focus much more on prevention

of hearing loss.

What kind of community work do you do?

I have coached youth t-ball, basketball and soccer. I am a member of the League of Women Voters and 100 Strong Billings, a nonprofit that helps women and children.

I recently applied to become a volunteer at the YWCA. I hope to get training for that soon and start helping victims of sexual assault. I serve on the National Audiology Council in the American Speech Language Hearing Association and as the Montana Audiology representative for the American Academy of Audiology. I am involved at the state level of the Montana Speak Language Hearing Association and in the Montana Audiology Guild. I am also a member of the local Cleft Palate Team at St. Vincent’s.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

I’m stealing these wise words from my mom. “The only things that count in life are the imprints of love we leave behind once we are gone.” Love comes in many forms — service, kind words, random acts of kindness, hard work and understanding.

Make the world a better place because you were here.

KENDRA EATON | Be kind, work hard, stay humble and love Age: 40 make sure our teams have Hometown: Broadview, all the resources and tools Montana in which to make them sucWhen she was in high cessful.

I decided to get my bachschool, it was a school-toelor’s in health administrawork program that directed tion when I took the direcKendra Eaton into healthtor’s role.

Once I realized care. The ambitious teen that I can do school, work chose surgery and became fascinated by the vocation. and home, I decided to keep Since then, her passion has going. Education in healthremained in the medical care is important and now field. Now, she is Executive with the opportunities to Director of Operations and do it remotely, it makes it Specialty Clinics at St. Vin- a lot easier. I oversee multiple specialty clinics at St. cent Healthcare.

Vincent Healthcare and You have gone from sur- work with a great group gical tech to a director’s of people that make it all role while attending col- work. lege, how did you balWhat is the most rewardance work and school?

I love what I do. It is hard ing/important aspect of work and very rewarding at your occupation?

Connecting with pathe same time. We get to participate in people’s lives tients and their families. at their most vulnerable. I will always find a way to Although I am not in direct stay connected to that aspatient care, I am here to pect of my work. It allows

Celebrating our very own 40 Under 40.

Holly Brehm

us to keep grounded in our decision making and when it is stressful, it is always good to keep them the center of what we do.

Healthcare is complicated and dynamic. It takes a lot of teamwork to make it work and sometimes getting everyone to row the boat in the same direction What is the most chal- takes a little more effort, but lenging aspect of your Please see EATON, Page 26 occupation?

MARGARET “MAGGIE” GOLDBACH | One of my

favorite moments when working with my patients is seeing them go from scared and “I can’t” to determined and “I can and I did.”

What is a Child Life speAge: 32 Hometown: Gurnee, Il- cialist?

Child life is a relatively linois new profession that is conAs a child, Maggie Goldtinuing to grow and become bach was always terrified of a mainstay in many childoctors. She remembers the dren’s hospitals around the few bad experiences of being world. My job as a child life held down for blood draws, specialist is to help children and how she associated and their families who are doctors and pain. The fear hospitalized cope and unlasted until one clinic visit derstand what may be hapwhen a nurse offered empening to their bodies and pathy and communication understand why they may when performing a throat have to undergo certain inculture. That single expevasive procedures. Because rience changed the way she children process informasaw medical professionals tion from the world around and inspired her to help chilthem much differently dren. She is now a lead child life specialist at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Please see GOLDBACH, Page 30

SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute - Billings Cardiology

Kendra Eaton

SCL Health Medical Group

Maggie Goldbach

St. Vincent Healthcare Pediatrics

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!

Sunday, February 17, 2019

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ANNA (BIEGEL) GRAMZA |

There is always room to learn and grow

KATI GROVE | Appreciate the simple

things and remember to laugh Age: 32 Hometown: Montana

Billings,

After she graduated high school, Kati Grove kicked the idea of college around but felt it wasn’t for her and worked retail for many years. When she decided she needed a change, she took a desk job (the one thing she said she’d never do) as an entry-level operation processor at First Interstate Bank. The decision was exactly what she needed.

She pursued her business degree and excelled in the company. Now, she manages projects related to application implementations/ upgrades and processes improvements as IT Project Manager at First Interstate Bank.

Age: 32 Hometown: Billings

Anna (Biegel) Gramza began playing piano at age 8. By the time she was 12, she was devoted to the art, spending three hours a day practicing. In spite of severe dyslexia, she took immense pride in her craft and refused to let it affect her progress.

She now teaches and inspires her students, especially those with dyslexia, to have the same perseverance. She plays in events with the Billings Symphony and recently played Carnegie Hall in the American Protégé.

How do you perceive dyslexia?

I was once ashamed of my dyslexia. This obstacle of reading and writing was very hard to overcome. Back in 2012, I became Miss Montana in the Miss International pageant, my platform being dyslexia. I wanted to educate people about this condition (not a disability).

I met and worked with ce-

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lebrities who are also dyslexic, including Tim Tebow and Henry Winkler. In my piano studio, I encourage and teach my dyslexic students not be ashamed, but look at it as a blessing.

As a teacher, what goals do you set for your students?

I am focusing hard on my students in studio. I am entering two of them into a competition to play Carnegie Hall this spring.

What kind of volunteer work do you do?

I started volunteer work at the age of 12 in nursing homes, the Montana Rescue Mission and Women and Children’s shelter. However, the biggest impact was my experience working with my father, who provided clean water for schools, churches and orphanages in Brazil and Ethiopia. There is so much that is both given and received by these kinds of experiences. Not only are you giving back to those

Sunday, February 17, 2019

who need help, but it brings a perspective of how wonderful my life is here.

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

I was told to quit college and find a job by a counselor here in town because of my learning disabilities. However, Professor Brian Dillon, of Montana State University Billings helped me find the tools I needed for success.

What advice would you have given yourself as a teenager?

Do not be ashamed of yourself.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Carter’s Brewing “Ghost Train.”

What is the hardest part of your job?

Inspiring young students to practice.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“This is Us.”

While you have been very successful in your career at FIB, you also helped launched a nonprofit, Dog Tag Buddies.

How did this come to be?

In late 2015, my mom started a kitchen table conversation, something that we had tossed around and discussed often, and turned it into a reality: helping veterans and rescuing dogs. Dog Tag Buddies received it’s 501c3 in September 2015, and I told her I wanted to help in whatever way I could.

About a month later, she called me panicking – The Billings Gazette was running an article and we needed a website for people to visit. I rolled up my sleeves, found a website builder, and spent the weekend glued to my laptop building a website. With that, I unofficially became the operations/marketing/tech support/strategic manager and officially became President of the Board of Directors.

In October of this year, I stepped down as the Board President and officially became Director of Operations. Many would cringe at working with their mom but she and I actually work really well together and balance each other. She tends to see the big picture goals, while I am more detail oriented. We make a great team, and it’s amazing to be able to work together on something we are both extremely passionate about.

What is the most rewarding/important aspect of your occupation?

There is definitely a distinct dichotomy between the two jobs, each with its own set of rewards and challenges. I think the most rewarding part of both is the opportunity to learn new skills and gain unique insight you often wouldn’t in most positions.

As a project manager, I

have to be able to quickly plug-in to a department and process to develop a project plan and guide the team to success. This gives me a chance learn a broad stroke of topics and work with a large cross-section of personalities and skill sets. You never know when that knowledge might come in handy down the road, and it often does when you least expect it.

Dog Tag Buddies is much different in experience and in reward. While you pick up skills and knowledge as a project manager, you rely on your team of subject matter experts and departmental resources to complete a project. Running a nonprofit is just like running a small business.

You don’t have an IT department, Marketing department or Contact Center. You are all of those, and Please see GROVE, Page 31

KATHLEEN HEALY | Changing community for the better is not a one-time thing, it’s a commitment Age: 31 I have time, I also try to volHometown: Billings, Mon- unteer at Art House cinema, tana our local independent theKathleen Healy grew up in ater. Luckily, First Interstate a household shaped around Foundation supports these helping others. Her parents efforts by matching emwere passionate advocates ployee volunteer hours.

for the well-being of the Billings community. Through them, Healy learned the importance of volunteer work and the power to make lasting change in her hometown.

She continues her humanitarian work today as a Philanthropy Associate at First Interstate Foundation.

Tell me about your volunteer trajectory – past, present and future volunteering. What does it look like?

Most recently, I have been selected as a mentor for the Red Ants Pants Foundation Youth Leadership program.

Each mentor is paired with a rural teen to support as they build and launch a community project. I also serve on the Board of Yellowstone Public Radio, am on the Alberta Bair Theater programming committee, and serve on the Yellowstone Art Museum Art annual Auction committee. When

Have you applied any of your professional knowledge to your volunteer experience? If so, please explain.

I think the Governance I have learned at the Bank has definitely helped with my board service.

The Financial Education resources have definitely helped as well—since Financial Education isn’t taught in our schools, it’s been so much fun to go into classrooms and talk about money with kids, when there is still time to change their spending/saving behaviors.

Tell me about one of your favorite volunteer experiences or memories.

My favorite memory of volunteering is with Ken, who volunteers more now in retirement than when he was an engineer (which

means that he volunteers well over 40 hours per week). Each week he delivers meals for the Adult Resource Alliance, Meals on Wheels program, and also delivers food with the Salvation Army Food truck.

