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In this episode, we sit down with 2025 Flathead Legacy Award recipient Bob Nystuen to trace his path from North Dakota roots to leading Glacier Bank and shaping the Flathead’s business and education landscape. He shares how capital, culture, and service align: gather deposits, make sound loans, recruit great people, and share results so everyone rows together. When COVID-19 hit, that preparation helped his team process over 2,000 PPP loans—keeping businesses afloat through closures and uncertainty.

Bob offers leadership lessons and steady guidance for today’s leaders facing AI, workforce shifts, and market change: be authentic, show gratitude, and lead with calm confidence.

We also explore his deep ties to education, from FVCC’s growth to statewide efforts advancing healthcare, manufacturing, trades, and dual-credit programs that connect students to careers. Looking ahead, Bob shares his predications for the Flathead. His call to action—invest in education, civic leadership, and innovation—offers a clear path to a resilient future.

If you care about community banking, workforce development, or Montana’s economic future, this episode delivers real-world insight and inspiration. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]

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A small clamp is making a big impact in Montana manufacturing. Founder Amber Pacheco Holm of Fiber Reaper, and her husband, Jeremy, turned a simple field frustration into a breakthrough tool now used by fiber splicing crews across the country. Built and tested in the Flathead Valley, her redesigned clamp helps technicians work faster, safer, and with greater precision. Through local partnerships with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana High-Tech Business Alliance, and area suppliers, Fiber Reaper transformed an idea sketched in a Kalispell workshop into a production-ready product—100% Made in the USA and proudly built in Northwest Montana.

Today, Fiber Reaper is a growing example of how innovation thrives in the Flathead Valley’s manufacturing ecosystem. The company has shipped to all 50 states, expanded into Canada and Mexico, and secured patents in 29 countries. Each new order—tracked on a foam board map in their Kalispell workspace—shows how small-scale innovation here can ripple through industries nationwide. It’s proof that practical, Montana-made solutions can compete on a global stage while keeping their roots local.  Tune in to learn more about this "Made in Montana, Made in the Flathead" story. 

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Sheriff Brian Heino doesn't mince words about Flathead County's jail crisis. The 1987 facility is bursting at the seams, with failing systems, inadequate space, and mounting safety concerns. With over two decades of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Heino offers a compelling insider's perspective on why a new detention center represents not just a building project, but a fundamental community investment. 

The stark reality becomes clear as he describes detention officers navigating cramped corridors, managing mental health crises without proper facilities, and watching judges make release decisions based on space constraints rather than public safety. The proposed $105 million facility, whose bond has been endorsed by the Kalispell Chamber, would address these challenges while providing dedicated mental health housing and programming space currently impossible in the outdated jail.

As you listen to this podcast, you'll learn how much the proposed facility's bond will cost homeowners (for many, about the cost of a cup of coffee per month), and the benefits that the community will realize with a new facility: restored accountability, improved safety, and investment for the future. Want to see the current conditions firsthand?  Click here to sign up for a tour of the current jail facility.  www.flatheadjail.com

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]

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Kyle Waterman, downtown business owner and former city councilor, is running for Kalispell City Council Ward 3. In this conversation, he shares how his past council experience and decades of community leadership shape his vision for a growing, business-friendly Kalispell.

We talk about downtown revitalization, including how asking tough questions about city-owned property opened the door to new development opportunities. Waterman also discusses the challenge of balancing historic preservation with the needs of local businesses and residents.

Finally, he explains his approach to building a “getting to yes” culture in city government—focusing on transparency, strong public services, and a smoother process for small businesses. Tune in to hear his perspective on what it will take to keep Kalispell both unique and thriving.

Link:

Kyle4Kalispell: Kyle 4 Kalispell - Kalispell City Council Ward 3

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Meet Kisa Davison, Kalispell mayoral candidate and recipient of the Kalispell Chamber’s endorsement. She joins Drew Zagorski to share her journey from business owner and community leader to candidate for mayor.

Since moving to Kalispell in 2007, Kisa and her husband have built several businesses while raising four children. She has served on the Kalispell Chamber Board, chaired the Business Improvement District, and participated in multiple city task forces.

Kisa describes herself as a “professional problem solver,” not a career politician. Her campaign focuses on three priorities: strengthening public safety, ensuring responsible spending, and tackling housing affordability through free-market solutions. She outlines how her business experience informs these priorities and why she believes removing barriers for developers is key to addressing housing challenges.

Throughout the conversation, Kisa emphasizes urgency, accountability, and improving communication between city government and residents. Learn more by listening to this engaging podcast and by visiting www.kisa4kalispell.com.

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber, and on twitter @KalispellChambr.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]

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Join host Drew Zagorski as he sits down with Brian Gootkin, Director of the Montana Department of Corrections, and Jim Sanderson, Operations Manager of the new Flathead Valley Reentry Center, for a revealing conversation about  how we reintegrate formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. This isn't just another corrections facility – it's Montana's first-ever state-run reentry center.

