(GREAT FALLS) – Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester will join forces in Great Falls to announce a new flying mission for the Montana Air National Guard.

 

After years of top-level meetings and advocacy, Baucus and Tester will announce that they have secured an Air Force C-130H mission for MANG. The announcement comes after the Pentagon announced $259 billion in program cuts that will result in a significant loss of aircraft and jobs at other Air Guard units across the country. Both Senators pushed the Air Force and the National Guard Bureau to ensure that Great Falls would retain a manned flying mission.

 

"This mission is a victory for MANG, Great Falls and Montana -- and it was no accident. The C-130s are on their way to Gore Hill because of a lot of hard work by a lot of good people, including our Montana airmen who've earned National recognition for their exceptional service," Baucus said. "I'm proud to see our hard work pay off with a strong flying mission and all the jobs that come with it."

 

Tester called the announcement a result of "the world-class reputation of MANG and its men and women."

 

"During countless meetings and phone calls with the Pentagon and community leaders in Great Falls, our goal in securing this mission was to keep a flying mission for the Air Guard while maintaining our job strength," Tester said. "This mission does both--in a way that fits our nation's military strategy and our state's homeland security needs. This move will strengthen our State and the community of Great Falls, and I look forward to its arrival."

  

Considered the ‘work horse’ of the Air Force, C-130Hs have been in operation since the 1950s – the longest continuous production of any military aircraft in history.

 

The C-130H is a highly valued mission that requires significant operations and maintenance personnel. Additional details, including exact manpower numbers and the dates the aircraft will arrive, will be available when the President’s budget is released later this month.

 

Baucus and Tester expect MANG's cargo planes to provide hundreds of jobs for Montana Airmen and members of the Great Falls community.

 

Last week, the Pentagon announced $259 billion in cuts, including an entire training squadron of F-15s, five squadrons of A-10 aircraft, and one Guard squadron of F-16s that will not be replaced. The moves will reduce the number of flying missions for the Air National Guard and reduce the number of Air Guardsmen nationally by 5,100.  

 

Baucus and Tester have made it their mission to deliver a manned flying mission to Great Falls that plays a critical role in defending the country. Tester recently told the Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. General Harry Wyatt, that MANG’s new mission must retain its outstanding airmen and make good use of the vast airspace over Montana. Baucus secured Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta’s support for MANG before Panetta was confirmed.

 

The Senators will continue to work closely with MANG and the Great Falls community leaders until the C-130Hs land in Montana.

 

The C-130H is a four-engine transport aircraft that can fly up to 2,360 miles without refueling. It can transport more than 90 passengers and 45,000 pounds of cargo. It is also frequently used to fight wildfires and conduct search and rescue operations.

 

-Offices of Senators Baucus and Tester

The fifth annual Missoula BarCamp will begin on Friday, April 13 with the first ever evening pre-barcamp party and networking event followed by the main event at 9:00a.m.on Saturday, April 14 at the beautiful Payne Family Native American Center at The University of Montana. More information and details on the pre-barcamp party and networking event will be provided soon. 

Registration for Missoula BarCamp 2012 will be opening soon.

 

 

We are lining up this years Lightning Keynote Speakers and are expecting some great additions. Below is a snapshot of the speakers we currently have lined up.

Dr. Christopher Avery
“Christopher is a sought-after, international speaker, author, and business advisor on responsible leadership, teamwork, and change.”

John Ferrone
“John combines high energy and an intuitive sense for hidden roadblocks to become the catalyst that helps leaders and organizations define their vision, plan to reach it, and ultimately achieve their potential.”

Sono Hashisaki
“Hashisaki has provided community based strategic planning, and process design and facilitation services primarily for tribal clients.”

Gerry Kirk
"Helping organizations and groups foster creative and innovative work spaces for higher productivity, ability to adapt, and more motivated workforce."  

Mario Schulzke
“IdeaMensch.com Founder and Senior Director at Wong Doody Crandall & Weiner is in a constant attempt to live an interesting life. IdeaMensch.com is a place for people with ideas.”

