Billings Business Mar. 14

5 MINUTES WITH

DOUG MACPHERSON

MONTANA LEATHER CO.

Building

KELLY BUCHANAN EWING

CATHERINE LANE INTERIORS

March 2014

Billings Market Association brings buyers and sellers together

RELATIONSHIPS INSIDE: Montana Energy Quarterly Special report on technology

Billings Business 401 N. Broadway Billings, MT 59101-1242

CONTENTS

march’14

An indispensable business resource On the Cover Verba Valentine, left, and her daughter Shawna, run the Billings Market Association.

The marketplace, held at MetraPark three times per year, pairs wholesale sales representatives and retailers.

Photo by Larry Mayer

FEATURES

Building relationships.................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Billings Market Association puts buyers and sellers together

Downtown design......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Catherine Lane Interiors opens studio in downtown Billings

Technology report.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Businesses planning for a future without Windows XP

Banking on technology........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 You’ve never seen anything quite like First Interstate’s new branch

Construction Zone......................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Steak n’ Shake, Burger King

24 Hour Emergency Flood & Fire Restoration Services Commercial & Residential

MONTANA ENERGY REPORT

The grass is greener................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 For many energy companies, Billings is the best place to be

First Interstate Bank, Page 14

Montana Energy 2014 to feature energy advocates, executives................................................................................... 28 Industry group unveils plans to limit gas flaring in Bakken.................................................................................................. 29 North Dakota oil boom brings thousands of people to the state..................................................................................... 30 Columns

Economic Development..........................................................................................................................................................................10 Sara Hudson - Seniors hoping to stay in their rural communities

Human Resources..........................................................................................................................................................................................17 Sandra Villegas - Performance evaluations are essential to good management

Legal Briefing.......................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Eric Nord - Correct employee classification, handbook review are essential

Sales Moves...........................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Jeffery Gitomer - Are you ‘good’ or maybe not quite up to snuff?

Travel & Leisure.................................................................................................................................................................................................40

Flood or Fire, we will restore your property from beginning to end.

Complete Reconstruction Licensed • Bonded • Insured Preferred by Major Insurance Companies.

406-628-0178

—24 hour contact line—

www.alphaomegapros.com

Billie Ruff - With careful planning, you should be able to beat jet lag billings BUSINESS EVERY MONTH

From the Editor........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 By the numbers......................................................................................................................................................................................................5 The local economy at a glance

Chamber News.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Jennifer Reiser - Chamber trip to Spain will boost national awareness

Billings Business is mailed each month to area business owners, managers and decision makers for $19.95 per year.

To subscribe, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to:

Five Minutes with............................................................................................................................................................................................16 Doug MacPherson - Montana Leather Co. Page 17 Doug MacPherson

Success Stories.................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Business Briefs..................................................................................................................................................................................................42 The Listings............................................................................................................................................................................................................43

2

I March 2014

Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 Billingsbusiness

WARNING SIGN 2: NO REFERENCES OR EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS WORK

manager, graphic designer, writer, quality assurance and web programmer.

Safeguard:

It is also important to designate someone from your business who will be the contact for the web firm and will make all approvals through the development process.

The development firm should provide references and examples of its prior work in your field of interest. Of course, the references should confirm that the developer completed the projects satisfactorily.

It's critical that the firm be what it appears and has an understanding of your business.

WARNING SIGN 3: NO WRITTEN PROPOSAL Safeguard: You want your website to lure new customers and provide interesting information to your existing clientele.

But be careful when retaining a firm to develop or update your site. There are a lot of fly-by-night operators in the web development business.

With no licensing requirements, anyone can set up shop -- and the consequences can be devastating for your business. We are constantly hearing horror stories from new clients about web developers who took way longer than originally quoted, who requested significantly more money to complete their websites or simply stopped returning calls without launching their websites. Here are some warning signs and some safeguards to protect you from unscrupulous web developers.

WARNING SIGN 1: BAD WEBSITE OR NO WEBSITE Safeguard: If they don’t have a website, or their own website is bad, it’s best to move on. If they can’t deliver something for themselves odds are good that they will never deliver something for you.

Billingsbusiness

You must have a written proposal that outlines your project, what your web developer will deliver and what you are expected to provide. Items that need to be covered in your proposal include the following:

Confidentiality provisions: Your web developer will learn a lot about your business during the development process. The agreement should provide provisions that protect your proprietary information from your competition.

Hosting and maintenance: Where is your website going to be hosted? How much will the hosting cost and how much will you be charged for maintenance?

There are many other items that you should be aware of when developing your website, but if you follow these safeguards you’ll be off to a good start. Avitus Group offers website development and online marketing services to every industry imaginable. Doug McIsaac is the Director of Online Marketing Services for Avitus Group where he delivers social media and online marketing services for Avitus Group and for their clients throughout the United States.

Doug has worked with hundreds of businesses and taught thousands of business owners and employees how to leverage social media and online marketing to grow their businesses. To learn more about how Avitus Group can help manage your online marketing needs visit our website at www.avitusgroup. com or call 800.454.2446.

Copyright 2014

Price and payment schedule: How much will you pay for your website and how you will pay it?

Typical arrangements for projects under $10,000 are 50% down and 50% to launch your website. Larger projects can be broken out into deliverables or milestones.

Project timeline: When will your project be delivered and what is required to meet that timeline? Good web developers are usually booked several weeks in advance. You will want to understand when your project will begin, when you will be meeting with their project manager for approvals and when you can expect your website to be delivered.

Project members: Who will be working on your project? You want to know the team members who will be working on your project. Typical project members would include a project March 2014

I

3

the editor

E XPERTS SAY R AND P AUL ’ S BUSINESS

March 2014 • VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 4

SURVIVAL CLAIMS ARE OFF BASE

mike gulledge tom howard COPY EDITOR chris jorgensen GENERAL MANAGER allyn hulteng PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Anyone who ever hustled to boost sales, roll out new products and make payroll understands that starting a business can be a monumental challenge.

But when Sen. Rand Paul suggested recently that nine out of 10 businesses end up failing, eyebrows were raised all across the country.

Paul, the Kentucky Republican and a favorite of the Tea Party, made the statement while critiquing President Barack Obama’s efforts to create jobs.

“What (Obama) misunderstands is that nine out of 10 businesses fail, so nine out of 10 times, he’s going to give it to the wrong people. He gave $500 million to one of the richest men in the country to build solar panels, and we lost that money,” Paul said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program.

Paul was referencing Solyndra, the solar panel manufacturer that went belly-up despite receiving all those millions in government loans.

Solyndra was a spectacular failure, a textbook example of how not to go about developing green energy.

Nevertheless, Paul has received widespread criticism for exaggerating the rate of business failures in the U.S. Think about it: If you’re a banker and you know there’s a nine-in-10 chance the owners of a start-up will fail, would you lend money to them? You’d be crazy to.

Paul has also been criticized for providing no perspective with his claims on business failures. Is his time frame one year, five years or 10 years? Aside from that, sometimes a business “closing” is seen a positive event, such as when a small company is bought by a larger company.

The Washington Post referenced a few studies that indicate that Paul overstated the rate of business failure. A 1989 study by Bruce Phillips of the National Federation of Independent Business, and Bruce A. Kirchhoff, director of the technological entrepreneurship program at the New

4

I March 2014

Jersey Institute of Technology, found that new businesses with 500 or fewer employees have a 39.8 percent survival rate after six years.

On its website, the Small Business Administration’s Frequently Asked Questions section suggests about half of start-ups survive five years or more.

Wayne Gardella, Montana District director for the SBA, said another measuring stick for business survival is to compile the number of delinquent SBA loans. For the 2013 fiscal year, the SBA’s 7(a) program had a delinquency rate of 2.3 percent nationwide. For Montana, the delinquency rate was 1.35 percent. For the agency’s 504 program, which is used mainly to buy buildings or land, the default rate is 1.98 percent nationwide, and 0.33 percent in Montana, Gardella said.

Gardella and other experts who have worked with business start-ups say that entrepreneurs who participate in some kind of counseling prior to launching are about five times more likely to succeed.

Rebecca Hedegaard, the former director of the Small Business Development Center at Big Sky Economic Development, said about seven in 10 new businesses fail within five years, but the survival rate improves to about 50 percent for owners who have developed a business plan that gives them a good background on finances, marketing and cash flow. The SBDC provides counseling and helps small businesses develop business plans.

And sometimes counseling demonstrates to a prospective business owner that starting a business might turn out to be a big mistake, Gardella said.

“After looking at cash flows and things like that, a lot of the time he learns that what he has come up with is a hobby, not a business,” Gardella said.

Even though Paul’s pessimistic view of business success isn’t quite true, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to start a business. But make sure to do your homework first.

SALES

dave worstell ryan brosseau RETAIL SALES MANAGER shelli scott ADVERTISING SALES gail ball ADVERTISING COORDINATOR linsay duty

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR CLASSIFIED MANAGER/ONLINE MANAGER

PRODUCTION

DESIGNER

karen scherting bob tambo

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SUBSCRIPTIONS Billings Business is mailed each month to area business owners, managers and decision makers.

To subscribe for $19.95 per year, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to: Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 ADVERTISING For retail advertising call Gail Ball 657-1284. For classified advertising, call 657-1212. Advertising deadline for the April 2014 issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. You may send material to ads@billingsbusiness.com or FAX to 657-1538.

NEWS If you would like to submit a news tip, story idea, announcement about your business or press release, please e-mail it to: editor@billingsbusiness.com website: www.billingsbusiness.com Information published herein does not reflect the opinion of Billings Business. Contents are the property of Billings Business.

BILLINGSbusiness

Personal

By the Numbers

Business

LocaL and regionaL economic trends

real estate Member FDIC

agriculture King Ave 655-2700

Hilltop & Main 896-4800

Shiloh & Grand 655-3900

What are tourists up to?

Top non-resident vacationer activities, 2012: Scenic driving

Wildlife watching

14th & Grand 371-8100

Unemployment

Worden 967-3612

Note: No Sept. 2013 unemployment figures were reported due to government shutdown.

10 8

Nature photography

49%

Downtown 655-2400

www.stockmanbank.com

6 4

48%

72%

2

Day hiking

Recreational shopping

Car/RV camping

May

June

July

August

October

Montana

Yellowstone County

Source: Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research: University of Montana

Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry

Billings housing starts

National park recreation visitors

New single-family home building permits

1,000,000

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

350

400,000

200 150

200,000

100 50 October

November

Aug 2012 - Jan. 2013

December

0

January

27

2013

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jul.

Aug.

Yellowstone National Park

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Glacier National Park

Jul. 2012 to Dec. 2012

2014

Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013

Source: National Park Service

Ag prices

Airport boardings (per cwt.)

$10

$150

8

120

6

90

4

60

2

30

0

0

Oct.

60,000

Montana Beef Cattle

(per bushel)

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Aug. 2012 to Jan. 2013 Aug. 2013 to Jan. 2014 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Billingsbusiness

Jul.

YTD Through Jan. 31

Aug. 2013 - Jan. 2014

Montana winter wheat

Sept.

0

20

Source: City of Billings

Aug.

U.S.

600,000

250

September

December

800,000

300

August

November

30%

32%

44%

0

Jan.

July

August

September

October

November

December

Billings

Bozeman

Missoula

Jul. 2012 to Dec. 2012 Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013

Jul. 2012 to Dec. 2012 Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013

Jul. 2012 to Dec. 2012 Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013

Source: Montana Department of Transportation

March 2014

I

5

Building

Billings Market Association brings buyers and sellers together

relationships

Photos By LARRY MAYER Verba Valentine, left, and her daughter Shawna, run the Billings Market Association. The marketplace, held at MetraPark three times per year, pairs wholesale sales representatives and retailers.

6

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

Western apparel is one of the key categories for sale at the Billings Market Association shows at MetraPark.

By TOM HOWARD B igfork artist J ohn R ose ’ s handcrafted copper C hristmas ornaments , wall hangings and jewelry are big sellers in gift shops , galleries and museum stores throughout the

W est . B ut rather than hitting the road to sell to individual stores or paying sales reps to call on retailers , R ose rents a booth at the B illings M arket A ssociation .

During a recent four-day event at MetraPark’s Expo Center, Rose and his wife, Kim, booked orders with retailers who were stocking up for the 2014 tourism season.

“We’re a small business and don’t have road reps to sell our products, so this gives us a chance to meet with our customers,” Rose said, mentioning that this was his ninth year visiting the Billings market. “We have established a lot of good relationships with our customers.”

Gary Hamilton of the Hamilton Group, a Whitefish Billingsbusiness

company that distributes gifts and tourism-oriented merchandise to 2,000 retail stores from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Santa Fe, N.M., described the Billings Market Association as a hidden jewel.

“We normally write more business at this show than we do at the Denver show, and that one is about four times larger,” Hamilton said.

The Billings Market Association, now in its 72nd year, is touted as the nation’s largest general market, where sales representatives for wholesalers meet with

retailers seeking to fill their shelves. The Billings show is classified as a general market because of the wide variety of products featured. Clothing, gifts, western apparel, footwear, sporting goods, some food items and a number of Made in Montana products are all featured.

“That’s what makes this show a success, because we have so many categories,” said Verba Valentine, show coordinator.

By helping sales reps and retailers get together, the Billings Market Association plays a key role in the proMarch 2014

I

7

Photo By LARRY MAYER Retailers shop at the Billings Market Association, the nation’s largest independent trade show.

cess of moving manufactured goods to the final consumer. People familiar with the association also recognize its contribution to the local economy. Each year it brings thousands of people to Billings, Montana’s largest trade center. It’s an important source of revenue for the county-owned MetraPark.

This industry, built on face-to-face encounters of professional buyers and sellers, also escapes most people’s attention because it’s closed to the general public.

“Nobody knows about us because we can’t advertise,” Valentine said.

During a stroll through the aisles of the 8

I March 2014

ExpoCenter, sales representatives were busy talking on their phones or talking in person, pitching the latest styles and products to buyers and store owners.

Some wholesalers have opted to advertise their goods on the Internet as a cost-saving strategy, but that doesn’t work for everybody.

“Our buyers want to see and feel the goods,” Valentine said. “You can see them sitting here and studying them.”

Sales reps and retailers tend to build trust as they get to know one another over the years.

“It’s all about building relationships,”

she said.

The Billings Market Association started out during World War II when gasoline rationing limited travel for salesmen who called on retailers throughout the region.

Sales reps made a deal with store owners to limit travel by meeting up in Billings.

“There were 12 reps to begin with and it just grew from there,” Valentine said.

“During the ‘70s and ‘80s there were more than 400 members. But now, because of the recession we’re down to around 200.”

Billings markets take place three times per year. The winter gathering, which coincided with Super Bowl weekend, is

the biggest. Many retailers were buying for their summer lineup.

“It’s interesting,” Valentine said. “You have summer clothes here. But at the same token, they’re selling next year’s down coats. That’s what makes us unique.”

After business is booked, manufacturers get busy filling orders. For Rose, the Bigfork artist, late winter and early spring is a time to gear up and produce products to deliver to retailers before Memorial Day. The Montana Department of Commerce sponsors a Made in Montana booth to help new Montana companies get a start.

One of this year’s vendors was Native Billingsbusiness

Ideals Seed Co. from Arlee. Bryce Christiaens and Rebecca Shoemaker have been raising native plants and collecting their seed since 2008.

“We try to focus on drought-tolerant species so people can xeriscape their yards or go with water-wise conservation,” Christiaens said. “I don’t have anything against lilacs, but they’re everywhere.”

Nurseries, landscaping centers and retailers that cater to tourists account for most of the company’s seed sales. “People want to take a souvenir home with them,” Chirstiaens said.

The show also carries a number of food items. Queen Bee Gardens, of Lovell, Wyo., produces honey-sweetened candy as an extension of its beekeeping business. For the most part, the Billings market has provided steady sales, said owner Von Zeller.

