UNDER 40 TWENTY
Genevieve Trygstad-Burke
Blane Woodfin Heather Wicks
Cierra Wallace
Mandy Patriarche
Ryan Green Shann Scott
Bryan Flammond
Nikole Drummond
Medellee Antonioli Carlie Auger
Rossi Benner Max Blaser Baylor Carter
Laura Conwell
Aurelia Ewan
Ben Frentsos
Jackie Haines
Joe Perrelli
Jessie Clark
Adrienne Huckabone
UNDER 40 TWENTY
The 20 Under 40 Awards, created by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and sponsored by ERA Landmark Real Estate, First Security Bank and Bozeman Health, celebrate the best and brightest young people in the Gallatin Valley. These rising stars in the business and non-profit worlds are also passionate
about volunteerism and giving back to the community, and have been selected for this honor because of both their business acumen and their commitment to making our valley, and the world, a better place.
Scores of candidates for this award were nominated and submitted by Daily Chronicle
readers. A committee consisting of judges from both the business and nonprofit worlds reviewed all of the submissions, and the 20 outstanding individuals featured on these pages and celebrated with a lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn on Monday, October 21st. Here are this year’s chosen few...
Medellee Antonioli “ ”
Medellee Antonioli, the owner of Isle Books, has created warm, welcoming spaces for the public in Bozeman and Butte.
Antonioli holds a master’s degree in library and information science with a specialization in archives and special collections. She has been working in the book industry for more than 20 years. Her two stores have prime selections of used, like new, and rare vintage books.
“In 2021, I purchased the Used Book Emporium in Bozeman and renamed it Isle of Books,” Antonioli said. “It grew quickly and I was blessed to be able to acquire my grandma’s beloved Butte store, Books and Books, as well.”
Antonioli regularly hosts community gatherings like the annual banned books event which, last year, brought several important Montana writers together to give speeches about their favorite banned books.
“Both locations continue to grow
We pride ourselves on being a comfortable space where everyone is welcome and all views are respected.
and I am the luckiest book slinger around,” she said. “I think what I like best about working in this town is that I get to meet so many different people – people whose viewpoints are often different from mine.”
She also has an extensive recycling program set up in her stores. She hosts frequent author readings and book signings for local Montana writers, and she has begun providing a space that is free of charge for local musicians. In addition to running her stores, Antonioli has filled the shelves of the local homeless shelter and family homeless shelter with free books.
“Bozeman is a great community of book lovers of every description and they, our customers, make this community great. I work very hard to be a steward of books, or the place where you can donate any and all books for credit with full confidence,” she said. “We take everything and will do our absolute best to make sure the books are cared for and
distributed. I’m extremely proud to provide books to the warming center, Wheat Suites, and food bank, in addition to numerous little free libraries around town.”
“
Carlie AUGER
Working at Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE) gives Carlie Auger the opportunity to promote innovation and give back to the Bozeman community.
The 38-year-old Auger is the managing director and partner for the company, which serves as a trusted business partner and consultant to professional service firms, and she manages more than onethird of the organization.
“We have the opportunity to attract talent from all sorts of different backgrounds from across the country to this community,” Auger said.
Auger joined PIE in 2010 when the company had only 13 employees, and she has helped the company grow
significantly. She has facilitated executive communities on behalf of Accenture, Korn Ferry, Randstad, the American Management Association, North Highland, and Agility. In 2015, she became the director of membership for executive peer groups and, over the past five years, she has recruited 800-plus Fortune 500 C-Level executives to join the company’s client networks.
In 2019, she helped create and establish the Team-Based Account Management structure and systems to ensure insightful team check-ins and reporting. She helped design and implement a company-wide training program to promote the smooth onboarding of new hires and assimilation to
” Our vision includes being a ‘lever that moves the world towards good across the globe, in our community and in our own lives.
their roles. She worked with a handful of subjectmatter experts across the business to make sure that all angles of each different position were fully incorporated.
As part of her current role, Auger serves as chief of staff to the chief operating officer, helping to manage internal communications, project allocation, and on-time delivery.
