Venture Boldly

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Ever wondered how education systems are evolving to meet the dynamic needs of industries and businesses? Let's explore the innovative strategies being implemented by Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) to fulfill these transformations in this fascinating conversation with Lisa Blank, the Executive Director of Workforce Development. Lisa shares her experience and provides insights into the plethora of certifications, micro-credentials, and degree programs that FVCC has tailored to cater to the spinning wheels of local industries.

We also discuss the opportunity to create a Career Discover Center. Picture a hub that consolidates resources from various high schools, providing students with an array of career pathways and the opportunity to participate in college classes within the FVCC campus. Imagine the possibilities where students can earn college credits right from high school.  We discuss the value of empowering students with an exposure to a broad spectrum of career possibilities, paving the way for a vibrant, skilled workforce. Prepare to be intrigued as we journey through these transformative ideas shaping the future of workforce development.

www.fvcc.edu
www.fvcc.edu/business-industry
www.workforceflathead.com
www.pocketstonecafe.com

The Venture Boldly Podcast is sponsored by Weyerhaeuser.

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

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If you've ever questioned the traditional education model and wondered how we can better prepare students for the real world, then this episode is for you. We sit down with Mike Kelly, the Work-Based Learning Director for Kalispell Public Schools, who is at the forefront of transforming education through personalized learning and work-based opportunities. Mike shares a fascinating perspective on why students should have a voice in their educational journey, and how competency can be demonstrated in creative and engaging ways. He also gives us an insider's view into the Kalispell Public Schools' groundbreaking Transformational Learning Initiative. 

Moving away from the classroom, we turn our attention to the world of work and the role of work-based learning in developing key life skills. Mike and I share some success stories of students who have excelled in their internships and discuss the promising impact of the upcoming Center for Career Discovery. We delve into the dynamic business environment of the Flathead community, thanks largely to the efforts of the Kalispell Chamber, and celebrate the accomplishments of two students thriving in their plumbing apprenticeships. This episode will inspire you to think differently about education and the opportunities available to students today.

Kalispell Public Schools: https://www.sd5.k12.mt.us/
The Salty Calf: https://www.thesaltycalfmt.com/


The Venture Boldly Podcast is sponsored by Weyerhaeuser.

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

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Meet Adam Cebulla, Discover Kalispell Chamber's Rising Star of 2022, as he takes us on a journey through his personal and professional leadership experiences from his days as an Eagle Scout to his role in leading a championship-level track team in college. Tune in and learn how his approach to leadership is deeply rooted in understanding team dynamics and leveraging individuals' motivations for collective success. His unique mantra of 'be great today' echoes throughout his narratives, demonstrating his dedication to the drive for continual improvement.

In a generation shaped by events like Y2K, 9/11, and the Great Recession, Adam  discusses the strengths of, and challenges faced by, millennials. Engage with his thought-provoking conversation about our "microwave society," where instant gratification often overshadows the beauty of the journey. Hear Adam's take on how he navigated through the challenges of burnout and successfully built a career in sales fueled by strong relationships and a keen sense of understanding customer needs.

Finally, get a glimpse of Adam's customer-centric approach to sales, where curiosity leads the way and providing a five-star customer experience is the ultimate goal. He shares how understanding the customer's pain points and relating them to the solutions offered has shaped his success in sales. As he strives for excellence in every aspect of his life, Adam encourages us all to do the same. Come learn, get inspired, and perhaps even adopt a mantra of your own to 'be great today."

• LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-j-cebulla-bb3936aa/
• Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical website: www.centralmt.com
•  Kalispell Education Foundation website: www.kalispelleducationfoundation.org

The Discover Kalispell Chamber's Venture Boldly Podcast is sponsored by: Nomad GCS. 

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

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What does it take to make a real impact in your community? Join us as we sit down with Tony Brockman, the 2022 Community Spirit Award winner from the Discover Kalispell Chamber and Montana House District 9 Representative, to find out! Tony shares his story of growing up in the Evergreen community and how his father instilled a strong work ethic in him. He reflects on his education at the University of Montana, where he studied history and political science, and his dreams of becoming a teacher or lawyer.

Listen in as Tony discusses his impressive achievements as a freshman representative in the Montana House of Representatives, successfully running 25 bills and getting 16 of them signed into law. Discover how his dedication to his community led to a $1 million appropriation for constructing sidewalks along Highway 2 in Evergreen, ensuring safe routes to school for local children. Tony also delves into his ongoing work in the legislative committees and the importance of utilizing local resources like the Discover Kalispell Chamber for making a lasting difference. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring conversation with a true community leader.

Links:

• Tony Brockman, Facebook
• Tony Brockman, Instagram

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

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Anton Kaufer, Publisher of The Daily Inter Lake

The Daily Inter Lake delivers the news to thousands of subscribers throughout the Flathead and beyond. Its papers include the area’s signature daily, the Daily Inter Lake, as well as the Hungry Horse News, the Whitefish Pilot, and the Bigfork Eagle. And while they publish a traditional newspaper delivered to doorsteps 6 days a week, they have a robust online subscribership as well.  Adjusting to the changes in the newspaper business, the Inter Lake is evolving with technology while ensuring that its publications remain connected to the needs and interests of local readers.  We’ll also talk about how they not only report the news but are integral supporters of the community as well. 