In the early days, the Billings Market Association met at the Northern Hotel. Valentine still remembers wrestling merchandise in and out of the hotel’s elevator. As the show grew, it moved to the Ramada Inn and then the Holiday Inn. After outgrowing those venues, the show moved to MetraPark in 1999.

“It’s been the best move we’ve ever made,” Valentine said. “They have a very professional staff.”

Billingsbusiness

American Bowling Congress occupied the ExpoCenter in 2002, the Billings Market Association moved to the smaller Montana Pavilion and even agreed to hold part of the show in a tent. When a cold snap hit, MetraPark employees stacked straw bales around the tent to cut down on the draft.

The changing nature of merchandising presents its challenges. Farm and ranch supply stores continue to be an important participant for the market. On the other hand, many small towns are losing their local stores, Valentine said.

“A lot of our small retailers have gone out of business, and there are a lot of major companies that have gone out of business too,” she Verba Valentine owns the Billings Market Association. The nation’s largest independent trade show. said.

Valentine first became involved with the market when she and her husband ran a westVerba’s daughter, Shawna, started working “What we don’t like is when somebody ern store and attended as buyers. One day, one at the show when she was 6 years old, helping is having a show and we don’t find out about of the sales reps approached her and menout in the registration desk and she returned their dissatisfaction until afterward,” Dutcher tioned that the show’s secretary had resigned, after college. Mother and daughter agree that said. “Verba has always been good at that. I so she took the job. they make a good team. love our daily visits. If there’s an issue, nothing Forty years later, she’s not ready to retire.

Bill Dutcher, MetraPark’s general manager, festers. She gets right to the point of the mat“I have made up my mind that I’m better said the Billings Market Association has been a ter and you don’t have to wonder. It’s a good off keeping active, and when it gets to a point good, reliable customer. two-way street. If something’s not right, it where I can’t do it, I’ll quit, ” she said.

He described Valentine as an upfront cus- gets taken care of.”

“Shawna and I work well together.

We’re a tomer who isn’t afraid to share her concerns Through the years, the Valentines have good team. ” when something goes wrong. shown flexibility, Dutcher said. When the

March 2014

I

9

SPONSORED BY THE big sky economic development

S eniors hoping to stay in their rural communities

The case for affordable senior housing in rural communities is a little less about ensuring an option to move and a little more about creating an option to choose.

Sara Hudson Sara Hudson is a Community Development Project Manager at Big Sky Economic Development. She can be reached by calling 406-869-8407 or by sara@bigskyeda.org.

10

I March 2014

Recently, an emerging policy issue presented itself through Huntley Project Senior Housing Coalition’s request of the Yellowstone county commissioners to fund a housing needs assessment, market study and income survey in the unincorporated areas of Huntley, Worden, Ballantine, Pompey’s Pillar, Waco and Shepherd.

This spirited group of senior citizens challenged the prevailing notion that affordable senior housing is that which is situated in urban centers in close proximity to supportive services.

Rather than move into the city, these citizens implore the opportunity to age in place — in their communities among their families and friends. In fact, these social bonds are deeply embedded in rural economies.

These seniors shop at their local food markets, attend and invest in their local churches, gather together in local beauty shops, dine together at their local eateries and engage in a host of other market exchanges with the 470-some businesses located in this six-community rural area.

The significance of these social networks is evident in light of Montana’s aging population. By 2030, our 65-andolder group is estimated to grow to more than 23 percent of the population. Yellowstone County’s 65-and-older population is outpacing the general

population by more than 6 percent in the last decade. In the six-community rural area, between 40 and 50 percent are 50 years old and older. As they age, a potential retreat en masse into urban centers for housing opportunities could destabilize these culturally-rich rural communities.

Despite the push-andpull of market drivers that pull seniors out of their rural communities and push them into urban centers, there are resources available to help those who choose to stay.

The Adult Resource Alliance provides home-delivered meals, in-home care, case management and transportation services. New medical models allow remote provision of support services. Federal and state funding mechanisms support these projects as well.

HUD’s CDBG and HOME programs can be used to acquire land, build infrastructure and construct housing. Its Section 202 program provides rent subsidies to make these units affordable. USDA Rural Development’s loans and grants support housing and community facilities. Low Income Housing Tax Credits can also help finance senior housing development.

The case for affordable senior housing in rural communities is a little less about ensuring an option to move and a little more about creating an option to choose.

Housing study under way As a part of its Interlocal Agreement with Yellowstone County, BSED recently secured a CDBG Planning grant to procure a consultant to conduct a housing needs assessment; market study and income survey for the unincorporated areas of Huntley, Worden, Ballantine, Pompey’s Pillar, Waco and Shepherd.

BSED will manage that project and recommend further actions for the County to take based on the findings of those studies.

The housing needs assessment will evaluate the current housing stock in this six-community area and will assess whether it is affordable, accessible, adequate and suitable for seniors.

The market study will give some indication of the feasibility and profitability of such a venture and the income survey will suggest which income groups will be ideally served by such a development.

montana’s stateWiDe c r e at i n g m o n ta n a b u s i n e s s opportunities

m o n ta n a p e t e r b i lt

Loans made easy. Loans done right.

Big Sky Economic Development loans to small businesses of all industries and sizes throughout Montana. And with an expedited SBA loan process, we pride ourselves on strong customer service for our clients. Contact us today.

Billingsbusiness

Because Have a lot to Live for Cancer survivor Phil Bell and his granddaughters Aubrey and Peyton – Billings, Montana

Cancer Center If you or a loved one has cancer, you need a team of cancer experts who provides personalized care and collaboration. We will give you choices for the latest and most effective treatments following proven national standards for the most optimal care.

• 100+ research trials are • Our Symptom Management • 10 patient care navigators, available through our national Team addresses your side effects, specialized by tumor and disease research networks, including including concerns about type, coordinate care and answer the National Cancer Institute. nutrition, pain or depression. questions along the way.

Next day appointments are available for new patients.

Call 238-2501 or 1-800-332-7156. www.billingsclinic.com/cancer Front row (L-R): Venu Thirukonda, MD; Christopher Goulet, MD; Brock Whittenberger, MD; Doreen Kenfield, PA; Roberta Bourgon, ND; Kathryn Waitman, DNP, FNP; Ala’a Muslimani, MD; Pamela Smith, MD Back row (L-R): Erin Stevens, MD; Roger Santala, MD; Travis Allen, PA; Mary Caroline Deigert, PA; Jorge Nieva, MD; John Schallenkamp, MD; Randall Gibb, MD; Michelle Proper, MD

Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

11

downtown design Catherine Lane Interiors opens studio in downtown Billings

By TOM HOWARD W hen C atherine L ane I nteriors opened its doors in the former G oldsmith G alleries storefront in down town B illings , K elly B uchanan E wing was surprised at the level of interest from the local community .

“Everybody has been so welcoming,” Ewing said.

“We’ve had bankers and store owners and people just walking by stop in.”

For Billings-raised Ewing, opening the Billings store has provided an opportunity to renew old acquaintances as well as an opportunity to participate in the state’s largest trade center.

Billings is a working town, a place where people get things done, she said.

Catherine Lane Interiors had been a part of downtown

12

I March 2014

Bozeman for a decade. But because of the quirks of the Bozeman real estate market, Ewing and her business partner, Catherine Lane, opted to move to Billings.

The Bozeman store prospered during southwestern Montana’s building boom of the early 2000s. At the time, Big Sky and the Yellowstone Club were growing at a fast clip. In Bozeman, real estate investment was all the rage.

Many people bought up houses, redecorated them from top to bottom and sold them to the next willing buyer.

Bozeman’s soaring real estate market landed with a

thud in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, but prices and building activity have rebounded in the past couple of years.

As Bozeman’s real estate market continues to pick up steam, Ewing and Lane learned last year that the building where they had operated in Bozeman had sold and the new owner decided to lease to a new tenant.

“We are extremely saddened and feel blindsided with the news and realize a move for us will be happening sooner than we ever imagined,” the store owners wrote in a

Billingsbusiness

Kelly Buchanan Ewing, of Catherine Lane Interiors, is shown inside the new store being remodeled at the corner of North 29th and 2nd Avenue North in downtown Billings. Ewing and Catherine Lane, who owns a Livingston design store of the same name, closed a store in Bozeman and moved to Billings.

Far left, Frank Bubis and Mike Macki of Frontier Painting and Decorating work at the new Catherine Lane Interiors store.

Photos By LARRY MAYER

Facebook post last December.

But as the proverb goes, when one door closes, another one opens.

On one of Ewing’s trips home, Norma and Gary Buchanan suggested their daughter look at the downtown Billings location, 2820 Second Ave. N. The 3,500-square-foot store is a little smaller than the Bozeman store but the layout is better, she said.

Lane, who has a degree in interior decorating from Montana State University, said the Billings store should cater mostly to people decorating their primary homes.

Her Livingston store serves mostly owners of second and third homes, so there will be a different product mix, she said.

Ewing said Catherine Lane Interiors will continue to work with Bozeman clients. “I’ll try to be in Bozeman once or Billingsbusiness

twice a month,” she said.

While they can do any kind of decorating, Ewing and Lane describe their personal style as transitional, a melding of traditional and contemporary furniture with cleaner lines. “I think we have a little different flavor and expertise,” Lane said. “You can still mix in some rustic or contemporary touches.”

Like any fashion trend, furniture preferences change. Homes are getting smaller again and the heavy, large furniture is out of fashion, Ewing said.

“It’s funny. In the course of my experience over 10 years, I’ve already seen a cycle,” she said.

The building at 2820 Second Ave. N. has been vacant since Goldsmith Jewelers moved to Shiloh Crossing in October 2010.

“I was surprised it was on the market as long as it was because it’s a great

location in the heart of downtown,” said Drew Smith of NAI Business Properties, who handled the lease for Lane and Ewing. “There’s a lot going on downtown, but sometimes you have to find the right tenant for the right space.”

NAI’s Mike Walker represented the landlord.

One common belief about decorating is that hiring a professional is too expensive, Ewing said. But a professional can help prevent expensive mistakes, like choosing a paint that looks great on paper, but doesn’t work when all the walls are painted, she said.

“That’s what we’re here for, to help you work within your budget,” she said.

“We’re so excited. The people of Billings are so incredibly welcoming.”

Gazette Reporter Jan Falstad contributed to this report.

Please Welcome Kati EvE LarocquE commercial Loan officer

Kati has the knowledge and expertise to help you with your banking and credit needs.

Stop in and see Kati today – she’s ready to do business with you!

Shiloh & Grand 655-3993

www.stockmanbank.com © 2014 Stockman Bank | Member FDIC

March 2014

I

13

SPECIAL REPORT: TECHNOLOGY TRENDS, FORECASTS & PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES

Planning for a future without Windows XP

SPONSORED BY

BY TOM HOWARD A S SOFTWARE GIANT M ICROSOFT PREPARES TO SEND ITS WIDELY USED XP OPERATING SYSTEM OFF INTO THE SUNSET , MANY BUSINESS OWNERS WORRY THAT THEIR COMPUTERS MIGHT CRASH OR WILL SUDDENLY FALL PREY TO HACKERS .

Microsoft will end technical assistance for Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 after April 8. As part of XP’s planned retirement, automatic updates that fix glitches and protect computers from viruses will also end.

What’s an XP user to do?

Shaun Brown, senior project manager for Morrison-Maierle Systems Corp., a technology consulting firm, says there’s no reason to panic, even though technology experts estimate that about 40 percent of all computers still use Windows XP. Brown said there’s a fair amount of alarmism surrounding the Windows XP retirement. Most of the information is being spread by companies that are trying to make money on the transition.

Upgrading to a newer operating system requires a significant investment in time and money for businesses that operate many computers in need of an upgrade. For home users, there’s less urgency, Brown said.

“In April, obviously XP won’t just stop working,” he said. “Therefore, most people have a few months before they need to get really concerned.”

Brown said some of his clients use proprietary software that was designed specifically to run on Windows XP, and they may need a little extra help.

“There are a handful of fixes you can do but sometimes it’s not as pretty or not as elegant,” he said.

14

I March 2014

“If you have hardware that’s more than three years old, you need to be looking at an upgrade anyway.”

Am I at risk by doing nothing with my XP PC after April 8?

Microsoft says you are. You won’t get any system updates for XP or be able to call tech support.

Should you retire your current XP computer and buy a new computer or upgrade it? Probably. You can upgrade your current machine if it meets the requirements. Microsoft offers an upgrade assistant that can tell you if your computer is compatible with the new operating system.

— Shaun Brown senior project manager Morrison-Maierle Systems corp.

Photo By CASEY PAGE

Brown advises customers who are planning to switch from XP to consider how long they plan to use their current computers. Some older models that were designed to run on XP might not be able to handle newer operating systems, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, he said. Dell and a few other vendors offer specialized software that can tell you whether your computer can operate on Microsoft’s newer operating systems, he said.

“If you have hardware that’s more than three years old, you need to be looking at an upgrade anyway,” Brown said.

Morrison Maierle Systems has been working closely with its clients for months, and most of them are well on their way to making the switch, Brown said.

“About 70 percent of our client base is

What does the end of XP mean for you?

upgraded and is good to go,” Brown said.

Companies that have dozens or hundreds of computers in need of an upgrade need to plan well in advance. One strategy is to acquire computer hardware as a service, which is quite a bit like leasing a car instead of buying one.

Leasing computer equipment has some advantages. It doesn’t require making a large down payment. Instead, the lease involves making a series of monthly payments. If the lease is renewed, the user gets a new computer, and the equipment is under warranty, Brown said.

“It’s a good service, but here in Montana many people still like to own their own assets. But for people who are strapped for cash and don’t have an option, that may be a good way to go for them.”

How much will a new Windows PC cost? Laptop computers running the Windows 8.1 operating system range in price from around $300 to $2,000 or more.

Is there a learning curve to Windows 8? The live tile-based Windows 8.1 interface will look unfamiliar to folks schooled on the old Windows desktop environment, though for some purposes, you can still summon screens in the new Windows that look like the old interface.

How many computers use the Windows XP operating system?

As of last October, it was estimated that around 500 million computers still used Windows XP.

BILLINGSbusiness

Upcoming Chamber/ CVB Functions More details and RSVP: www. billingschamber.com or call 245-4111

SPONSORED BY THE BILLINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CVB

March Business After Hours

MIND CAPTURE Customer Service Training

5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 Billings Clinic Commons 2800 10th Ave. N.

C HAMBER TRIP TO S PAIN WILL BOOST NATIONAL AWARENESS

To travel to Spain is to opt for diversity, to be the central character in what is sure to be a truly unforgettable story.

Jennifer Reiser Jennifer Reiser is director of operations at The Billings Chamber of Commerce Conventions and Visitors Bureau.

Contact her at 406-245-4111.

BILLINGSbusiness

In 2011 the Billings Chamber/CVB hosted its first international awareness opportunity.

Since then, more than 90 individuals have joined family and friends on international tours to learn about the economy, culture, people and history of a new land.

The Billings Chamber/CVB connects travelers to affordable international travel while offering the chance to foster both personal and professional relationships through extended periods of quality networking. David Irion (St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation) had this to say about his trip with us in October 2012: “The Chamber China trip provided a great survey of eastern China. Understanding the immensity of the Chinese economic engine, both at present and in the future, is critical in terms of the world and US economy. The Chamber trip gave all participants a good sense of what’s going on.”

This year the Billings Chamber/CVB is pleased to offer a trip to Spain and the Costa del Sol. More than 48 million vacationers visit Spain each year, making it one of the three most visited countries in the world behind France and the United States. To travel to Spain is to experience sun, superb food, hospitality, and “joie de vivre,” joy of living.

