Venture Boldly

Send us your feedback! 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. What tr...

Send us your feedback! 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 i...

Send us your feedback! 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...

Send us your feedback! 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. Join us as Montana State Economist, Amy Watso...

Send us your feedback! Local Control. Local Values.  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...

Send us your feedback! Ever wondered how military training influences leadership in the corporate world? 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...

Send us your feedback! What if breaking away from a toxic environment could unlock your true potential? Join us as we sit down with Sherrie Patterson, the owner of Essential Development and Coaching, who shares her journey from the education sector to establishing a thriving business in leadership and personal development. Sherry lays bare her initial struggles, debunking the myth that success is...

Send us your feedback! 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 Freidline, 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 variou...

Send us your feedback! 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. We explore the bank’s vibrant relationship with the Kalispell...

Send us your feedback! Jen Stein, the inspiring 2024 Discover Kalispell Chamber Educator of the Year, shares her journey from a school-loving child to a pioneering elementary school principal. Her personal experiences have deeply influenced her leadership style, making her a prominent advocate for inclusive education. Jen reveals her commitment to creating supportive environments where every stude...

Send us your feedback! Sam Torgerson's inspiring journey from kennel attendant to general manager and part owner of a board and train facility is nothing short of remarkable. We sat down with Sam, the Discover Kalispell Chamber's 2024 Rising Star Award winner, to uncover how her passion for animals and relentless dedication has propelled her into a leading role in animal care. Sam opens...

Send us your feedback! Whitefish Community Foundation, recently celebrated as the 2024 Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year, is leading the way in giving back to the Flathead Valley community.  Join us as we unlock the secrets behind their  success, with insights from Alan Davis, the foundation's President and CEO. Having transitioned from the Whitefish Legacy Partners to leadi...

Send us your feedback! Imagine blending the rich history of community banking with the fast-paced world of technology. That's exactly what AJ King, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Three Rivers Bank of Montana, is doing, and he’s sharing his insights on Venture Boldly. Celebrating their recent accolade as the Discover Kalispell Chamber's 2024 Large Business of the Year, AJ reflects on th...

Send us your feedback! Discover the transformative journey of Sue Corrigan, the remarkable 2024 recipient of the Discover Kalispell Chamber Community Spirit Award. From a shy child to a dedicated community leader, Sue shares her inspiring path with us, including her impact as a special needs teacher and her involvement with organizations like the Glacier Conservancy and the Montana State School Bo...

Send us your feedback! Join us as we meet with Mireille Bierens, the owner of Mountain Physical Therapy and Fitness Center and the 2024 Small Business of the Year Award winner.  Mireille shares her story of her move from the Netherlands to the Flathead and career journey that lead her to become the owner of her physical therapy business.  Gain insights into how Mireille's unique blend of heal...

Send us your feedback! Discover the remarkable journey of Dan Dickman, the 2024 Flathead Legacy Award winner, whose path to nursing began with an unexpected dare and whose life took a transformative turn after a severe accident. Dan's story is a testament to the power of empathy and leadership.  Join us as Dan reflects on his four-decade-long career in nursing, including 30 impactful years wi...

Send us your feedback! The semiconductor industry has a long history in Kalispell, thanks to the entrepreneurial Ray Thompson, who founded Semitool which was acquired by Applied Materials in 2010.  Our special guest, Brian Aegerter, General Manager of Kalispell Applied Materials, shares the how the bold move to establish a semiconductor industry in the Flathead has created a thriving high-tech sec...

Send us your feedback! Discover how Montana is blazing a trail in tech innovation with the dynamic Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH). We sit down with Dr. Tim VanReken, the visionary Executive Director and Regional Innovation Officer of the HTH. We uncover the strategic impact of the Chips and Science Act and a transformative $41 million boost from the US Department of Commerce, setting Montana on a path...

Send us your feedback! Join us for a conversation with Matt Jensen, the new superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools, as he shares his vision for the district. You'll discover how Matt's focus on personalized competency-based education aims to empower students and enhance learning outcomes. Despite grappling with budget issues and the complexities of school funding, his enthusiasm for...

Send us your feedback! Ever wondered how a 15-year-old BMX enthusiast evolves into the proud owner of a century-old bike shop? Meet Hans Axelsen, the passionate powerhouse behind Wheaton's Cycle in Kalispell. Hans shares his transformation from a skateboarder and professional snowboarder to a seasoned bicycle mechanic with over four decades of experience. He recounts the moment he took the re...

Send us your feedback! What if over 80% of your region's electricity came from a single source? Join us on Venture Boldly as we explore the profound impact of hydropower in Northwest Montana with our guest, Clark Mather, Executive Director of Northwest RiverPartners. Discover how this renewable energy powerhouse fuels the local economy and provides clean, reliable electricity to communities i...

Send us your feedback! Curious about the massive transformation happening at Glacier Park International Airport? Join us on Venture Boldly as we visit with Airport Director Rob Ratkowski, who provides an insider's look at the ambitious expansion project. With the airport nearly tripling in size to 210,000 square feet, you'll get a front-row seat to the exciting new amenities, including t...

Send us your feedback! As the official education partner of Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, the Glacier Institute offers an array of programs that bring people of all ages, both locals and visitors alike, closer to nature. From guided hikes to hands-on educational experiences at the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, Executive Director Anthony Nelson shares how these initiativ...

Send us your feedback! Encounter the remarkable journey of Mady Rigg, a guiding light from the Flathead Valley who carries the title of Miss Montana USA 2023 with unparalleled grace. As we chat with Mady, her story unfolds like a winding mountain trail—full of unexpected turns but leading to breathtaking vistas. From the disappointment of high school sports setbacks to overcoming financial adversi...

Send us your feedback! Turning lemons into lemonade, and a lemonade stand business, is more than just stirring up juice, sugar and water - so who better to share with us the secrets to lemonade business success than our Lemony Lemonade stand business proprietors and 2023 Lemonade Day Flathead Youth Entrepreneur winners, Alina, Alana, and Scott.  These dynamic siblings and youth entrepreneur winner...