Over 18% of the total manufacturing earnings in Montana during 2018 came from petroleum and coal products. With regulatory changes, a shift in the manufacturing industry is inevitable. Recent data shows growth coming in pharmaceutical; dairy; aerospace; beverage; and other wood products sectors to name a few.
This year’s Economic Update Series will bring expert panelists highlighting Montana’s ‘Centers of Opportunity’, including manufacturing, high-tech, and bioscience,- industries critical to Montana’s economic recovery.
Dr. Pat Barkey from University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research will also present his state and local post-pandemic economic projections.
The Economic Update Series takes place in 4 cities across Montana.
*July 29- Kalispell (Hilton Garden Inn)
*August 17 – Bozeman (GranTree)

  • August 18 – Billings (Northern Hotel)
  • August 19 – Helena (Delta Marriott)

Marya Pennington has been promoted to Billings Chamber Communications and Marketing Manager. Pennington has been with the Billings Chamber for over two years, and has a strong background in public relations and communications. Her responsibilities will include overseeing all communications, public relations, and marketing, while generating a positive local awareness of the Billings Chamber and promoting the Chamber’s brand.
Pennington was born and raised in Billings and is a graduate of Billings West High and Montana State University Billings, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in public relations. She began her work at the Billings Chamber with Visit Billings to bring the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) conference to Billings. In 2021, she led the Billings Chamber’s most recent rebranding campaign, resulting in the Western Association of Chamber Executives’ highest award for the western Unites States in communications.

Billings Clinic Internal Medicine Residency announced the fifth class of graduates of the Internal Medicine Residency program. A commencement ceremony on June 4 honored the ten physicians who completed the three-year residency and the four physicians who completed a one-year preliminary program required for future specialty residency training. The graduates are:

* Jay Brahmbhatt, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at the university of Washington in Seattle, WA.

* Conrad Addison, MD, will continue training through a Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

* Thomas Brockhoft, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

* Tya Campbell, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.

* Jennifer Eitingon, MD, will continue her training through a Palliative Care Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

* Sarah Mete, DO, will remain with Billings Clinic as the 2022 Chief of Medical Residents for the Internal Medicine Residency in Billings, MT

* James Rankin, MD, will practice as an internal medicine physician.

* Brian Reidy, DO, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT. 

* Julia Rosion, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.

* Meredith Sladic, MD, will practice as a primary care physician and Billings Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Faculty Hospitalist at Billings Clinic in Billings, MT.

* Syney Asper, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

* Travis Bailey, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training anesthesiology at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.

* Paul Harrie, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO.

* Andrew Monforton, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA.   

Billings Clinic established Montana’s first Internal Medicine Residency program in 2013. The three-year program combines education and research with practical clinical and hospital experience among a complex patient population. The residency program is designed to train internists to care for complex medically ill patients in rural environments. Training includes working in a rural community through the Rural Rotation Program. Each resident spends one month working at Central Montana Medical Center, and one month at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, an 88-bed community hospital.   

John Vogel recently joined Stockman Wealth Management as a Junior Portfolio Manager in Billings. His responsibilities include financial planning, investment account management, economic analysis, and business development.

Vogel brings over three years of financial industry experience to the position, which includes portfolio management and analysis. He holds his Series 7, Series 66 and Life and Health Insurance licenses and will be working towards the designation of Certified Financial Planner certification as well.

Vogel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Montana State University in Bozeman in the fall of 2018. He is located at 402 N Broadway and can be reached at 406-896-4853.

 Stockman Wealth Management is a SEC Registered Investment Adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stockman Financial Corp., a family owned bank holding company serving the banking and investment needs of customers throughout the region.

Ryan Siemsen has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager for Stockman Bank Worden. His responsibilities include overseeing bank operations, management and employee supervision, and all lending activities in Worden.

Siemsen, who grew up in Huntley, brings 20 years of experience in Ag and Ag business to the position, which includes 11 years of Ag lending. His extensive background will continue to provide valuable resources not only for customers and potential clients, but for the community as well. He has been with Stockman Bank since 2018 and most recently served as an Ag loan officer for the Billings market.

Siemsen earned his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business from Montana State University in Billings and an associate’s degree in Farm and Ranch Management from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. He is active in the community serving as the President of Young Rider Series and will continue to be involved in Stockman Bank related activities.

He may be reached at 967-3612 at Stockman Bank Worden.

After the announcement that Magic City Blues will indeed be held in Billings this summer, promoters reported being flooded with requests for tickets from all across the country.

Magic City Blues will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary with three days of perormances on August 5, 6 and 7 in downtown Billings. The urban music fest will feature Willy G, Mike Farris, Jessica Eve, Free Spirit Soul, Anthony Gomes, Keb’ Mo’, Karkin Poe, Daniel Kosel & Madrona Road, John Roberts Y Pan Blanco, Kevin Burt, G. Love  The Juice and Samantha Fish.

Music fans will be arriving in Billings for the event from Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, as well as from dozens and dozens of towns throughout Montana.

For details go to  www.MagicCityBlues.com

Dick Anderson Construction announced that Nolan Smith has been promoted to the position of Project Manager within the Billings location. 

Nolan joined DAC Billings in June 2018 and has been our Project Engineer on Northwest Pipe Fittings, Denny Menholt Nissan, Crowley Fleck renovations and will now be our Project Manager for the Laurel Fairfield Inn and Suites project underway this April.  He is noted as a very dedicated and  hard worker and is a great contribution to the Dick Anderson Construction team.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding $145,000 to fill critical trail gaps, with an emphasis on regional and community development goals. Two Montana area groups received trail grants to help build on the vision for the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail.

Yellowstone Historic Center is receiving a $10,000 Doppelt Fund grant for the conversion of a 9-mile abandonment along the Yellowstone Shortline Trail into a multiuse path from the Montana–Idaho border.

Headwaters Trail System is receiving a $10,000 Doppelt Fund matching grant to support the development of the 0.8 mile remaining to complete a 12-mile network in Gallatin County to connect the Headwaters Trail.

The cross-country Great American Rail-Trail is a project developing 3,700-mile trail that connects across 12 states between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. This year’s Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund grants are made in honor of the legacy of the late rail-trail philanthropist, Jeffrey L. Doppelt, who passed away from COVID-19 in January 2021. A member of RTC for more than 25 years, Jeff invested over $800,000 in the nation’s rail-trails, benefiting more than 40 projects nationwide.

“The RTC Trail Grants Program offers support to projects that are often not funded otherwise and are left out of traditional funding streams. These grants often fill critical gaps—both in trail development and funding—delivering returns on investment that bring lasting benefit to communities,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC. “As we mourn our good friend Jeff Doppelt, we see his legacy and vision live on with the progress we are making on the Great American and on completing trail projects large and small that have significant impact on the nation.”

A&E Design, an award-winning design firm in Billings, welcomes Tiffini Gallant to its staff as creative writer. Gallant’s advanced communication degrees from Georgetown University and MSU Billings, and broad experience writing for multiple industries make her a valued addition to the A&E Design team. She will craft copy for the firm’s five locations and diverse clientele, further aiding A&E Design in providing an array of creative services throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Adam Liberty has been named President of the Billings Catholic Schools Foundation (BCSF). He will work closely with the Board of Directors to establish long-term goals, strategies, plans and policies and serve as a liaison between the BCSF, the Billings Catholic Schools and the community. He most recently served as the Vice President of Development for the Montana State University Billings Foundation.   Liberty earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Montana in Missoula in 2013. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science from Carroll College in Helena in 2010.