PIE’s dedication to Bozeman allows Auger to give back by participating in community engagement programs for Adopt-aHighway cleanup days and Cancer Support Community volunteer events. Auger also served as vice president of the Big Sky Bravery board during its inception and helped lead efforts for the annual
golf fundraiser at Black Bull.
“PIE’s mission is ‘connecting powerful minds – making the world smarter and smaller,’” Auger said. “We are making a difference in the industry of professional services, and in our community, by providing an avenue for sharing best practices, building relationships, and solving challenges.”
Rossi Benner
Having spent a decade in the banking industry, Rossi Benner has helped clients throughout the Gallatin Valley navigate their financial goals. It has been a truly rewarding pursuit.
Benner, a 38-year-old residential mortgage lender at First Security Bank, is known for her commitment to delivering exceptional customer service with an honest, straightforward approach to the mortgage process. Whether her clients are purchasing their first homes, refinancing existing properties, or securing funds to build their dream residences, Benner provides them with expert guidance and helps find the best possible solutions to meet their needs.
“Within a decade, I’ve been able to advance in various areas of banking – from administration to retail management to mortgage lending,” Benner said. “Through hard work and the relationships I’ve cultivated,
“ ” I’ve been able to realize the American dream while helping others do the same.
I’ve consistently been one of First Security Bank’s top-producing mortgage lenders.”
From her humble beginnings in the former Eastern Bloc country of Bulgaria, Benner has advanced in the United States through education and hard work. She has made a significant impact as a member of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley. Her leadership has helped the organization provide affordable housing and improve the living conditions of local families in need. Bozeman has become Benner’s home and she is passionate about giving back to it.
“Although Bozeman has seen tremendous growth in the last few years, it still retains its small-town charm, where relationships matter, community involvement is valued, and families want to put down roots. As a local lender, I get to help people in my own community be successful
at achieving homeownership,” she said. “I pride myself on being compassionate, honest, and forthright. Building trust and relationships is the aspect of my job that I enjoy the most. It’s about more than just facilitating a transaction; it’s about laying the foundation for financial stability and community.”
Max Blaser
Being part of a growing company, as well as a community of fellow outdoor enthusiasts and friendly neighbors, makes Max Blaser feel lucky to live in Bozeman.
Blaser, 38, is the owner and general manager of Mountain Hot Tub. Throughout the past seven years, he has spearheaded initiatives to support various nonprofit organizations, playing a pivotal role in fostering community well-being. By aligning Mountain Hot Tub’s resources with these causes, Blaser has amplified the company’s impact on the area.
“Between opening our new facility in 2019, the massive expansion of our industry through the
I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of such an amazing company and community. “ ”
COVID years, and the ongoing population growth throughout Montana, I was fortunate to see our company grow from around 20 total employees to more than 70 today,” Blaser said. “Such growth wasn’t without its challenges though. I feel as though I was able to help build upon the incredible framework
Kelly King and Tom Walker built at Mountain Hot Tub and expand it to a scale that was, at one time, unimaginable.”
Between that growth and the addition of the Missoula and Whitefish locations earlier this year, Mountain Hot Tub may be reaching its greatest heights yet, Blaser said. His greatest impact has been
in saunas, he said, and he believes the company can one day be the largest sauna retailer in North America.
Blaser has also enjoyed participating in the numerous events Montana Hot Tub has sponsored. He has provided the hot tub (and plunged) during the President’s Plunge for Special Olympics Montana each year. He supplied saunas and hot tubs for
a Big Sky Skijoring event, Make-A-Wish March fundraisers, and Hot Tubs for Health events.
“This is an amazing place to live and work, and I sincerely believe that Mountain Hot Tub helps our community live better – not just through community involvement but also with the best hot tubs and saunas in Montana,” he said.
Baylor Carter
Livingston native Baylor Carter is a mentor, humanitarian, and respected real estate professional.
With a background in residential construction and customer relations, 37-year-old Carter brings a holistic understanding of the real estate process to his work at ERA Landmark and is committed to making every transaction stress-free for his clients.
“I was fortunate to start as a realtor at the exact right moment when interest rates were at an all-time low and the open spaces of our state made it extra enticing,” Carter said.
During his first few years at ERA, he was awarded the Circle of Achievement in 2021 and the Circle of Honor in 2023.
