Bit Chamber

HONORING OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS

In partnership with MAY, 2022

Buying,

Local knowledge and expertise. Discover the difference.

Montana’s Brand

John Bishop Business Person of the Year

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected John Bishop, CEO of Bitterroot Health, as the 2022 Business Person of the Year.

Bishop said it is an honor to be chosen.

“I wouldn’t be the leader I am without the extraordinary team members who work at Bitterroot Health,” he said. “When this organization started nearly 100 years ago our declaration was to deliver care for all. That promise means we must ensure that our community has access to every service that we can sustain and deliver in a high quality and safe manner. Adding new facilities in Stevensville and Darby, and our upcom-

ing Cancer Infusion Center will continue to fulfill that mission.”

Bishop began as CEO of Bitterroot Health, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, replacing John Bartos in July of 2018.

Since then he has launched numerous vital projects such as a new Surgery Center, anew Endoscopy unit for Gastroenterology, an ambulance bay, a new Bitterroot Health – Stevensville location for primary care, specialty care, rehabilitation services, a new building in Darby with more services and a retail pharmacy, new Cancer Infusion Center and rebranded the entire care system.

Bishop was nominated by staff at

Bitterroot Health.

Marketing Director Christina Voyles said the addition of Bishop has been critical to the hospital and clinics.

“During his tenure, John Bishop, CEO of Bitterroot Health, has transformed the culture; working at Bitterroot Health is an amazing place for both patients and staff to be and to thrive,” Voyles said. “Bishop has been a catalyst who truly understands the health needs in our community and has brought Margaret Daly’s vision of ‘care for all in the Bitterroot Valley’ to fruition.

“With tireless energy, Bishop has continued to bring more services and care

options, so our community doesn’t have to leave the valley for care,” she said. “Patients in more rural areas don’t have to make the choice of not getting certain specialized treatments due to distance.”

BVCC Office Manager Jodi Wright Mitchell said Bishop is an amazing business person.

“He’s so outgoing,” she said. “He goes to all the groups in the community and talks to everyone. He makes presentations. He is such a great community person. I can’t believe how much the hospital has expanded for the good since he’s been there.”

John Bishop, CEO of Bitterroot Health, has been selected as the 2022 Business Person of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Ravalli Fun Center Business of the Year

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Ravalli Fun Center owned by Dasha and Knut Holestad as 2022 Business of the Year.

Knut Holestad said the award was “wonderful” and “pretty outstanding.”

“It’s honorable and I’m glad the public has seen the great turnaround we’ve had here at the Ravalli Fun Center and they are coming back in droves,” he said. “We’ve made this a fun place to be and it is nice to be recognized.”

The Holestads acquired the facility in June of 2019 and made drastic changes including a rebranding from Bitterroot Valley Lanes.

“We gave it a facelift on the inside and outside,” Knut Holestad said. “This was a dream come true. I envisioned this long before I purchased it.”

He purchased 12 bowling lanes from Lucky Strike, Five Valleys Bowling Center, in Missoula when they closed. He kept them in storage until the right moment and has equipment waiting for the next expansion of 12 more lanes.

“Our dream is a labor of love for the valley and something we enjoy doing,” Knut Holestad said. “It is the most fun job I’ve ever done. Often when you start a business you’re a slave to the grind and the business owns you, but this is a fun business. When we come to work, we’re coming to have fun.”

He believes the pandemic made people want to come together to have more fun. His business was only closed for about five weeks.

“In the future, I think bowling alleys should be ‘essential’ as people needed an outlet,” Knut Holestad said. “I think people would have been here just to get out of the house.”

The Ravalli Fun Center provides a place for all ages to have fun. Bowling has 10 pins on 12 lanes with options of open, league, tournament, cosmic, color pin, bumper and ramp. The center also has comedy nights, birthday parties, pool tables, arcade and redemption games, shuffleboard, a pro shop and a convenient café that uses local beef. For

patrons over age 18, the Ravalli Fun Center offers Keglers Pub and Casino. The pub has 10 micro beers on tap with a strong Montana lineup, red and white wine from Shed Horn Cellars and a variety of spirits. The casino has a Montana Lottery fantasy sport machine, a Live Sport Betting machine as well as 11 Keno/poker machines.