Yet, it is also to discover the country’s rich heritage of monuments and sights, the imprint of the different civilizations that

once made it their home, or to journey through its singular and breathtaking countryside and delight in the stunning, starkly contrasting scenery, study the customs of its peoples and towns, and share in their local fiestas and traditions. To travel to Spain is to opt for diversity, to be the central character in what is sure to be a truly unforgettable story. This is what makes Spain such a prized destination worldwide and why the vast majority of those who visit it once return in order to share in the enjoyment of a climate, countryside and culture which embody a rather special way of life.

The tour package features round-trip air transportation from Billings, first-class hotel accommodations for seven nights, baggage handling and transfers, superb cuisine, sightseeing including a local, English-speaking guide and all entrance fees for full-day tours to Seville, Ronda, and the Rock of Gibraltar. Travelers will tour in private, deluxe, airconditioned motor coaches and participate in daily international awareness discussions on the local region.

Additional optional day tours are available to Tangier, Mijas and Granada/Alhambra.

Travelers also have the option of continuing their adventure for an additional two-day extension to Madrid which includes a city tour, a visit to the Royal Palace, shopping, as well as

museum and garden tours.

On Nov. 10, 2014, the group will depart for a nine day, seven night excursion that begins in the renowned resort town of Torremolinos, along one of the most cosmopolitan stretches of coastline in Spain. The tour price begins at just $2,799 per person for double occupancy.

Additional rates apply for single occupancy, optional day tours and Madrid extension. The

Featuring Tony Robleski 8:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 8 Hampton Inn and Suites $89/person

Salespersons’ Breakfast Presented by First Interstate Bank 7-9 a.m., Thursday, March 20 Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark Archie Manning presents.

full brochure, itinerary and registration forms are available at BillingsChamber.com.

The tour is open to both Chamber members and nonmembers as well as to individuals and families outside the Billings area. Karen Fagg (H-B Property MT) had this to say about her trip with us in October 2011, in which she brought her husband and children: “We wanted to expose our children to

another culture. We accomplished that and so much more.

What a great family adventure!”

The Chamber/CVB will host a no-obligation information night Tuesday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Chamber/CVB conference room, 815 S. 27th St. For more details and reservations, contact Jennifer Reiser at the Billings Chamber: Jennifer@ billingschamber.com or 406245-4111.

Presenting Sponsor

BillingsChamber.com

Archie Manning

SaleSPerSonS’ BreakfaSt March 20th

| rimrock auto arena

7 - 9 a.m. | Doors open 6 a.m. tickets include breakfast and are $25 for members, $35 for non-members Purchase by calling 245-4111 or at rimrock Mall Customer Service.

March 2014

I

15

Doug MacPherson

Leather is his business

By TOM HOWARD

W henever a business has been around for more than a century , it must be doing something right .

D oug M ac P herson ’ s great - grandfather , G eorge M ac P herson , started M ontana S hoe C o . in B utte in 1908. B utte ’ s popu lation had grown to nearly 100,000 during the years surrounding W orld W ar I, as the M ining C ity swelled to meet worldwide demand for copper .

By 1916, George MacPherson expanded the business to include fixing harness leather for the mule trains that toiled in the mines. That company evolved into Montana Leather Co. at 2015 First Ave N. in Billings.

The business includes a leather warehouse, a retail leather supply shop, a horse tack and supply shop and an online store.

Here, MacPherson talks about a historic business that’s not afraid to change with the times.

Fur prices have skyrocketed over the past few years, and apparently demand from China is driving it. Does demand for leather move in parallel with fur, or is there little correlation?

Leather and fur are two separate markets, but pricing can be affected by similar or common influences. The word is that Chinese exports may have declined in recent years, while hide and fur imports have increased. The Chinese are buying shoes, leather goods and cars with leather upholstery. The Europeans also are buying heavily in the U.S. hide market.

Billings has several accomplished saddlemakers. Have you noticed anybody getting into that fine craft?

New customers are the life blood of any business. We continue to see a strong interest in learning this craft. The Montana Horseman Saddle School of Belgrade graduates 10 to 12 students per year alone.

The decline of the shoe repair businesses has been pretty well documented.

Is there any indication that younger Over the years, leather has evolved people have taken an interest in this from a utilitarian material to one that’s time-honored trade? increasingly associated with high style.

Products have gotten less expensive, Is leather’s fashion-forward image How has your Web store been doing pushing a disposable society into many contributing to an increase in sales in since your roll-out about a year ago? industries. Yet shoe repair has retained a recent years?

Web sales continue to grow. Leather “foothold” compared to other repair indusTo some extent yes, when referring to sales lead all other categories of product tries. While the demand for shoe repair is the fashion/garment leathers. We are seeing despite the fact the customer is unable to not what it once was, people who purchase an increase in custom footwear demand touch, smell and see their particular purquality boots or shoes can have them repaired as more and more cheaply made imported chase. I have to give credit to our web master for a fraction of the cost of a new pair. When shoes are all that you can purchase from for producing a nice website that reaches a you have shoes you love, you want to extend retailers. national and international audience. their life as long as possible. Quality-made footwear lasts longer and on the whole fits Are you aware of anybody still My brother was extremely proud of better and is therefore more comfortable. making leather garments in the United the wallet he made in seventh-grade States? shop class. Sadly, that was the end of How does somebody learn about Yes. They are mostly smaller businesses his leather working career. What perleather craft? Do they apprentice? Are with few or no employees. They are offercentage of your sales are to hobbyists? there classes? ing unusual or niche products. One here in Hobbyists and crafters make up threeMany of the repair professionals take Montana is Buckskin Clothier of Kalispell, quarters of our retail sales. on apprentices, or the craft can be learned www.buckskinclothier.com. at trade schools. Go green, re-sole, re-heel, repair your shoes.

16

I March 2014

Photo By CASEY PAGE

Billingsbusiness

HUMAN resources

P erformance evaluations are essential to good management

An employee should not be hearing anything in a performance evaluation for the first time.

Sandra Villegas Sandra Villegas, SPHR, is a human resources specialist with Associated Employers.

Billingsbusiness

Performance evaluations can be one of your easiest and most useful tools as a manager. They can be an official “pat on the back” for a job well done. They can be notification of a behavior that needs to change. They can also be a step in the corrective action process.

However, not all managers are comfortable writing or delivering performance reviews, so they often get put off. In addition, performance reviews tend to be one of the first things to fall between the cracks when it gets busy and other “more important” things come up.

Having a regular and open performance evaluation process will make it less threatening, for both employees and managers.

Remember the following points to make your reviews as painless and effective as possible: Tell the truth: This is the time to put all of your cards on the table with your employee.

Make sure to include the good and the bad; generally employees are going to have some of each.

It is a good practice to use a somewhat standardized form, covering areas that you expect of all employees, along with an area for expectations specific to that position.

A well-balanced representation of both “sides” — recognizing their strengths as well as their weaknesses — is going to make it easier for that employee to take the areas where they might need to improve to heart and make the changes, rather than getting defensive.

No surprises: An employee

should not be hearing anything in a performance evaluation for the first time. Continuous communication is vital in an employer-employee relationship, and in the smooth operation of your business. Requests for improvement, reiteration of expectations, and “pats on the back” should not be saved for an annual review, but should be included.

Focus on success: The focus of any performance review or corrective action document should be to make the employee successful in their job. Rather than concentrating on what’s wrong, concentrate on what needs to happen to make it right.

Don’t be late: Many companies have an annual performance evaluation schedule. Whether all reviews get done during a specified time of year, or whether they are based on the employee’s anniversary date, present the evaluations when you say you’ll present the evaluations. If you don’t do what you say you’ll do, how can you expect that of your employees?

Allow time and space: Adequate time must be allowed for both the writing and the presentation of performance evaluations. They should be presented in a private office or conference room, not on the warehouse floor or in a cubicle. This will allow it to be a more relaxed meeting and encourage two-way dialogue in the process.

Performance evaluations are as valuable a tool in your organization as you make them. Use them to your advantage.

Building a

Better Billings Construction Loans Lines of Credit Lot Loans Billings #1 Construction lender

King Ave 655-2700

Hilltop & Main 896-4800

Shiloh & Grand 655-3900

Downtown 655-2400

14th & Grand 371-8100

Worden 967-3612

Ranking based on market-share reports gathered by Rocky Mountain Statistics (RMS) Information Services. © 2014 Stockman Bank | Member FDIC

www.stockmanbank.com March 2014

I

17

banking on

TECHNOLOGY

This rendering shows the exterior of First Interstate Bank’s new branch at Shiloh Road and King Avenue West.

You’ve never seen a bank quite like First Interstate’s new branch

BY TOM HOWARD F IRST I NTERSTATE B ANK BOUGHT TWO ACRES AT K ING A VENUE W EST AND S HILOH R OAD ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO WITH A PLAN TO STAKE OUT TERRITORY WITHIN THE FAST - GROWING W EST E ND . B ANK OFFICIALS SAY THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE NEVER SEEN A BANK QUITE LIKE THE NEW S HILOH BRANCH . T HE NEW FULL - SERVICE BANK , THE 75 TH IN F IRST I NTERSTATE ’ S SYSTEM , WILL FEATURE TRADITIONAL BANKING SERVICES , BUT IT WILL ALSO OFFER A MENU OF OPTIONS THAT WILL ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS WITHOUT HAVING TO SET FOOT IN A BANK .

18

I March 2014

BILLINGSbusiness

Keith Cook, Billings regional president of First Interstate, said a lot of thought has gone into the branch’s technology-oriented design.

Cook, a veteran of 29 years in the banking, said most customers in his age group still prefer a hands-on, face-toface approach to banking. But many customers have come to rely on a growing array of electronic banking products, he said.

“We took quite a bit of time to design this to use all of the electronic delivery channels that our customers want,” Cook said.

The first floor of the twostory, 11,000-square-foot building will be dedicated to retail banking, and commercial lenders will occupy the upper floor. Initially, 12 to 14 people will be stationed there, but the number could increase to more than 20 as the surrounding area continues to develop. Langlas & Associates is the general contractor at the $7.5 million Shiloh branch.

Some say First Interstate’s decision to open a new branch runs counter to national trends. According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. banks and thrifts shuttered 2,267 branches in 2012. This is both a reflection of banks’ efforts to cut costs and a result of customers’ willingness to embrace electronic banking.

Kevin Guenthner, senior vice president and chief information officer for First Interstate, said statistics on branch closures don’t tell the whole story, however.

“There is a trend toward branch closures,” he said.

“But it’s more appropriate to say there’s been a reclassification of how customers want to interact with us, and some traditional branches just

The first floor of the two-story, 11,000-square-foot building will be dedicated to retail banking, and commercial lenders will occupy the upper floor.

don’t fit with what customers want. With this branch, we’re not only moving to an area that makes geographic sense, it also gives us an opportunity to provide customers with options.”

Those options include a “tech bar,” where customers may try out the latest Internet or mobile-banking products with an employee on hand to answer questions. Specially trained, customer-focused

employees, called concierges, will provide assistance.

Mobile banking, which allows customers to conduct their business using a smartphone, is catching on.

First Interstate estimates that it has about 20,000 mobile banking users, which amounts to about 20 percent of its customers. That’s expected to grow, and the biggest users of mobile banking aren’t necessarily people

Carpet One Your Commercial Interior Design Experts!

FREE CONSULT & ESTIMATE CALL

Sarah Wise or Don Adamson

656-9300 • Interior Design • Custom Cabinets • Custom Countertops

in their teens and 20s. People in their 30s, 40s and 50s are some of the heaviest users of mobile banking.

Guenthner said planning

a new branch bank requires attention to all customers.

“We’re not just looking at retail customers,” he said. “We’ve put the same

kind of focus on our business customers. We have the same kinds of services for them, but they might not be aware of them.”

Make the connection connect to the world while you save time, travel, and money.

Vision Net has been a leader in video conferencing throughout Montana since 1995. Thanks to our state-of-the-art solutions, universities, K-12 schools, the legal community, and private industry have made important connections all over the world without ever having to leave town. You can rent a studio, own your own fully integrated system or get mobile or desktop conferencing as a service. And if you don’t have enough tech support in house, you can try our Managed Video Services and let us take care of it for you.

What’s your vision? www.vision.net | 1-866-334-8638 | sales@vision.net

505 S. 24th St. W. | 656-9300 | 800-320-0420 | Mon-Fri ri 8 - 6 | Sat 9 - 5 | Sun Closed

Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

19

call the experts call the

best

your marketplace for local professionals.

AdvAnced employment ServiceS 2115 Broadwater Billings, Mt 59102 652-8808 locally owned & operated www.advanced-employment.com

do you need an employee for a day or forever?

• We cover all Workers Compensation, Payroll plus Payroll taxes and Unemployment • We work with all types of companies including roofing

• Uniforms • Linens • Floor Mats

Now Selling Flame-Resistant Workwear

Surrounding Areas s City & Servin g Businesses in Billings, Mile

Cre reating Images Since 1906 715 Central avenue (406) 252-5172 www.bigskylinen.com w

one of a kind • one at a time

Dennis Crowder 819 16th Street West 406-245-1681 ddc@lasered4u.com www.engraveables.net

Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00

Custom Laser Cutting & Engraving Full Color Dye Sublimation Rubber Stamps Name Badges Corporate Awards Personalized Gifts Desk Accessories Interior Signs Trophies & Awards

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractors Commercial – Industrial Institutional Systems Custom Metal Fabricators

2041 Harnish Blvd.

PO Box 30776 Billings, Montana 20

I March 2014

Phone: 248-1757 • Fax: 248-6320 Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association – SMACNA

GLASS inc. glass • doors • door hardware • shower doors • CommerCial storefront

1233 cordova st. • billings, mt • 259-1352 • 1-800-221-8832 www.associatedglass.com

Not Just Forms Anymore!

ER 30 YEAR R OV S! FO

259-5432

www.eagle-printing.com 4148 First Avenue South • Billings

•Locally Owned & Operated • • Business & Laser Forms • • Commercial Printing • • Promotional Products • • Laser Checks • • Spiral Binding • Check Out Our New Website

Roofing Fascia Soffits Commercial & Residential

Licensed Bonded Insured Registered www.kirknessroofing.com

moore lane

Since 1978

Outsourcing Makes Sense Cents Ken Dunlap

1925 Grand Ave, Suite 130 * Billings, MT 59102 406-896-8588 www.paymastermt.com Billingsbusiness

call the experts call the

best

your marketplace for local professionals.

KEN HElgESoN

BURNS INSURANCE business insurance

work comp insurance

auto insurance

Branch Manager/ Agent

homeowners insurance

• Diagnostic Ultrasounds for Men, Women & Kids • 3D/4D Ultrasounds for Pregnancy • Family Friendly Atmosphere • Referrals Accepted from all Providers • Licensed Physicians Interpret All Ultrasounds

ients New Pat ! e Welcom

406-969-4340

1216 16th Street West Alpine Village Suite #21 Billings, MT 59102

PicturePerfectUltrasound.com IHS, Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid & Self Pay Accepted

Is Your House Making You Sick?

√ Air & Dryer Ducts √ Permanent Electrostatic Air Filters √ Drapery

√ √ √ √

Carpets Upholstery Tile & Grout Sanitizing

-Since 1963

Proud Sponsor of

Please call me for your financing options at...

life insurance

711 North 27th Street - Billings, MT 59101 Office: (406) 256-5838 E-mail: kenh@burnsia.com - www.burnsia.com

Same Day Appointments...

Same Day Results

DeDe Stoner

252-6952 www.steristeam.com

490 North 31st Street Suite 130 • Billings, MT 59101 406-252-2600 • 406-237-0185 fax Branch NMLS #140408

(o) 406-237-0104

(c) 406-208-4404

SinCe 1997

NMLS #250504

Company NMLS #3274

www.guildmortgage.net/officers/dedestoner

We CleAn for You

406-248-3866

residential Commercial bonded insured regular one time Move outs

MondAY - tueSdAY

SpeCiAl!

