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. 68 - 2025 Flathead Legacy Award Winner: Bob Nystuen
In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Flathead Legacy Award recipient Bob Nystuen to trace his path from North Dakota roots to leading Glacier Bank and shaping the Flathead’s business and education landscape. Bob offers leadership lessons and steady guidance for today’s leaders facing AI, workforce shifts, and market change: be authentic, show gratitude, and lead with calm confidence.
Ep. 67 - Made in the Flathead: Fiber Reaper's Manufacturing Innovation
Founder Amber Pacheco Holm of Fiber Reaper, and her husband, Jeremy, turned a simple field frustration into a breakthrough tool now used by fiber splicing crews across the country. Through local partnerships with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana High-Tech Business Alliance, and area suppliers, Fiber Reaper transformed an idea sketched in a Kalispell workshop into a production-ready product—100% Made in the USA and proudly built in Northwest Montana.
Ep. 66 - Beyond Capacity: The Need for a New Flathead County Detention Center
Sheriff Brian Heino doesn't mince words about Flathead County's jail crisis. The 1987 facility is bursting at the seams, with failing systems, inadequate space, and mounting safety concerns. With over two decades of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Heino offers a compelling insider's perspective on why a new detention center represents not just a building project, but a fundamental community investment.
Ep. 65 - Kyle Waterman: Candidate for Kalispell City Council Ward 3
Kyle Waterman, downtown business owner and former city councilor, is running for Kalispell City Council Ward 3. In this conversation, he shares how his past council experience and decades of community leadership shape his vision for a growing, business-friendly Kalispell.
Ep. 64 - Kisa Davison: Candidate for Mayor of Kalispell
Meet Kisa Davison, Kalispell mayoral candidate and recipient of the Kalispell Chamber’s endorsement. She joins Drew Zagorski to share her journey from business owner and community leader to candidate for mayor.
Ep. 63 - Pathways Beyond Prison: The Flathead Valley Reentry Center
Join host Drew Zagorski as he sits down with Brian Gootkin, Director of the Montana Department of Corrections, and Jim Sanderson, Operations Manager of the new Flathead Valley Reentry Center, for a revealing conversation about how we reintegrate formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. This isn't just another corrections facility – it's Montana's first-ever state-run reentry center.
Ep. 62 - Keeping Montana Wild with MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Montana’s outdoor recreation supports billions in spending while protecting landscapes, wildlife, and local traditions. Amber Steed, Region 1 Supervisor for Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), talks with the podcast about managing these resources and highlights new public access projects, including Somers Beach State Park and expanded fishing areas near Flathead Lake.
Ep. 61 - Flathead County Fairgrounds & the NWMT Fair
This episode of the Venture Boldly podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the Flathead County Fairgrounds—an iconic 60-acre hub in Kalispell that hosts over 750 events and draws more than 250,000 visitors each year. While many know it as home to the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo, the fairgrounds serve as a year-round space for community, culture, and connection.
Ep. 60 -Flathead Lake Biological Station: Preserving Our Natural Treasure
Flathead Lake’s clean waters and mountain views aren’t just beautiful—they’re essential to our region’s economy, culture, and future. For over 100 years, the Flathead Lake Biological Station has worked to protect one of America’s cleanest lakes. Join us as Tom Bansak, Associate Director, shares how the station's work in science and education helps to preserve the integrity of our region's waters and more.
Ep. 59- Lemonade Day Champions: Two Sisters' Recipe for Success
"Young entrepreneurs can teach us all a thing or two about business," is the lesson that shines through in my conversation with Parker and Lucy, the young founders of Two Sisters Lemonade and winners of the 2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Award for Lemonade Day Flathead. Over three years of participation, these sisters have transformed from novices with a simple setup to savvy business owners making strategic decisions about products, branding, and customer service.
Ep. 58 - Building the Flathead, with Bill Goldberg, Compass Construction
What does it take to build a construction company that shapes a community? Bill Goldberg, founder of Compass Construction, shares how he went from a 20-year-old entrepreneur to a leader in Flathead Valley development.
Ep. 57- Catapult Your Career with the Kalispell Chamber
Ready to transform your professional trajectory? The Discover Kalispell Chamber unveils Catapult Collective, an innovative leadership and career development program poised to revolutionize how professionals grow in the Flathead Valley. Catapult Collective serves professionals at every career stage—from emerging leaders to seasoned executives contemplating retirement.
Ep. 56 - The Wachholz College Center: Bringing World-Class Entertainment to Montana's Flathead Valley
Join us as Matt Laughlin, Director of the Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College, takes us behind the curtain of Kalispell's premier performing arts venue. Matt, a Montana native who returned home after 14 years at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, shares how this community-funded facility has transformed the cultural landscape of the Flathead Valley in just over two years.
Ep. 55 - Exploring the Historic Conrad Mansion with Brit Clark, Executive Director
The Conrad Mansion, built in 1895 by Kalispell founder Charles Conrad, is a well-preserved Victorian home that offers a rare, authentic view of Montana’s past. Under the leadership of Executive Director Brit Clark, the Conrad Mansion Museum shares the story of Conrad’s journey from a river freighter in Virginia to a prominent businessman in Montana, influenced by a strategic tip from James J. Hill about the Great Northern Railway’s route.
Ep. 54 - Montana's Economic Pulse: Labor Trends & Workforce Insights with State Economist, Amy Watson
Join us as Montana State Economist, Amy Watson, paints a picture of what's driving this growth and the challenges that come with it. Montana's economy is booming. Labor force numbers have pushed total workforce to over 579,000 people, with nearly 50,000 jobs added since COVID-19 began reshaping our economic landscape. The Flathead Valley stands out with even more impressive growth – outpacing state averages with 2.8% labor force expansion last year alone.
Ep. 53 - This Levy Matters: What's at Stake for the Future of Kalispell Education
Join us as we tackle a pressing topic impacting Kalispell Public Schools—the upcoming high school levy vote. This episode features enlightening discussions with Matt Jensen, Superintendent, and Jinn Merriman, a dedicated school board trustee and parent. Together, we explore how this levy directly affects our students, families, and community as a whole.
Ep. 52 - Leadership Lessons with Phil Quigley
In this episode, we welcome Phil Quigley, a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned consultant, who shares his insights on leadership drawn from his diverse career across various industries. Phil’s unique journey—from pioneering roles at Atari and Yahoo to his work with veterans—provides a compelling narrative about the intersection of military discipline and effective business leadership.
Ep. 51 - Cultivating Personal Leadership with Sherrie Patterson
Sherry walks us through the core questions that leaders need to ask to achieve clarity and drive real results. From navigating the uncertainties faced by business owners in the Flathead Valley to enhancing whole-person development, Sherry offers valuable insights that resonate in today's rapidly evolving environment.
Ep. 50 - 2024 Discover Kalispell Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Mark Freidline, Executive Officer, Flathead Building Association
What if you could transform your community through the power of leadership and collaboration? Join us on Venture Boldly as we feature the inspiring journey of Mark Friedline, the 2024 Discover Kalispell Chamber Ambassador of the Year. In our engaging conversation, Mark shares his path from being the Executive Officer of the Flathead Building Association to championing various local initiatives
Ep. 49 - 2024 Businessperson of the Year: Mike Smith & 2024 Legacy Partner Award Winner: Glacier Bank
Ever wondered how a bank can shape a community beyond financial transactions? Mike Smith, Glacier Bank's Market President, joins us as we discuss recent accolades, including being awarded the Discover Kalispell's 2024 Businessperson of the Year and Glacier Bank’s honor as the Legacy Partner of the Year.