He recently has had knee replacements, and triple bypass surgery, but he hasn’t let him slow it down.

Are there any thoughts or advice you would want to communicate to your community or state regarding nonprofits or volunteering?

I wish more emphasis was put on people contributing where they live. Is there something you would like to see in your town or city?

Work to create it.

What’s something you wish everyone knew about volunteering and nonprofits?

Don’t just volunteer for an hour here and there, commit to putting in extended amounts of time at an organization. That’s the most valuable gift you can give.

What roles have you performed while volunteering? Which made the biggest impact on you personally?

The biggest impact on me has been my role as a youth mentor. To watch a teen come up with a big idea for a project and then work to accomplish it has been such a great experience. The youth mentor I was paired with is incredibly driven and passionate. She decided she wanted to start a recycling program in her hometown.

It has been so rewarding to be able to support her.

What is the most rewarding/important aspect of your occupation?

It’s impressive to see the impact philanthropic dollars can have in improving the community. I get to see which nonprofit organizations our employees contribute to as part of my job.

Across First Interstate’s sixstate footprint there are so many incredible projects we support, from building tiny homes for the homeless in Seattle, to supporting No Kid Hungry Montana.

JESSICA IVERSON | Revive, thrive and survive Age: 35 manager. Now, back home, Hometown: Billings, Mon- she is the Deputy Building Official at City of Billings tana Building Division.

Jessica Iverson was born and raised in Billings. Af- You left Montana and exter high school, she wanted celled in your career. What to attend out-of-state col- brought you back to Billlege, and the University of ings?

Minnesota offered her a In Minneapolis, I worked generous scholarship and a on commercial and retail highly ranked engineering projects throughout the program. She soon realized country. I had the opporengineering wasn’t for her tunity to travel frequently, and switched her major to I worked on some fun and architecture. She worked for challenging design projects an architecture firm in Min- and enjoyed the fast-paced neapolis for eight years as a drafter, designer, and project Please see IVERSON, Page 29

Thank You

to all the businesses that have supported us through the years truenorthmt.com • 406.850.8745 9431 Anglers Way, Billings MT Sunday, February 17, 2019

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JILAN HALL-JOHNSON | Billings has taken me in and I feel blessed Age: 32 Hometown: Syracuse, New York

The popular bruncherie, The Sassy Biscuit Co., took Billings by storm in 2018. A blend of made-from-scratch, gourmet comfort food and unrelenting hospitality has made the restaurant an immediate downtown favorite.

Owner, Jilan Hall-Johnson credits her culinary expertise and graduate degree in counseling that has made her proficient in what it means to bring comfort to her community.

to connect with people so I went back to my roots.

Cooking has been a love on mine as far back as I can remember. I remember the muggy summers in Syracuse, setting up bake-sale stands on the side walk in front my parents’ home. As a young mother after high school, my options were limited so I decided culinary school was a good fit. Perfecting some of the basic techniques taught in school were fundamental for my own cooking needs but after working a short while in the industry, I didn’t believe cooking was the path I was destined to walk.

But, I just couldn’t shake it – I was always cooking for large groups of friends, family and events. With my husband consistently away, I was left to fend for dinners alone for the kids and me. That’s how the “waffle biscuit” was born.

How did you get started in this business/ venture?

I’d toyed with the idea for years. I’d always go into a restaurant and pick it apart, focusing on what really worked and searching out what didn’t make sense. After turning down a promotion because of my husband’s orders to Billings, I decided I needed to figure out how to be happy in whatever came next.

What is the most rewarding/important As a military spouse, moving from state aspect of your occupation? to state, it can be difficult to find sustainable While many do not realize this, food plays employment. Working as a Transition Co- a vital role in most lives. Food is comforting. ordinator for Army Wounded Warriors back in San Diego, I wanted to find a different way Please see HALL-JOHNSON, Page 29

DAVID F. KNOBEL | Be better than your default self Age: 32 Hometown: Manhattan, Montana

As a pro bono mediator and associate attorney at Crowley Fleck PLLP, David F. Knobel takes great pride in helping parents who cannot afford legal help come to agreements on parenting plans. He volunteers his time and efforts to The Crowley Fleck Pro Bono Family Mediation Project. Alongside a team of attorneys and staff, Knobel works to better the community and make a difference in the lives of many parents and their children.

What inspired you to start volunteering for the pro bono mediation project and mediating parenting plan disputes for parents who cannot afford legal help?

I think there are several reasons. First, I was inspired to do it as a Christian, to help the less fortunate.

Second, like almost everyone, I personally know many single parents who are trying to co-parent with the other parent, and it can be hard. Individuals who cannot afford legal help often

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struggle to obtain legal redress. I wanted to help those people. Even though I am not a parent, I have been trained as a family mediator and can help parents come to an agreement on some of the big issues, and I can help them draft the actual parenting plan document and make sure it covers necessary issues.

Third, I was inspired to do it out of an obligation as a lawyer. Attorneys have ethical duties to try to do pro bono work for those who cannot afford an attorney, and I think mediating parenting plan disputes for parents who cannot afford lawyers is a great way to fulfill that obligation.

Fourth, I was inspired to help the legal profession. The courts receive a lot of parenting plan lawsuits. They are likely hard cases to handle as a judge because you are asked to make a decision regarding the parenting of a child based on the testimony and evidence the parents put before the court. Sometimes that can be very little information, or conflicting information, and I do not envy judges who are asked to make parenting deci-

sions on that basis. If we can help the parents settle the dispute and come up with a parenting plan on their own, and in agreement, outside the courtroom, it helps the judiciary.

Fifth, I was inspired by Crowley Fleck. The pro bono work done by Crowley Fleck is remarkable, and when I arrived and realized that there was an entire project dedicated to mediating parenting plan disputes for parents who cannot afford a lawyer, I was inspired.

How does it affect those you are helping?

If the parents are not married and have a parenting dispute, and they cannot afford a lawyer, but one or both parents has filed a lawsuit, then we can help them come to an agreement on a parenting plan and resolve the issues without a trial or a hearing in court.

At the most basic level, it affects the parents because they walk away with a 10-page parenting plan document that is signed by both parents and covers all Please see KNOBEL, Page 29

MIKAYLA KOVASH | Adaptability leads to evolution and success Age: 31 Hometown: Billings, Montana

ganizations throughout Billings including, chair of Quality of Life Club (Billings Association of Realtors), Local Director (Billings Association of Realtors), Communications Committee (Montana Association of Realtors), Young Professionals Network (Billings Association of Realtors), Breakfast Exchange Club, Secretary for Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Billings, Zoo Montana volunteer and many others in small capacities.

Mikayla Kovash believed her career path was destined to be in health and fitness, and pursued a degree in Health and Human Performance at University of Montana. But, real estate was in her blood. Her mother, a seasoned realtor of 30 years inspired Kovash. With the guided hand of her successful mother, Kovash received an education in experience – both from her mom and on her own. She is now the owner and broker of Metro Realtors. Is health and fitness still a large part of your life?

Health and fitness is a large pillar in How do you feel about switching my life. My health allows me to work your career path?

I absolutely love my job. Each day is countless hours each week, volunteer, a new opportunity to make an impact and still have a very active social life. I in someone’s life. Sometimes, I get to am committed to taking care of my body play the role of a therapist, sometimes so I can take care of others. I am an aca cheerleader, but I always take on the tive hot yogi, run half marathons, spin and medicate with a holistic approach role of support. to health. My brain is constantly onHow are you involved with the com- the-go and without a commitment to munity and volunteer work? exercise and fitness I can start to feel a My volunteer work is a work-in-prog- little squirrelly. ress that I will continue to develop and grow with. I am committed to many or- What is the worst advice you’ve re-

ceived and why “Only dead fish go with the flow.” An ability to be fluid in each day creates a whole new atmosphere. It allows me to listen to myself and choose how I handle each day whether it be adding a dinner with friends, working at the office until 11 p.m., or turning out the lights before most children have said their goodnights. Being able to be flexible and adapt to change has been a huge game changer for me.

What advice would you have given yourself as a teenager?

Treasure your relationships. I feel incredibly blessed to still maintain my closest friendships from my teenage years. We are incredibly tight-knit and have made our friendship and priority through all of the seasons of life. The relationships have evolved over time with not only our personal connections but also exceptional professional partnerships and opportunities for trusted referrals.

Please see KOVASH, Page 29

Congratulations Alyssa Burkhart, MD IMR Hospitalist Faculty, is dedicated to teaching the next generations of internal medicine physicians.

Zachary Benoit, Public Relations Liaison, is passionate about informing his community about health care.

Billings Clinic is the 2nd largest employer in Montana with more than 4,300 employees.

We have excellent opportunities for both clinically trained and non-medical professionals.

Learn more about our career opportunities at billingsclinic.com/careers.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

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KELLY KOVASH-CEDERBERG | Take

JACLYN SIMONNE LAFERRIERE |

Age: 29 Hometown: Billings, Montana

Age: 34 Hometown: Bozeman, Montana Jaclyn Simonne Laferriere has been planning her professional life since she was 10 years old. She always knew she wanted to be a lawyer, she just wasn’t sure what kind. After trying her hand at a few different practices, she landed on civil litigation.