Outside the Ravalli Fun Center are picnic tables, a fenced grass yard, fire pits, six cornhole boards and a stage for live performances.

According to Knut Holestad, the Ravalli Fun Center has “the lowest prices in the whole state.”

“We’re not making loads of money, we are barely breaking even, which is good for any business that is a startup,” he said. “We’re not making enough to do a full-blown expansion but I’m not going to put that on our customers.”

The Ravalli Fun Center has a vision and a dream and the Holestads have run their unique plans past serious investors including the two biggest

bowling companies in the world.

“I may be revolutionizing something the rest of the world can capitalize on once I put it in motion,” he said. “My wife and I are partners in this venture and we hope to start expansion soon.”

Watch for an upstairs that would accommodate roller-skating, laser tag, dances, a huge arcade, and banquets, with a larger kitchen expansion.

“We have many dreams that are yet to come to fruition,” Knut Holestad said.

BVCC Office Manager Jodi Wright Mitchell said she is excited for Dasha and Knut Holestad.

“They are so deserving,” Mitchell said. “They have made a fun place for great activities that don’t cost too much.”

The Ravalli Fun Center is at 300 Skeels Ave, Hamilton. Learn more at ravallifun.com.

Ravalli Fun Center, owned by Knut and Dasha Holestad, has been selected as the 2022 Business of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Holestads have rebranded, worked to turn the business around, are enjoying loyal customers and are planning future expansions.

Seppi’s New Business of the Year

Seppi’s European Market & Deli in Hamilton has been selected by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce as the 2022 New Business of the Year.

Seppi’s features European cuisine; Polish, German and Austrian food, groceries, baked goods, meats, cheeses, grazing platters and many items found only in Europe.

Seppi’s European Market & Deli Owners Joseph and Barbara Williams opened two years ago in the middle of the Covid pandemic to share the food they love.

They are honored to be selected as the 2022 New Business of the Year.

“It is a big thing and we are very happy about it,” Joseph said. “To be selected shows that somebody appreciates what we are trying to accomplish, what we’re trying to create and bring something different to the valley for supplies and food. It is wonderful.”

“We for sure enjoy it,” Barbara added.

Since opening two years ago the couple has added four employees, has customers driving from as far away as Canada and has consistently seen five to 10 new customers every day.

“It is nice to constantly have someone new come in and say they’ve never been here before,” Joe said. “That’s a good thing. I really like that and the opportunity to sell something they haven’t tried before; different cheeses and we also have a big base on the valley of people from Europe who are super-happy to find something from Home.”

The couple has started working with Jessi’s Wine & Goods Shop, located at 100 Skeels Avenue, in Hamilton.

“We’re selecting all the cheeses to go with different wines for their store, which is a big thing too,” Joseph said. “She’s doing a great job of getting hard-to-find wines available in the valley. It is good to be able to share those products with people.”

Two months ago, Seppi’s had the world champion cheese from 2021, as they brought it back from Spain.

“We were the only people in the United States who had it,” Joseph said. “It was fun and interesting to have something so special in Hamilton, Montana. They wouldn’t ship it here, so we decided to bring it back. It did pass through customs and the FDA.”

Seppi’s does a lot of catering especially in charcuterie boards which are ordered 48-hours in advance.

“People bring us a board or a tray and we fill it,” he said. “It can be for anything. People take it, we don’t necessarily go and serve it. We’ve done them up to 12 feet long for large weddings and different things like that. We are doing a bunch of trays all the time. We love making charcuterie platters.”

He said the holidays were busy for trays, but summer can be too.

Customers have favorite items on the menu, and Seppi’s often sells out of each day’s specialty. Come early to get Wiener schnitzel, the chicken sandwich, or lobster ravioli because customers order those items off the menu quickly.