3 hrs for $85 “billings only”

Maid Service

All SupplieS provided Gift CertifiCAteS AvAilAble www.purple-cactus.com

Coming March 2014!

New location

Certified Fitness Professionals • Private/Semi-Private Training • Customized Small Group Classes • Health Coaching/Nutrition Guidance • Licensed Massage Therapists No membership required • 50 27th St West

Suzie Eades,

NSCA-CPT, ACE-HC Offices: 50 27th St West

406-208-1167

suzie@Q360health.com www.Q360health.com

Celebrating More Than 56 Years of Service Free Local Delivery, Exceptional Customer Service, Qualified Service Techs Visit our NEW ONLINE STORE @ www.westernoffice.net • Shredders • Office Supplies • Copiers & Fax Machines • Office Furniture • Computers & Printers • Time Systems • FP Mailing Machines • Digital Dictation

514 North 32nd Street • 245-3029 • Westernoffice.net

Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

21

Customers will be able to use video technology to access First Interstate’s many financial experts. For example, if a businessman needs to talk to somebody with expertise in oil and gas exploration, he’ll be able to converse with bankers in Casper, Wyo., Guenthner said.

“We’re looking for a way to engage with the customers,” Guenthner said.

“It’s a much more holistic view than just transacting business. It’s a much more complete option for customers. It’s a balance between sitting down and consulting, and equipping them to see other ways to do their business.”

Research has found that some customers don’t want to go to a bank at all.

With help from technology, bankers will be able to come to them, “whether it’s at their business, at their home or at Starbucks,” Guenthner said. Technology also gives bankers an opportunity to reach out to their customers, he said.

Recent security breaches like the one that struck Target stores have caused widespread concern among customers and retailers alike. Guenthner said protecting customer information from hackers is a constant focus.

“We’re looking for a way to engage with the customers.

It’s a much more holistic view than just transacting business.

It’s a much more complete option for customers.

It’s a balance between sitting down and consulting, and equipping them to see other ways to do their business.”

— Kevin Guenthner senior vice president and chief information officer First Interstate Bank “Our goal is to provide customers with the comfort that we’re taking care of them, and to help them take care of themselves,” Guenthner said.

Regarding the site of the new branch, First Interstate officials are optimistic that the fast-growing West End will provide opportunities for growth.

“The economy is very good in Billings. This is a strong market for us,” Cook said. In fact, if you were to draw a line on a map from the intersection of King and Shiloh

call the experts call the

east to 24th Street West, south to Gable Road and back to Shiloh, you would have encompassed the fastest-growing commercial and industrial area in the state, as reported by the Montana Department of Commerce, Cook said.

“Investing in a branch is not a whole lot different than the rationale behind making loans or investing in securities,’ Guenthner said. “It’s really about the use of our capital and what’s the return it’s going to give us. It’s an investment decision.”

best

your marketplace for local professionals.

Billings’ 1st Choice for Over 26 Years!

Home & Business Re-Keying

Dead Bolt Install Auto & Home Lockouts • Safe Work Master Key Systems

656-4111

We Guarantee Our WOrk!

Are you moving your office?

Ordering Furniture On-Line?

Call Billings’ Professional Movers

Pro Install We:

Receive • Inspect • Deliver Install • Reconfigure • References Available

www.proinstallmt.com

This could be your

LUMBER CO.

roofing • siding • windows • doors

LocaLLy owned • deLiveRy avaiLabLe • M-F 7-5:30

www.zentzlumberbillings.com

2775 Roundup Rd. • 252-4810 22

I March 2014

Billings’ Professional Movers

406-591-0029

business

Place your business card here

and get noticed!

Call Gail Ball: 406.657.1284

and be in the next issue of Billings Business Billingsbusiness

LEGAL briefing

C orrect employee classification , handbook review are essential

It is important for employers to ... review employee handbooks to clarify the payment of benefits.

Eric Nord Eric Nord works for the Crist, Krogh & Nord Law Firm in Billings, specializing his practice in the area of business law and litigation with a special emphasis on commercial transactions, employment law, real estate, construction law, and corporate relations.

Billingsbusiness

In a late 2013 decision involving wage claims and constructive discharge issues, the Montana Supreme Court determined that an award of punitive damages against an employer was proper.

In the case of Harrell v.

Farmers Educational Cooperative Union of America, Montana Division, 2013 MT 367, the employee spent many years working for the employer as an education director, a position which the employer listed as “exempt.”

This meant the employee was unable to claim overtime pay but earned compensatory time instead. Later, however, the employer started paying the employee overtime.

Thereafter, the employee discovered the error in his original classification and requested that the employer retroactively pay him for the overtime hours. The employer refused and, instead, gave the employee a new job description.

The relationship between the employer and employee continued to erode as the parties disputed the payment of accrued vacation hours.

The employee handbook limited the maximum number of vacation hours that an employee could accumulate.

Instead of using his vacation

hours, the employee accumulated his hours anticipating he would receive payment for those hours upon his retirement. The employer, however, threw cold water on this plan by notifying the employee it would not pay him for all of those accrued hours of vacation.

The employee also claimed he was owed wages for performing “extra duties” when the executive director resigned and the employee took over some additional

tasks formerly required of the executive director. The employer refused to pay additional compensation and, instead, cut the employee’s hours to part-time and issued him a new job description which was essentially the same as his old job description but with fewer hours in which to perform the duties.

The employee eventually filed a complaint in the District Court and also submitted his resignation to his employer. His complaint alleged

not only wage claims but also constructive discharge under Montana’s Wrongful Discharge From Employment Act. After trial, the jury found in favor of the employee in all respects. Not only did the employee receive compensatory damages of $232,000, but the jury also determined that punitive damages were appropriate and returned a verdict of $300,000.

On appeal, the Supreme Court determined that the employee’s wage claims

should have been barred by the applicable statute of limitations which is 180 days after default or delay in the payment of wages. Thus, the Court ruled that his wage claim for overtime and accrued vacation was barred by the statute. Likewise, his wage claim relating to the “extra duties” that he supposedly assumed from the previous executive director was barred as a matter of contract law.

With respect to the constructive discharge claim, the Court determined that this issue was properly decided by the jury in favor of the employee. As a result, the Supreme Court affirmed the jury’s verdict in that regard.

With respect to punitive damages, the Supreme Court determined that punitive damages were awardable but were based upon the wrong financial information. As a result, those damages had to be recalculated and the Court remanded the case to the trial court for a redetermination.

The upshot of this case is that it is important for employers to not only determine the correct classification of employees for purposes of the wage and hour laws but also review employee handbooks to clarify the payment of benefits.

March 2014

I

23

SALES moves

A re you ‘ good ’ or maybe not quite up to snuff ?

There’s usually a huge gap between what companies and their leadership think they are, and what their customers say they are.

Jeffrey Gitomer Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling.

Reach him at 704-333-1112 or email salesman@gitomer.com

24

I March 2014

Jim Collins’s immortal business bestseller, “Good to Great,” created a revolution in many businesses and an explosion in book sales. The book was adopted, adapted, taught, and implemented. In many instances, companies did go from good to great — or at least from good to very good.

The key is these companies sought improvement: self-improvement. Whether it was from within, or from an outside group of impartial experts, the concept was and is to “get better.” Great is an illusive target. Collins knew it.

The concept is not complicated. It revolves around self-assessment, an agreedupon game plan of action, measurable results, and an overall spirit that includes individual work, teamwork, and remarkable leadership. So far it’s simple.

The real issue is, and the thing that has always bothered me about the book, is that the beginning premise assumes you are “good.” Most companies and their people are not.

Most businesses are not. And you see them every day, going out of business.

Many companies try to maximize profit by cutting costs, or worse, cutting quality, or way worse, cutting service offerings. Then customers get angry and tell other potential customers

through social media, or some form of online reporting like Trip Advisor or Angie’s List.

Then reputation is somewhere between questionable and lost, followed by a downturn in business.

In 1996, I wrote this customer service truth: “It never costs as much to fix the problem as it does to not fix the problem.” Eighteen years later, that statement has never been more true.

“Good to Great” was published in 2001, way before social media dominated the scene. Companies no longer have to self-assess; all they have to do is go to their Facebook page where their customers have already done it. And there’s usually a huge gap between what companies and their leadership think they are, and what their customers say they are. I will always take the latter as the true picture.

So the real challenge is not how you get from good to great. It’s how you get from crappy to good. Things like rundown hotels, lousy food in a restaurant, a rude clerk in a retail store, long lines to be served, long waits on hold, not keeping up with technology, and poor management seem to be pervasive in our society.

An easy way to begin your march up the ladder to greatness (or even just goodness) is to talk to more of your customers. Get their views

both online and in person. Get video from them if you can.

Create a YouTube channel that features their voices.

“Voice of customer” in any format forms a clear picture of exactly where you are in their opinion, what they like, what they expect, and what they wish was better. It creates a solid foundation from which to start. What better place to start than from the customer’s perspective of what would help you get better?

Oh, it’s also your reputation. And it’s also free.

This same lesson applies to salespeople. How “good” are you? Is “good” your starting point? If you didn’t make your sales goals last year, can you honestly say you’re good?

Or would you fall just below good? Somewhere between crappy and good?

Keep in mind that as I’m attempting to help salespeople

assess themselves, they are the lifeblood, and the cash flow, and the profit of the business. Businesses that don’t make enough sales go out of business. Were they good businesses gone bad? Were they good businesses with bad salespeople? Or were they bad businesses that failed? I’ll take the latter.

And while I realize that I’m taking a superficial view, not going into detail about quality of leadership, quality of service, quality of product, employee retention, or customer retention, I maintain my premise that “voice of customer,” both internal and external, will net better truth and a better foundation than a bunch of leaders and consultants sitting around a table coming up with ideas, many of them self-serving.

Back to salespeople for a moment: There is no quick fix

to get a salesperson from good to great, or from below good to above good. But there is a real answer: training. Repetitive training until the salesperson goes from understanding and willingness to application, to proficiency, and finally mastery through daily action.

Be willing to measure your results. Caution: Measurement isn’t how many cold calls you made this week.

Don’t measure failure, measure success. Measure pipeline dollars. Measure sale to profit percentage. Measure new customers secured. Measure reorders. Make measurement a learning experience, not a punishment.

“Good to Great” isn’t just a book and a concept; it’s also a challenge. The ultimate desired outcome, wherever you enter the process is: improvement. Where are you on that path?

Affordable Space in Heart of Downtown • Professional 2 Room Office Suite • Great Tenants for Neighbors • Light Filled Office Facing 3rd Ave

B

ehner uilding

• Private Conference Room 2822 3RD AVE. N • CALL MAXINE - 252-0092 Billingsbusiness

montana ENERGY REPORT

Photo By LARRY MAYER Casey Anderson, of Brara Geologic, talks about his company’s work in the Bakken and other nearby oil fields.Â

the grass is greener Billingsbusiness

For many energy companies, Billings is the best place to be March 2014

I

25

By TOM HOWARD F rom his office in B illings , C asey A nderson supervises more than a dozen petroleum geologists R ocky M ountain W est . A nderson , president of B rara G eologic C onsulting , has worked as a geologist all over the U nited S tates . B ut he says it makes sense to base his company in his hometown of B illings , in part because of its proximity to the B akken oil play and other oil and gas producing regions in W yoming and M ontana . who work for him throughout the

“The Rocky Mountain region is pretty much our main area,” Anderson said. “We could be working in Pennsylvania,” which was the nation’s fastest growing natural gas producing state last year as the Marcellus Shale is developed. “But it’s just too far away.”

Anderson’s business is among dozens of energy-related companies that have discovered the grass is greener in the Billings area. Yellowstone County doesn’t have a single producing oil well, but nearly everywhere you turn, companies either directly or indirectly involved in energy development have sprouted or are expanding.

It’s hard to ignore that the Billings area benefits eco-

• ASNT Certified Inspection Services • Drill Pipe Inspection Category 3-5 • Bottomhole Assembly Inspection • Wet/Dry Magnetic Particle Inspection • Dye Penetrant Inspection • Ultrasonic Inspections

• Third Party Services • Hard Band Services • Casing Inspection • Tubing Inspection • API Machine Shop Compliance Services • Structural Inspection • Field Repair • Premium Lathe Refacing • Calibration Services

CSI Inspection, LLC P.O. Box 80978 Lafayette, LA 70598 Corp: 337-269-5889 Toll Free: 888-846-8886 ND Office: 701-572-3101 Fax: 337-269-5893 26

I March 2014

nomically from the energy boom that has elevated North Dakota into the nation’s second largest oil producer.

Last year the Roughrider State saw its oil production climb to nearly 1 million barrels per day, trailing only Texas.

And many see no end in sight.

Billings companies participating in the fast-growing energy sector include law firms with expertise in title opinions, condemnations, regulatory work and pipeline permitting, engineering firms designing the infrastructure to help Williston and surrounding communities deal with the crush of new development, manufacturers of large steel tanks, distributors of equipment and parts used in oil

fields and trucking companies.

For the past two years, Rig Mats of America’s plant in Lockwood has been producing rugged portable platforms that keep oil drilling equipment out of the elements.

About 75 percent of RMA’s production goes to the Bakken, although mats are being shipped throughout the United States and Canada.

Billings is also home to a number of regional offices for energy companies. Nabors Completion and Production Services has operated a regional office in Billings for several years.

“We’re the only company that can do everything on the

OAKSDISPOSAL S E R V I C E S

899 road 448 Lindsay, MT 59339 cell 406-939-3498 ph 406-584-3499 oaksdisposal@gmail.com www.oaksdisposalservices.com

accepting: drill cuttings, filter socks, pit liners, norm cake, frac sand and contaminated soil. locally owned & operated first facility in the state of montana convenient location with great access roads open at your convenience by appointment 7 days/week state-of-the-art designed facility

Richey

www.csiinspection.com

Sidney Lambert

200

Bloomfield

Savage age

Intake

Lindsay 200S

double-lined for environmental safety accept up to 30 pCi/gm total radium 226 & 228

Fairview

Vida

Glendive Wibaux

Terry

Beach each

Billingsbusiness

well from beginning to end,” said Russ Burch, human resources director for the Nabors office in Billings. “We can come in and build a well, drill it and put it on line for production. We can frack it and work it over.”

Burch said Billings is well suited for locating a regional office because of its proximity to oil and gas producing areas in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have paved the way for the Bakken’s rapid increase in production. But Nabors continues to work on many Bakken wells drilled during the 1980s, Burch said.

“We’re working those old wells over and fracking them to stimulate production, and our sister company is working on new wells,” Burch said. “We’re so busy that we can’t keep up with customer demand. One reason is that there aren’t enough employees.”

Nabors operates around 70 of the roughly 180 oil rigs operating in the Bakken, and the demand for employees remains constant, Burch said.

During a recent trip to North Dakota, Burch compiled the names of more than 150 companies that have advertised for oilfield jobs in the job service office in Williston. And that doesn’t include hundreds of openings in retail, construction, restaurants and other industries.

Burch said he’s trying to fill 200 openings.

Especially needed are experienced hands on workover rigs, truck drivers who have a Class A CDL license, people to work on fracking crews and stimulation equipment operators.

“Our minimum hiring requirements are no

$165

“We’re looking for people to build the future in Williston.

If you’re here and make yourself available for work and you work hard, there’s opportunity for promotion.”

— Russ Burch human resources director Nabors Completion and Production Services Billings office felonies within the past seven years, no misdemeanors for sex, drugs or violence within the past five years, and no DUIs within the last five years,” he said.

“We’re looking for people to build the future in Williston,” he said.

“If you’re here and make yourself available for work and you work hard, there’s opportunity for promotion.”

Burch said he has hired employees from all over the country, but those who are familiar with weather in the Northern Plains tend to know what to expect once they’re hired on.

