Leads Group Participation

Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 11 Exit Realty wins Community Service Award

Max and Tina Coleman, owners of Exit Realty, won the Community Service award with the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“It is important to us because I was told no other realtor has ever won it,” Max Coleman said. “Realtors are not known for giving. But we consistently give, and we are involved with more nonprofits than any other realty company in the valley.”

Tina Coleman added that Exit Realty was under consideration for this category and Business of the Year.

“I would rather get this award for giving back,” she said. “This speaks to my heart, and is what we’re all about. Of all the awards we could have won, this one means the most. It speaks to the heart of what we are trying to accomplish. We tell our agents; it is difficult to change the world but you can change yours”

Just before Christmas Exit Realty paid off all the overdue school lunch accounts in Ravalli County, nearly $15,000. They regularly sponsor clubs and sports teams, donate to non-profits including $9,000 to the Gary Sinise (Veterans) Foundation in August, classroom grants, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Bitter Root Humane Association and law enforcement. “There is not one of our agents who is not giving back in some way, shape or form,” Tina Coleman said. “We encourage it. I’m also really proud that there has been an Exit person on the board of Habitat for the last 10 years. We’ve never not had someone on the board and gave them the money and lots with no commission charges.”

EXIT Realty Corp International was founded in 1995. We have offices operating throughout North America. EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley has been serving Ravalli County since 2006 opening its first office in Hamilton, MT. It has since expanded opening an office in Stevi in 2016 and in Darby in 2017. EXIT Realty is an empathy driven company focused on developing human potential. We do not sell properties. We help people achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. We actively strive to improve our communities; giving back and helping out wherever we can. We would like to leave the County we serve a better place because we operated in it.

Broker/Owner Max Coleman has lived in the Valley since 1992. He has an extensive background in sales and serving. When opening a Real Estate Brokerage, he had many different brand names to choose from. He chose EXIT because of its philosophy of empathy and providing the best platform for success for both clients and agents.

His wife, Tina, moved to the Valley from Canada in 2013 Her background in education, administration and EXIT Realty was the perfect compliment. Together they focus on developing their agents to be the best humans they can be. They provide the training, the education and the resources to be able to serve and care for their clients.

Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA Max & Tina Coleman of Exit Realty Bitterroot Valley, winners of the Chamber Community Service Award.

“This award actually belongs to our agents,” Max Coleman said. “Every single one of them gives their time, energy and money to help make their community a better place. It is their dedication to serving our clients that has afforded EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley the opportunity to make an impact.”

Marvin Edstedt wins Chamber volunteer of the year

The Chamber Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office.

“I just do it because I love it,” Edstedt said. “I’m not in to it for anything other than intermingling with our visitors from out of state and out of country.”

At the Chamber office Edstedt answers the phone, greets visitors and helps with any of the chamber procedures, like mailing fliers and helping John Trangmoe. “We’re the ones who get all the out of state materials like travel books and maps for visitors who come into the Chamber office,” he said. “Maps are still going strong for the most part even with GPS. We keep maps of all the different states around Montana in case they need them.”

He said he is an ambassador for the Bitterroot Valley and all of Montana.

Edstedt has been a volunteer at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for 11 years, worked as a veteran’s service officer for the Vietnam Veterans of America and was a history teacher.

“I tried to teach US history but I think that is everyone’s least favorite subject in school,” Edstedt said. “After my career I went to the Chamber to see if they needed volunteers on day and they did so I’ve been there ever since.”

Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office.

12 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 Ann Bethea wins Business Person of the Year Award

Ann Bethea is the Business Person of the Year.

“It feels good,” she said. “It’s been a long year and I’m happy to receive this award.”

Ann Bethea has run her various family businesses since 1985. She’s always enjoyed working as a team and thriving as a boss. In 2009, Ann and Jim Bethea purchased Florence Ace Hardware and purchased the second store, Eastside Ace hardware in 2018. After a difficult year, with the sudden passing of her husband, Ann has continued to focus on the growth of the both hardware stores.