“I enjoy helping my peers leverage into the competitive market here,” Carter said. “Growing up in Montana has spoiled me for living in other places.”
“ ” I really love living in a community that is small enough where you know or at least know of basically everyone; it keeps folks honest.
Outside of the professional world, Carter is always looking for new ways to make a difference in the community, and he often mentors aspiring real estate professionals. During the pandemic, he teamed up with a local pastor to deliver groceries to at-risk individuals. This experience led to Carter’s active involvement in senior commodity deliveries, where he regularly ensured that vulnerable community members received the supplies they needed.
In 2022, during and after the Yellowstone River flooding, Carter helped fill sandbags and dug ditches. He has regularly been the first person to sign up for projects such as “Spring Cleaning with a Meaning,” where volunteers cleaned up yards for local seniors.
“People always remark on our strong sense of community and that is a testament to the type of people that this area has
attracted throughout the years. Historically, you had to be pretty hearty to survive in Montana, and if you weren’t when you got here, you would learn to be,” Carter said.
“A lot of that education would come from neighbors who would be happy to lend you a hand when you needed it. I love getting to be an ambassador for that mentality.”
Jesse CLARK
Entrepreneur and business owner Jessie Clark is passionate about the mobile car detailing industry, and equally committed to caring for his community.
Clark, 30, started his company, Every Detail, about five years ago, and it has grown exponentially. He grew up in Louisiana, where he faced many hardships, including Hurricane Katrina, before enrolling at Montana State University to play football. He ultimately settled in Bozeman.
“I love Bozeman because of how nice and friendly the community is. I feel like the foundation of Bozeman is based on hard work, so hard work and entrepreneurship are
I’m always trying to be out and about in the community, meeting new people and giving back in any way I know how. “ ”
respected in this community,” Clark said.
“The community is closeknit and I enjoy being part of that family feel. I also love the outdoors and all of the opportunities we are blessed with to enjoy nature and everything it brings.”
Clark gives back to the community in numerous ways, often by volunteering to coach young football athletes. He dedicates some of his income to helping the causes of police officers, and he donates to his local church and the Mason Moore Foundation.
“I give back to my community by being involved, whether that involves coaching kids’ sports or volunteering at
community events,” he said.
During his time at Montana State University, Clark helped the football team win the Cat-Griz game in 2016. He completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2018 and was the first person in his family to go to college and graduate. In 2020, he had the dream of starting a mobile car detailing business and that came to fruition in 2021.
“I make a difference in my industry by providing
excellent quality of work. I take extreme pride in the work that I do. I love cars and I am passionate about my work, which is so important in any discipline,” he said. “If you are not passionate and do not care, you are not giving your customers and the community what they deserve.”
Laura Conwell
During her 15 years as an educator, Laura Conwell – the current principal at Longfellow Elementary School – has watched the students of Bozeman learn and grow.
Conwell, 39, has been Longfellow’s principal for the past four years. She has guided the school through COVID-19 pandemic protocols and served as a strong leader for the professionals in the building.
“I have spent nine years as a classroom teacher and the last six years as an elementary school principal. I’ve experienced many career highlights within my different positions, and they all have a common thread,” Conwell said. “Nothing compares to watching a team of educators come together to make a difference in a student’s life.”
Longfellow has developed a LongRange Strategic Plan that supports the Bozeman School District’s objectives. The plan targets a broad
Witnessing my school community work to support students and families with patience, creativity, and professionalism is the most fulfilling part of my work as an educator. “ ”
spectrum of goals, including academic, behavioral, safety, and community engagement. Academic goals have been mapped out for Longfellow at each grade level in the areas of math, reading, and writing.
“I’m continually impressed by how deeply the Bozeman community values education. It’s clear that this community recognizes the crucial role education plays in a child’s life, and the support we receive is truly outstanding,” she said. “The Bozeman School District sets high standards for all stakeholders, and I’m consistently both challenged and supported in my role.”
Conwell is also an active participant in the Professional Learning Communities at the school, and she is involved in the Bozeman Children’s Theatre performance each spring.
