Six Montana Family Businesses to be Honored on September 25

August 27th, 2009

Businesses ranging from a small seed supplier to a large construction company from areas across the state including Fairfield, Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, Anaconda and Chinook are the winners of the 2009 Montana Family Business Awards, now in their 16th year.

The businesses, which range in size from fewer than 10 employees to more than 50, will receive their awards at the 2009 Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Day on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman. Registration is at 11:00 am and the luncheon starts at 11:30 am.

The 2009 top family businesses in Montana are: Treasure State Seed of Fairfield in the very small business category (fewer than 10 employees); Colombo’s Pizza of Bozeman in the small business category (10 to 30 employees); Axmen of Missoula in the medium business category (30 to 50 employees); Diamond Construction of Helena, in the large business category (more than 50 employees); Jamieson Motors, Inc. of Chinook in the old business category (operating at least 50 years) and Giddy Up Tack & Feed of Anaconda in the new business category (operating 10 years or less).

“It is wonderful to be able to recognize exemplary family businesses that have all shown a commitment to customer service, family values and diversification to satisfy the needs of their markets, often in challenging situations,” said Nancy Dodd, director of the Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Program and an MSU professor of management. 

In order to support and honor Montana family businesses, the Montana State University College of Business in Bozeman, supported by generous contributions, is hosting a keynote luncheon prior to the 2009 Family Business Awards ceremony on Friday, September 25, 2009.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dean Folkvord, CEO of Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery, a family wheat farming operation that has become vertically integrated. Wheat Montana’s operations cover more than 15,000 acres of tillable land in Broadwater County, near Three Forks. Wheat Montana was awarded a Family Business award in 1994, and Dean was named the Montana Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine in 1996 and the 1997 Montana Small Business Person of the Year. Attendees can look forward to an interesting and educational presentation.

The cost for the keynote luncheon is $20, and registration is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call Karen Beach at 994-6796 or e-mail familybusiness@montana.edu. 

 

 

 

 

 

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