Now, as an associate attorney at Edmiston and Colton Law Firm, she represents and advocates for plaintiffs going through some of the most challenging trials of their lives.

care of your community and it will take care of you As a young business owner, Kelly Kovash-Cederberg views success not as a destination but as an experience with no end.

It all began with a call from her mother suggesting to buy a coffee shop. She followed her instinct, and her mother’s advice, and is now the successful owner of Big Sky Coffee Roasters of Billings.

What was it like to drop everything you thought you were going to do and change course?

Ever read the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” Well that was me. On my way to culinary school in Denver, my mom called and said she had an idea. I should have known it was a going to be a game changer by the sound in her voice and in that instance, I felt fear, trepidation, and my heart was racing. Our favorite coffee shop of 20 years was for sale. With limited business skills, I jumped in. I became a sponge to learn everything and anything.

From marketing, managing, remodeling, ordering and inventory, to learning the art of coffee for the hundreds of drinks, to the roasting side as well. Fun, exhausting, exhilarating.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your occupation?

My relationships and joining people together. How lucky am I to see friends and family every day? Its likes working at “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name. We share life together.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

You genuinely take care of your community and it will take care of you. I use my shop as a conduit for good, whether it’s the charitable giving my employees and I participate in or hosting events like Beanies for Braids, I do everything I can to give back to the community.

How did you get started in this business/ venture?

I wanted to fight for justice like Atticus Finch, while on the other hand, I was acutely aware of the reality of student loans. When I applied to law schools, I thought environmental law might be a good option to pursue. I received a good scholarship from Vermont Law School – the only town in America with a law school and no stop light. I soon realized civil litigation was more my passion. The theory behind civil litigation and personal injury law, in particular, grabbed my attention during my first year of law school—when someone is injured, the party who could or should have prevented that wrong should bear the burden of any resulting losses.

By having a strong support system, I made it through some of my toughest days. But these challenges have made me stronger and prepared me for new ones to come.

Learn and grow from your obstacles and never give up.

What do you do for fun?

I am an adrenaline junkie. Being a maverick is part of my fabric. From first out of the plane skydiving, to diving 100 feet down with bull sharks, I live life at full throttle. Sleep in a hammock between the mountains? Why yes, I would love to. But, when I’m not out exploring and feeding my adrenaline craving, I love hot What advice would you give to anyone yoga, running marathons, and being outwanting to start a new business? side exploring all that Billings has to offer Go for it. Surround yourself with sup- with my dog, Macona, and husband, Josh, portive friends. Put a new tool in your box by my side. every day and learn, learn, learn. Use criticism as a catalyst to edit, revise and ex- What is the greatest gift you have recel. Use encouragement to give yourself a ceived? Why? smile and be grateful for all of your opporMy greatest gift is probably my suptunities. I don’t know how many times I portive friends and family. They have been came home in tears and thinking to myself there for the happiest of times and the that I just couldn’t do this anymore. Persistence and confidence are key though.

Please see KOVASH-CEDARBURG, Page 28

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Be the person you needed when you were younger

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration?

My parents are my greatest inspiration.

I never thought I would be the type of person to say that because I’ve always taken them for granted. They have created such lovely and loving lives, and that has impacted me in ways I am only beginning to realize. My parents have not only encouraged my two sisters and me to become our best selves, but they have set examples for what that means. Two years ago, my mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells. It’s shocking how much can change in a single moment.

We had no idea what her diagnosis meant at the time. Over the past two years she has fought it with grace but also with a strength I never knew she had. My dad has been there every step of the way – literally and figuratively. Their love runs so incredibly deep. Every time I encounter something difficult in life, I do one of two things: I remind myself how much my parents have been through and assure myself that I will survive what comes my way, or, I call my mom and have her tell me she believes in me. Or both.

Professionally, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a major inspiration. My roller derby referee name is “Ruth Slayed-Her Ginsburg” as an homage to her. One of my proudest moments is having her affirm a motion I won on a constitutional issue. Not many people can say they’ve had the Notorious RBG uphold one of their motions.

Do you still play roller derby?

I referee roller derby when I can. I played for five years and met some of my closest friends through derby. I also learned how strength and fitness come in many different forms. While I don’t play anymore, I love to referee for adult and junior leagues.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? My love of reading. Reading is the reason I can think critically, I can articulate complex factual and legal issues in comprehensible ways, and I can experience the beauty in the world. Every night before Please see LAFERRIERE, Page 29

ADAM LIBERTY | Hope, pray and work towards professional and personal success Age: 30 Hometown: Montana

wards meaningful work. AfBillings, ter college and a small detour - a temp job at a liquor store - he began searching Adam Liberty has spent for careers that would have his entire career geared to- purpose for those he worked

for and for himself. That led him down the path of working with nonprofits.

As Development Director of Friendship House of Christian Service, it seems he has

found his calling, raising What advice would have more money for the Friend- you given to yourself as a ship House than anyone else teenager?

Be bold. Like many teens, in Billings history.

I was insecure. I was afraid What was the first non- of saying, doing, attemptprofit you worked for? ing things where I could I began my career in possibly fail. I didn’t want nonprofit administra- to get into trouble or do or tion in 2011. My first job say anything that was outat Tumbleweed Runaway side of fitting in. I see now Program was Executive that those who change the Assistant to the Executive world are those who take Director. I worked my way risks, who may in fact fail, up to Human Resources who don’t necessarily fit Director, and then to Pro- in. Those people are bold. gram Director. I moved to Hence, I would give my Friendship House as the teenage self the advice to Community Engagement be bold.

Coordinator in 2015. I was promoted to Development 5. What’s your guilty Director in 2018 under the pleasure? new Billings Leadership Fine wine. My wife and Foundation, in which I I took a trip to Napa and oversee fund development Sonoma Valleys (i.e. Wine for Friendship House and Country) for our fifth year Montana Rescue Mission. wedding anniversary in 2016. Before we visited, Why did you choose this profession?

While I have always wanted to work with those who struggle, I figured out quickly I am not a direct service worker. Those are not my gifts. Rather, my strengths lie in developing new programs, fundraising, grant writing, speaking, and administration. I use those strengths to benefit the kids and families of Friendship House.

neither of us really had a special affinity for wine.

But it sounded like a relaxing and fun experience.

To say the least, we came home changed from the experience. We’re not sommeliers or anything, but we enjoy sitting down to a nice glass of Pinot Noir.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.”

Is it a kid’s show? Yes. Do I enjoy the show? Meh – I’m a parent, so of course I have to watch what the kids watch. My wife and I recently finished “The Crown.” But I wouldn’t call that “binge watching.”

It was more like “trickle watching,” as it took us months to watch the whole series.

Here’s looking at you!

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

“You got time.” I used to agree and think to myself, “I do have time.” Time to complete that assignment, time until this project is due, time to do other things. But, who of us has time? I don’t. Because more is coming my way. I have found that for me, it is better to get my project or assignment done before “you got time” becomes “I don’t have time for this.”

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TIM LORENZ | Reconnecting with the human experience by disconnecting with technology

Age: 39 Hometown: Glendive, Montana Tim Lohrenz wears many hats. He is the Director of Outdoor Recreation, Intramurals, Student Activities, New Student Orientation at Rocky Mountain College; an adjunct instructor in the Health and Human Performance Department at RMC; adjunct instructor in the Outdoor Adventure Leadership Program at MSU-Billings; father of two children and devoted husband to his wife, Cara of 10 years.

their comfort zones into a place where I hope they will be able to approach the realities of our world with more confidence.

Another passion of mine is leadership development. I co-facilitate the Student Leadership Development Program at RMC. My favorite part is the Leadership Summit. We take about 50 students and a few staff members up to a camp in the Beartooths for 48 hours for leadership lessons, teambuilding, and selfreflection.

Why is nature and the discipline of outdoor studies so important?

I take students on excursions backpacking, climbing, skiing, cycling, canoeing, canyoneering, and the list keeps going. Besides the physical and psychological benefits of our active interactions with nature, the trips also serve other purposes. Shared wilderness experiences help forge relationships, develop community, and often push students outside

Why have you chosen not to own a cell phone?

I don’t have a cell phone for multiple reasons. First, I am intentionally a late adopter of technology. I wait to see how it changes people’s lives, consider what the unintended consequences are and I ask myself if it will actually improve my life in a meaningful way.

LACEY MALONEY | Working to make changes in lives of the impoverished Age: 39 Hometown: Cut Bank, Montana

For Lacey Maloney, her work is far more than a job description. As the Global Outreach Coordinator, with an emphasis as the Ethiopian Outreach Coordinator at Harvest Church, she has become an advocate for the betterment of the deteriorating country. Shifting from sponsoring a child to becoming an adopted parent, she hopes others will see the need and joy in helping other countries.

You have adopted children from Ethiopia. How important is it for U.S. citizens to understand the poverty there?

When we adopted our son we had to take two trips to Ethiopia. The first trip was for court and we could only spend two hours a day with him, so as not to disrupt the orphanage schedule. It left us with a lot of free time, and because we were going to be taking one of Ethiopia’s finest people, we wanted to leave it better than we found it, so we committed to seeing as many ministries as possible.