“I have watched the day-to-day investments that educators pour
into students grow into individual student achievements, foster incredible impacts within families, and build greater community movements,” she said. “I know that the education, growth, and development that happen within the walls of our small school in Bozeman have great potential to impact change in our community and world.”
Nikole Drummond
Working at Montana State University has been a blessing for Nikole Drummond, who has helped guide numerous students and families through the college process.
Drummond, 32, is an admissions specialist, and she was recognized as a 2024 nominee for the university’s “Employee of the Year” award. She was also selected to be a member of the university’s “Grad Leadership Academy” for 2024 to 2025.
“I love getting involved in the community and running into people I know or am related to. It’s inevitable that I will see someone I know from one phase of life or another at community events or just in passing,” Drummond
said. “Every day I have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of prospective students and their families, regarding one of life’s scariest and most formative decisions, college. I help guide them through the process and provide a friend-like hand to hold, as this decision will change the trajectory of most students’ lives.”
Drummond also draws from her firsthand experience as a student. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in public administration from Montana State University with an expected graduation date of December 2025.
Among her many accomplishments, Drummond held the title of Miss Montana Continental Worldwide
“ ” I love that I have helped thousands of families from all over the United States make Bozeman their new home, for at least the next four years.
2023, competing in the national competition and making it into the Final Top 8. In addition, she was a member of the Leadership Montana Graduating Class of 2018 and the Leadership Bozeman Graduating Class of 2015. She is also certified in Mental Health First Aid and uses this skill to support her community.
“Whether students are returning to school after 50 years, transferring from another institution, or fresh out of high school, I help ensure they receive the highest level of commitment to their success and onboarding support,” Drummond said. “It involves sharing what life at Montana State University and in the community of Bozeman is like, because when you
join the university, you are also embedding yourself into our community.”
Aurelia Ewan
“ ” My passion is helping others; it’s what drives me
A devoted mother and business owner, Aurelia Ewan is consistently contributing to her community – both philanthropically and professionally.
With 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Ewan founded the award-winning Western Horizon Insurance – a locally-owned, independent agency, in 2018. She has grown her business to include all lines of insurance coverage, including business, general liability, commercial and personal auto, home, umbrella, flood, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, life, and health. She also manages several other personal limited liability corporations.
“I began my career in customer service, working my way up through the ranks to become a licensed personal and commercial insurance lines producer, office manager, and eventually launching my own agency,” said Ewan, who is 38.
“Through insurance, I’m able to assist my clients in protecting their most valuable assets while saving them money and providing the best coverage possible.”
Ewan started her agency with two goals in mind: to offer clients a variety of carriers and options and ensure they receive topnotch customer service, coverage, and premiums; and to create growth opportunities for her staff, professionally and personally.
“I’m confident that our team shares a passion for giving back. We make it a priority to volunteer, donate to local nonprofits, and lend a hand to those in need,” Ewan said. “It’s important for me to stay connected to my roots, my community, and my ability to help others whenever possible.”
To this end, Ewan and her colleagues recently sponsored a cleanup event in the Gallatin Heights community – one of many examples of her outreach efforts.
“Watching the rapid growth of our community over the years has been inspiring,” Ewan said. “I appreciate the opportunities it has provided for both my business and my family, all while maintaining a strong sense of safety and support.”
On a personal front, Ewan is a mother of two sons, 12-year-old Sawyer and 9-year-old Emmett.
“I am proud to be born and raised in this beautiful valley. It’s an honor to raise my two sons in the same community where I grew up,” Ewan said. “Being a mother is my most important and rewarding role.”
Bryan Flammond
A veteran and native Montanan, Bryan Flammond has built a successful career and a strong community presence in Bozeman.
For six years, the 38-year-old Flammond has been an asset to Acela Truck Company – starting as a diesel technician and progressing to managing a team of five people as a warranty and technical support specialist. Recently, he has taken on the role of technical advisor, working closely with a fleet of customers to address their questions and provide key guidance for the business. His military background as a United States Army veteran has further contributed to his ability to drive the company forward.
“Building America’s most capable truck has been rewarding. Hearing people in the community see our truck and talk about the ‘wow’ factor gives me so much pride in what we do,” Flammond said.
“Bozeman is an incredible community to live and work in, too. Being able to have access to the outdoors so close to work and home is very special.”