“These are things people develop a deep love for, they don’t last long,” Joseph said. “It’s good for them and us, it is mutual. We try to change the special very often and bring things people here maybe don’t know. People are curious and want to try new things.”

He said they are working hard to supply new and interesting items to the store.

“Something I’m constantly striving for is bringing more unique and different items,” Joseph said. “We’re

always trying something new.”

Recently, the couple studied under French and German chefs to learn the culinary European art of cooking frog legs and may have that on the menu as a special. In their market, they have kangaroo meat, alligator tail and frog legs.

“We enjoy it too because then we can try it ourselves,” Barbara said. Their favorite item to make is desserts.

“But they are gone so quick that we have to hurry to make more,” Barbara said.

“We just love what we are doing,” Joseph said.

“Yes, we do,” Barbara added.

Seppi’s European Market & Deli is now open during summer hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Joseph and Barbara Williams are the owners of Seppi’s European Market & Deli and honored to be selected by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce as the 2022 New Business of the Year.

BBIA wins Economic Development

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce gives their 2022 Economic Development award to the Bitterroot Building Industry Association (BBIA).

BBIA is a non-profit, membershipbased association comprised of builders and plumbers. Joining BBIA also enrolls members in the Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

BBIA has 108 members and celebrated its 20th Anniversary of the Bitterroot Home Expo in February.

BBIA President Tucker Harrington, of Clearwater Builders, said BBIA is honored to get the Economic Development award.

He said BBIA builds community and that addressing the housing need is critical.

“One of the situations facing Western Montana is the difficulty with affordable housing and it is going to be a headwind to our economy,” Harrington said. “If people don’t have places to live it is hard to have an economic future for the com-

munity. It is a foundational aspect and component of a vibrant and forwardlooking community.”

He said the BBIA focuses on membership development, education of members on issues surrounding the building industry and coming together as a group to present a positive image to the community and where they can be helpful.

“Right now we’re facing a real shortage in housing,” he said. “There is not a lot we can do about it locally because a lot of it is driven by policies that are set either state or federally, and geopolitical problems. Where we can help is in educating the public on the need for building lots, that is one local thing, and the impact that has.”

According to the BBIA website, the BBIA’s mission is “Serving to unify and enhance the building industry in the Bitterroot Valley through education, community involvement and quality construction practices.”

BBIA members include everything from banks, builders and building material sales to title companies, water condi-

tioning companies and those who make windows and doors.

The most recent annual BBIA report said that construction is affected by lots, labor, lumber and legislation.

Construction companies are still struggling for lots to build on in the Bitterroot where the number of subdivision and subdivision exemptions (family transfers, court-ordered splits and boundary line relocations) have increased by over 50% over the last few years. In the past three years, total septic permits have increased by over 100 permits per year with an increase of 138 permits from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, 620 permits were issued. Just from January to March of this year there were 1,010 single-family housing starts across Montana.

Job openings continue to rise in the construction labor industry. In February, construction job openings increased to a 5.2% rate and are expected to continue to increase while the layoff rate remained low at a 2%. As of May 2021, Montana directly contributed 30,290 jobs to the construction industry with an average

hourly wage of $25.83 and annual average wage of $53,270.

Drastic increases of lumber prices have increased the average price of a new single-family home by more than $18,600 in the past year. Nationally, NAHB has been working with government officials to develop long-term solutions to lumber and supply-chain challenges that threaten housing affordability.

The BBIA, MBIA and NAHB continue to work on the legislative front to support the building industry and say their services and advocacy victories result in $6,125 less costs per new home.

With 108 members from a variety of business types, enjoying the BBIA’s activities is part of the benefit. Members in the BBIA at the Trapper Peak Corporate Sponsorship level participate in the annual awards banquet, Tour of Homes, Bitterroot Home Expo, a trap shoot, the BBIA golf tournament and Bowling for Builders.