We quickly learned that many children end up in orphanages – not because they don’t have parents who love them, but because their parent(s), usually single mothers, are too poor to be able to send them to

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school or provide them with adequate food.

Education is free in Ethiopia, but you have to pay approximately $30 a year to buy books and uniforms. For a family living off of less than $2 a day – which is roughly half of Ethiopians – it is difficult, if not impossible, to send their children to school.

If you want to see a doctor, you have to pay upfront. We saw people with grave injuries on the streets. Disabled people would be dragging themselves along the ground. In a country without any social welfare, children will literally die of sinus infections if their parents can’t afford the $6 fee to send them to a doctor.

After seeing it for ourselves, I just knew that if everyone knew how bad it really is for children living in extreme poverty and how easy it is for people to make a difference, that they’d do something about it.

What is a compassion center?

Compassion International is a child sponsorship ministry that exists through local churches (kind of like a Boys and Girls Club on steroids). Each child in the program receives food, an education, medical care and a safe place to go three to five times a week through their local church, where Please see MALONEY, Page 28

Please see LORENZ, Page 28

KATIE MEIER | If you build trust and relationships, people will usually tell you what they need Age: 35 Hometown: Great Falls, Montana

Katie Meier brings a new light to the word ‘educator.’ She teaches medical career classes at Billings Career Center; mentors youths at the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program; and helps her students become EMT certified. Through it all, she inspires her students to find the balance and importance between living life and saving lives.

to see into their world and get a really good perspective of what the pathway looks like to get into that career.

In the EMT course, we work closely with our partners to create a rigorous program that allows students to earn not only dual credit, but also sit for national licensure.

As someone who started their teaching career in a rural area, where there are extreme shortages in EMS providers, I am excited to be part of a program working to meet that need in our community.

What is the curriculum like for your classes?

I teach the Medical Careers class and the dual credit EMT course at the Billings Career Center. I am also an advisor for a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) called HOSA- Future Health Professionals. In the Medical Careers course, our students have the opportunity to go on rotations at medical facilities and departments all over the city every week. The partners who host our students, allow them

Why did you choose this profession?

I originally went to college for pre-medical studies and thought I would either go to medical school or PA school. However, after spending two years volunteering in Africa for the Peace Corps I felt drawn towards education. Living in a village, where even an eighth grade education was rare put a whole new value on education for me and the change that we can enact on our community by empowering people through education.

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

It was probably that cutting my hair super short and getting a perm to look like my mom and aunts when I was in elementary school was going to be a good look for me.

How do you measure your own success?

I once read coaching advice that said to spend less time worrying about trophies that collect dust and focus more on developing living trophies.

Even though I am not coaching sports anymore, it is something I still take to heart in working with kids. I think there is nothing more rewarding than getting the text from a former student that they got their first job in the medical field, that they passed their licensing exams, or that they are sharing their talents and skills within their community. Living trophies pay it forward and impact the lives of the people they come in contact with. For me, success comes from not just teaching content, but helping develop students who have the skills, tools and confidence to go make this impact.

What failure have you learned the most from?

I served in the Peace Corps in Zambia, Africa, for two years right out of college.

Looking back, I realize just how young and inexperienced I was, but it had a large impact on my career.

I can remember getting dropped off in my village after three months of training with no real expectation of the challenges I would face. Throughout my first year there were many times I would feel like a failure – that my efforts while living in a remote hut with no running water or electricity were in vain. I would plan and host training workshops on health and agriculture projects that I thought were important, but at the days end, it felt like very little of it was being implemented. As time went on, I was learning valuable lessons that have continued to influence my career- lessons on perseverance and how to be resourceful with limited resources. The most valuable lesson I probably learned that I really needed at that point in my career is the proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

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JOSH MCDOWELL |

I get to work with aspiring, young students looking to begin a career in the aviation industry

Age: 39 Hometown: Billings, Montana

As an Associate Professor of Aviation at Rocky Mountain College, Josh McDowell spends his days working with devoted students beginning a career path in aviation. During a recent sabbatical, McDowell gained employment with SkyWest Airlines as a First Officer flying the CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) on contracts for Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines. McDowell also works part-time for Edwards Jet Center on the Billings Clinic MedFlight contract, transporting critically injured or ill patients to hospitals.

You were nominated by students. As a professor, what does it mean to make such incredible differences in the lives of your students?

Being a professor is fantastic. The students often have lots of motivation but need direction and guidance on how to achieve their aviation goals. I enjoy the challenge of not only teaching the technical skills of manipulating the flight controls but also more difficult skills of aeronautical decision making, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills that will develop the student into a successful aviation leader and professional.

Most people spend sabbatical traveling or relaxing, you got another job as an airline pilot – what made you choose that path?

While the airline industry was something that I never personally pursued as a profession, it has been a unique bonus opportunity while on sabbatical from being a professor.

While the leadership and professional skills I teach are universal to the aviation industry this sabbatical has given me the opportunity to gain insights into a segment of the aviation industry that many of our students at Rocky Mountain College will pursue. It has not only enhanced my skills as an aviator but given me additional prospective to share with my students to better prepare them for the diverse aviation industry they will enter upon graduation.

What is like being an air ambulance pilot?

This job allows me to maintain my own professional flying while giving me a feeling of satisfaction in providing needed and lifesaving air transportation to both people in rural communities and those right here in Billings.

Additionally, I am able to bring those flight experiences into the classroom on a regular basis which allows the classroom material to take on Please see MCDOWELL, Page 28

DARON OLSON | Give all that you are to who or what is in front of you Age: 34 Hometown: Billings, Montana

Daron Olson can remember going to Rimrock Mall as a child. He can recall the trees that once took the center under the skylights. His father was contracted to maintain the trees and Olson was his righthand-(little)man. It was his father’s work ethic that inspired him to uphold the same principles. He credits his father’s ability to overcome business hurdles with humility and perseverance to the professional he is today. Currently, Olson’s roots are still tied to Rimrock Mall as the marketing director.

to Rimrock Mall and we would prune all those trees. I was in charge of stacking the fallen limbs into a pile. I remember thinking, this place is huge and there are so many trees. Those are some of my first memories of Rimrock Mall. Of course, the memories continue with each back-toschool season when I would be treated to a brand-new pair of Air Jordans from Foot Locker. I also cherished seeing the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” more than six times, in the theater when it was located inside the mall. Back then, the mall was just that to me, a mall. I didn’t know the business behind it and I certainly didn’t ever imagine that I would become part of the management team one day.

Rimrock Mall has always been a part of your life. What does the business mean to you?

How did you become the marketing My journey to becoming the Rimrock director of Rimrock Mall?

Mall Marketing Director some might say The radio stations I worked for had a started way back when I was 4 or 5 years relationship with the mall. I was able to old. My dad and I would get up early, we’d pile into my dad’s truck and make our way Please see OLSON, Page 28

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APRIL SKY PETERSON | Find what inspires you and practice it daily Age: 30 Hometown: Columbus, Montana

into place. I loved the energy that was created in the room by Tracy Moore, Andy Austin, Dennis Rogers, Jenna Martin, all April Sky is nearly a household name of them. among many Billings residents. She owns a successful business, April Sky Photog- How did The Mom Project come raphy, capturing beautiful moments in about? people’s lives and turning them into art.

In April 2018, I decided to create a In addition, she is the founder of a sup- bucket list of 30 things to do before turnport group called “The Mom Project.” As a ing 30. I literally accomplished all of them mother, she shows her children strength, (including sky diving) minus the rock devotion, and perseverance – to friends, climbing that came later. family, clients and women, she is an inOn that list was “change a life.” I started spiration. a group called “The Mom Project” that How did your journey with photography start?

Right up until I had my 4-year-old son, I was a teacher at Young Families Early Head Start, a truly life-changing program for all involved.

After having my son, I hid at my house (new motherhood is no joke). I’ve always been in a future mindset, so I actually recall brainstorming things I could do financially while also being able to stay at home with him. I love anything creative and had a camera from college graduation.

So, I decided to become a photographer — and, it’s how I found myself.

I started slow, still 100 percent at home with my son while I took photos of families and children, mostly because I was a teacher and mom, so it made sense.

It wasn’t until I attended a photography workshop/fundraiser put on by Tracy Moore at the Billings Open Studio (my son was 6 months old) that it all started to fall

has, present day, grown to more than 400 women, both locally and nationally.

I created what I needed: a safe space for moms — single moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, grandmas, foster moms, stepmoms, dog moms, and women trying their hardest to be moms.

We do in-person meet ups, small business Saturdays, anonymous posts, live videos, and raise money for other mothers who could use a little assistance because we have all been there. We are always evolving and thinking of new ways to help one another.

What is the most rewarding/important aspect of your occupation?

Hands down, the absolute best part of my job is the time I have with my child.

Being a stay-at-home, single mom while also working is really freaking hard — I’ll Please see PETERSON, Page 28

Congratulations

to the 2019 40 Under Forty Winners!