Nabors runs a multimillion-dollar man camp in Williston that provides housing and food for employees. “All we ask is to keep a dry camp. That means no alcohol or nonemployees allowed in camp,” he said. “Safety is paramount. We’re looking at getting some stable workers and improving our safety numbers.”

Anderson said wellsite geologists play an essential role on an oil rig. They track the drill bit as it bores through various formations and remain in constant contact with other members of a drilling crew as the well progresses.

In the Bakken, where virtually all new

wells involve horizontal drilling, the geologist advises when to begin turning the bit from the vertical axis to horizontal. Once the bit reaches the target zone, the geologist helps guide the bit so that it remains in contact with the oilbearing formation while the lateral is drilled.

If the geologist makes a mistake and the bit wanders out of the target zone or if other problems arise, it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whenever that happens, the geologist runs the risk of being fired.

Anderson is proud of the fact that his geologists have never been fired although hundreds of wells have been drilled.

“For what we do, the Bakken is good work,”

Anderson said. “It’s consistent, and they’re making great wells. They’re drilling well after well, and they’re having great success.”

Anderson said the Bakken and other “source plays” for oil production are expected to remain busy for as long as oil prices remain in the $70-per-barrel range. But there’s plenty of potential in other areas.

“If you drill a vertical well for $300,000, you don’t need to produce more than 20 barrels a day,” he said.

By contrast, it costs about $7 million to drill a horizontal well in the Bakken. “If you only get 20 barrels a day out of that, you’re in trouble.”

over 45 StyleS available!

Safety toe footwear

Rigmaster

• Keen • Whites • Wolverine • Timberland • Baffin

• And More...

• Caterpillar • Ariat FREE W aterproof sp • Justin ray w ith boot • Hathorn purchase • Danner

1820 1st Ave. N. Billings www.alsbootery.com • info@alsbootery.com 406-245-4287 • 877-398-4413 Billingsbusiness

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE. REGIONAL EXPERTISE. TRUSTED ADVISOR.

kljeng.com

KLJ is recognized as one of the nation’s Top 500 Design Firms by Engineering News Record.

Since 1938, KLJ has delivered innovative and practical problem-solving solutions for local, regional and national infrastructure projects. The rankings are evidence of a rich 75-year history, a thriving presence and a strong future.

March 2014

I

27

M ontana E nergy 2014 to feature energy advocates , executives BILLINGS BUSINESS and trade show April 2-3 at

MetraPark.

Author Robert Bryce, who Bryce’s energy-related has written about the rise essays have been published and collapse of Enron and is a in dozens of publications, frequent critic of green energy including the Wall Street and the goal of energy indeJournal, the New York Times, pendence, will join a host of the National Review and the energy company executives as Washington Post. keynote speakers for Montana In his 2008 book, “Gusher Energy 2014, a conference

of Lies: the Dangerous Delusions of ‘Energy Independence,’” Bryce argues that while energy independence is as popular as mom and apple pie, achieving it is probably not in the nation’s best interest.

“Energy independence, at its root, means protection-

For the Land & mineral Owner.

Let me help protect your surface and/or mineral interests.

AT T O R N E Y AT L AW

call today for a free consultation • now Licensed in nD & mT P: 406-839-9764 • F: 855-574-9846 • P.O. Box 537, Story, Wyoming 82842 www.mezimmerman.com • E: mikE@mEzimmErman.cOm

Delivering Engineering Solutions

Surveying and construction observation Water supply, treatment, and distribution Land development GIS and information management Easement acquisition

BILLINGS MT 28

I March 2014

BISMARCK ND

ism and isolationism, both of which are in direct opposition to America’s long-term interests in the Persian Gulf and globally,” he writes.

For the most part, “Gusher of Lies” was written before the boom in oil and gas production from shale swept the country.

Since then, many have predicted that the United States may become energy independent within a few years thanks to nontraditional sources of energy.

Bryce is a harsh critic of government policy that mandated ethanol as a motor fuel.

Likewise, he believes that wind energy and solar power aren’t capable of providing sufficient energy at affordable prices. Nuclear power is a much more realistic option, he argues.

Author Robert Bryce will be among the keynote speakers at Montana Energy 2014, a conference and trade show set for April 2-3 at MetraPark.

Other keynote speakers at Montana Energy 2014 include: n Robert Rowe, president and chief executive officer of NorthWest Energy.

n Colin Marshall, president and chief executive officer of Cloud Peak Energy. n Thomas Nusz, chairman and chief executive officer of Oasis Petroleum. n David Goodin, president and chief executive officer of MDU Resources Group. n James Volker, president and chief executive officer of Whiting Petroleum The conference will touch on a variety of issues, from sage grouse to transporting coal and oil by rail, and the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline.

Sponsors include the Montana Contractors Association, the Montana Petroleum Association, KLJ and the Montana Coal Council.

More information is available at www.montanaenergy. net.

Permitting and environmental services Transportation design Pipeline and pump station design

800.474.4114

BARTWEST.COM Billingsbusiness

I ndustry group unveils plans to limit gas flaring in B akken Associated Press BISMARCK, N.D. — A group representing hundreds of companies working in North Dakota’s oil patch has unveiled plans to significantly decrease the amount of natural gas being burned off and wasted as a byproduct of oil production.

The North Dakota Petroleum Council’s flaring task force told the Industrial Commission that at least $1.7 billion more will be invested over the next two years into building gas pipelines and other infrastructure. It expects the industry to be capturing 85 percent of the gas by 2016, and 90 percent within six years.

“We think that’s achievable,” said Eric Dille, the task force’s co-chairman.

North Dakota drillers burn off, or flare, about 30 percent of the valuable gas — compared to the national average of less than 1 percent — because development of gas pipelines and processing facilities hasn’t

kept pace with oil drilling.

The state’s oil production has nearly doubled since 2012.

Dill said the expected reduction in flared natural gas will also come from additional self-imposed steps by the industry, such as submitting plans for natural gas gathering before applying for a drilling permit. He noted that the industry has already invested more than $6 billion in infrastructure to capture natural gas in the past six years.

Still, records show that about 300 million cubic feet of natural gas goes up in smoke each day in North Dakota.

That’s enough to heat more than 1 million homes daily.

Flaring also accounts for about 5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Dille, also the government affairs manager for Houstonbased EOG Resources Inc., said the task force — made up of 35 industry representatives — has met more than 20 times since September to develop a plan.

Wayde Schafer, a North Dakota spokesman for the Sierra Club and an outspoken critic of natural gas flaring, applauded the plan. “I commend the industry,” he said. “It’s better late than never.”

The percentage of flared natural gas in North Dakota has remained at about onethird of production in recent years, though the overall volume has dramatically increased.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple said the goals outlined by the task force were “very encouraging.”

Dalrymple is chairman of the Industrial Commission, which regulates North Dakota’s oil and gas industry; Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring are its other members.

The governor said he supports the idea of submitting a gas-gathering plan at the same time as an oil drilling permit.

“Best practices say we

really ought not to be drilling new wells until we really know where that gas is going to go,” Dalrymple told the AP. North Dakota oil producers can flare natural gas for a year without paying taxes or royalties on it.

Companies can then ask state regulators for an extension because of the high costs of moving the gas to market.

More than 95 percent of the extensions requested in recent

years were granted, records show.

North Dakota mineral owners in October filed lawsuits seeking damages from oil drilling companies for natural gas that is lost when it is burned instead of being captured as a byproduct of oil production. The lawsuits, which seek class-action status, argue the mineral owners have lost millions of dollars in royalties because oil drilling companies

are wasting natural gas.

Derrick Braaten, a Bismarck lawyer representing mineral rights owners, said the lawsuits could come before a judge this spring. He called the industry’s goal to capture more natural gas encouraging.

“I think it’s great news and great to hear, but if they are able to be this aggressive now, I wonder why they couldn’t be this aggressive several years ago,” Braaten said.

Envi Road Montana “Serving Central & Eastern MT”

Earthbind 100 for all your dust abatement requirements Call 406-697-3895 www.enviroadmt.com

MONTANA ENERGY 2014 WILL PROVIDE INVIGORATING DISCUSSIONS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND INSIGHTS. Montana Energy 2014 is the largest avenue to discuss Montana’s energy potential. The two-day comprehensive conference and trade show includes energy industry representatives, suppliers of goods and services, contractors and energy industry professionals.

APRIL 2-3, 2014 BILLINGS, MT

METRA PARK TRADE CENTER

VISIT WWW.MONTANAENERGY.NET FOR AGENDA UPDATES, SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER! Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

29

N orth D akota oil boom brings thousands of people to the state Are you moving your office?

Ordering Furniture On-Line?

Call BIllIngs’ PrOFEssIOnal MOvErs

Associated Press

406-591-0029 Pro Install We:

• Receive • Inspect • Deliver • Install • Set Up/Tear Down • Reconfigure • Offer Warehouse Storage • Sell Used Office Furniture All Major Credit Cards Accepted

BIllIngs’ OFFICE MOvErs

Past Customers Include: FBI • IRS • Morgan Stanley • United Way • Avitus Group

“They are very professional, clean & always do a great job!”

–Western Office Supply

www.proinstallmt.com

P O T S K R DA g

n rki o W

he

t in

and if the rest of the country wasn’t helping us out, we BISMARCK, N.D. — About wouldn’t be where we are at.”

18,000 people migrated last North Dakota has gone from year to North Dakota, boosting the nation’s ninth-biggest oil the state’s population to a new producer in 2006 to the second, high, according to the U.S. behind only Texas. The state Census Bureau. has thousands more jobs than Just a decade ago, North takers and the lowest unemDakota held the dubious disployment rate in the nation, at tinction of being the only state less than 3 percent, Job Service to lose population.

North Dakota data show.

But its strong economy, led “After years of out-migraby the booming oil patch in tion and population decline, it’s the western part of the state, great to see that our economic has attracted thousands of growth continues to keep North new residents in the past few Dakotans home and that we years, reversing a decades-long are attracting new residents trend of outmigration, where throughout the state,” Gov. Jack more people were going than Dalrymple said in a statement. coming, said Kevin Iverson, In 2003, a decade-low manager of the Census Office 632,809 people lived in North at the state Commerce Depart- Dakota, the only state to record ment. a loss of population for the “Obviously, the reason year. Census data show North people are migrating here is Dakota’s population reached for economic opportunity,” he an estimated all-time high of said. “The economy in the rest 723,393 residents last year. The of the country isn’t very good, state’s population had peaked

Light up your work area!

Fold Over Light Mast

Explosion proof high bay lights

at 680,845 in 1930 and had not been surpassed until 2011.

North Dakota had gains of 12,200 people in 2012 and 6,900 in 2011, data show. The state had 10,028 births and 5,754 deaths last year.

North Dakota’s loss of young people between the ages of 25 and 39 was the highest outmigration rate of that age group in the United States from 1995 to 2000.

The state’s population is now getting younger.

Census data show that the median age of North Dakota residents increased between 2000 and 2008, to 37.3 years of age. Since 2008, the median age of North Dakota residents has declined to 36.1 years of age, data show.

Iverson said people have moved from all states to North Dakota. “Oil is the engine,” he said. “It’s just opportunity. People are realizing this is where the future is at.”

Solar Powered ed Beacon

Portable, Outdoor LED Lights LED Rig Lights

Explosion Proof Power supplies Handheld LED Spotlight

Browse our collection of products at

Remote control utility truck lights

LarsonElectronics.com to learn more about us and how we can help you find solutions for all of your sales or rental heavy duty and hazardous location lighting needs

Larson Electronics LLC • 9419 E US HWY175 • Kemp TX 75143 800.369.6671 LarsonElectronics.com • Sales@LarsonElectronics.com 30

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

special advertising section

Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

31

special advertising section

Steak ‘n Shake:

An AmericAn clAssic comes to shiloh corridor

By Brenda Maas Photos By Larry Mayer

Real estate agents know this well: a great kitchen and “open concept” sells a house. Steak ‘n Shake, which specializes in America’s favorite palate pastime, banks on the same premise in the restaurant world.

Founder Gus Belt pioneered the “better burger” concept way back in 1934 by hand-crafting premium steakburgers—right in front of his customers, not behind closed kitchen doors.That “open” practice has evolved into today’s Steak ‘n Shake motto: In Sight It Must Be Right. Employees prepare and cook food right out in the open, where customers can see everything.

32

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

special advertising section

DesigneD with a vintage Diner theme,

steak ‘n shake exuDes a DeciDeDly moDern vibe while creating a seamless marriage of the two eras.

Just three short months ago the first Steak ‘n Shake franchise in Montana opened at 4002 Montana Sapphire Dr., west of Shiloh Crossing.

Designed with a vintage diner theme, Steak ‘n Shake exudes a decidedly modern vibe while creating a seamless marriage of the two eras. The bold black-white-and-red color scheme hearkens to days-goneby, while sleek lighting fixtures and high-gloss finishes make the dining area bright, spacious and welcoming.

It’s a very open atmosphere by design, emphasized franchisee Spencer Erwin.

“Steak ‘n Shake is good, quick food made the way it always has been—without cutting corners,” he said.

Wide open

To get that open concept just right, Erwin contracted Langlas & Associates as general contractor.

“Langlas & Associates are

Opposite page: The red and white exterior of the new Steak ‘n Shake brightens the Shiloh corridor. Opposite page inset: Every detail, from stainless steel, to the black-white-and-red color scheme enhances the feeling of America’s pastime. Floor-to-ceiling windows and strategic lighting keep Steak ‘n Shake bright and welcoming, day or night. Above: Visitors can purchase signature Steak ‘n Shake items such as seasonings and canned chili.

Congratulations steak ‘n shake

We are proud to be a part of the team servicing all your construction needs in montana since 1982

2270 Grant Road Billings, MT 59102

406-656-0629 www.langlas.com Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

33

special advertising section everywhere in the state, working on projects,” noted Erwin. “They have a solid reputation, and the choice was clear.”

Although this is the first Steak ‘n Shake franchise for Erwin, he is not new to the restaurant industry.

Steak ‘n Shake is also a first-time franchise for both Langlas & Associates and project manager Alan Kuntz.

“It has been a great working relationship,” said Kuntz, who has been in construction for 41 years. “Spence was prepared and focused and knew what he wanted.”

The project was completed on time and on budget, which Kuntz credits to Langlas & Associates’ extensive experience.

“When Langlas does a job, our core of experienced guys has a conversation,” he said. “Based on that combined experience, we pretty much meet our schedule

90-95 percent of the time.”

Of the essence

The biggest challenge of the build, noted Kuntz, was time.

“It was a fast-paced job,” he said, “We turned it over in 85 days.” At that point, Steak ‘n Shake’s district manager Richardo Terrada, took over preparing for the Grand Opening.

Terrada, who has been with the Steak ‘n Shake corporate franchise since 2008 and thus had an insider’s perspective of the business, now works for Erwin managing the Montana and Idaho locations. He was impressed with timeline in Billings.

“Construction was a seamless process,” he said. “We were pretty happy, and it was quite exciting to be part of that.”

Erwin pointed out that from construction beginning to opening day was less than four months.

“We began in July, and we were open in about 110 days,” he said. “It was a straight-forward process. The city was welcoming and supportive of getting us up and running.”

Build it and they will come

Terrada noted that the location on the southwest corner of Shiloh Road and King Avenue East is staged for growth.

“I’m not from here, but it’s obvious that the area is growing,” he said as he pointed to the new apartment complex to the west, the two car dealerships to the north and the soon-to-open Scheels All Sports to the southeast. “We expect this store to be different from others across the nation.”

Terrada went on to explain that about three months post-opening a restaurant, the business typically “averages out” in sales. He anticipates continued growth at Shiloh Crossing will make the Billings Steak ‘n Shake unique.

Congratulations Steak ‘n Shake

Welcome to Billings Steak ‘n Shake!

