Providing Economic, Community, and Workforce Development Services.
Accreditation - Mark Lalum, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Oversee the process of Reaccredidation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Meets as needed.
Email Mark
Email Joe
Agribusiness - Jim Strainer, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Promote a greater awareness and better understanding for the importance of the agriculture
industry in Flathead County. Coordinates the Ag appreciation Day and "Market Stock Sale" for the
Northwest Montana Fair. Meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday.
Email Jim
Email Joe
Airshow - John Vander Lann, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Bridgette Evans - Sponsors & Marketing
Cary Aubrey - Tickets & Volunteers
Produces the Glacier International Air Show. Coordinates performers, operations, marketing and
publicity, sponsorship. Meets as needed. Occurs every 5 years. Next show will be 2011.
Email Joe
Email Cary
Email Bridgette
Ambassadors - Robbie Mathiason, Chairman
Bridgette Evans - Executive Staff
Provides Chamber public relations for business and community events. Coordinates the Fair,
Christmas, and 4th of July parades. Plans the annual Chamber banquet, conducts 1st dollar calls
to welcome new businesses, UNWINDS for business networking, assists in membership recruitment
efforts and conducts ribbon cutting ceremonies for local businesses. Meets monthly 2nd
Wednesday.
Email Robbie
Email Bridgette
Business Expansion and Retention - Bridgette Evans, Program Manager
NW Montana BEAR is a cooperative partnership of local economic, community and workforce
development organizations. Our common purpose is to build local companies while enhancing our
business climate.
Email Bridgette
Education & Communication
Susie Burch, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Bridgette Evans - Communications
Build economic opportunities by providing a forum for relevant issues while promoting
effective communication with Chamber members and the community at large. Build relationships
with the education system to ensure a skilled workforce. Meets monthly 1st Wednesday.
Email Susie
Email Joe
Email Bridgette
Leadership Flathead - Denise Germann, Chairman
Jill Seigmund - Executive Staff
Leadership development program for members of the community, designed to identify and motivate
the emerging leaders, acquaint them with community information, provide them with key leadership
training skills. Meets monthly prior to session. Must apply for session. Costs apply.
Email Denise
Email Jill
Natural Resources
Roger Noble, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Advocate sound stewardship of the Flatheads natural resources on public and private lands.
Educate the public about the importance of natural resource industries and stewardship of the
local economy. Committee responsibilities include issue areas of forest management, wood
products manufacturing, clean air, water quality and quantity, and outdoor recreational
opportunities. Meets on the 3rd Wednesday.
Email Roger
Email Joe
Procurement Technical Assistance - Doug Bolender, Director
Helps businesses with government contracting, including bid opportunities, quote preparation,
interpreting bid specifications, and help with contract specifications.
Email Doug
Small Business Development Center - Lad Barney, Director
Assists small business with business plan preparation, management, finance, marketing,
production, organization, technical problems and feasibility studies.
Email Lad
Transportation - Marc Rold, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Promote, monitor, and strengthen surface, rail and air transportation in the Flathead Valley.
Works closely with city and county developments to coordinate traffic and transportation issues,
supports and assists to further air transportation availability to the Valley. Meets monthly on
the 3rd Wednesday.
Email Joe
Workforce - Vicki Billmayer, Chairman
Joe Unterreiner - Executive Staff
Bridgette Evans - Communications
Builds a competitive, promotable and sustainable workforce by addressing the issues of recruiting,
training and retaining skilled workers. Committee responsibilities also include the workforce issue
areas of housing, transportation, childcare, and wages. Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Email Joe
Email Bridgette