BBIA President Tucker Harrington, of Clearwater Builders, said BBIA is honored to get the Economic Development award.

BVCC selects Bitterroot CASA for the Community Asset Award

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Bitterroot CASA for the 2022 Community Asset Award. Community volunteers receive training and serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to work with youth and help them through the judicial system. These volunteer Children’s Advocates speak for the children and help judges determine if a child should stay in foster care, return to the parents or be placed elsewhere.

Bitterroot CASA Director Allison Dunne said the organization is celebrating its 20th year of providing service to children in Ravalli County and receiving the Community Asset award from the BVCC is wonderful.

“I appreciate that they are giving the community the opportunity to appreciate our Advocates,” she said. “It is our Advocates who build relationships and create change for kids.”

She said that CASA’s offer hope and security to children that have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.

“CASA volunteers get to know each child and are by their side, advocating for their best interest in the courtroom and the community,” she said. “They make sure each child’s individual needs remain a priority, as they develop trustworthy, purposeful relationships. They help children discover who they are, learn how to engage with the world around them and cultivate the abilities they need to shape their futures.”

Dunne said CASA volunteers make sure each child is safe, has the shortest possible road to a permanent home and has an opportunity to thrive. She said trauma can have life-long consequences in an individual’s life.

“Children that are placed in the dependency or foster care system face a frightening and profound unknown,” she said. “Many children face years of uncertainty as they wait to go home, be adopted, or simply see what happens next. During this time a child might have several social workers, teachers, and are givers… but

they have only one CASA volunteer.”

The need is growing and having community volunteers is critical. Some Bitterroot CASA’s have been working with children for nine years.

“Some were advocates in other communities and when they moved here stepped up,” Dunne said. “Some advocates have five children or two or three families. That’s a lot of relationships being built and continuing through time and repeat situations. The relationships with teens last well into adulthood.”

In 2021 Bitterroot CASA trained and supported 31% more CASA volunteers, 19 volunteers served 72 children. In 2020, 12 volunteers served 57 children and in 2019, six volunteers served 42 children.

In 2021 Bitterroot CASA provided

advocacy for 80% of children in the Child Welfare System, compared to 72% in 2020 and 35% in 2019.

In 2021 Bitterroot CASA volunteers donated over 2,740 hours of service to children, creating $46,563 in-kind donations. They completed 30 hours of training before being sworn in by the courts and complete an additional 12 hours of in-service training annually.

The efforts have paid off.

In 2021 thanks to the service of Bitterroot CASA volunteers 23 children found safe, permanent homes, 48% were reunified with their parents, 27% were unified with a relative, 17% were adopted and 8% aged out of the system.

“Bitterroot CASA volunteers dedicate themselves to life-changing work with our most vulnerable children, and in doing

so create safer neighborhoods, schools and community for everyone,” Dunne said. “CASA Volunteers are a small and growing community of caring people who work tirelessly to ensure every child who needs a best interest advocate can have one.”

Bitterroot CASA board member Candace Jerke said each volunteer’s connections with a child is invaluable.

“Bitterroot CASA’s connect with kids to ensure the emotional, physical and educational well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect,” she said.

“Bitterroot CASA volunteers make sure our neighbor’s children and our children’s classmates-needs remain a priority by developing trustworthy, purposeful relationships.”

Bitterroot CASA Director Allison Dunne works in the offices that trains Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to guide youth through the judicial system. Dunne said the organization is celebrating its 20th year of providing service, security and hope to children in Ravalli County.

Laurel Award goes to Gary Locke

Gary Locke has been awarded the 2022 Laurel Award by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for his works of compassion in the community.

The award is named after past Hamilton Mayor Laurel Frankenfield and Locke said the award is special and he feels honored to receive it.

“I remember Laurel, she was good,” Locke said. “This is a real honor and it is humbling.”

Locke said he is a third-generation Montanan, devoted to helping others. He has served the community all his life because it was taught to him by his father and grandfather.

“It’s my way of life, my upbringing, my heart and it is what Jesus told us to do,” he said.