Links

• The Daily Inter Lake
• The Daily Inter Lake's Wikipedia Page 
• Publisher, Anton Kaufer on LinkedIn
• Daily Inter Lake publisher Rick Weaver announces retirement - The Daily Inter Lake, Jan. 5, 2023
• Daily Inter Lake Podcast

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

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Jenn Cronk, Workforce & Special Initiatives Director, Discover Kalispell Chamber

On a hot summer day, who doesn’t love a glass of lemonade, especially when it’s sold by kids at a Lemonade Stand? My guest today is Jenn Cronk, the Discover Kalispell Chamber’s Workforce & Special Initiatives Director, and we’ll be talking about Lemonade Day - a program of the Kalispell Chamber that promotes entrepreneurship to youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade, one lemonade stand at a time. This year’s lemonade day program is bigger than ever, spanning the entirety of Flathead County, and it happens on Saturday, June 24th. We’ll learn more about the program and how kids can participate to become the next generation of Flathead entrepreneurs. 

Links

• Lemonade Day Flathead - www.lemonadeday.org/flathead
• Lemonade Day Flathead mentor* & youth registration
• Lemonade Day Flathead stand locations
• Lemonade Day Sponsorship opportunities**
• Questions? contact Jenn Cronk: [email protected] or 406-758-2801

*The mentor is the person who is signing up the youth for the program; once the mentor registers, they can then sign up the child/children.

**Sponsorships for Kalispell Chamber business members. If a non-member, reach out Jenn Cronk at [email protected] for more information.

Thank you to Lemonade Day Flathead 2023 Sponsors: Three Rivers Bank of Montana- title sponsor, Daily Inter Lake, Central Heating-Cooling-Plumbing-and Electrical, Terry Homes, Leavitt Group Great West Insurance, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.

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

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Dave Roemer, Superintendent, Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a crown jewel of the National Park System. Its over 1 million acres, located in Northwest Montana and situated just outside of Kalispell in the Flathead Valley, provides stunning mountain, valley, and glacial views via the Going-to-the-Sun Road, plentiful hiking and recreation opportunities, historic lodges, cold crisp streams, rivers, glacial lakes, and last but not least, an impressive array of plants and wildlife including beargrass flowers, moose, bighorn sheep, and of course, grizzly bears.  In this episode, we talk with the Glacier National Park Superintendent, Dave Roemer about visiting the park, visitor access, construction, and more. 

Links

• New Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer discusses upcoming busy season
• Roemer takes reins of Glacier Park - May 11, 2022, The Missoulian
• Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Vehicle Reservations - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Glacier's Shuttle System - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Directions, Transportation, & Road Conditions - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

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

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As the snows of winter fade in the Flathead and tourism to the valley picks up as we head toward summer, Venture Boldly takes time to talk with Diane Medler, the Executive Director of Discover Kalispell, a destination marketing and stewardship organization as part of the Discover Kalispell Chamber. With top tourism destinations such as Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort in our backyard, tourism and its related dollars represents a significant industry in the Flathead Valley. And while there’s no doubt about tourism’s importance to our economy and the benefits that it brings, Discover Kalispell also works to help mitigate the more challenging aspects of tourism, including educating visitors on how to recreate and travel responsibly and encouraging visits in shoulder/off-seasons which benefits our restaurants and hotels.

Links

• About Discover Kalispell
• Discover Kalispell 2022 annual report
• FY23 Marketing Plan

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

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Ashley King-Jones, Senior Vice President of Operations

Three Rivers Bank of Montana is a key community bank in the Flathead Valley. Founded in 1973 by Jack King along with 11 local businessmen, First Security Bank of Kalispell, now Three Rivers Bank of Montana, has established itself over nearly five decades as a community bank that is deeply invested in the local community. In this podcast we’ll chat with Ashley King-Jones, Senior Vice President of Operations, who will share more about the history of bank and its investment in, and creation of, the youth sports program - the Highlander Track Meet,  and their support of youth entrepreneurship programs like Lemonade Day Flathead.  With two locations in Kalispell and a third under construction in Whitefish, Ashley helps share the values which founded and continue to inspire the bank in its operations and approach to business to this day.

Links

• Three Rivers Bank of Montana
• About Three Rivers Bank
• Highlander Track Meet
• Lemonade Day
• Ashley J. King-Jones - Sr Vice President of Operations - Three Rivers Bank of Montana | LinkedIn

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

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Clay Binford, Chief of People and Development and Co-Founder

In this episode we’re talking with Clay Binford, Chief of People and Development and Co-founder of Nomad Global Communication Systems.  Nomad GCS designs and manufactures cutting-edge connected mobile operations centers for clients worldwide.  The company was founded in 2002 by 4 friends and rafting guides, Will & Seth Schmautz, Shane Ackerly, and Clay Binford. They built their first communications trailer in an old, dirt-floored barn with a leaky roof, and from those humble roots have grown their company significantly, where today they have a team that today consists of over 200 employees who build specialty vehicles, trailers, and more with customers in all 50 states and internationally. Clay touches on the company’s founding, dynamic growth, workforce development, and more in this engaging conversation about one of the Flathead Valley’s premier manufacturers. 

 Links:

• Nomad GCS

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