Prior to his role at Acela, Flammond honorably served as a soldier in the Army, including a deployment during the Iraq war.
“I have spent 12 years in the Montana Army National Guard, which helped launch my career in the civilian market,”
Bozeman brings a sense of community that is unmatched. “ ”
Flammond said. “My skills and knowledge help grow the company I work for and give me a sense of pride for what I do.”
An active member of the Little Shell Tribe, Flammond was born and raised in Browning, Montana, and he remains deeply involved in his tribal community.
He regularly participates in the Annual American
Indian Council Powwow and stays connected with many of his fellow Army veterans through an organization called Irreverent Warriors. Through creative engagements, events, and strong veteranbased support networks, Irreverent Warrior’s mission is to prevent suicide and bring better mental health to veterans.
Ben Frentsos
“ ” I want to play a role in the betterment of my community, for the people I share it with and for my own family.
Helping children and families throughout the Gallatin Valley, Ben Frentsos has made his mark in the nonprofit sphere.
As director of community impact at the Greater Gallatin United Way, Frentsos has worked to strengthen relationships with area nonprofits and agencies, helping to enhance services that support local families and sustainability among partners.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with many talented professionals who have lifted me up and continue to mentor me in my career,” said Frentsos, who is 39. “I’m very honored to have worked with leaders who have invested in me by focusing on areas of my development and working as partners to get the job done.”
Over the years, Frentsos has expanded his role – building on his experience in the Peace Corps, the Montana State University
Extension, and the local 4-H program – to continue affecting change community-wide. Frentsos spent many years working in Romania as a volunteer, educator, and 4-H and youth development agent – an experience that greatly inspired him and influenced his ability to serve.
“My current role keeps me connected with people in our community who are committed to its betterment,” Frentsos said. “I see the difference we’re making in the data we collect, in the success of our partners’ programs, and in the way the United Way has continued to be the backbone of support in our area for over 40 years.”
Frentsos’ role is community-facing, and he participates in many public conversations around basic needs, mental well-being, early learning, and out-of-school time in the local area.
“The health of our community is
driven by involvement in meaningful conversations around topics that are influencing the quality of people’s lives,” Frentsos said. “I know the collective impact of this network helps make living in our area healthier, safer, more affordable, and improves the quality of life for many families in incremental ways. It has made a difference to me and my family to live and work in a place that has the infrastructure to allow us to take care of one another.”
Ryan GREEN
Adrienne Huckabone AND
This area has long embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, recognizing that real change begins at the grassroots level. “ ”
Ryan Green and his wife, Adrienne Huckabone, are the brains behind Happy Trash Can Compost – a 2016-founded curbside composting business that is contributing to the betterment of Montana’s environment.
The team at Happy Trash Can collects 50,000-plus pounds of food waste each week. The company is diverting more than 2.5 million pounds of food waste annually from the landfill and turning it into nutrient-rich compost to amend local soils for area farmers and gardeners.
“When we launched Happy Trash Can, food waste composting was nonexistent in the area. Undeterred, we built a reliable system and continued pushing the boundaries of possibilities,” said Green, 39, and Huckabone, 38. “As the composting industry expands, we see food waste as a powerful tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and giving organic material a second life. By closing the loop, food waste becomes endlessly recyclable, and we believe we are only scratching the surface of its potential.”
The entrepreneurs have built partnerships with
the City of Bozeman, Montana State University, the Bozeman Community Food Co-op, Bridger Bowl, Montana Ale Works, Bridgercare, the Bozeman Public Library, and several area restaurants and farms.
“In Bozeman, Belgrade, Livingston, and beyond, we collaborate with many organizations, businesses, and residents, all united by a shared vision: to improve the sustainability and beauty of our home
state for generations to come,” the couple said. “What started as a modest project, with just a few bins and a shovel, has since grown into a vital service for Gallatin and Park counties. We continue to scale our efforts, returning rich compost to local farms to grow food and flowers. We love working with this community, where opportunities to make an impact are abundant.”
Jackie Haines “ ”
I believe that, if we want to give back and change the world, the best place to start is at home, in our local community.