 

-Missoula Bar Camp

BILLINGS--First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. has welcomed Teresa A. Taylor to its Board of Directors, effective January 25, 2012. Taylor has more than 24 years of experience in the technology, media, and telecom sector. “Teresa brings a broad range of experience to our Board, from strategic planning and execution, technology development, human resources, and corporate communications, to product development, sales, customer service and marketing,” said James R. Scott, Vice-Chairman of the Board. “We look forward to her unique insight and guidance as we position our company for continued success as a regional leader in the financial services industry.”

 

Since 1988, Taylor has worked for Qwest Communications in Denver, Colorado, where she most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, leading daily operations and a senior management team responsible for 30,000 employees in field support, technical development, sales, marketing, customer support and IT systems. Previous positions with Qwest include Executive Vice President (EVP) – Business Markets Group, EVP and Chief Administrative Officer, EVP - Wholesale Markets and EVP – Product and Pricing.

 

Taylor is also an active volunteer. She was recently named by the Governor as an Executive Advisor to assist with economic development for the state of Colorado. Additionally, she currently holds board of director positions for Global Leadership Council – Colorado State University, Colorado Technology Association and Denver Botanic Gardens. Taylor lives in Denver, but also keeps a part-time residence in Saratoga, Wyoming. As a member of First Interstate BancSystem’s Board of Directors, Taylor will serve on the Compensation and Technology Committees. “I am pleased to join this prestigious Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to their ongoing success,” said Taylor.

 

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. is a financial services holding company, headquartered in Billings, Montana, with $7.3 billion in assets as of September 30, 2011. It is the parent company of First Interstate Bank, a community bank operating 71 offices throughout Montana, Wyoming, and western South Dakota.

 

GREAT FALLS--Davidson Companies, the regional financial services firm, announced that Bill Johnstone, CEO, has been elected Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Ian B. Davidson, longtime Chairman of Davidson Companies, who has been named Chairman Emeritus and will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors and executive committee.

 

Jim Kerr has been elected President of Davidson Companies. Kerr has served as President of D.A. Davidson & Co.’s Individual Investor Group since 2007. He will continue to oversee that portion of the multi-faceted business as well.

 

“With Bill’s and Jim’s excellent leadership, and the bench strength behind each of them, this company will continue to prosper and continue to attract and retain high-quality, motivated people in the years ahead,” Davidson said.

 

Johnstone has served as President and CEO of Davidson Companies since 2004, and will retain the CEO title in addition to serving as Chairman. Johnstone joined Davidson Companies in 2000, first as an independent board member and then as President of D.A. Davidson, one of the four financial firms that operate under the Davidson Companies corporate umbrella.

 

Davidson was named President in 1968 and became CEO and Chairman in 1970. He served in that role until 2000, when he stepped away from the first two roles. During his tenure as CEO, the company grew from a small brokerage firm with four offices and about 55 employees to become a regional financial services firm with 33 offices and 703 employees. Today Davidson Companies continues to grow and has more than 1,100 employees working from 67 offices.

 

Davidson joined the firm, then called Gibson Associates, in 1958. He was the third employee, along with his father and a secretary/cashier. He changed the name to honor his father, David Adams Davidson, in 1959 to D.A. Davidson & Co. (now a Davidson Companies subsidiary).

HELENA, Mont. -- The Montana Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals for Fiscal Year 2012 grant projects in cooperation with the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service's Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

 

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture. Legume crops such as dry peas, beans and lentils are among the vegetable crops that qualify under the program.

 

Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and qualify in one or more of the following areas: increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving efficiency and reducing distribution costs; investing in specialty crop research; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable production practices.

 

Projects also may assist entities in developing "Good Agricultural Practices,"  "Good Handling Practices" and "Good Manufacturing Practices," including cost-share arrangements for audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors.

 

Any non-profit organization, educational institution or municipality may submit a proposal for a suggested maximum of $50,000 with a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. Work must be completed by September 30, 2015.

