Big Sky Economic Development has announced that two new members have joined the board of the Economic Development Authority Board of Directors and the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. The EDA and EDC boards meet together to set policy and economic development strategy for the community.

Joining the EDA Board of Directors is Kate Vogel with North 40 Ag. The EDA board is a quasi-public, TradePort authority, whose board members are appointed by the Yellowstone County Commissioners. The EDA has 11 appointed board members.

Vogel grew up in eastern Colorado helping with the neighbors’ cattle, this is where her fondness for agriculture was first discovered. She studied dryland, no-till systems at Colorado State University and after completing her Masters, she moved up to Montana. Kate joined her husband Marcus in 2014 at North 40 Ag in as a way to bring seed and education to their community.

“As we developed the mission of North 40 Ag, I kept coming back to the importance of people. We have grown our family here since the start,” said Kate. “Our employees have become part of our family, but so have our customers. My favorite part of what I do is getting to build relationships with our clients and seeing the improvement they can make on their operation in their journey to meet their soil health goals.”

North 40 Ag has provided Vogel with the outlet to continue to assist the regions farmers and ranchers in implementing cover crops, no-till practices, crop rotations and other soil health practices. It is her passion for farmers and ranchers that keeps her pushing North 40 Ag forward.

The newest board member joining the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors is Tyler Wiltgen, Executive Director, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation. The EDC is a not-for-profit corporation made up of 140-Member Investor companies. The EDC has 22 board members elected who are elected by the Member Investor companies.

Wiltgen started his role as Executive Director of the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation in July 2021 and serves as a member of the St. Vincent Healthcare Senior Leadership Team. Before joining the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, Tyler served as Vice President of Advancement for Rocky Mountain College. His prior experience includes development positions in the College of Agriculture, Athletics and Gift Planning at the Montana State University Alumni Foundation in Bozeman. Tyler was also the radio voice of Montana State University Bobcat Football and Men’s Basketball. A native of Wilsall, Montana, Tyler graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman, where he received both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. He and his wife, Malaree, live in Billings with their three children.