Whether she is volunteering with children overseas or helping homeless youth in Bozeman, Jackie Haines believes in the power of helping her neighbors.
Haines, 37, has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in applied economics from Montana State University. During her time as the director of economic and strategic development with the Big Sky Resort Area District, she has ensured that Big Sky’s Vision and Strategy Plan aligns with key indicators of success to guide largescale funding decisions.
“I’ve found that bringing people together sparks creativity in how expertise, resources, and finances can come together to help create solutions. I deeply care about my community. I love this place we all call home. All the work I do is in service of trying to contribute to the community,” Haines said. “I hope that every bit of my work, no matter how small, contributes to making our
community a better place to live. My only strategy is ‘see a need, meet a need,’ and I try to tackle it that way.”
Early in her career, Haines founded an English camp for orphans in Ethiopia, partnering with an organization called Bring Love In, which worked in Addis Ababa to place orphans in permanent homes throughout the city.
She also helped found Blueprint, a homeless youth shelter in Bozeman, and worked to help teens experience stable housing while completing their education. She facilitated a volunteer income tax assistance program, for which a team of certified volunteers has prepared more than 600 tax returns for free each year.
“I love the people in Montana. I work with a lot of individuals who are kind, hard-working, and invested in making our home a better place,” she said. “I believe that every problem we face, no matter how complex, is solvable if we can get creative.”
“
Patriarche Mandy
Mandy Patriarche knows that, in the nonprofit sector, there are always unmet needs and worthy causes – and she is committed to helping in any way she can.
Patriarche, 37, is currently the director of operations for the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, which has doubled in size during the two years she has been in this role. She has helped build the systems and processes to grow the foundation, while creating efficiencies for the nonprofit grant partners.
“I help streamline processes and support staff as the foundation grows to meet community needs through
programming and grants,” she said. “Many of the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, both professionally and as friends, share a genuine passion for supporting one another and protecting their neighbors.”
Deeply committed to the nonprofit sphere, Patriarche recently earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Montana.
Patriarche previously worked for Special Olympics Montana as the vice president of outreach and communications, and at Montana State University Athletics, where she oversaw sportspecific giving groups and supported the Bobcat Club in raising funds for
” I have a deep love for our communities in Gallatin County. The vibrancy and innovation here are truly remarkable.
athletic programs and scholarships. She also serves as the board treasurer for the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, which helps improve the lives of raptors throughout the state.
“One of my greatest passions is athletics, and I’m proud to continue contributing as a coach and unified partner for the local adult Special Olympics team. The sense of love and care I witness while volunteering with the Special Olympics is unmatched,” she said. “I strive to make a difference
in both my sector and my community by always going the extra mile. I am committed to giving 100% to whatever mission I’m focused on each day. I work hard to serve as a volunteer, board member, employee, and neighbor, bringing my full effort to every role.”
Joe Perrelli
Promoting sustainable construction and philanthropic service, Joe Perrelli is making the Southwest Montana community stronger.
Perrelli, 31, has been with Martel Construction for about 10 years, and he is currently the Big Sky market president. He methodically climbed through the ranks at the company to become a project manager and most recently, the president of a team that constructs everything from custom residences to community buildings.
“My favorite part of the job is getting to learn about the businesses I’m serving. To best help a client, I need to understand their unique needs, and I enjoy learning about what they do and how their business works,” Perrelli said. “I also enjoy seeing how their business grows over time as a result of the building that our team delivers.”
In the past two years, Perrelli
“ ” I try to do my part with each project to find the best solution for our clients, the community, and the environment.
has donated to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, organized annual blood drives at Martel’s main office, and helped build trails with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. He also has a pilot’s license and enjoys taking Martel employees on flights around Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountain region.
Perrelli graduated from Montana State University with a major in construction engineering technology and a minor in business administration. His wife is a fifthgeneration Bozeman native and also works in the construction industry as an architect.
“It’s important to both of us to help shape responsible development and be good stewards of the land to make it a community we can all be proud of,” he said. “Being part of the construction industry, my work quite literally builds the Southwest Montana community, and I love seeing the homes, businesses,
and community buildings that I’ve built with Martel being used by my friends and neighbors. I’m lucky to get to welcome new businesses and individuals to town when they first build, and to continue those relationships as they grow and build again.”