1402 Central Avenue • 406-256-6016

34

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

special advertising section In addition, the diner plans to expand its offerings and hours. Beginning in mid-March, Steak ‘n Shake will start serving breakfast, and the drive-thru hours will be extended until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings. During warmer months, diners can opt to eat at one of the four patio tables outdoors.

A dining experience

Upon entering the diner, which can seat 108 patrons, visitors will immediately be embraced by a vintage atmosphere. Every detail, from the stainless steel finishes to the 50s-era chairs and booths to the servers’ attire, transcends time. Sporting a “Happy Days” atmosphere, the burgers, fries and milkshakes solidify the feel.

Erwin proudly noted that Steak ‘n Shake is not “fast” food but rather a dining experience, made even more special by the hand-made milkshakes.

Most will recognize that in addition to quality food for 80 years, Steak ‘n Shake offers a great value.

“We have more than 20 meals under $4 and all-you-can-eat pancakes for $3.99,” said Terrada, “plus more than 25 milkshake combinations.”

Erwin lauds his employees for a great opening.

“We are truly proud and appreciative of our associates and their hard work,” he said. “I think it speaks a lot to the work ethic of the area.”

Opposite page top: Patrons can choose to eat at booths, free-standing tables or at the mini-counter that looks directly into the kitchen. Opposite page bottom: All Steak ‘n Shakes follow the “In Sight Must Be Right” slogan, allowing diners to see directly into the area where their food is prepared. Top Left: At full capacity, the kitchen operates three grills with three chefs, including the one that toasts the bun—a signature component of Steak ‘n Shake burgers. Middle left: Even the servers’ attire at this dine-in restaurant follows Steak ‘n Shakes’ vintage theme. Photo by Lloyd Blunk. Bottom Left: While Steak ‘n Shake boasts a 50s-era atmosphere, certain elements like this gigantic light fixture near the front counter gives the space a modern vibe.

Thank You Billings for the wonderful welcome you have given us! We look forward to serving you!

4002 Montana Sapphire Lane Billings, Montana

We are proud to be a part of your construction team!

406-245-8658 Billingsbusiness

March 2014

I

35

special advertising section

Burger King

Quality and customer service are king at new restaurant

By Brittany Cremer Photos By Bob Zellar

We held the pickles.

We held the lettuce.

Your special orders didn’t upset us.

In fact, Burger King is continuing to make good on its “Have it Your Way” promise by opening up a new restaurant at 1438 Grand Ave. For those of you who don’t remember, Billings’ newest Burger King actually shares the same footprint of the first Burger King restaurant, which morphed from a BK store, to a Chinese restaurant, then back to a Burger King after the original structure was completely demolished.

36

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

special advertising section

“At Burger King, we Believe our ‘HAve it Your

wAY’ tAgline Applies to not onlY tHe food, But to tHe dining experience.

we wAnt our guests to Be comfortABle And sAtisfied, And tHe new design is Built Around tHAt mindset.”

— mAttHew coleBAnK, Burger King mAnAging director

Billingsbusiness

“The newer Burger King stores are numbered in the 18,000s and 19,000s,” said Burger King Managing Director Matthew Colebank.

“Because this restaurant shares the original footprint of the first store, we were able to keep the original store number with our corporate office—#2285.”

If patrons to the original Burger King were to visit the new location, several whopping improvements A Billings cityscape was screened over the top of this attractive corrugated steel panel, which acts as a divider between the order counter and dining room. would stick out.

“At Burger King, we believe our ‘Have it Your Way’ tagline applies to not only the food, but to the dining experience,” Colebank said. “We want our guests to be comfortable and satisfied, and the new design is built around that mindset.”

Perfect vision

Colebank, and the team of designers at Burger King Corporate, refer to the rustically-refined, yet, contemporary-chic vibe at the new Burger King as their 20/20 design model.

“All the Burger Kings that are going through renovations will adhere loosely to these design specs until the year 2020, that’s where the 20/20 comes from,” Colebank explained.

On the exterior, shiny steel accents contrast the warm brick. A red-black-brown color palette hallmarks the outside and continues into the entry and dining room. Guests will note the departure of Burger King’s signature sandy-brown-yellow and orange color combos.

And although the new structure needed to be built from scratch, the project itself went rather smoothly with the exception of some wet weather in September and bone-chilling cold in December, according to Blake Laughlin, general contractor for the build.

“We began in September, and I wasn’t sure we

Congratulations Burger King

On Your New Location!

It was a pleasure being your general contractor!

406-259-6100 March 2014

I

37

special advertising section were going to hit our target end date in December because of the weather, but we ended up finishing three days ahead of schedule,” Laughlin said.

Dynamic dining

tions Burger King!

CongratuIt’slagreat to have you back!

Dan Hettinger, PLS

406-698-1756

Montana Meridian Surveying www.meridiansurveyingmt.com

We are proud to be a part of your construction team

406-245-8658 38

I March 2014

Inside, guests will first note the attractive partition that separates the dining room from the order counter. A nod to the local geography, a Billings cityscape has been seamlessly screened over the corrugated steel partition.

“Unlike other franchises, Burger King encourages local store owners to customize design elements as it makes sense for their communities,” Colebank said. “The panel is an example of that concept.”

Colebank and his team were also able to take some design liberties with the lighting and seating choices.

Decorative pendant lighting and ample seating options—high tops, booths, bar-style and more—are featured throughout the dining room.

These “soft-seating” options feature cushiony chairs and extra insulation, a welcomed departure from hard, cold, The new Burger King at 1438 Grand Ave. shares the footprint of Billings’ original fiberglass booths.

Burger King, store #2285.

Other dining room amenities include free WiFi for all guests and flat screen TVs located on the northeast and southwest walls. Additionally, guests surfing the web will appreciate the fact that Burger King included power outlets at each table.

“Customers enjoy coming in, drinking their coffee, having a bite and jumping online,” Colebank said.

And, in celebration of the new restaurant, guests who arrive between 6 to 10 a.m. can enjoy a free cup of Joe, no purchase necessary, Colebank said.

Order up!

We all know about the Whopper and the umpteen ways we can customize our order. But customers may not know about some other interesting ways Burger King encourages its customers to “Have it Your Way.” The restaurant’s Coca-Cola Freestyle machine offers 110 different soft drink flavors, including unending variations of Coke, Powerade, ginger ale, Sprite, Dr. Pepper and more.

Additionally, Burger King is proud to offer reduced-calorie crinkle-cut fries called “Satisfries,” which are specially crafted to absorb 30 percent less fat than regular French Fries; these will be offered in addition to BK’s regular fries.

Colebank is also pleased to offer the BK Morning Star Veggie Burger, for when you want a change of pace from the 100-percent beef burgers or spicy chicken sandwiches. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the BK Big Fish sandwich to debut later this spring.

With several dining options available within a one-mile radius of the new restaurant, many offering similar menu items, what sets Burger King apart from its Billingsbusiness

special advertising section neighborly competitors?

“It’s our flame-broiling and price point,” Colebank said. “We also use fresh ingredients and slice our produce fresh daily.”

Stop and go

Spacious parking and a convenient drive-thru make grabbing a bite on the go a snap. The double-lane drive-thru was specially designed to accommodate the heavy traffic on one of Billings’ busiest streets (upwards of 23,000 cars per day).

“That’s one of the reasons why the location was chosen,” Colebank said. “It’s high-traffic, high-volume but also, I like how this side of town is developing and transitioning.”

Later this spring, guests will be able to take advantage of comfortable outdoor seating on BK’s patio toward the front of the restaurant.

Toward the back of the lot, the property has been prepped to expand for an office or increased kitchen space, Laughlin said. The empty space was set up with the necessary utilities, Laughlin added, because it made more sense to work ahead rather than retrofit later.

All in all, Colebank said he and his new staff are very excited about the stateof-the-art facility and pleased with how everything turned out.

“Everyone from the subs to the suppliers worked together to tackle this,”Laughlin said.

With an updated, “what’s-old-is-newagain look,” the staff at Billings’ newest Burger King is ready and eager to serve you, whatever you want, however you want it.

“Customers can expect speedy, courteous customer service, quality ingredients and the fastest breakfast in town,” Colebank said.

Top: Burger King offers a wide variety of seating options—booths, high-tops, tables, all featuring soft, comfortable cushions. Left: Customers can take advantage of Burger King’s Coca-Cola Freestyle and mix more than 110 different soft drink flavors.

Glad to have you back on Grand!

Congratulations Burger King!

annoy Vetal

MWorks

1318 Monad Rd, Billings, Montana 59101 • 406-252-6210 Billingsbusiness

CONGRATULATIONS

BURGER KING ON YOUR NEW LOCATION! PIERCE FLOORING & DESIGN IS PROUD TO BE PART OF YOUR PROJECT!

Commercial Division

pierceflooring.com • 652-4666 • 2950 King Ave. West March 2014

I

39

TRAVEL &leisure

W ith careful planning , you should be able to beat jet lag

Billie Ruff Billie Ruff is owner of Travel Cafe. Reach her at travelcafeonline.com.

International travel often leads to jet lag. Flying internationally causes jet lag because it causes you to cross time zones.

Take a tip from Ben Franklin and remember “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Following are just a few precautions to help you when you are crossing time zones.

It is important that you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. It is also best to stick with a bland diet, which aids your system in slowly adapting to the new time zone. Once you arrive at your destination, indulge in the local cuisine. Food is such an important piece of the cultural puzzle in each destination.

After your evening in-flight meal and before you wrap yourself in your blanket for a snooze, stretch your legs and walk up and down the aisles a couple of times. Also, some simple leg stretches are very good to keep your circulation in check. For example, lift your knee toward your chest, decreasing the amount of joint space at the back of the knee.

Repeat with your other leg.

Then, straighten your knee, increasing the amount of space at the back of the knee to its full range. Repeat with your other leg. Do ankle circles while seated.

I recommend traveling with noise-blocking earplugs or

headphones. Not only do they drown out unwanted noise and help you sleep, they can protect you from a chatty seat mate.

Pair those earplugs or headphones with relaxing music of your preference that you have stored on your smartphone, iPod, iPad or other music player.

For long overnight flights, take half of an over-the-counter sleeping pill. That dosage is adequate enough to drown out the noise around you.

As soon as you board your flight, adjust your watch according to your destination’s time clock and attempt to adhere to your arrival schedule.

Flying from Montana to

Europe typically causes you to arrive mid-morning; oftentimes before you can check into your hotel. I always check my luggage with the bell desk and find a nearby spot for lunch.

That way, I’m not tempted to lie down for a nap. Your cab driver or hotel concierges are the best resources to find the best spots for local fare.

After a leisurely lunch, you can usually check in, take your time to unpack and explore your hotel and surrounding neighborhood. Then, I recommend a light dinner and to bed by 8 p.m. By that time you should be exhausted. By morning, you are ready to go on your destination’s time zone.

Traveling eastbound often creates a late-night arrival. It’s best to just go to bed upon and wake at your normal time, if possible. I always travel with my own alarm clock, to be sure I wake at my normal hour. If possible, attempt to plan your travel departing eastbound and returning westbound. It is more difficult to adjust to jet lag flying eastbound.

Give yourself two to three days to fully adjust and acclimate to the altitude and time change. And, as a special treat, indulge in a relaxing massage once you reach your destination. That’s a great way to assist in adjusting to your new time zone. Happy, peaceful travels.

reward time to

yourself.

RewaRd youR business with double points!

It’s business as usual (but better!) when you use your World MasterCard.® Now through June 30, 2014, FirstRewards business cardholders earn two points per dollar spent on office related purchases.* Visit rewards.firstinterstate.com or call 1-888-833-3454 to learn more.

*Merchants are assigned codes and categorized based on what they sell. First Interstate Bank has no control over how a merchant is coded and although a merchant may appear to fall into an office management category, there is no guarantee that the merchant code will align. Eligible purchases will receive only one point if the merchant code is not in the promotion category. Office Management categories include, but are not limited to: office supplies, copy services, tax preparation services, accounting, cleaning & maintenance, and subscriptions. To qualify, purchases must be retail transactions. Eligible purchases include purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, convenience checks, ATM transactions, or foreign transactions. Points will be credited to your FirstRewards account approximately five days after qualified transactions are posted to your credit card statement.

40

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness

Business Success StoriesBriefs Recognizing People and Local Achievements Commerce at a Glance

Lyman passes insurance exam

Charlotte Lyman of Darnielle Insurance Agency has passed the Montana examination to become licensed as a property and casualty agent. She Charlotte has been with Lyman Darnielle Insurance since 2011 and specializes in developing and servicing personal lines insurance. Reach her at 406-652-4180. Darnielle Insurance Agency is located at 1320 28th St. W. For information go to www.darnielle.com.

Montana House of Representatives in 2012 and serves House District 51 in the heart of Billings. He holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aerospace from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA in global business from UT-Dallas.

The BIRD office is located in the East Billings Urban Renewal District, at 1413 Fourth Ave. N., Suite C. Kelly McCarthy can be reached at 406-545-7007, and Patty Nordlund is at 406-2724321.

Goplen receives career honor

Mitch Goplen, vice president of facility services at Billings Clinic, recently received the highest honor in facility management from Healthcare BIRD picks new Design magazine. Ten individuexecutive als from throughout the nation Kelly McCarthy has been were selected as recipients of named development directhe HCD 10, a tor for the Billings Industrial peer nomiRevitalization District. He joins nated award director of operations Patty given to proNordlund in fessionals who working with represent the the board and most exciting, property own- Mitch Goplen inspirational ers to advance and influential revitalization healthcare work of the previous efforts in the year.

Kelly McCarthy East BillOverseeing more than 1 ings Urban million square feet of facilRenewal District. ity space, Goplen has been McCarthy left a career in the responsible for more than U.S. intelligence arena to return 20 expansion and renovato his hometown of Billings in tion projects at Billings Clinic 2008. over the last two years. Armed Since returning, he’s been with extensive knowledge of working in the business and design and construction, he’s banking community and has as- an advocate of evidence-based sisted several nonprofit boards. design in the planning process McCarthy was elected to the and a supporter of The Center Billingsbusiness

for Health Design’s Pebble Project, registering two current Billings Clinic projects under the research initiative.

Under Goplen’s leadership, Billings recently opened the first phase of a 13-room operating suite and a center for breast health. In alignment with best practices around safety and with focus on reducing hospital-associated infections during construction, Goplen makes infection control practices a priority on all projects, involving all consultants and contractors in the education process.

Goplen continues to manage numerous projects in 2014, with numerous expansion and renovation projects at the hospital, clinic sites and affiliate hospitals, including the recent completion of a 24-bed ICU, and an outpatient cardiac center and new inpatient cardiac unit scheduled to open in March.

This spring will also mark the completion of an expanded family birth center that includes two new ORs and an expanded and renovated NICU, followed by continued renovation of surgical services and an expansion of surgical suites. He’s also overseeing construction of a new hospital in Livingston and four new Billings Clinic ExpressCare retail clinics.

McDonald named to chairmanship

Greg McDonald, president of Wendy’s of Montana, has been selected as the chairman of the Financial Subcommittee for the Wendy’s National Marketing Board of Directors.

He has served as both an elected and appointed trustee for 10 of the past 13 years. The board has fiduciary responsibilities for the franchise royalties collected for advertising campaigns. They meet every other month with upper management of Wendy’s International along with agency partners and key suppliers to consult on marketing strategy, creative ideas, research results, media implementation and menu development. Wendy’s of Montana operates 18 restaurants in Montana (15), Wyoming (2), and North Dakota (1).

Stockman names loan officer

Ken Boeschen has joined Stockman Bank as a real estate loan officer for the Billings Shiloh office. He will develop and service real estate loans and assist clients with their goal of becoming a homeowner or refinancing their current mortgage to consolidate debt or lower Ken Boeschen their current monthly payments.