 

Proposals must be submitted by March 21, 2012, to:

Montana Department of Agriculture

Attn:  Specialty Crop Grant 2012

P.O. Box 200201

Helena, MT  59620-0201

 

Helena, MT - Registration is now open for the ServeMontana Symposium on February 23 and 24 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena, MT.  This affordable conference, offered by the Governor's Office of Community Service, focuses on providing training and resources for national service programs, nonprofits, and organizations who use and support volunteers.  

 

"The ServeMontana Symposium is an excellent training opportunity for nonprofits, community organizations, and volunteers," said Jan Lombardi, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Service. "We know communities are looking for resources and tools that help them to better recruit and manage volunteers."

 

What:                    ServeMontana Symposium: Growing Montana Communities

When:                  February 23-24, 2012

Where:                 Red Lion Colonial Hotel, Helena, MT

Who:                     Nonprofits, community organizations, national service members and volunteers

Cost:                       $100 before 2/10/12 or $125 after 2/10/12

Register:               Registration available online

 

The ServeMontana Symposium agenda includes: two-part training on volunteer management, breakout sessions highlighting strategies that work in Montana,  a two-hour grant writing session, keynote address on America's Commitment to Service by Frank Greer, Founding Partner of GMMB, closing address from Jeremy Smith, author of Growing a Garden City, and much more.

 

The conference will also highlight volunteers across the state with ServeMontana Awards, ReadyMontana Awards, and First Lady's Math & Science Awards presented at the awards luncheon on Thursday, February 23 at noon. Registration for the awards luncheon is available for $20.

 

Learn more about the ServeMontana Symposium at serve.mt.gov or call Gail Brockbank at 406-422-4141 

 

The Governor's Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service and emergency preparedness.

 

Connect on Facebook at ServeMontana.

 

BELGRADE – Montana bio-tech Bacterin International Holdings, Inc., a leader in the development of revolutionary bone graft material and antimicrobial coatings for medical applications, has engaged Hayden IR, a 15-year-old, highly recognized, national investor relations firm, to develop and implement a strategic investor relations program and raise its visibility and strengthen its relationships with the investment community.

 

"Over the last eight quarters, Bacterin has delivered record revenue by manufacturing and marketing superior bone graft material, biological scaffolds and related medical devices while developing bioactive anti-microbial coatings for implantable devices," commented Guy Cook, CEO of Bacterin. "We expect our outstanding growth to continue, compounded and complemented by key drivers, including our expanded direct sales force, increased product lines, accelerated use among surgeons, augmented geographic footprint which adds international markets, broadened core technology that we are leveraging into additional revolutionary products, scientific peer reviewed studies to be published and fortified strategic relationships and distribution partnerships. Accordingly, we believe it is an ideal time to retain a national investor relations firm to help us target an expanding investor audience and ensure we are communicating effectively with current and potential shareholders. We look forward to working with the team of professionals at Hayden IR to execute this important goal."

 

With offices in New York, Phoenix, Minneapolis and San Diego, Hayden IR provides a comprehensive range of investor relations services to a growing list of clients. For more than a decade, Hayden IR has been a recognized leader in driving market recognition and creating sustainable competitive advantages for more than 200 micro- and small-cap companies. Hayden delivers expertise and professionalism in such areas as investor management, relationship building, awareness campaigns, online presence and corporate identity.

 

James Carbonara, Regional VP, in Hayden IR's New York City office, added, "Bacterin represents a compelling opportunity, doubling revenue the last two years to a guided $30 - $32 million for 2011. Management expects continued rapid growth for 2012, with guidance of $53 - $56 million and generating almost 75-80% gross margins. Analysts are projecting operating margin expansion 'to the mid-20% range, if not higher', leveraging its sales force and establishing infrastructure to support $120 million to $175 million in revenue. Bacterin's broad product portfolio addresses a $7 billion market with key drivers in place to continue to capture market share as well as a possible 'call option' opportunity with OsteoSponge SC. Hayden IR believes that it is a great time for investors to be looking at Bacterin as it trades at 2.2 times the low-end of 2012 revenue guidance, lower than comparable companies in the field, in spite of a more robust growth outlook. The team at Hayden IR looks forward to articulating this opportunity to the professional investment community."

 

-Bacterin