Shann Scott
Shann Scott spent years rising through the ranks of the Gallatin banking industry – a career that has helped him connect closely with his beloved Montana community.
At 38, he serves as the market president at First Interstate Bank (where he has been for 17 years), overseeing operations, regulatory compliance, and the strategic direction of business lines across all local branches in Ennis, Belgrade, Bozeman, Livingston, and Gardiner.
“My focus is on working to create a bright, welcoming, and empowering work culture that allows my team to be their best – with the belief that, in turn, our clients have the best experience
possible,” Scott said.
Scott often helps his clients achieve their biggest financial goals, which may include starting new small businesses, purchasing homes, building retirement plans, and making donations to local organizations. Scott also spends his non-work hours giving back.
Throughout the past decade, he has been an integral member of Thrive’s board of directors, where he has completed multiple terms as treasurer and served as a member of the finance committee. He advocates for a range of philanthropic causes across the region. He is an alumnus of Montana State University, and his dedication to advancing
I love the vibrant and positive energy that is evident in this community. “ ”
the university’s mission is evident in his support for academics and sports. He is also a devoted husband and father of two children.
“I truly believe people in the community want to meet others, take care of each other, and help the community to thrive. That energy is contagious and I love being a small part of it,” Scott said. “My role within a community bank has provided me with a unique opportunity to
live out this value and make a difference in both my industry and the community. I am able to speak with a variety of people and learn more about the various needs of our community.”
Genevieve Trygstad-Burke
“
” I love living and working in this community because it is full of people who are truly passionate about so many things, and they are willing to put in the work to make incredible things happen.
As the development director for Opera Montana, as well as a dancer and executive artistic director of Raison D’être Dance Project, Genevieve Trygstad-Burke has helped enrich her community’s artistic culture.
During Trygstad-Burke’s short tenure at the opera since 2021, the number of individuals contributing to the organization has more than doubled and the amount of money donated has grown considerably. She has also enabled collaborations with Haven and Thrive.
“The company has transformed into a mission-driven, innovative organization with community at the heart of its operations. I am honored to work with a team of kind, passionate individuals who serve the artform with the utmost integrity,” said Trygstad-Burke, 30, who grew up in Bozeman. “I take pride in having a small part in the immense collaborative effort of putting on
world-class opera productions and musicals, and facilitating programs like the Opera Montana Veterans Chorus, youth opera programs, and the Wheels of Harmony statewide music education tour (featuring indigenous professional opera singers and musicians).”
Trygstad-Burke holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from New York University. She co-founded the Bozeman area’s first contemporary ballet company, Raison D’être Dance Project, in 2017, with Erin Levy. The founders started the company with the vision of having a place where professionally trained adult dancers could grow and thrive creatively, collaborating with artists throughout the community to develop innovative contemporary works.
“The project has grown exponentially since its jumble beginnings, through grit, determination, and dedicated
patrons who appreciate the boundary-pushing nature of the artform,” she said.
With Carrie Krause, TrygstadBurke co-created the Six High Places mountaintop performance series. The two summited six different mountains, including Mount Blackmore and Saddle Peak. Trygstad-Burke danced in pointe shoes on the rocky peaks, while Krause played her violin.
Cierra Wallace
An ambassador for creativity in her community, Cierra Wallace works with the Bozeman Symphony to enrich the city’s culture.
Wallace, a 34-yearold Bozeman native, has helped create the symphony’s new education and community engagement programs. She joined the symphony in 2021 as a box office associate and quickly captured the attention of Music Director Norman Huynh with her background in international and intercultural communication and Korea studies. She specializes in public and cultural diplomacy and international development and cooperation, having studied in a dual master’s
I help build relationships among individuals and organizations to creatively address needs in the community in ways we haven’t done before. “ ”
degree program at American University in Washington, D.C. and Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.
“I taught English for preschool-throughuniversity students and for professionals. I was an intercultural trainer and have worked with study abroad, expat, immigrant, and refugee communities,” Wallace said. “My research areas primarily focus on the role of the arts in national security, especially music in warfare and diplomacy.”