The conversation dives deep into the center's focus on "desistance" rather than recidivism.  As Sanderson explains, this approach yields both better public safety outcomes and economic benefits for the community. 

What about community concerns? The directors address this head-on, discussing their comprehensive safety protocols, transportation plans to minimize neighborhood impact, and commitment to transparency through community open houses planned for September. 

Whether you're interested in criminal justice reform or community safety, this episode offers valuable insights into how the Department of Corrections is reimagining the path from incarceration to contribution. 

Links:

Careers with Department of Corrections: https://cor.mt.gov/About/Careers

MT Dept of Corrections- Prerelease centers: Prerelease Centers

Director Brian Gootkin: prod-cor.mt.gov/About/DirectorsPage

Operations Manager James Sanderson: Jim Sanderson - Manager of Operations (PRC Director)- MT Department of Corrections | LinkedIn

Dates for open houses and further links to the Flathead Valley Reentry Center will be added to the show notes as they are available. 

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]

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Montana’s outdoor recreation supports billions in spending while protecting landscapes, wildlife, and local traditions. Amber Steed, Region 1 Supervisor for Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), brings deep knowledge to managing these resources and highlights new public access projects, including Somers Beach State Park and expanded fishing areas near Flathead Lake.

Key efforts like the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement will protect over 80,000 acres through partnerships with timber companies, ensuring public access while maintaining sustainable forestry and preventing development.

With rising bear encounters, FWP focuses on prevention through education, bear-proof containers, and a new conflict dashboard. Amber urges public involvement in conservation efforts and reminds us that protecting Montana’s outdoors takes all of us.

Link: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

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© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]

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This episode of the Venture Boldly podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the Flathead County Fairgrounds—an iconic 60-acre hub in Kalispell that hosts over 750 events and draws more than 250,000 visitors each year. While many know it as home to the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo, the fairgrounds serve as a year-round space for community, culture, and connection.

Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally and Event Sponsorship Coordinator Kelsey Hansberry share how their personal ties to the Flathead Valley shape their vision for the fairgrounds’ future. From major facility upgrades to securing top-tier entertainment like Joan Jett and Scotty McCreery, their team is focused on preserving tradition while driving meaningful growth.

Listeners will hear about the fairgrounds’ impact on youth development through 4-H and agriculture, as well as long-term plans for milestone celebrations in 2026 and 2027. With new rodeo partnerships and a dedicated preservation foundation, the fairgrounds continue to evolve while staying rooted in community values.

Links: 

Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo - Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo 

Fair contests: Contests - Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo

Schedule of Events: Schedule of Events - Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo

Fairgrounds facility rental: Fairgrounds Facilities and Rentals | Flathead County, MT

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Flathead Lake’s clean waters and mountain views aren’t just beautiful—they’re essential to our region’s economy, culture, and future. For over 100 years, the Flathead Lake Biological Station has worked to protect one of America’s cleanest lakes.

Associate Director Tom Bansak shares the story of the station’s start in 1899, when it operated out of a borrowed cabin, and how it grew into a leading center for freshwater research. Founded by biologist Morton Elrod, the station now maintains one of the world’s most complete lake data records.

In the 1970s, scientists there discovered signs of pollution. Tom shares how community action helped to restore water quality.  

Today, the station’s work goes beyond science. It offers education programs, supports the local economy, and brings together tribal, government, and business leaders to keep the lake healthy for the future. 

Tune in to learn more about the important work of the FLBS! 

Links: flbs.umt.edu.

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"Young entrepreneurs can teach us all a thing or two about business," is the lesson that shines through in my conversation with Parker and Lucy, the young founders of Two Sisters Lemonade and winners of the 2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Award for Lemonade Day Flathead.

Over three years of participation, these sisters have transformed from novices with a simple setup to savvy business owners making strategic decisions about products, branding, and customer service.

Parker summarizes the entrepreneurial mindset perfectly: "If something goes wrong or something doesn't go right, just get back up and try it again." For parents considering whether their children should participate in Lemonade Day, Teryn, the girls' mom, shares, "it's so worth it" to see children develop confidence, creativity, and practical skills that extend far beyond business.

Don't miss Lemonade Day Flathead on June 21st! Sign up at www.lemonadeday.org/flathead to participate.  Community members can support these young entrepreneurs by visiting their stands throughout the Flathead Valley on Saturday June 21st; stand locations can be found here: Flathead | Lemonade Day

As Parker says, these kids "have worked hard and they have learned so much and they've tried new flavors and they've come up with things that you probably have never heard of." Ready to squeeze the day?

Register kids at: www.lemonadeday.org/flathead

Find stands at: Flathead | Lemonade Day

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber, and on twitter @KalispellChambr.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | [email protected]