Locke founded the Family Shelter of the Bitterroot, Inc. in 2009 and serves as Board Chair. The Family Shelter works to help families who are experiencing homelessness and is an all volunteer organization with minimal administrative overhead - a cell phone (paid for by Locke), a post office box and a bank account. In December, Joe Senger

designed and paid for a website www. BitterrootFamilyShelter.com.

The Family Shelter has started and operated warming centers for years. This year it opened the Sleeping Child warming center in late December 2021 and closed it on March 23 to offer a warm, safe place for homeless community members who were living out in the cold.

Locke started the Community Meals program in October 2013 to serve free meals nearly every day of the week from October to May. As of April 15 of this year, the program has spent $28,894.61 on food, served 82,564 hot nutritious evening meals in three locations, Cornerstone Bible Church, Hamilton Assembly of God and St. Francis Catholic Church using 26,473 volunteer hours from 12 different church teams. Currently, the program is averaging 122 meals per night with 34 volunteer hours.

Locke served in the US Army Signal Corps in Germany and Viet Nam (1968-1970), attended the University of Montana and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1976, was a residential/commercial building contractor

in Missoula (1971-1976), co-owner operator of Wildflour Bakery in Hamilton (1982-1990), managed the Bitterroot Job Service in Hamilton (1977-1999) was a Licensed Realtor for Lambros Real Estate in Hamilton (1995-2009) and was a social worker for the Salvation Army in Hamilton (2001-2010).

In addition to the Family Shelter of the Bitterroot, he has sold real estate, served as chair of the Realtors Fair Housing and Personnel Supervisory Committee and been a member of Gideons International. He has served on the BVCC Economic Development Committee, Governor Racicot’s Committee for Dislocated Workers and been a member of the Montana Economic Development Association. He founded the English as a Second Language (ESL) School for Hmong Refugees, was a facilitator and PTSD counselor for Viet Nam veterans and was a member of the Lost Trail National Ski Patrol.

Locke said he does worry that the numbers of homeless are exceeding the ability of the service programs to meet their needs.

“It’s beyond what we can do, it is huge,” he said. “I’m just waiting for Jesus to come, that’s my only plan left.”

Locke has a Paint and Quarter Horse ranch, enjoys fly fishing, wilderness trail riding, spending time with his wife Wendy and serving the community.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. I wouldn’t be the leader I am without the extraordinary team members who work at Bitterroot Health. When this organization started nearly 100 years ago our declaration was to deliver care for all. That promise means we must ensure that our community has access to every service that we can sustain and deliver in a high quality and safe manor. Adding new facilities in Stevensville and Darby, and our upcoming Cancer Infusion Center will continue to fulfill that mission.”

-John Bishop, CEO of Bitterroot Health

During his tenure, Mr. Bishop has transformed the culture; working at Bitterroot Health is an amazing place for both patients and staff to be and to thrive.

Gary Locke honored for his works of compassion in the community.

Michele Craig & Hannah Farrenkopf chosen as Unsung Heroes

For 2022 the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is presenting two recipients for the Unsung Hero Award, Hannah Farrenkopf and Michele Craig.

Hannah Farrenkopf is the First Lady of Hamilton and works behind the scenes on many community projects.

“When Al Mitchell notified me of being selected as Unsung Hero, I was very pleased,” she said. “I said, ‘Thank you’ but thought, ‘This is very nice, but not necessary.’ I appreciate the board thinking highly enough of me to select me for this award. It feels good to be recognized for my efforts.”

Hamilton

Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf, husband to Hannah, said she deserves the award “for her continued support of her iconic husband.”

“She puts up with me,” he said. “As the old saying goes, ‘behind every great man is an even better woman.’ I appreciate the chamber for recognizing how much work my wife puts into the projects I do.”

He listed some of the ways Hannah supports his efforts including being his costumer.