Wallace and Huynh worked together to envision what an education and community engagement program could look like for the symphony. Wallace is working to create a memory care program,
and she just started a Joy Program that brings music to the cancer center at the hospital. She is collaborating with teachers and professors to explore ways to support area music students and underserved populations.
Wallace has helped expand and energize the symphony’s long-time annual Fourth Grade Concert and Family Concert by adding instrument petting zoos and teacher enrichment activities. Her efforts have enhanced the symphony’s outreach and created inclusive programming for all Montanans, from children to lifelong learners.
“After living in many different places, it’s been fun to come home and run into old friends, see
familiar faces around town, meet new people, and get reconnected in the community,” Wallace said.
“I love that people here care about the community and are collaborative and eager to explore possibilities. My personal purpose is to create space for and empower people to participate in a creative community, and that is what I get to do here.”
Heather Wicks “ ”
I love our community and am committed to contributing to this amazing family. Together, we are stronger.
Fifth-generation Montanan Heather Wicks contributes to the health and well-being of Bozeman residents every day.
Wicks, 39, is a nursing leader for Bozeman Health trauma services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Montana State University and has 16 years of experience as a medical, surgical, and trauma nurse. She also has 10plus years of emergency department nursing experience, and she is accomplished in educating her peers about time-sensitive care.
“I believe I’m making a significant difference in both my industry and the community by actively engaging with established trauma systems,” she said. “I am committed to ensuring that our community receives the best possible care while fostering a supportive environment for healthcare providers. With my husband and two sons, I take comfort in knowing that we are in
good hands if we ever require services.”
Wicks provides trauma training and education to emergency service workers and first responders in the community, including the ski patrol at both the Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl. She has been Bozeman Health’s system manager of trauma services since 2019. In 2023, she wrote a business proposal for expanding the Trauma Service Department to include Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center and become a service line.
“I’ve come to deeply appreciate the close-knit nature of small-town life. Growing up in these environments instilled in me a strong sense of community, where everyone feels like family. Nothing makes me prouder than serving our community members
during their most critical times of need,” Wicks said. “Working alongside the dedicated team at Bozeman Health, I strive to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care, fueled by our shared passion for supporting one another.”
Blane Woodfin
“
” I enjoy working with other local entrepreneurs and seeing their businesses grow.
From opening restaurant concepts throughout the Gallatin Valley to creating hundreds of jobs in Bozeman, Blane Woodfin is known for his commitment to strengthening the community.
Woodfin, 34, is currently the regional president of Blue Collar Restaurant Group. He started his local entrepreneurial journey by bringing his family business, Sidewinders American Grill, to Bozeman seven years ago. He has since opened Foxtrot AllDay Eatery, Tanglewood Grill & Tap, Hachi Sushi Pub, Liberty Burger, Historic Auto Inn, and Merry Piglets Mountain Tex-Mex.
“We are proud to call Bozeman home. We
proudly prioritize local vendors like breweries, distilleries, and food vendors, which amplifies our ability to support job growth in the community,” Woodfin said. “In the hospitality industry, we have positively impacted the restaurant offerings in Bozeman through the quality and variety of offerings on the west side of town.”
In addition to growing his restaurants, Woodfin recently launched an outdoor brand and men’s gear business called Wild Cargo. Woodfin is also on the Big Sky Bravery board and does a significant amount of fundraising for nonprofit organizations throughout the valley.
He has created about
300 jobs in the Bozeman community and has opened seven new restaurant concepts in the Gallatin Valley since 2017. He has served on the board of directors for the Montana Restaurant Association and the Hospitality and Development Association of Montana. Woodfin offers industry-leading benefits to all of his fulltime employees, including wellness stipends, tenure bonuses, and paid time off.
“We strive for a ‘service-first’ mentality by encouraging acts of selflessness among our teams,” Woodfin said. “Our management philosophy recognizes and rewards
service-oriented behavior, both for our guests and internally between team members.”
Woodfin’s company helps the community by contributing to nonprofit organizations, including Talons Reach Foundation, Big Sky Bravery, and Warriors & Quiet Waters; and youth sports organizations like Bozeman Bucks Baseball and Gallatin High School football.
“We are proud to be a small part of the community support for these charitable missions,” Woodfin said.