“I don’t know much about hardware, but I know how to run a businesses,” Ann said. “It has been quite a challenge, very rewarding and I haven’t burnt the businesses down, that was my goal.”

She said the support of neighbors, staff, family and friends has truly shown Ann the meaning of The Bitterroot Valley Community Spirit.

“The community, including the Ace corporate community, has jumped up to help and made my year a better year.” This outpouring of help and faith has reinforced her commitment to these towns and one of her favorite phrases, “neighbors helping neighbors.”

“This is a great community to be in, that’s for sure,” Ann said. What Ann loves most about the retail world are the friendly customers and the fun challenges they present daily. Brainstorming solutions with the local and knowledgeable staff is easily one of the most rewarding aspects of the hardware business.

Ann is a people person and thrives on interactions with her community. Florence Ace Hardware and Eastside Ace Hardware are both known for their generous contributions to their communities, from sports sponsorships, donated supplies, to hiring of afternoon high school students. Ann has served on the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Board and is past president of the Florence Civic Club as well as volunteering at Mountain Home Montana. Ann recently started two “Little Free Libraries” in front of the store that create a user friendly access to everyone who wants a book.

Ann credits her strength to her beautiful daughters. She is also extremely grateful to corporate Ace, for being a valued resource, who also want to see Ann and her communities continue to prosper. Ace Hardware prides themselves as “The Helpful Place” and throughout these trying times have proven they truly believe in those values; those values that so greatly reflect our own small towns. Photo PERRY BACKUS Ann Bethea, owner of Ace Hardware in Florence and Stevensville, is the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. Proudly serving the Bitterroot Valley since 1983 (406) 363-2522 Wetzsteon Electric, INC

Bitterroot CrossFit wins New business award Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA (left to right), Dr. Susan Berland, Physical Therapist, Jonna Schwartz of Roam Hot Yoga, Bridget Richardson, yoga instructor, JJ and Jeff Lewis, BRCF owners and Dr. Jim Kostecki, chiropractor in front of Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center.

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA MICHELLE.MCCONNAHA@RAVALLIREPUBLIC.COM

Bitterroot CrossFit is the New Business of the Year for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff and JJ Lewis are owners. Jeff Lewis said it is a “huge honor to be named New Biz of the Year.”

Bitterroot CossFit has around 140 clients and shares the building space with Chiropractor Dr. Jim Kostecki, Jonna Schwarz’s Roam Hot Yoga & Fitness; and Physical Therapist Dr. Susan Berland.

Jeff Lewis credits them all for the success of the health and wellness businesses.

“I think for all of us that are in there we all have a love for helping people out and it carries over,” he said. “We all love what we do so that makes it easy and fun. Not everyone that comes in does CrossFit, they come in for other businesses too. It is a group effort by everybody.”

The new location, off Highway 93 and onto East Side Highway near GSK, has proven to be a big benefit.

“It has been a huge blessing to move and be in the space were in,” Lewis said. “People find us. Word of mouth is how we get most of our customers.” Bitterroot CrossFit is a family business. Jennifer’s dad owns the property and son Tyson drops in occasionally and all the Lewis kids help.

“What’s so great about the Bitterroot Valley is that it is home,” Jeff Lewis said. “I’m fourth generation, my kids are fifth generation.”

He said that the Bitterroot Valley has grown and changed and is now a mixture of people a change from when it was more agriculturally based.

“I think what is so cool about the Bitterroot is that a lot of people have moved in and it is a melting-pot of all different types,” Lewis said. “I would say the hospital, labs and school are where most of our customers come from. They weren’t all born and raised here and might see the world a little differently, it’s a good mix.”

The Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center is located at 484 Old Corvallis Road. For more information call 406-360-1828 or email jeff@bitterrootcrossfit.com and view their class schedule at bitterrootcrossfit.com/classes.

The Bitterroot CrossFit Health and Wellness Center slogan is “You can’t trade it for a new one, so take care of the one body you have!”