“She makes all of my costumes for all of the holidays and festivals and purchased my wetsuit for the dunk tank,” Farrenkopf said. “She’s also generous about letting me be engaged in the community after hours and on weekends to emcee events, attend functions and read in schools. She’s generous with her time, talent and treasures.”

He noted that Hannah is humble,

doesn’t seek the limelight and never strives to be the center of attention.

“She’s my best friend, has a caring heart, and loves the community as much as I do, the nonprofits, the people and the projects,” Dominic Farrenkopf said. “She’s a whole support team as one person.”

Hannah Farrenkopf works fulltime at Victor Dental Clinic also owns Montana Rose Antique and Gift store, is a Pampered Chef consultant and is artistic. She throws clay, makes designs with her circuit, crochets and sews.

“She also loves working around the house and is really good with tools and decorating for Christmas, as the community has seen,” Dominic Farrenkopf said. “She’s a very giving person always providing a hand up, encouraging words, or a place to sleep depending on the need. Her heart is always open and she is always looking out for the best interest of others just because it is the right thing to do.”

He said his wife deserves to be honored because she has put up with seven dogs, numerous cats, and 18 years of being married to him.

“She deserves the Unsung Hero award,” Dominic said. “Unsung because people notice her generosity and appreciate her generosity. It is so naturally a part of her.”

Michele Craig has lived in

Hamilton for 12 years and loves helping where needed.

“As an unsung person you try to stay under the radar,” Craig said. “You just stay under the radar and do what you think others would do in the same situation. I am surprised and grateful for this honor but also a bit embarrassed because I am aware of how many people in our community do as much or more than I do.”

Craig calls herself a shy person and explains it as being able to be an extrovert with people and the public for about two hours, then needing to isolate and recharge at home.

Currently, she is working at her “dream job” at Hamilton High School supporting students, serving on the board and on the fundraising committee of the Bitter Root Humane Association and is also the treasurer of the Blodgett Creek First Rights Ditch Association where she manages billing, water right transfers and communication for the 60-member ditch association.

Craig has been a volunteer at Bitter Root Humane Association (2010- 2020) and a volunteer for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber “Brew Fest” since 2012.

When her two children were in school (2014-2017) Craig was the president of Hamilton Middle School Families for Education (FFE), helped manage All Valley Basketball, and promoted the successful “Our Kids, Our Schools, Our Town” campaign for the district mill levy. Craig served as an ambassador for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce (2016 – 2017) and volunteered with the HHS Booster Club for concessions and hospitality (2017-2020).

Craig volunteers for the Bitter Root Water Forum (2019 – current) and is a mentor for Hamilton High School Senior Projects (2020 – current). She served as the treasurer of the Ravalli County Fair Foundation (2020 -2021) and is co-chair of the BRHA New Building Fundraising and Marketing Committee (2020- 2022)

“I have a love for community and people, and I feel it is our commitment to helping the community that drives volunteerism,” Craig said. “I am especially motivated to help those that can’t necessarily help themselves - which is why a lot of my activity is based on children and animals.”

Michele Craig is a board member for Bitter Root Humane Association, treasurer of the Blodgett Creek First Rights Ditch Association and has been selected to receive the Unsung Hero Award 2022 for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Hannah Farrenkopf is the First Lady of Hamilton and works behind the scenes on many community projects. “Behind every great man is an even better woman,” said Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf.

Ronda Lang Volunteer of the Year

Ronda Lang has been awarded the 2022 Volunteer of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Lang said she feels surprised and honored to be chosen.

“I love being part of our community and lending a helping hand where needed,” Lang said. “I feel like our community is growing and there are lots of new opportunities for our community to volunteer. It is definitely needed.”

Lang has lived in the Bitterroot Valley for thirty years after relocating from Oregon and said there is no place she would rather be. She is on the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce board, is the co-chair of the local board of realtors education committee and volunteers locally. She appreciates the sense of community in the valley and enjoys the outdoor activities including skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking and backpacking.

Alpine Realty Broker-Owner Dorene Sain said she’s known Lang for years.