Boeschen brings more than 20 years of banking experience to the position which includes real estate lending, specializing in conventional, FHA, VA and rural development loans; as well as personal banking, customer relations and business development. He was previously a mortgage loan originator for a regional bank in Billings. His past experience will help Stockman Bank continue to serve the

Billings community.

Boeschen earned his bachelor of science degree in business finance from Montana State University Billings and is an active member of the Billings Association of Realtors.

He is located at the corner of Shiloh and Grand Avenue and may be reached at 655-3997 or 861-9988.

Pharmacists certified

Two St. Vincent Healthcare pharmacists recently achieved specialty-level board certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, which certifies both nationally and internationally. St. Vincent Healthcare pharmacist Shane Anderson attained Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy, and St. Vincent Physician Network pharmacist Amber Gilbert attained Board Certification in Ambulatory Care. BPS certification is a voluntary process where a pharmacist’s education, experience, knowledge and skills in a particular practice area are confirmed as well beyond what is required for licensure.

board chair, SM Energy Co. New trustees: Jay Doucette, Metro Realtors, PC, Dr. Kristine Spanjian, St. Vincent Healthcare Critical Care.

Trustees: Tim Brocopp, Intermountain Distributing; Sister Lynn Casey, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth; Kelly Coleman, Hancock Enterprises; Steve Grose, Retamco Operating, Inc.; David Irion, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation; Pam Kercher, PEAKS Auxiliary of St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation; Dr. Janis Langohr, Childrens Clinic; Dr. Duane Schultz, Yellowstone Pathology Institute; Lila Taylor, W Lazy T Ranch.

Marzolf promoted at Stockman

Kaleb Marzolf has been promoted to the eBiz/cash management market specialist for the Stockman Bank Billings market. His responsibilities include providing assistance to customers and continuing development of Stockman Bank’s eBiz/cash management online banking services, which are designed to assist businesses St. Vincent in managing names board their funds St. Vincent Healthcare Foun- Kaleb Marzolf more effecdation has announced its 2014 tively.

Board of Trustees.

Marzolf has been with Board Leadership: Cindy Stockman Bank since 2012. He Beers, chair, Martin Family most recently served as an eBiz/ Foundation; Jeff Sorenson, vice cash management assistant chair, Moulton Bellingham Law for the Billings market. His Firm; Jim McCray, treasurer, knowledge and experience will Highwood Capital LLC; Chris be an asset to Stockman Bank Edwards, secretary, Edwards and help enhance their cash Law Firm; Shawn Heringer, past management services.

March 2014

I

41

Business Briefs Local Commerce at a Glance

Revenue Dept. seeks volunteers

until March 24. People can mail their completed applications and supplemental questions to The Montana Department Department of Revenue, Liquor of Revenue’s Liquor Control Control Division, Education Division is seeking volunUnit, P.O. Box 1712, Helena, MT teers to help implement Let’s 59624.

Control It, the agency’s training “Our agency strives to program for responsible alcohol ensure that liquor licensees sales and service. The volunhave the knowledge and skills teers would provide training to they need to ensure public Montana liquor license holders health and safety and to stay in about the state’s requirements compliance with the law,” said for selling and serving alcohol. Lisa Scates, alcohol educa“In the past five years, we’ve tion coordinator for the Liquor relied on volunteers to conduct Control Division. our training and we really apFor more information, call preciate their efforts and the Lisa Scates at 406-444-4307 time they invest,” Revenue or email LiScates@mt.gov.

Director Mike Kadas said.

Interested individuals Manning highlights can find the application and supplemental questions, along chamber breakfast Archie Manning will with the trainer criteria, at AlcoholServerTraining.mt.gov keynote the Billings Chamber under the Alcohol Server Train- of Commerce/Convention ing tab at Liquor Education, or and Visitors Bureau and First call 406-444-4307 to request Interstate Bank 50th Annual Salespersons’ Breakfast. one in the mail. The departThe 50th anniversary event ment is accepting applications will be held March 20 at the and supplemental questions

Carpet One Your Commercial Interior Design Experts!

FREE CONSULT & ESTIMATE CALL

Sarah Wise or Don Adamson

656-9300 • Interior Design • Custom Cabinets • Custom Countertops

505 S. 24th St. W. | 656-9300 | 800-320-0420 | Mon-Fri ri 8 - 6 | Sat 9 - 5 | Sun Closed

42

I March 2014

Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark from 7 to 9 a.m. (Doors open at 6 a.m.) Tickets are $25 for Chamber members, are general admission and include breakfast. Nonmember tickets are also general admission with breakfast for $35.

Call 245-4111 to reserve yours now, or to purchase them online. Or, stop by Rimrock Mall and pick yours up at Customer Service.

Archie Manning was selected as the keynote speaker for the Chamber/CVB 50th Annual Salesperson’s Breakfast for his appeal that transcends just athletic achievement. Manning’s résumé includes many incredible sport highlights, including his recognition as an All-American Quarterback and Mississippi’s Greatest All-Time Athlete in 1992. His leadership in civic and charitable causes are notable as well, including a wide variety of charity work and award winning efforts, including the National Pathfinder award for him and his wife Olivia’s work during postHurricane Katrina.

Lucky’s Market set to open

Lucky’s Market will open its first store in Billings at 1603 Grand Ave. in mid-March. It will be the fourth expansion of the Boulder-based natural foods grocery.

“We are excited to bring affordable natural foods to Billings with our unique flair,” said Bo Sharon, who founded Lucky’s with his wife, Trish.

“As trained culinary professionals, and downright foodies, we imagine our stores as an

oasis of health, kindness and support. We strive to be an integral piece of the community with a purpose greater than simply selling food. We’re looking forward to giving our neighbors in Billings a new taste and experience to bring home to their kitchens.”

The Montana store is the fifth nationwide for Lucky’s, a Boulder favorite that expanded to Longmont, Colo., and Columbus, Ohio, in 2013 and Columbia, Mo., earlier this month. A location in Louisville, Ky., is scheduled to open in 2014 as well.

The Billings store, which is about 26,000 square feet, includes a beer and wine section and community room.

The store will employ about 80 people.

Billings shoppers will find a wide selection of organic, specialty and gluten-free items at the store, as well as housemade deli items, in-house cured and smoked bacon, local produce, fresh meats and seafood, and a decadent bakery. Free wellness activities and store “walkabouts” (for gluten-free and other food categories) are other features have made Lucky’s a favorite with Boulder shoppers for more than a decade.

To learn more about Lucky’s Market, visit www.luckysmarket.com.

Outdoor writers meet in Billings

The Outdoor Writers Association of America has announced Billings as the host for their 2016 national conference.

The event is July 16-18 and will

include three days of sessions, demonstrations, hospitality events and more.

The Billings Chamber/ Conventions and Visitors Bureau and Tourism Business Improvement District, along with Visit Southeast Montana Tourism, were instrumental in securing Billings as host for the 2016 event.

According to Jack Ballard, local OWAA chair, “There are enough diverse outdoor recreation opportunities in the Billings area and beyond to keep an OWAAer exploring for a month.”

Pre- and post-conference trips include biking the Rimrocks, fishing the Yellowstone or Bighorn rivers, hiking, exploring natural and Western history sites, touring local breweries and distilleries, and more.

The conference will take place during the National Park Service’s centennial anniversary, bringing added interest in Yellowstone National Park and entry via the Beartooth Highway.

OWAA’s announcement confirms their return to Montana for the first time since 1987 when the group met in Kalispell. The 2014 and 2015 conferences will be held in McAllen, Texas, and Knoxville, Tenn., respectively. As they become available, details about the Billings conference will be posted at http://owaa. org/2016conference.

Pay conference set for Bozeman

The Governor’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force has

released the slate of speakers for the Equal Pay Summit scheduled for March 31-April 1 in Bozeman.

National pay equity advocate Lilly Ledbetter will kick off the summit at 6:30 p.m. on March 31, with keynote speakers on April 1 to include Gov. Steve Bullock and First Lady Lisa Bullock.

April 1 events include nine panels featuring close to 50 Montana entrepreneurs, elected officials, business leaders, educators, and activists dedicated to advancing and expanding career opportunities for women. The panels will follow three tracks: n Shattering the Glass Ceiling: A Woman’s Place is in Leadership n Closing the Wage Gap: From Parity to Prosperity n Beyond the “Pink Collar”: Expanding Career Opportunities for Women “The slate of speakers for the Equal Pay Summit reads like a who’s who of Montana business and community movers and shakers,” Bullock said. “Montanans will have an opportunity to hear from women CEOs, inventors, entrepreneurs, bankers, labor leaders, elected officials, educators, engineers — leaders who are doing important work right now to promote Montana women as active leaders in our economy.”

Participation at the Equal Pay Summit is free and open to the public.

To register for the summit or find information about the Governor’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force, visit equalpay. mt.gov.

Billingsbusiness

Montana patents Below are listed U.S. patentes issued to Montana inventors Dec. 24, 2013, to Jan. 21, 2014. For assistance in patent filing, call Billings patent attorney Antoinette M. Tease (406) 294-9000 Stewart S. Cardon of Whitefish: Overbed table trash bag holder and system.

8,613,256. Dec. 24, 2013.

Ethan F. Imboden of San

Francisco, Calif., and Jeff Wyatt of Bozeman: Ornamental design for a compact vibratory massaging device.

D686,411. Dec. 24, 2013. Jimmyjane, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Ethan F. Imboden of San Francisco, Calif., and Jeff Wyatt of Bozeman: Ornamental design for a massaging sleeve. D696,412. Dec. 24, 2013. Jimmyjane, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Derek Campbell of Portland, Ore., Christopher H. Pearson of Billings and Randy Wolfe of Beaverton, Ore.: Golf bag base. 8,616,369.

Dec. 31, 2013. Nike, Inc. of Beaverton, Ore. Tod J. Peterson of Billings, William P. Snow of Fairfax, Va., John R. Hind of Williamstown, Australia, and Kiran R. Sheth of Sugarland, Texas: Method of connecting different layers of optimization.

8,620,705. Dec. 31, 2013.

Daniel W. Price of Loveland, Ohio; William E. Clem of Bozeman; Matthew C. Miller, Cory G. Kimball, Brennan G. McCabe and Jeffrey D. Messerly, all of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Shawn C. Snyder of Greendale, Ind.: Ornamental design for an electrical connector. D696,631. Dec. 31, 2013. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joseph L. Byers of In-

man, S.C.; W. Toriran Flint of Asheville, N.C.; Samuel R. Shuman of Belgrade, and Tony W. Koons of Fletcher, N.C.: Printing blanket construction. 8,623,774. Jan. 7. Day International, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio.

Donald E. Kiely and Tyler N. Smith, both of Missoula: Hydroxypolyamide gel forming agents. 8,623,943. Jan. 7.

The University of Montana in Missoula.

David A. Johnson of Hamilton: Lipidated imidazoquinoline derivatives.

8,624,029. Jan. 7. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A. of Rixensart, Belgium.

Ethan F. Imboden of San Francisco, Calif., and Jeff Wyatt of Bozeman: Ornamental design for a personal massager. D697,222. Jan. 7.

Jimmyjane, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Sherry Black, 4952 Danford Drive No. 2 , Jan. 15.

Shelley Kaye Carlton, Christopher James Carlton, 3037 East Copper Ridge Loop, Jan. 15.

Raymond Marquez, 2220 St. Johns Ave. A23, Jan. 21.

Sarahann I. Zimmerman, 3900 Olympic Boulevard B10, Jan. 22.

Ronald Ray Anderson, 4282 Vaughn Lane, Jan. 24.

Daren Michael Blakely, 714 North 31st, No. 2, Jan. 27.

James J Neutgens, 502 1/2

Crawford Ave., Hardin, Jan. 27. 50478, Jan. 31.

Jannett Carol Dell, P.O. Box 796, Red Lodge, Jan. 29.

Chapter 13 Audrey Jean Huston, 345 Michael John Galland, Sioux Lane Apt. 2, Jan. 29.

Tawnya Deann Galland, 1930 Wayne W. Berry, 1918 11th SunriseSt., Jan. 30.

Ave. N., Jan. 30.

Jill Helen Scheeler, P.O. Box

Bankruptcies Billings area bankruptcy filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Jan. 1-31, 2014.

Addresses are in Billings unless otherwise noted.

field Drive. Jan. 9.

Dusty Joe Kluesner, Heather Renee Kluesner, 323 Fattig Creek Road, Roundup, Jan. 10.

Michael Leroy Ament, Ione Chapter 7 Bea Ament, 1040 Governors Kristi Marie Mills, 23 Wake- Boulevard, Jan. 14.

All new 2014 Diesel Picture is for illustrative purposes only. Model 35.1. MSRP $213,383. Sale $159,026. web id# R-13-229 *3.99% APR OAC with 20% down or net trade, for 240 months.

Billingsbusiness

9 7 7

ONLY

$

O. PER M

**

Billings Great Falls Kalispell

Billings i-90 EXiT 443 888-986-6684

March 2014

I

43

Residential Permits Add. Single/Duplex/Garage 3922 Heritage Drive, James and Ray Jackson Living Trust, Freyenhagen Construction Inc., $48,500 2933 Vermillion Drive, Larson, James A. and Sharon L., General Contractors Const. Co. Inc., $4,800 1819 Lost Creek Road, Buck Feist, $1,500 Fence/Roof/Siding 3103 Reimers Park Drive, Rockman, Eugene H. and Sheila R., Kirkness Roofing & Supply, $10,200 833 Garnet Ave., Wieland, David A. and Janet E., Lynnrich Inc., $718 1933 Yellowstone Ave., Foreman, Colleen A. and Kenneth S., Lynnrich Inc., $122 4614 Arden Ave., Miller, Rachelle A., Lynnrich Inc., $11,870 3223 Fairmeadow Drive, Bentley, William B. and Liane R., Lynnrich Inc., $11,039 3041 Ryniker Drive, Bailey, Bryan Edward and Tessie, Lynnrich Inc., $1,853 44

I March 2014

20 Hal Road, Schott, Charlie P., $3,000 107 Terry Ave., Heit, Adam, $6,000 4241 Clevenger Ave., Minchew, Andrew R. and Patricia L., Peak Contracting, $7,800 4341 Pine Cove Road, Bloomer, James B., C’s Construction Of Billings, $15,530 1804 15 St. W., Mic-Lyn LP, Krebill Construction & Roofing, $9,100 1122 N. 32 St., Phillips, Samuel K. Jr., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $8,500 614 N. 30 St., Chilton, Wayne A. and Celia D., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $7,800 3041 E. Copper Ridge Loop, Huber, Michael P., Peak Contracting, $7,800 2516 Olson Drive, Martell, Gilbert S. and Linda M., Terry’s Roofing, $8,000 4564 Laredo Place, Degele, J., Christian, Kirkness Roofing & Supply, $19,780 113 S. 32 St., Billings Warehouse Inc., Residential Roofing, $5,500 612 6 St. W., Rodriguez, Jason and Colleen, $3,000

