Ep. 88 – From Downtown to Discover Kalispell: Building Community & Business
What's next for downtown Kalispell? Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno discusses downtown revitalization, favorite winter events, and the Chamber's priorities for 2027—from business advocacy and housing to workforce development and community growth.
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Ep. 28 - Steady as She Grows: Analyzing the Flathead Valley Economy & Housing Market with James Williamson of Sage Appraisal and Strategy
Dive into the hidden dynamics of the Flathead Valley's economy and housing market as we team up with James Williamson from Sage Appraisal and Strategy. With James's expert analysis fresh from a presentation at the University of Montana's local BBER presentation, we dissect the local economic trends that show a slight deceleration yet maintain an upward momentum. We discuss local population growth, revealing its impact on the economic pulse of Kalispell and the Flathead.
Ep 27 - Venturing Boldly in 2024
Join us as Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Discover Kalispell Chamber, shares an exciting look into the Chamber's 2024 initiatives. From the strategic relocation to Main Street to a strong emphasis on a vibrant downtown and a focus on education, this episode is your personal roadmap to understanding the growth and vitality being cultivated in our town.
Ep. 26 - A Game Plan for Sports Tourism, with Evan Eleff
Evan Eleff from the Sports Facilities Companies joins us to dissect potential impact of a tournament-quality sports facility in the Flathead Valley. We'll touch on the economic, social, and community benefits that such a development would entail—not just a mere venue for sports, but a powerhouse for local businesses during shoulder seasons and a catalyst for stronger community ties.
Ep. 25- Banking on Montana with Mike Smith, Glacier Bank
In today's episode we talk with Mike Smith, the influential Market President of Glacier Bank. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss the history of Glacier Bank and its relationship with Glacier Bancorp, new technology, consumer behavior, fed rates, 2024 projections and more. We also learn about Glacier Bank's substantial investment in the community through its thousands of volunteer hours, hundreds of thousands of dollars donated annually, and lending for impactful community projects.
Ep. 24 - City Management & Emergency Response Funding with Doug Russell, Kalispell City Manager
In this episode we're talking with Doug Russell, the Kalispell City Manager. Doug, a certified manager and public finance officer, navigates us through the world of local government management and the upcoming 2024 spring vote for a dedicated emergency responder levy in Kalispell.
Ep. 23 - Behind the Airwaves: Dive into the Radio Industry with John Hendricks of KGEZ, the 2023 Small Business of the Year
John Hendricks is the dynamic owner of KGEZ Radio and proud winner of the 2023 Kalispell Chamber Small Business of the Year Award. We delve into his extraordinary career, gain insider wisdom on navigating the radio industry, discuss grasping the wave of technological change and reenergizing a local radio station.
Ep. 22 - 2023 Flathead Legacy Award Winners: Joe & Colleen Unterreiner
Today we’re sitting down with the 2023 Flathead Legacy Award winners, Joe and Colleen Unterreiner, a couple whose inspiring journey from Washington DC to Montana's Flathead Valley has left an indelible mark on the business community in Kalispell.
Ep 21 - Exploring the Crossroads of Sustainability and Innovation in Northwest Montana's Timber Industry
This episode will take you deep into the heart of Northwest Montana, where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of the timber sector. Together with our expert guests, Cameron Wohlschlegel, Lands & Resources Manager for F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber, Ali Ulwelling, Montana Forest Action Plan Implementation Coordinator with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Zack Miller, Raw Material Manager for Weyerhaeuser, we’ll examine how they are making a difference in the evolution of the forestry and wood products industry.
Ep 20- Redefining Recruitment and Retention in Manufacturing: A Conversation with Dorothy Meyer
Wondering what it takes to navigate workforce development in a male-dominated industry like manufacturing? We'll take a deep look at the significant shifts in the manufacturing sector influenced by the pandemic in this insightful interview with Dorothy Meyer of Nomad GCS.
Ep 19 - Unraveling Workforce Trends in Flathead County: A Conversation with Laura Gardner from Job Service Kalispell
Are you curious to uncover the hidden dynamics of workforce trends in Flathead County, Montana? Today, we're giving you an exclusive seat at our table as we talk with Laura Gardner from JobService Kalispell. With her robust 40 years of experience with the Job Service, Laura brings forth fascinating insights into how reduced business hours, low unemployment rate, and population influx are shaping the local labor market.