“She’s been a dedicator mother and wife and is amazing with her community talent,” Sain said. “She started working for me around five years ago. She is very modest about her accomplishments but definitely deserves recognition.”

Sain said Lane helps people in the community and has done a good job in real estate sales.

“She has helped with highway cleanup projects and organized the board of realty and volunteers here time with the Bitterroot Board of Realtors education committee,” Sain said. “She has been very active with the Darby Schools where her two girls attended before they gradu-

ated.”

BVCC Office Manager Jodi Wright Mitchell said Lang is always serving the community.

“She is so well deserving of this award,” Mitchell said. “She is amazing. She is a volunteer on the BVCC Board

but volunteers for lots of things. She volunteered at the Daly Mansion for the Roaring ‘20s event and is constantly helping across the valley. She serves in so many ways, and takes part in so many things that she forgets her service.”

Ronda Lang is the 2022 Volunteer of the Year as selected by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Liz Cook receives Spark Plug Award

Liz Cook has been selected for the 2022 Spark Plug Award by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Cook is a member of the Stevensville Civic Club, co-chair for Western Heritage Days and is a BVCC Ambassador all while working as the Public Relations Officer at A2Z Personnel in Stevensville.

Cook said she feels “very humbled” to be given the Spark Plug award.

“My parents taught me, at a very young age, the importance of showing up, giving back and being part of some-

thing. I really enjoy it,” Cook said. “I love the community. I love how everyone is and how tight-knit we all are.”

She said it was reinforced to her by her mentor and former boss Victoria Howell and it has been carried on with her current employer Jaime Devlin.

“They’ve shown me the importance of giving back and being present,” Cook said. “It is invaluable. I think it is important for people to know they have to show up. It can be overwhelming and daunting, but it is so much fun. You meet so many great people and become a

part of something.”

Cook started working at A2Z Personnel in August but owner Jaime Devlin said she has known her for several years as they have worked together on different committees and boards of a variety of events throughout the valley.

“There is a uniqueness about her,” Devlin said. “Everybody can show up, and everybody can volunteer, and everybody can help but not everybody has the passion for all of the different events and all of the different committees. Usually, people pick one or two but that’s not

the case with her, she has a passion for absolutely everything that she becomes involved in. She’s just a pleasure.”

BVCC Office Manager Jodi Wright Mitchell said Cook is “amazing,”

“She is all over the valley,” Mitchell said. “She’s not just committed to one location. She has so much enthusiasm, good ideas and is helping organizations to grow and change, not just maintain. She goes above and beyond for everything.”

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Liz Cook of A to Z Personnel to receive the 2022 Spark Plug Award.

Bitterroot Valley Chamber presidents

Past Presidents

1923-1925 C. E. Hartley

1926-1927 Dr. N.A. Lyman

1928-1934 Fred Parker

1935 C. H. Raymond

1936 .............. T. M. Skinner

1937-1941..... W. E. Pollinger

1942 .............. V.C. Hollingsworth

1943 .............. Dr. Foss 1944-1945 Dr. Bucher 1946 Otto Bernatz 1947 A. L. Kleve 1948 Ed Nobles

.............. Bob Savage

.............. Melvin Kyle

.............. Hugh Elmore

.............. Charles James

Fred A. Willard

Jack E. Coulter 1955 Bill Fullerton

K. J. McDonald

Glenn Shults

.............. Gardner Brownlee

.............. Charles Bohac

.............. Kenneth Robbins

Tavy Parker

Vicki Barter 1962-1963 Jack Dowling 1964-1966 Fred Parker 1967 Vic Vadiem 1969 .............. Doug Klein 1970 .............. Dr. Palmer 1971 .............. Lincoln Shonkwiler 1972 Frank Popiel

.............. Larry Black

.............. Jo Gmazel-Bartley

.............. Emil Erhardt

Mike Williams

.............. Jim Moerkerke 1999 Jerry Wessels 2000 Roger Linhart 2001 .............. Rosie Huckstadt 2002 Cindy Beck 2003 .............. Bob Thomas 2004 .............. Cindy Mikesell 2005 Bill Bean 2006 .............. Tim Bozik 2007 Al Hill 2008 Patti Furniss