From the Hilton Garden Inn Billings, proud host of the 40 Under Forty Reception

2O19 406.655.8800 | 2465 Grant Rd | Billings, MT 59102 Sunday, February 17, 2019

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BRET RUTHERFORD | Leaves stress at the door and enjoys the simple things

Age: 39 Hometown: Billings, Montana

If you couldn’t do this, what would you do instead?

I could see myself running a nonprofit as I have been involved with charity work and donated time during my entire adult life. Pie in the sky — if someone wanted to pay me to travel the world à la Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern, I would gladly accept.

With 13 years of election experience, Yellowstone County Election Administrator, Bret Rutherford knows about running a smooth ship during election season.

Though he credits his staff and experienced counterparts throughout the state, Rutherford handles the intense, high-stress job with professionalism, integrity and thor- What is the worst advice you’ve reough responsibility – and his numbers have ceived and why? never been challenged.

The old adage “if you want something done right, do it yourself” can be impracHow does it feel to have so much re- tical or even dangerous. You have to learn sponsibility on your shoulders? to surround yourself with good people and It can be very stressful at times and I trust and believe in their capabilities. learned early to try and leave the majority of it at the door when I go home. When What advice would have you given to that isn’t possible, I have a wonderful wife yourself as a teenager? that is always there for me.

There are a whole lot of unexpected experiences coming down the road for better Why did you choose this profession? or worse — it is okay to make mistakes, but No one grows up thinking “I want to be always try to learn from them. an election administrator,” but here I am.

When looking for a new career path in my What is one professional accomplish 20s, the public sector looked fulfilling as you still want to achieve? the bottom line wasn’t focused on making a profit but rather serving the community.

Please see RUTHERFORD, Page 27

LESLIE SCHARFE | We can do hard things Age: 34 Hometown: Billings, Montana

leaders is simply about listening to what’s being said, and what’s not being said. It’s about hearing people’s hearts, attuning to their emotions and helping them see the bigger picture of what life and a career in our organization could look like.

My work at FIB is not a job, it’s a mission (and maybe even a hobby). It doesn’t feel like work when you get to do what you are passionate about. I am on a mission to make what’s in front of me better. I care about our community and the people that live in our community.

When Leslie Scharfe was 22 years old, she discovered the work she wanted to do for the rest of her life. A professor taught Scharfe that leadership was about getting people to face and tackle difficult situations. That became the catalyst for a lifelong study of leadership and resulted in a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University. Now, she is the director of leadership and professional development at First Interstate Bank. Ultimately, her mission in life is to help people and organizations be- How did you get started in this business/ come the best possible version of themselves. venture?

I like to say that my career is really about What does this work mean to you? serendipity and luck. Each path, or season It is my greatest joy and honor to get to has given me insights into how people and wake up and work at First Interstate Bank. organizations function.

I have been given leadership opportunities In terms of my opportunity at First Inthat some could only hope for in their caterstate, I was in the right place at the right reer, while having only been at FIB for a little more than a year. Finding and developing Please see SCHARFE, Page 27

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MOLLY SCHWEND | I measure success by the way I feel when I go to bed at night Age: 36 Hometown: Colstrip, Montana

Molly Schwend has always been an advocate for Montana’s coal country. Growing up in Colstrip, coal and energy were part of her DNA. As the Cloud Peak Energy Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations, Schwend continues to educate and support the importance of coal energy. She also works with young ladies at the Girls in Science program – inspiring them to achieve their personal and career goals.

Why is coal energy so important to you?

It is not hard for me to advocate for something I believe is so important. People don’t realize coal is one of the cheapest and most reliable energy sources. While I support all energy sources, until we can come up with a way to store large amounts of energy for a good length of time,

have learned is that it is easier for girls to imagine a career in STEM subjects if they see female role models as successful examples. The Girls in Science program is a great way to show these young girls that there are females in STEM careers. It also gives them hands-on activities so that they can try out some of the problem solving aspects and have fun. I think diversity What does it mean to be in any industry that brings a part of Girls in Science? different ideas, experiences I am very passionate and interpretations, making about Girls in Science. As a the work better and stronger. woman with an engineering degree, I went to college Why did you choose this where there were days I was profession? only one of two girls in the Oddly enough, I feel like I class, I worked in jobs where fell into this position natuI was the only female en- rally. I worked as an engineer, gineer and I never thought and believe I was a good enanything about it. It wasn’t gineer, but I am such a social until I read an article about person and part of me needed girls losing their interest in that human component. I STEM (science, technology, am good at taking techniengineering, and mathemat- cal things and turning them ics) related subjects around into something everyone can 15 years of age that I started understand and relate to, so questioning this. One thing I when this job opened, I felt it forcing coal out of the mix is a mistake. Without coal, I worry for the people who are currently struggling to pay their power bills. Coal-fired power plants have become more efficient and cleaner through the years and will continue. I look forward to seeing the U.S. develop Carbon Capture technologies in the future.

was created just for me.

What advice would you have given to yourself as a teenager?

I would tell my teenager self to not be so hard on yourself and relax. I was one to follow the rules and quick to judge those who did not.

I know for a fact there are things that have happened in my life that my teenage self would have been blown away by. Those things are also some of my most favorite things about me today.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” after the kids go to bed, of course. I was hooked after the first episode. I love the characters, the humor, and the writing for this show is brilliant. I felt I could relate as a fast talking (always talking) women in a predominantly male industry who tries to see the humor in everything.

JEFF YELEY | Giving back

after taking chances creates a successful business Age: 33 Hometown: Billings, Montana Jeff Yeley kicked around the idea of owning a Jimmy Johns franchise for a while.

He periodically checked the website to see if Montana had available contracting and in 2009, it finally did.

With a business degree in marketing and no food or entrepreneurial experience, Yeley, alongside his father, grabbed the opportunity. They opened their first store in January 2010.

Now, they own four Billings stores while giving back to

the community that has shown so much support.

How does it feel to manage such a successful franchise in Billings?

I grew up in Billings and I have always loved the city and community. I feel very fortunate that I was able to come back here after college, meet my wife and raise our children here. Especially now as a business owner, I feel fortunate to be part of the growth and vitality of the Billings community.

to both my

daughters

Mikayla

2O19

Kelly

Polly Kovash • 591-5555

Please see YELEY, Page 26

Sunday, February 17, 2019

25

BETHANY YELLOWTAIL | The greatest gift I’ve ever

received is to be able to make a positive impact for my community Age: 30 Hometown: Wyola, Montana

Becoming an accomplished fashion designer is hard enough – in Montana, impossible. But Bethany Yellowtail has done it. With an Associate of Arts degree from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise, B.YELLOWTAIL clothing is unlike anything else in the fashion industry. With beautiful, unique and functional designs, Bethany Yellowtail’s incredible artistry highlights her Native American heritage.

How did you get started in this business/venture?

B. YELLOWTAIL was legally established in January 2015. However, it’s been a decade in the making. I started creating my own designs and selling custom items while in college and during my career in corporate fashion.

I had worked at some of Los Angeles’ top apparel brands for a number of years, and when I felt there was no more growth for me there, I decided to launch my own brand fulltime.

To be honest, I was really scared because I knew nothing about business. I was well equipped with fashion industry knowledge but had no clue where to begin, let alone make a business plan.

But by fate, I met my now business partner and B. YELLOWTAIL cofounder, Kim Meraz during Thanksgiving dinner at a dear friend’s house.

She was the key ingredient to launching the brand and has taught me so much about business strategy and the financial responsibilities of owning a company. She’s seriously amazing, much of our success is because of her. I call her “Kim Possible.”

Eaton From page 13

the reward can be huge.

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration?

My parents are my inspiration. They were a very young couple when they started their family. They are hardworking, honest and all-around great supporters of their friends and family.

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Sunday, February 17, 2019

What inspired you to begin a fashion line – the concepts and style approached; what do you aim for with your designs?

Each collection or clothing design has unique inspiration of its own, but overall we focus on meaningful designs imbued with the spirit of story. I come from a rich history and vibrant people, there are endless stories that have yet to be told and I’ve found that clothing design is an incredible way to connect people and share truths.

Sometimes the collections or pieces are clear nods of expression from Crow culture, other times the designs are more interpretive to the customer and may embody the spirit of female empowerment interwoven in contemporary happenings.

What has been the best/worst part of all it?

The best part of it all is that I am surrounded by cultural art every single day. I get to collaborate with incredible artists and share stories through my

love for fashion. We work with some of the most talented creators in North America that are still using techniques and methods passed down from family generations. It feels so good to create clothing and sell accessories that make an actual positive impact on native peoples.

The worst part? Haters and Instagram trolls. Just kidding. I think selfdoubt and slow sales are the worst part of being an entrepreneur.

What would you tell young girls who look at you as inspiration?

Dream big and surround yourself with people who are moving forward and encourage your growth. Throughout my journey I am grateful to have been surrounded by an incredible community of folks who are not only kind, generous, and hardworking, but they all live in their purpose, and their purpose is much bigger than the individual.

If anything I learned in getting where I am today, is that you are the company you keep.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

Be kind, work hard, stay humble, smile often, stay loyal, keep honest, never stop learning, be thankful always and love.

How do you view failure and success?

You need both in your life. If you are afraid of failure, you will never take the risks and miss accomplishing great things.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a new business or excel in a business?