Ep 18 - Innovative Strategies in Workforce Development and Career Discovery with FVCC
Ever wondered how education systems are evolving to meet the dynamic needs of industries and businesses? Let's explore the innovative strategies being implemented by Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) to fulfill these transformations in this fascinating conversation with Lisa Blank, the Executive Director of Workforce Development.
Ep. 17 Innovation in Education: The Transformational Learning Initiative
If you've ever questioned the traditional education model and wondered how we can better prepare students for the real world, then this episode is for you. We sit down with Mike Kelly, the Work-Based Learning Director for Kalispell Public Schools, who is at the forefront of transforming education through personalized learning and work-based opportunities.
Ep. 16 - Rising Star of Leadership: Adam Cebulla on Millennial Challenges, Team Dynamics, and Crafting a Five-Star Customer Experience
Meet Adam Cebulla, Discover Kalispell Chamber's Rising Star of 2022, as he takes us on a journey through his personal and professional leadership experiences from his days as an Eagle Scout to his role in leading a championship-level track team in college. Tune in and learn how his approach to leadership is deeply rooted in understanding team dynamics and leveraging individuals' motivations for collective success.
Ep. 15 - Community Leadership and Legislative Achievements: A Talk with Representative Tony Brockman
Join us as we sit down with Tony Brockman, the 2022 Community Spirit Award winner from the Discover Kalispell Chamber and Montana House District 9 Representative, to find out! Tony shares his story of growing up in the Evergreen community and how his father instilled a strong work ethic in him. Listen in as Tony discusses his impressive achievements as a freshman representative in the Montana House of Representatives, successfully running 25 bills and getting 16 of them signed into law.
Ep. 14 - Daily Inter Lake with Anton Kaufer
The Daily Inter Lake delivers the news to thousands of subscribers throughout the Flathead and beyond. Its papers include the area’s signature daily, the Daily Inter Lake, as well as the Hungry Horse News, the Whitefish Pilot, and the Bigfork Eagle. We'll discuss how the Daily Inter Lake has evolved over time with changes in technology and how the news is delivered and consumed, as well as how the paper is an active part of supporting the Flathead Valley community as well.
Ep. 13 - Lemonade Day Flathead, June 24th
Lemonade Day is a program of the Kalispell Chamber that promotes entrepreneurship to youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade, one lemonade stand at a time. This year’s lemonade day program is bigger than ever, spanning the entirety of Flathead County, and it happens on Saturday, June 24th. We’ll learn more about the program and how kids can participate to become the next generation of Flathead entrepreneurs.
Ep. 12 - Glacier National Park - Dave Roemer, Superintendent
Glacier National Park is a crown jewel of the National Park System. Its over 1 million acres, located in Northwest Montana and situated just outside of Kalispell in the Flathead Valley. In this episode, we talk with the Glacier National Park Superintendent, Dave Roemer about visiting the park, visitor access, construction, and more.
Ep. 11 - Discover Kalispell - Diane Medler, Executive Director
As the snows of winter fade in the Flathead and tourism to the valley picks up as we head toward summer, Venture Boldly takes time to talk with Diane Medler, the Executive Director of Discover Kalispell, a destination marketing and stewardship organization as part of the Discover Kalispell Chamber. With top tourism destinations such as Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort in our backyard, tourism and its related dollars represents a significant industry in the Flathead Valley.
Ep. 10 - Three Rivers Bank of Montana
Three Rivers Bank of Montana is a key community bank in the Flathead Valley. Founded in 1973 by Jack King along with 11 local businessmen, First Security Bank of Kalispell, now Three Rivers Bank of Montana, has established itself over nearly five decades as a community bank that is deeply invested in the local community.
Ep. 9- Nomad GCS
Nomad GCS is a growing and flourishing premier Flathead Valley manufacturer of mobile operations centers. With over 200 employees, they build these specialty vehicles, trailers, and more and ship them to all 50 states and internationally. Join us for an interview with Clay Binford, one of the co-founders of Nomad GCS, as he shares more about the history of the company's founding, and how they're growing today and into the future.