Venture Boldly
A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.
Episodes
Kalispell is more than the gateway to Glacier National Park, and three new members of the Kalispell Chamber and Discover Kalispell team are helping tell that bigger story.
Meet Kelsie Ring, Chris O’Boyle, and Marisa Mikonis and hear how their work is strengthening community connections, supporting local businesses, attracting meetings and visitors, and showcasing Kalispell as a destination worth experienc...
Glacier National Park may look timeless, but protecting it takes ongoing work and strong community support. In this episode, Brenden Craig sits down with Tagen Vine, the new president of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, to discuss how the organization helps fund critical park priorities.
They explore projects ranging from wilderness ranger support and wildlife research to the Logan Pass boardwalk replacem...
How does Flathead County manage rapid growth without losing its rural character or overextending taxpayers?
Brenden Craig talks with County Administrator Pete Melnick about the pressures shaping local government, including rising service demands, land use, infrastructure, budgeting, and property taxes. Pete also shares updates on the new detention center and regional septage treatment project, along with his ap...
What makes a downtown truly come alive? It’s the small businesses that create experiences, build connections, and turn visitors into loyal customers.
In this episode of Venture Boldly, we sit down with Beth Kornick, co-owner of Princess & Buck, to talk about building one of downtown Kalispell’s most distinctive retail destinations. Beth shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of cr...
In this episode of Venture Boldly, we sit down with Katie Pfennigs of Flathead Electric Cooperative to break down the forces shaping the future of electricity in Northwest Montana. From rising rates and growing demand to new power generation investments and the impact of AI and data centers, Katie explains what members need to know.
We also unpack the difference between energy use and demand charges and share p...
The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is back for 2026, and summer in the Flathead is about to get a whole lot louder. In this episode, we sit down with Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally and Event Sponsorship Coordinator Kelsi Hansberry to preview everything coming to this year’s fair—from Walker Hayes, rodeo action, and carnival favorites to new attractions like pig races, a petting ...
The Glacier Range Riders and Glacier Bank Park have, in a few short years, become an integral part of the Flathead Valley's sports and recreation scene.
Glacier Bank Park is a pro ballpark, built fast, built right, and built Montana — with locally sourced materials, authentic Flathead Valley food, and a design that makes visitors feel like they're somewhere, not just anywhere. Now it's drawing nati...
Mike Sullivan planted lavender in Northwest Montana and lost it all. Twice. What kept him going is a story about more than farming.
At Longview Lavender Farm in the Flathead Valley, Mike turned a stubborn specialty crop into a thriving agritourism business, one that creates local jobs and keeps farmland open. We talk about how he cracked the code on Montana's soil and climate, why direct-to-consumer beats...
Infant child care is one of the biggest hidden barriers to workforce participation—and one of the hardest services to sustain. In this episode, Corinne Kuntz of Bird’s Nest Early Learning Village shares her transition from in-home care to a purpose-built center and what it reveals about the real challenges facing child care in the Flathead.
We break down the numbers behind the model—why infant...
In this episode, we sit down with Eric Harry of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College to tackle a key question: how do we help founders build and stay in Northwest Montana?
Eric shares insights from his work in global entrepreneurship and local startup development, highlighting what actually moves the needle—strong mentorship, real connections, and a comm...
Downtown Kalispell is evolving quickly, and community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention. In this episode, Brenden Craig of First Interstate Bank sits down with Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber, and Gabe Mariman of Bias Brewing to discuss Downtown Kalispell Forward—a new alignment that brings the Kalispell Downtown Association under the Chamber. Th...
Kalispell is growing, and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. In this episode, City Manager Jarod Nygren breaks down how the city is planning for infrastructure, housing, and downtown vitality to stay ahead of that growth. We discuss long-range planning, permitting timelines, and how clear policies create predictability for residents, businesses, and investors.
We also explore attainable homeo...
Childcare is essential workforce infrastructure. In this episode, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy, Director of Growing Roots Early Learning Center in Kalispell, shares what it takes to create a high-quality early learning center—from facility upgrades and safety requirements to hiring and retaining strong educators.
We discuss how ARPA funding supported launch and expansion, the real cost of care, and where dema...
Public funding covers the basics in Montana schools, but targeted donations drive innovation. In this episode, Dorothy Drury of the Kalispell Education Foundation shares how Montana school funding really works and how the KEF's fast, teacher-driven grants are turning small dollars into real classroom impact.
She shares the growth of the foundation’s impact—from under $10,000 serving about 1,00...
A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the ro...
Growth is here, and today’s choices will shape Kalispell for decades. In this episode, Kalispell mayor-elect Ryan Hunter lays out a clear, practical agenda: protect waterways, expand attainable housing, improve street safety, and apply predictable standards that support a vibrant Parkline Trail—without overbuilding or fragmentation.
Drawing on six years on City Council and a background in land conse...
Join us as we meet with Miles Terry, Vice President of Terry Homes and the Kalispell Chamber’s 2025 Rising Star. As the VP of Terry Homes, a family-owned homebuilder that's been building homes in the Flathead for over 30 years, Miles discusses how a family builder can deliver attainable, high-quality homes without cutting corners—and his answer blends grit, data, and community.
M...
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 h...
A small clamp is making a big impact in Montana manufacturing. Founder Amber Pacheco Holmof 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 Montan...
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.&nbs...
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