When times are hard, look back and see what you can learn from it. Stay true to your beliefs and persevere.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy my family. So be it time on the farm with my parents or running around for sports with my boys, that brings me the most joy.

Yeley From page 25

Billings accepted the Jimmy Johns concept from the very beginning and we have been very thankful to all our customers who have chosen us to handle everything from weddings, business meetings and even dropping off lunch to their high school students.

How do you give back to the community?

I heard that some Jimmy Johns stores in Utah received permission to use some of their advertising money for local things in the community and I asked if I could do the same thing. At first I was told no, but a few months later, I was chosen as a test market and was allowed to use some of our budget for anything that would benefit the community.

Since the summer of 2017, we have taken $104,000 out of our advertising budget and given it to different organizations in the community. We were able to buy all new helmets for Yellowstone Youth Football one year, and buy them portable score boards the next year.

In 2018, we sponsored every youth activity at the YMCA. I love getting to call up organizations that are doing great things in our community, ask what they need help with, and say “Great, we’ll help you with that.”

Another way we love to give back to the community is through our sandwiches. There are lots of times where people and organizations are providing a great service to the community and we get to help them by doing what we do best, freaky fast sandwiches.

The YMCA held a leadership lunch for students

and we were thrilled to provide them box lunches.

In addition, our general manager at the Shiloh store and his wife are foster parents and they connected me with a local foster director. I found out that the training meetings, where potential foster parents come from across the state, does not have a budget for food. A lot of the travel expense these foster parents incur is their responsibility. So we provide lunch during these meetings and that is one less thing they have to worry about or pay for.

What advice would have you given to yourself as a teenager?

Don’t play as many video games.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

10:30 p.m., kids asleep, Domino’s deep-dish pan pizza, pepperoni, extra cheese.

What is one professional accomplish you still want to achieve?

Master’s degree.

How do you measure your own success?

By the way customers see our store and service; by the way employees see our company; and by the way my kids see their dad.

What failure have you learned the most from?

I took a job right out of college in Minnesota in sales. I found out that I wasn’t good at over-thephone sales and to my surprise that I didn’t want to live in the big city. I wanted to move back to Montana.

What is the hardest part of your job?

Having stores that are open seven days a week.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“Scrubs” and “Seinfeld.”

Rutherford From page 24

Currently, Montana has a hybrid election system where one election is run different than others and many of our laws were meant for a different, nondigital era. By moving forward, though it may be slow as most of what we do relies on legislation, we can make changes and have the most efficient and accessible voting system in the United States.

The slow tabulation during the 2012 Presidential Election taught me that we always need to try and improve upon our processes. It also illustrated that sometimes you need to step back from a “right now” mentality and make sure that things are done right rather done for the sake of expediency.

What is the hardest part of your job?

Many things that we are required to do in the election world are mandated by law. It can be difficult relaying why How do you measure your things are the way they are to voters when they are frustrated own success?

It can be very gratifying when or downright angry. counterparts or associates ask for advice. It shows that people What’s your guilty pleasure?

It is great to get off of the grid value your opinion and experiwith my family once in a while. ence.

We are lucky enough to live in What failure have you place that you are really able to learned the most from? disconnect from time-to-time.

Scharfe From page 24

time. It just so happened that I was working as an executive coach and facilitator when my boss sent me a LinkedIn message out of the blue. My dad always told me that life is about preparing for opportunities. It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. I liked the direction that FIB was moving in, so I seized the opportunity to do something more with my career.

A decision I will never regret, as the leaders I get to work with are doing amazing work. I have loved learning a new industry as well as having the opportunity to work alongside some incredible leaders in our organization.

What is the most rewarding/ important aspect of your occupation?

Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing leaders get better. A leader can make or break a team or organization. Watching people come up with their own insights; when they experience breakthroughs in thinking; when something that is initially overwhelming and hard gets a little easier over time.

young age. Jerry Dunning, who taught me to see the world from another perspective while giving me a soft place to land and process the mess inside my head.

And, Mike Cherwin who took a risk on a Billings native and allows me to do what I do best every day. I am forever indebted to these people who have helped shape the person that I am and that I am becoming.

My husband Kevin is my inspiration – he pushes me to do Who is your greatest mentor/ better and be better. inspiration?

Each season of my career I have Do you have a motto that you been fortunate enough to have live by?

My 3-year-old daughter and I people take me under their wing while imparting their wisdom. A have had a mantra that we say evfew that come to mind would be ery morning on our way to work, Alana Nicastro, my small-group so my current motto is, “We can communication professor in col- do hard things.” Meaning we can lege. My dad, who instilled lead- lean in, have hard conversations, ership principles in me growing figure out where we need to grow, up. Stan Simmons, who gave where we need feedback, where me the opportunity to lead at a our blind spots are.

Congratulations

To Morgan Dake & David Knobel

Morgan is an Associate in the Billings office and is devoted to the performance of indigent services on behalf of the firm through its Pro Bono Program. Morgan previously served in theYellowstone County Attorney’s Office as a deputy county attorney in the criminal division where she gained valuable trial experience and worked closely with local law enforcement agenciesandcommunity-basedprograms.

Her background prosecuting cases, overseeing investigations, and coordinating victim services gives her valuable insight on pro bono matters. (406) 252-3441

David is an Associate in the Billings office and practices with the Commercial Litigation Practice Group.He works on all aspects of civil litigation in many areas of law, but focuses on commercial, tort, and real estate litigation. He regularly represents insurance companies, banks, credit unions, businesses of all kinds,farmers,ranchers,and individuals in cases involving breaches of contract, real estate disputes, negligence and other torts, bad faith, corporate and shareholder disputes, and state and federal statutes and regulations. (406) 255-7343

www.crowleyfleck.com Sunday, February 17, 2019

27

Olson From page 22

learn about commercial real estate business and marketing director responsibilities. I worked with the marketing director at that time. When he was ready to

resign, he asked if I would have any interest in the marketing director position. I felt I was too new to take on such responsibility.

Years passed and the marketing director was announcing her resignation.

I applied, and few months later, I was beginning my new career in commercial

real estate management.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start new business or excel in a business?

The advice I would give to anyone getting into a business or field of interest would be, commit to and be accountable for your deci-

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

A bigger paycheck will make you happier.

learn from every failure, not just the big one. In order to be successful, you need to From page 22 know what works and what more relevance to the studoesn’t so that you can fix/ dents than just textbook What’s your guilty plea- adjust what needs fixing. sure? learning.

A day of powder skiing.

I am often asked about the What is the hardest part of emotional side of being an your job? air ambulance pilot and if it What is one professional Seeing a student who lacks accomplish you still want is sad to know you are transthe internal motivation to porting people that are hurt to achieve? take advantage of the opporTo remain a relevant and or dying. My response has altunities before them. ways been that when you get inspiring professor to my a call for a flight, you know students.

How do you measure your someone is having a bad day but that if you were not What failure have you own success?

By the positive impact I there to transport them, they learned the most from? would be having a worse one.

You should be able to have on others.

McDowell

lead a team to Ethiopia.

Most of the team met their sponsored children for the first time and we also got to see one of the compassion centers Harvest helped get started. It was as if heaven peeled back and gave me a glimpse into the magnitude of what I’ve been a part of.

I’ll never forget it. It was sobering. Poverty is legitimately evil and there are children’s lives that literally hang in the balance.

It makes me sad when people say they won’t help kids overseas because there’s enough need here.

There is need here, but why must we choose? Can’t we help both?

But really, I think the best gift I have received to date is probably a cow from my husband. I am not a farm girl, nor do I know much From page 18 about that lifestyle, but I toughest times. Without love cows. them, I wouldn’t be where I For our wedding day my am, or even who I am today. husband bought a calf from

his grandpa’s farm and gifted it to me as a wedding gift. His name is Little Bro. He acts as one of the dogs.

He comes when called, plays fetch and snuggles for days.

He is, by far, one of the most unique but best gifts I have ever gotten.

Maloney From page 20

they are loved, known and protected. Harvest Church has helped connect approximately 850 children with sponsors from the Billings area and this past year, we also helped four different churches (three in Ethiopia and one in Bolivia) become compassion centers by providing the funding for infrastructure (building classrooms, kitchens, What is the most challatrines and playgrounds). lenging aspect of your ocIn October, I got to help cupation?

KovashCedarburg

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Sunday, February 17, 2019

Do you have a motto that you live by?

“Do all the good you can in all the ways you can as long as ever you can.” –John Wesley “…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” -Emerson

sions. Have a “be here now” outdoors is our thing. mentality.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? What do you do for fun?

The greatest gift I have I love spending time with my family. I have a beauti- ever received is grace from ful wife, Ashley, of two- my lord Jesus Christ. Withand-a-half years and three out my faith, I would not be awesome kids, Karmella, where I am and in the po10, Cruz, 7, and Kintla 18 sition I am. It took many months. Experiencing the prayers, during many years,

Lorenz

from family and friends, near and far, to get me where I am today. I say it often, I’m not sure what I did to deserve the opportunities that I have been afforded. Work-ethic, love, grit, being right over being first, and grace has been the cocktail of success that has worked for me.