647 Bazaar Exchange, Waldron, Dennis and Angela, Reule Builders, $11,000 1520 Lynn Ave., Benzel, Laurie J., Lynnrich Inc., $1,325 3630 Colin Drive, BellFuller, Mary J., Lynnrich Inc., $1,000 526 Parkhill Drive, Louise M Michels Trust Under W., $9,700 3406 Flagstone Drive, Johnson, Mark A. and Cammie J., Quality Time Construction, $12,022 402 Clark Ave., Van Matre, Stephen J., ABC Seamless Of Billings Inc., $6,600 1728 Lewis Ave., Thaseethong, Preecha, $3,000 570 Oasis Drive, Meitzel, Lonnie L., $2,000 4007 2 Ave. S., Nelson, Oscar and Heather L., Van Arsdale Construction, $4,500 New Single Family 3101 Peregrine Lane, Helgeson Homes, Helgeson S. D., $278,940 3214 Harrier Lane, Ban Construction, Ban Con-

struction Corp, $262,515 5415 Summer Stone Ave., Bonini Enterprises LLC, Bonini Enterprises LLC, $183,620 4616 N Hollow Brook Drive, Image Builders LLC, Image Builders, $278,740 3348 Castle Pines Drive, McGrail, Randy and Pennie, $427,085 1428 Benjamin Blvd., Dawson Builders , Dawson Builders, $157,755 1630 Songbird Drive, McCall Homes, McCall Development, $210,745 3116 Western Bluffs Blvd., Lynn and Terry Sather, Mac Leffler Construction, $400,000 3038 Golden Acres Drive, Rimrock Builders, Rimrock Builders Inc, $277,000 5978 Autumnwood Drive, Wells Built Homes, Wells Built Homes Inc., $408,285 3057 Western Bluffs Blvd., Bob Pentecost, Bob Pentecost Const, $375,000 3135 Amelia Circle, Copper Ridge Development LLC, Oakland Built Homes Inc., $159,660 3139 Amelia Circle,

Copper Ridge Development LLC, Oakland Built Homes Inc., $135,900 822 Siesta Ave., Mike Sartorie, $177,780 1716 Lone Pine Drive, McCall Development Inc., McCall Development, $302,165 1725 Morocco Drive, Errol and Sharrie Galt , Sbarrow Construction Inc, $345,855 5806 Autumnwood Drive, Wells Built Homes , Wells Built Homes Inc., $297,870 5226 S. Thunder Mountain Square, Jeff Junkert , Jeff Junkert Construction Inc, $265,700 1727 Hollyhock St., McCall Development Inc, McCall Development, $239,560 1746 Hollyhock St., McCall Development Inc, McCall Development, $247,405 New Two Family 5917 Foxtail Loop W., BTS, Classic Design Homes, $293,470

Rem/ Single/Duplex/Garage 265 Aristocrat Drive, Anderson, Ernest G. Trustee, Billings Window and Siding Spec., $7,640 2935 Ronan Drive, Bryan Kovash, Kovash Construction LLC, $10,000 612 6 St. W., Rodriguez, Jason and Colleen, $6,750 2997 Daystar Drive, Darren Dehass, My Handyman Service, $22,468 2997 Daystar Drive, Darren Dehass, $4,300 3639 Quimet Circle, Vonhagen, Richard L and Harriett, Lynnrich Inc., $1,722 3223 Fairmeadow Drive, Bentley, William B. and Liane R., Lynnrich Inc., $18,663 3025 Western Bluffs Blvd., Shawn Nelson Construction Inc, Shawn Nelson Construction, $23,800 1833 Iris Lane, Brosovich Carol, YellowstoneBasin Construction, $5,000 363 Aristocrat Drive, Brown, James R. Sr. and Barbara J., Win-Dor Industries, $14,452 507 Luther Circle, Billingsbusiness

Swenson, Harold D. and Sonja, One Source Construction LLC, $403 464 Sahara Drive, Phillips, Colleen C., American Exteriors LLC, $7,240 1037 Poly Drive, Sand, Matthew J. and Colleen L., Dave’s Exteriors Inc, $8,400 728 Logan Lane, Quigg, Rex A. and Janet F., $5,200 103 Moore Lane, Laughlin Properties LLC, Laughlin Construction Inc.,

$10,000 1214 Cook Ave., Burns, Wesley and Michelle, American Exteriors LLC, $3,485 1019 Neptune Blvd., YellowstoneCounty, WinDor Industries, $5,435 502 S. 33 St., City Of Billings, Van Arsdale Construction, $1,500 4724 Rimrock Road, Gappa, Stanley W., Pella Window Store, $1,200 2654 Meadow Creek

Loop, BCJM Properties LLC, Hanser Construction Company, $20,720 333 Terry Ave., Propriedad LLC, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $4,000 2317 Pine St., Blevins, Christy A., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $10,000 4256 Laredo Place, Smith, Edwin K. and Deborah, Freyenhagen Construction Inc., $30,400 2541 Magnolia Place, Lavonne R. Fink Trust,

Freyenhagen Construction Inc., $20,500 501 S. 33 St., Joshuah Cooper, $2,500 2405 Poly Drive, Swank, Scott A. and Cheri L., All Season Construction, $900 612 Howard Ave., B and I Homes LLC, One Source Construction LLC, $1,894 920 Parkhill Drive, South Central Montana Regional, $15,461 4245 Smohawk Trail, A, R. Junkert Construction

Inc., A.R. Junkert Construction Inc., $36,040 317 Lewis Ave., Cook, Gregory J. and Rosemary C., Win-Dor Industries, $658 2850 Parkhill Drive, Nave, Karen Ann, Lynnrich Inc., $708 3011 38 St. W., Lance Davis C. Jr. and Jean M., Lynnrich Inc., $9,159 912 Dorothy Lane, Martinez, Elizabeth A,, $25,200 316 Meadowlark Lane,

Abelman, Stephanie and Alan K., Pella Window Store, $900 1041 Moon Valley Road, Bryan, Virginia A., Shylo Const Donn Schye, $19,000 5354 Sacagawea Drive, Wells Built Homes , Wells Built Homes Inc., $23,100 3341 Racquet Drive, Halvorsen, Matthew L. and Kendra, $7,100

BUSINESS TRAVEL IS OUR BUSINESS Your First Class Ticket to: Personalized Service We take joy in providing one-on-one service and unbiased information to you and your business.

Rather than dealing with the faceless caller, we work for you.

Best Value We get the best value for your business travel dollars, providing you with information on the latest deals and promotions so you can make informed decisions.

Consumer Advocate We never stop working for you and your business. In the event of an unfortunate mishap, we act on your behalf to see that restitution is made.

Guaranteed Satisfaction We provide superior customer satisfaction so you and your team return the next time you’re planning a trip. We want you to be happy, long-term customers!

Billingsbusiness

travelcafeonline.com 406-259-0999 March 2014

I

45

Business licenses The following business licenses were issued during December 2013 and January 2014. The information is collected by the city of Billings.

Environmental & Civil Solutions LLC, 2401 Montana Ave., Suite 1, 702-7202.

Motor Maniacs Machine, 136 Florine Lane, 534-3905.

Cowles Montana Media Company, 2045 Overland Ave., 656-8000.

Coca Cola Bottling Company High Country, 4151 First Ave. S., 605-342-8222.

Minnow Bucket, Huntley, 696-1281.

Michelle Wilkins, 1220 Ave. C, Suite D, 598-0526.

Certus Aircraft Management Inc. 4148 Ashford Place, 598-5644.

Diede Construction Inc., Lodi, Calif., 209-369-8255.

Folk Flooring, 6530 Neibauer Road, 860-9983.

First National Pawn, 635

Wicks Lane, 656-0042.

Fischer Commercial Flooring LLC, 1702 First Ave. N., 839-3424.

Kendrick Bros. Roofing Inc., Ogden, Utah, 801-7312000.

Advanced Material Service/AMS LLC, 7608 N. Leopard Ave., 671-4919.

Move Your Body Better, 211 Wyoming Ave., 623-0463.

New Generation Builders, 829 Agate Ave., 702-0475.

Denson Technologies, 205 Greenwood Ave., 647-1100.

Keeawna Stethem Photography, 1427 Parkhill Drive, 876-3710.

Holistic Massage Bodywork LLC, 404 S. 35th St., 876-1135.

Bella Beanz, 2515 Cook Ave., 694-1234.

Gary Kirchmar Photography, 1928 Grand Ave., 860-4060.

Lazy E Bar D Sports LLC, 3035 Ocotillo Road, 860-6940.

Blckswn Events, 211 Wyoming Ave., 623-0447.

Skiboot RX, 917 Broadwater Ave., 720-1530.

MagicCity Taping, 211 13th St. W., 208-4586.

Performance Engineering and Consulting LLC, 2101 Overland Ave., 461-8392.

Triple Play Academy LLC, 119 Rhea Lane, 969-3969.

DMT LLC, 675 Main St., 794-1103.

Y.W.S. Drywall, Laurel, 850-3988.

Big Sky Dental Lab, 2340 Rosewyn Lane, 861-1918.

Canyon Creek Brewing, 3060 Gabel Road.

Graphi Design, 1803 Highway 87E, No. 3, 360-4725.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, 2525 King Ave. W., 671-0004.

Heritage Janitorial Service, 2601 Clark Ave., 656-7709.

Walker Land and Capital, LLC, 7061 Commercial Ave., 670-6863.

ACI Electric, East Helena, 431-0984.

WD Construction, 441 Laurie Lane, 281-1877.

Morningstar Senior Management LLC, 4001 Bell Ave., 303-750-5522.

Burlack Custom Rock LLC, Iver Grove Heights, Minn., 651-455-3384.

Crazy Mary’s Fish-N-Chips, 1404 Sixth Ave. N. J-Berd Mechanical Contractors, St. Cloud, Minn., 320-656-0847.

Berd Electric, St. Cloud, Minn., 320-656-0847.

Nyman Neon, 220 Bender Road, 671-0845.

Billings Commercial Cleaning, 3835 Ave. F, 655-2043.

Kuckucksei German Restaurant, 111 S. 24th St. W., Suite 14, 698-7239.

Rachel Jennings Hair Studio, 306 Clark Ave., 697-7002.

Top Tier, 415 Eggebrecht Lane, 839-3653.

Billings Best Blends, 2542 Wyoming Ave., 698-8534.

Level 3 Communications LLC, 550 S. 24th St. W., 720888-1000.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, 1649 Main St., 671-

0004.

Grande F-Nail-E Salon, 1313 Grand Ave., Suite 9, 245-5588 Meow Salon, 219 N. 29th, 208-1546.

J & R Crocker’s, 2009 Clark Ave., 259-3289.

Adobe Property Improvements, 2316 Sixth Ave. N., No. 20, 696-6163.

Jack’s Services, 4124 Murphy Ave., 927-2847.

Sweet Cafe (Library), 510 N. 28th St., 321-2090.

Farley’s Auto Sales and Repair, 1845-1/2 Main St., 794-8982.

Dollar Rent A Car, 1901 Terminal Circle, 248-3662.

Thrifty Car Rental, 1901 Terminal Circle, 245-9993.

A To Z Siding & Windows, 5840 Foxtail Loop W., 6701145.

Ole’s Tile & Stone, 4430 Central Ave., 208-6083.

Wallis Training, 1595 Grand Ave., No. 265, 697-9480.

Bella Estelle Salon & Boutique, 111 S. 24th St. W., No. 215, 672-1400.

TLG Accounting, 2816 Vermillion Drive, 598-7107.

Projectile Comedy, 984

one of a kind • one at a time

WE CARE. Downtown Chapel 925 S. 27th Street Billings • 245-6427

46

I March 2014

WE LISTEN.

West Chapel

304 34th St. West Billings • 245-6427

WE HELP.

Smith Chapels

Laurel & Columbus 628-6858

Olcott Chapel Red Lodge 446-1121

• Custom Laser • Cutting & Engraving • Full Color Dye Sublimation • Rubber Stamps • Name Badges • Corporate Awards Dennis Crowder • Personalized Gifts 819 16th Street West • 406-245-1681 • Desk Accessories ddc@lasered4u.com • www.engraveables.net • Interior Signs Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00 • Trophies & Awards

Rimrock Road, 697-6293.

HeartMtn. Construction LLC, Powell, Wyo., 307-7542322.

Sharp Construction LLC, Gig Harbor, Wash., 253-6069498.

LNZ Construction, 7165 Silversprings Circle, 8552219.

Aaron’s Furnace and AC, 532 Milton Road, 839-8225.

NCNS Communications LLC, Eagle Mountain, Utah, 801-361-4672.

Hammer Down Auctions Inc. 405 14th St. W., 6727524.

ADR Painting Inc., 1803 Clark Ave., 208-8897.

Quik Spa, 2348 Grand Ave., 545-3326.

Transition With Care, 5514 Billy Casper Drive, 534-1310.

Bete Noire, 1803 Clark Ave., 208-2256.

TJ’s Sauce N’ Such, 4233 King Ave. E., 861-3560.

Ahern Installations, 3455 Old Hardin Road, No. 53, 6944253.

Montana Barslabs LLC, 7 N. 18th St., 876-2268.

CW Construction, 1356 Matador Circle, 690-1837.

Faithful Servant Painting, 3538 Granger Ave. W., 6718058.

Billingsbusiness

BUILDING TOMORROW’S VISIONS TODAY www.daconstruction.com

Building Permits DESIGN/BUILD • TURN-KEY CONSTRUCTION • PRE-CONSTRUCTION PLANNING • CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT • 406-248-3700

Billings Commercial Building Permits $8,400

Remodel

50 27th St. W.

4M Properties

Artisan Builders

$4,000

G Rock Building LLC

$35,000

Remodel

3225 1 Ave. N.

Hardrives Const.

Hofer Builder

$4,000

3605 Hesper Road

Fedex Ground

$5,000,000

Remodel

2147 Overland Ave.

Montana District Council

T Davis Construction Inc.

Remodel

3605 Hesper Road

Fedex

$750,000

Remodel

522 N. 29 St.

Christian Church

$2,236

Remodel

1041 Broadwater Ave.

Amestoy Chad

Ty Nelson Construction

$500

New 3/4 Family

206 Sioux Lane

Housing Authority Of Billings

$747,500

Fence/Roof/Siding

2101 Overland Ave.

Peachtree Investors

Bradford Roof Mgmt

$55,000

New 3/4 Family

208 Sioux Lane

Housing Authority Of Billings

$747,500

Fence/Roof/Siding

3225 1 Ave. N.

Bailey James A & Stephanie L.

Hofer Builder

$2,800

New 3/4 Family

212 Sioux Lane

Housing Authority Of Billings

$747,500

Fence/Roof/Siding

1305 Broadwater Ave.

Myers Willard Lee & Julie A.

Empire Roofing Inc.

$10,000

New 3/4 Family

210 Sioux Lane

Housing Authority Of Billings

$747,500

Hospitals/Institutions

4040 Parkhill Drive

RK Development LLC

EEC Inc.

$902,306

Remodel

550 N. 31 St.

United Industry Inc.

Jones Construction Inc

$485,000

New Other

810 Airport Road

City Of Billings

$38,000

Remodel

3178 Gabel Road

Copper King Resources Inc.

Jones Construction Inc.

$100,000

Remodel

1911 King Ave. W.

KRP LLC

$60,000

Remodel

50 27 St. W.

Susan Eades

Artisan Builders

$26,000

Remodel

1200 30 St. W.

School District No. 2

Fisher Construction Inc.

$280,150

Remodel

2501 Grand Ave.

Horgan Daniel

K & N Construction Inc.

$40,000

Remodel

670 Main St.

Popelka Enterprises LLC

Langlas & Assoc. Inc..

$100,000

Remodel

1603 Grand Ave.

West Park Plaza Associates LLC Fisher Construction Inc.

$35,000

Remodel

3990 Ave. D

Pottenger Jimmie R.

$190,000

Remodel

405 Main St.

Double LC Partners LLC

C Squared Construction

McComish R L & Karen

$100,000

Remodel

111 S 24 St. W.

Rimrock Mini-Mall LLC

Shaw Construction

$2,460

Remodel

421 N. 24 St.

Ryco Hydraulics

Neumann Construction

Warehouse/Storage

3517 1 Ave. S.

McBride Steve W.

Remodel

2244 Grand Ave.

Remodel

Remodel-Change In Use 3225 Rosebud Drive

S Bar S Supply

Fisher Construction Inc.

Fence/Roof/Siding

1503 Grand Ave.

Mykel Stockton

Fence/Roof/Siding

4318 State Ave.

Thotus Ellen M Trustee

Billingsbusiness

Empire Roofing Inc.

$10,000

$500

$2,000

$20,000

$70,000

March 2014

I

47

48

I March 2014

Billingsbusiness