.............. Tom Pool

Mike Pflieger

Dr. Dirk Beyer

.............. John Stevens

Rosie Huckstadt 2014-2015..... Sherri Williams

.............. Fenn Nelson

Chris Edwards

.............. Lucas Pernsteiner 2019 Susan Wetzsteon

Jaime Devlin 2021 .............. Carol Holdman 2022 Bridger Biggins

History of the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is 450-members strong and will celebrate 116 years of community and business support at its annual award banquet.

A photo of the Hamilton Chamber Office appears on a post card dated 1899, showing the building sitting where the Safeway parking lot is currently located. Chamber minutes go back to 1923 and tell some of their early accomplishments including starting a park just north of the old silver bridge, now called Rotary Park, where they had a summer visitor center. When the Rocky Mountain Lab came to Hamilton, the chamber purchased the land and donated it to the lab.

Mitchell said that each town in the valley had a chamber or a type of civic group, but in 1975 the chambers got together and decided to cre-

ate the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“We represent seven communitiesSula to Florence,” Mitchell said. “We do have members in Lolo, Missoula, and Phillipsburg, but they came to us. It’s good to have members outside the area who support the Bitterroot Valley.”

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes tourism and works with the Tourism Business Improvement District, Glacier Country, Montana State Tourism, and the Economic Development Authority.

The chamber also works to bring in tournaments, teams, and their supporters. The chamber has a quarterly newsletter and maintains a calendar of events that anyone, not just chamber members, can call with event informa-

tion for the website – 363-2400.

The chamber has a “Super Host” (customer service) training in the spring, and an Assistance to Business Clinic (ABC) in the fall with state information about workman’s comp, state and federal unemployment, and tax laws.

Leads Group is where common businesses have one representative and meet once a month to share business leads. The chamber Ambassadors put on the Ravalli County Fair Parade, host political forums, and an annual barbecue. The BVCC Leadership Team attends Montana legislative sessions in Helena to keep in touch with legislators on business issues.

Mitchell said that the chamber, rather than being too political, is “probusiness.”

“We’re not big enough to fight and are just trying to get along,” he said. “We’re just trying to make this a better place.”

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce also hosts the MicroBrew Festival as its largest fundraising event the fourth weekend of July. More than 3,000 people are attracted to the event with live music, food vendors, and microbrews from across Montana and the Northwest. The core 10-member festival group plans the event and 60 chamber members help run the party in downtown Hamilton.

Being a chamber member has benefits. Members place their business cards and information in the chamber office, and are listed and linked on the chamber website, and in the chamber magazine.

“We’re a referral agency basically,” Mitchell said. “We’re tourism related but into business referrals and promotion. We rotate business to business referrals. We like to do business with

our own members - if someone comes in looking for a motel we first refer our active members.”

Tied into that is the chamber’s gift certificate program, where consumers can purchase gift certificates any time of the year to be used at 50 locations throughout the valley.

“We are keeping money local,” Mitchell said. “The businesses that want to participate buy into that at $25 a year. It is very popular.”

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has members beyond retail including medical, real estate, title companies, non-profits, and individuals.

“It is open to anyone who is probusiness in the valley,” Mitchell said. “We send relocation packets to people or businesses who are considering relocating here.”

The chamber offers networking opportunities such as ribbon cuttings, after-hour events, a Leadership Bitterroot class (one day a month, October through May, to learn about other businesses), and a monthly luncheon that rotates throughout the valley.

“The first thing you should put in your tool box when you go into business is your chamber membership,” Mitchell said. “If you don’t use the tool, it’s not going to work for youyou have to show up once in a while to make it work.”

The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce building is open Monday through Friday year-round and is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at 105 East Main St. in Hamilton. The volunteers meet and greet people, help them find maps, brochures, business and tourist information.