Each trip looks a little bit different but it might include helping with resource distributions, teaching English, advocating for children or families, funding income generation projects, meeting a family’s short term needs for food, shelter, medical attention, or resources to attend public education.

Every trip breaks my heart and I have to take time to process the negative and painful data my senses are bombarded by on a daily basis. Our poverty relief efforts are supplemented with a dose of hope as we support business, government, and church leaders, 300-500 people, by offering a two day translated version of the Global Leadership Summit.

Ethiopia lacks trans-

lated versions of leadership books and virtually no leadership training, therefore the resources to learn about leadership are very limited. In the U.S. we’ve practiced servant leadership for decades, but for many of the people attending the summit in Ethiopia it’s their first encounter with the summit and many other leadership concepts.

The experience produces a huge paradigm shift and inspires the local people to have a greater impact in their communities.

What advice would have you given to yourself as a teenager?

Stop being so selfish.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Marshmallows. My wife makes me homemade marshmallows for Christmas most years.

Moore. I hired her for three months in 2016 to mentor me through a program From page 23 created by Jeff Jochum admit that 100 percent. that stems from his book, But, the fact that he’s with “Work Happily Ever After.” me the majority of the time is by far the most benefi- How do you view failure cial aspect of my career. and success?

Second place, my brides.

The most successI mean it when I say they ful people fail the most, have me for life. Third meaning they trust their place, traveling. dream, they trust their instincts, and they trust Who is your greatest that fire, so, rather than mentor/inspiration? giving up, they dust themThe only mentor I have selves off, reground, and had so far was a true game try again with a modified changer, and I love tell- strategy. ing her regularly how she changed the life of my- What’s the greatest self and my child - Tracy gift you ever received?

Why? That’s an easy one. My child.

It’s because of a mother’s influence on her child that I walked away from a completely different life two years ago. My child will grow up watching his mother chase her dreams and regularly use her voice to change the world. Is it easy? No. Do I cry weekly?

Yes. Is it worth every second of ups and downs so that I may teach him to shoot for the moon when it comes to his happiness?

Without any hesitation, ever. Because of my son, I chase my dreams and I believe in my influence.

From page 20

Second, I value humanto-human interactions. I find smart phones to be a distraction from the person you have in front of you at the moment. I’ve always found it odd that people check social media in the presence of friends and family. Third, I like my mind to wander creatively.

If I had a cell phone, I would be tempted to constantly engage with it. For me, it’s the best choice right now.

Why do you take annual trips to Ethiopia and what do you do there?

I lead and co-lead trips to Ethiopia for Harvest Church. We go there to support local organizations with poverty relief efforts.

Peterson

Iverson From page 15

environment the job offered. I especially enjoyed the project management part of the job and quickly moved up to managing my own clients.

I always knew I wanted to end up back in Billings (which I made sure to tell my husband before we got married). When our daughter was almost 2, we decided that we wanted to move out of our ‘starter home,’ but couldn’t afford to live in the nicer areas of Minneapolis and wanted to be near good schools without an hour-long commute. So we thought it would be a good time to relocate to Billings, where my parents and sister still lived. My employer allowed me to work remotely, so we didn’t have to worry about job-hunting right away and we packed up everything, our daughter and our two dogs, and moved west.

How does your architect degree and background fit in the City of Billings Building Division?

We were living in Billings for about a year when I saw the job posting for Senior Plans Examiner at the City of Billings. I felt like I was in a rut with my job and while I enjoyed the work, I was looking for something different. I also liked the idea of being on the other side of the counter for a change.

I got the job in September 2015 and soon knew it was the right fit. There was a lot for me to learn, but I picked it up quickly and enjoy constantly learning and facing new situations and challenges. I also work on modifying and refining the department processes to better serve our customers and

staff. My position was reclassified to ‘Deputy Building Official’ in July of this year to better reflect the duties and responsibilities of the position beyond just managing plan review.

How has your diagnosis with cancer impacted your life?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 after finding the lump myself. Thankfully, I was stage 1, but it was an aggressive type of cancer, so I had surgery, chemo, and targeted infusion therapy for a year. It was a slow recovery for my body from all that, but I’ve worked really hard the last year on improving my health and I ran my first half-marathon in September, which I am very proud of.

I recently took on the role of Montana State Leader for Young Survival Coalition (YSC). When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 33, I didn’t know anyone who had gone through a diagnosis like this. There are different challenges and issues that young survivors face compared to a typical breast cancer patient. Only about 7% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed before the age of 40.

In this role, I mostly work oneon-one with women who are going through a cancer diagnosis by sharing resources, offering advice, and just being there to listen and understand their struggles. It has helped me to find purpose in my own diagnosis and journey with this terrible disease.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A Big Dipper Mint Oreo ice cream cone dipped in chocolate.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Hall-Johnson

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I believe it’s important to live by this From page 16 motto because in life you need We get to walk through journeys other people. So it works out best with our guests who come in to if you treat others well, then they fill their bellies after a stress- are more likely to do the same. filled day or those who celebrate What advice would you give to the birth of new life together. anyone wanting to start new business or excel in a business Do you have a motto that you or field?

Be committed. One can aclive by?

complish as much as they put their mind to.

a lot about facilitating discussion and agreement, and it is amazing how parents can come to agreements on even hard issues in a mediation. It is helpful for two parents who cannot afford lawyers to come to our legal office and sit down with mediators, discuss the issues, come to an agreement, and walk out with a parenting plan agreement document signed by both parents.

What are the rewards of helping others in this way?

It is hard to see rewards because once the parents walk out with their parenting plan agreement, I may never see, hear, or talk to them again. I pray that the parents abide by the parenting plan document they agreed to and that it is what is best for the child.

Kovash

as expecting a property to close on time and having to reroute the From page 17 timeline. Failed expectations have What failure have you learned propelled me to constantly remind myself to live in the moment. It’s the most from?

Expectation is the biggest a constant battle but I continue to source of constant failure in my face it each and every day. life. This encompasses expectations of how systems are ran, re- What is the last show you binge lationships, and even as simple watched?

As you’ve probably guessed by my previous responses, sitting down long enough to binge watch a show isn’t a common occurrence. I did, however, take the time to watch “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” over a long travel day recently. I loved the characters quick wit and independence through each episode.

Laferriere

stores, especially local, independent bookstores. A thriving art community makes gives a city so much life, and This House of Books has become a major contributor to the art community in Billings in just two years.

Knobel From page 16

the necessary parenting plan issues. Just having that large legal document prepared for the parents, based on their agreements, is a huge help in practical terms.

Beyond that, we help the parents come to an agreement and avoid a court fight. Mediation is

erary worlds and ideas.

My passion for reading is also a reason why being on the board From page 18 of directors for the Billings Bookbed, every member of my family store Cooperative, operating as would read. From a very young This House of Books, has been age I was exposed to amazing lit- so important to me. I love book-

How do you view failure and success?

Failure leads to success.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? The greatest blessing I have received is my love for people. It has taken me this far.

Congratulations ZACH BENOIT

and all the 40 under 40 winners, you’re making Billings a great place to live!

Sunday, February 17, 2019

29

Goldbach From page 13

than adults, they have distinct needs for managing stress and developing effective coping strategies.

As a child life specialist, I am able to be that shoulder to lean on and cry on when a family first hears their child will not make it. I am able to provide memorymaking opportunities like locks of hair, hand prints, 3D hand or feet molds and prayer jars. I am also able to provide a safe environment and opportunities to help explain death to siblings using books, crafts and play. No amount of schooling or experience will ever prepare you for the heartache you feel when you stand next to a mother or father who has lost their child but there is a sliver of solace knowing that you could be there to walk alongside them in their time of grief.

Why do you what you do?

When patients learn that they have to undergo a procedure that will cause discomfort, their immediate reaction is usually fear and panic. I love being able to come in the room and utilize play as a tool to find out exactly what is making the patient fearful. Then I am able to clear up any misconceptions and develop a game plan to help them cope

Bergman From page 7

male-dominated industry?

Langlas is a family business. I moved back to Bozeman in 2005, after a five year stint in Los Angeles. I was finishing college and began answering phones and filing for Langlas. At the time, it was not in my plans to stay. But I kept working, moving up the chain, carving out my place in the company and found that working with family and growing something together brings real meaning and pride to your work. I guess the male-dominated industry has never fazed me.

through the fear.

What is the worst advice you have ever received?

The worst advice I ever received was that I had to develop a wall or callousness to seeing death. Part of being human is connecting with people on an emotional level in good times or bad. I choose to show my patients and families that I am human and that I do empathize as I walk alongside them during their grief. To this day, I can still remember the death of my first patient. Every moment with her and her family is forever stored in my memory. From the last words she said to me, to holding hands with her mom as we cried together in the hall. Each patient that I have lost holds a very special place in my heart and will never be forgotten. I think about them, shed tears for them and pray for them, often.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Boxed Kraft macaroni and cheese. I literally cannot get enough of the stuff. My husband knows that I will not be sharing with him when I make a box.

Last show you binge watched?

“Parks and Recreation.” I binged this show during my maternity leave. I needed a mindless show that could get me laughing and this was just the ticket.

I was asked to help with Venture’s youth conservatory (now Nova Center for the Performing Arts).

I went to an improv class and the next day I was the new leader of the troupe. Fast forward and I ended up running the high school Improv performance troupe, Funky Bunch, for seven years. I loved every minute of it. I met so many amazing people, many that I’m still in contact with, and learned so much. I never thought I would be a good teacher but I don’t think I did half bad. I think the kids taught me more.

High schoolers are the best. They have such a refreshing outlook on life. You went to rehearsal from your adult job and got to have fun and play for an hour every week. And those kids were funny!

Burkhart From page 9

Go for it. Women now outnumber men in medical school enrollment and are increasingly represented across all fields of clinical medicine and biomedical research. I would encourage aspiring young doctors to keep an open mind about how a career in medicine may fit into their lives – there are so many options. Some of the most effective, compassionate women physicians I know turned to medicine as a second career or juggled the competing responsibilities of family life throughout their studies. Be resilient and follow your own path.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

What is a sim lab?

Simulation is increasingly used in medical education to help healthcare providers develop skills and confidence in a low-risk setting before applying these skills to real patients.

At Billings Clinic, we are fortunate to have a cutting-edge Simulation Experiential Learning Lab, where we design specialized curricula around caring for complex or critically-ill patients. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other members of our interdisciplinary care team work together using lifelike mannequins in simulated scenarios to ensure we are equipped to deal with challenging cases effectively.

What is like to train and teach in the internal residency program?

Working as faculty in the internal medicine residency is such a privilege. I come from a family of teachers and really enjoy the medical education aspect of my work. I learn from my residents and students just as they learn from me – together we push ourselves to be better every day as we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to our How challenging is it to work patients. It’s so rewarding to see with critical patients and our trainees grow into confident their families? clinicians who will shape our fuEach patient and family is

I thought they did. sion?

It chose me. One of those situations in life where you look back What advice would you have and are happy you worked hard and given yourself as a teenager?

Enjoy every minute of it. stuck with something.

unique and requires an individualized approach to care.

Critically-ill patients are dynamic, with rapidly changing needs. The challenge is to diagnose each issue quickly and accurately, so the right treatments can be started. Clear communication and collaboration with the entire care team is crucial.

There’s nothing more satisfying than helping a patient overcome a serious acute illness and return home.

Who is your greatest mentor/ inspiration?

My parents are both incredible role models – they are dedicated educators, community activists and advocates for less-fortunate members of society.

Dr. Paul Farmer, a physician/ anthropologist and leader in the fields of global health and social medicine has always inspired me, as well. I aspire to incorporate more of this work into my own practice in the future, focusing on reducing health disparities in resource-poor settings both here in the U.S. and abroad.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

work life, so just being the best wife and mother I can.

What failure have you learned the most from?

Having to start over from what I thought I was going to do with my If you couldn’t do this, what What’s your guilty pleasure?

Wine (but I don’t feel guilty about life. Find my own path. It has been would you do instead? the hardest and best part.

I was an actor from age 17 to 22 it). with moderate success. I am glad I What is one professional ac- What is the hardest part of your did it, so there are no “what ifs” and complish you still want to job? so glad I have the life I have now. achieve?

If you asked me that five years

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why?

When I was in L.A. and told to leave a manager I had for another.

Now I know never take anyone out of your corner that is actually rooting for you. Or put another How did you become the leader way, don’t burn bridges. Espeof a popular improv comedy cially in that case when the person troupe?

When I moved back to Billings Why did you choose this profes- I went with didn’t have my back like

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ture. I will be proud to have them care for me and my own loved ones in the years ahead.

This residency program is the first of its kind in Montana, allowing internists to train here with the goal of recruiting skilled physicians to our region.

We’ve had great success with this to date, and Billings Clinic continues to build upon its reputation as a respected academic medical center in the process.

To keep growing our business. It ago I would have a very different is a constant never-ending goal. answer. But now my work isn’t just a job. It really is a lifestyle and I love How do you measure your own that about it. So some days balancsuccess? ing work and life is a challenge but I just keep doing the best I pos- not by any means the hardest. sibly can each day. I measure work success by all the people I work with What was the last show you and how they are doing, and their binge watched?

“Man in the High Castle” (now motivation and satisfaction in their jobs. And my home life is almost my onto “Stranger Things”).

Bergman From page 7

and their motivation and satisfaction in their jobs.

And my home life is almost my work life, so just being the best wife and mother I can.

What failure have you learned the most from?

Having to start over from what I thought I was going to do with my life. Find my own path. It has been the hardest and best part.

Becker From page 6

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration?

I’m inspired by random acts of kindness — the outof-the-blue, simple gestures that have an amazing ripple effect. I love to see others commit these random acts—not because they have to, but because they want to. It inspires me to do the same. Kindness can be as simple as saying hello to someone you pass, or holding the door open for a stranger. The littlest things can have the greatest impact, and that is inspiring to me.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

I try every day to be the best I can be. Hard work, tempered by kindness, al-

What is the hardest part of your job?

If you asked me that five years ago I would have a very different answer. But now my work isn’t just a job. It really is a lifestyle and I love that about it. So some days balancing work and life is a challenge but not by any means the hardest.

What was the last show you binge watched?

“Man in the High Castle” (now onto “Stranger Things”).

ways produces the best results. In today’s world, expectations are high and deadlines come quickly; unfortunately, it’s easy to forget to appreciate the time and effort of others.

Work hard, do extra, and be efficient, but never at the expense of diminishing someone’s worth or dignity.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start new business or excel in business?

Find your passion, then follow it. Make sure your chosen career is something you love, and make sure you work for an employer that advocates for your success.

It is fine to have jobs that are truly that—just jobs. But if you want to excel, it needs to be something that brings you joy—something that inspires and motivates you.

Baumgart From page 5

What do you do for fun?

I’m quite fond of food. I cook it, eat it, watch others cook it and eat it, read about it. One of my favorite things to do is read cookbooks. Riveting, I know.

Few things are more enjoyable to me than sifting through the grocery store for the perfect ingredients, dumping them all out on the kitchen counter, pouring a glass of bubbles, putting on music and then

Grove From page 14

then some. And it’s a blast.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start new business or excel in a business?

Surround yourself by people who know more than you, listen to them, learn from them, and when

Benoit From page 7

What do you do for fun?

My wife and I absolutely love Billings and exploring our region. Good food and good people are vital in our lives and helps keep us stay grounded and connected.

It’s so easy to get caught

playing around with combinations, temperatures and techniques (or lack thereof) and seeing what the end result is. It’s my meditation. Additionally, my hubby-to-be is a musician. If I’m not out attending one of his gigs, then it’s not uncommon for us to be out together listening to other local artists or traveling for concerts. He is also a fan of travel and so we are intentional about setting aside time to go to new places and, of course, eat. an opportunity is presented, say yes. Don’t be afraid to take something on just because you’ve never done it before. Explore and recognize both your strengths and weaknesses and always look for ways to grow. No one is perfect, and there will always be things that you can work on, times you fall on your face, and times you soar. Appreciate all of them. up in the day-to-day or the state of the world, so finding little escapes here and there is really important. That might be 20 minutes of listening to a podcast, taking some time to cook a great meal, catching a movie at Arthouse or spending a full day snowboarding at Red Lodge. It keeps me relaxed and lets me get away for a bit.

Beals

lenging me to understand the perspective of others.

From page 6 His strong work ethic, outstanding moral character acute situations. I was also and humor are all things fortunate to be a member that I admire about him. of the 2015 class of Leadership Billings, sponsored Do you have a motto that by the Billings Chamber of you live by?

Attitude is everything.

Commerce.

One of my professional Who is your greatest mentors used to say “be mentor/inspiration? relentlessly positive.” I try My husband is my great- to remember this, but I will est inspiration. He is ex- tell you it’s not always easy. tremely creative, outgo- You cannot control others, ing, and always seeking you can only control how personal excellence. He you respond to them. Take has always been my big- the higher road and it will gest champion while chal- always work out in the end.

Brehm From page 8

can be so hard to see beyond the awkwardness and constant change of adolescence, which creates a perfect situation to doubt oneself; but I would love to have more wholeheartedly embraced my personality and talents in the moment.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love Nutella, Disney movies, and “Full House.”

How do you measure your own success?

I measure personal success by staying in tune with my moral compass.

If I can reflect on the deci-

sions I made with a peaceful conscience, then I am confident I have done well in that moment. I also try to expose myself to constructive criticism by coworkers, patients, friends, and family, so I can have better insight into my behaviors and actions and make adjustments when necessary.

My husband and I are also expecting our first baby in February. I am sure that another way I will measure my own success, outside of work, is through watching our baby grow up. If we raise a kind, loving, and respectful child, then I believe I will have confidence that I was successful in such an important aspect of my life.

Rehder Balance & Hearing Clinic, Inc Congratulates

Crystal Bleu Dvorak

Doctor of Audiology

Thank you for your dedication and experience in helping those in our community hear what matters most!

406-272-6228

brighterskycounseling.com

245-6893 • 800-227-3181 1101 N. 27th St. Billings, MT 59101 www.rehderhearing.com

Sunday, February 17, 2019

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2019

40 Under Forty winners.

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Sunday, February 17, 2019