Big Sky Economic Development
Staff
ADMINISTRATION
Steve Arveschoug (pronounced “Arveskow”) - arveschoug@bigskyeda.org, is the Executive Director of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority and Economic Development Corporation. In that role Steve leads the economic development efforts for Yellowstone County and the Billings’ community.
Before relocating to Montana in 2008, Steve was the Executive Director of the HARP Authority in Pueblo, Colorado, directing a $30 million downtown redevelopment project and a non-profit capital-improvement foundation. Steve has 10 years of experience in water resources development, managing two of Colorado’s largest water conservancy districts. He also served two terms in the Colorado Legislature as an elected State Representative.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Montana Tech and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Colorado. Steve’s wife, Chris is a registered nurse and a native of Anaconda, Montana.
Cheri Galt - galt@bigskyeda.org, Executive Assistant, works closely with the director and the organization’s Board of Directors. Previously she served as Executive Secretary to the Director and Registrar for Billings Catholic Schools. Direct line - 406-869-8405
Jim Tevlin - tevlin@bigskyeda.org, serves as Big Sky Economic Development's Controller. He has a BS from the University of Alabama and a MBA from the University of South Alabama, and is a Certified Public Accountant (TN-inactive). His experience roster includes positions with Arthur Andersen & Co, Federal Express Corporation, and Big Sky Airlines. Direct line - 406-869-8402
Mary Lou McMillan - mcmillan@bigskyeda.org, serves as receptionist. She also supports the Small Business Development Center, the Community Development program, and the Member Investor Program. Direct line - 406-256-6871
BUSINESS FINANCE
Brandon Berger - berger@bigskyeda.org, has a BA in Business Finance from MSU-Bozeman. He is the Director of Business Finance. Prior coming to Big Sky EDC, he worked for 12 years for Wells Fargo in Billings in Trust Tax, Retirement Plan Administration, and Credit Analysis. He is a board member of the Billings Downtown Exchange Club. Direct line - 406-869-8403
Mac Ketterling - ketterling@bigskyeda.org, Loan Officer, works to promote Big Sky Economic Development’s 504 Loan program. Mac is a Montana State University Bozeman graduate and came to Big Sky Economic Development from Stockman Bank where he was an AVP Branch Manager. Ketterling has extensive finance experience having also worked at Sterling Savings Bank in Billings and GMAC Financial Services. Direct line - 406-869-8406
Pam Bolin - bolin@bigskyeda.org, works with Brandon as a loan assistant primarily focused on the SBA 504 program and the Revolving Loan Fund. She was formerly with 1st Citizens Bank for 24 years in loan processing.
NEW BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Jeremy Vannatta - vannatta@bigskyeda.org, Director of Business Outreach, Recruitment & Marketing, is the first point-of-contact with prospective businesses and facilitates the recruitment process in collaboration with internal and external resources and organizations. He also manages the overall marketing direction and public relations for the organization. Vannatta holds a Bachelors of Science degree in media communications with an emphasis in marketing from Montana State University Billings. Prior positions include Marketing Manager for Rimrock Mall, Vice Pres. of the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Direct line - 406-869-8416.
BEAR - BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RETENTION
For more information on the BEAR program, contact Jeremy Vannatta at vannatta@bigskyeda.org or 406.869.8416.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Patty Nordlund - nordlund@bigskyeda.org, who holds an AA in business from MSU-Billings, leads the community development team with 18 years of experience in fund development, community relations and project management. She holds memberships in the American Association of Grants Professionals, MT Economic Developers Association, and National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, and is active with both the Billings Job Service Employers Committee, and the MT State Employers Council. Direct line - 406-869-8408
Dianne Lehm - lehm@bigskyeda.org, has over 10 years experience in fund development, and 18 years expertise in marketing. She is serving on the board of directors for Big Sky Senior Services and ZooMontana and is president of the ZooMontana Zoological and Horticultural Society. She holds an AA from Montgomery College, a BS from the U of Maryland, and a Masters in management from the University of Mary. Direct line - 406-869-8409
Sara Hudson - hudson@bigskyeda.org, is a Rocky Mountain College graduate and brings experience and skills in proposal writing, project management, strategic planning and fund development. Sara worked for the City of Dallas where she was responsible for securing outside funding for that city’s activities, programs and services. She then later worked for the University of Texas-Arlington, and while there, obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration. She has served on the Advisory Council for the State of Montana’s Department of Health & Human Services and for Yellowstone County’s Council on Welfare Reform. Direct line - 406-869-8407
Allison Corbyn - corbyn@bigskyeda.org, is a Community Development Specialist. She holds BS in History and Political Science from Rocky Mountain College. Allison has special training in the Brownfields program and assists in the revitalization of the East Billings Urban Renewal District. She’s also passionate about infill development, sustainable living and issues surrounding community welfare. Direct Line - 406-869-8420
THE ONE HUNDRED MEMBER INVESTORS
For more information on the Member Investor Program, contact Steve Arveschoug at arveschoug@bigskyeda.org or 406.869.8401.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Rebecca Hedegaard - rebecca@bigskyeda.org, is the Director of the Billings Small Business Development Center at Big Sky ED. She is a Certified Business Advisor and Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council. She holds a BA from the University of MT, and currently operates her own home-based business. Rebecca specializes in business planning, financial projections/analysis, and market strategy and analysis. Direct line – 406-869-8412
Beth Allen - beth@bigskyeda.org, is a Business Advisor with Billings Small Business Development Center. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Montana State University here in Billings. Beth has previously worked for Waddell & Reed and Northwestern Mutual. She is very skilled at working with small businesses and identifying areas of needs, and the resources available. Direct line – 406-869-8418
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
John Klaman - john.klaman@sba.gov, Senior Area Manager of the Montana SBA District office, has worked with SBA for seventeen years. He began his career with the SBA as a loan officer with the Fargo District and advanced to the manager of the Finance Department. He recently transferred to Billings to establish an alternate work site and he is responsible for marketing SBA programs to Billings and counties in southeast Montana. Direct line - 406-869-8421
MONTANA PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
Maureen Jewell - jewell@bigskyeda.org, Statewide Program Manager for the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, there are four PTAC Centers located across Montana, and the Center for the Yellowstone region is located within the Big Sky EDA. Maureen is past president of the National PTAC Assoc. Maureen holds a Level III Certified Contract Assistance Specialist Certificate in Contract Management from The National Assoc. Of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. She is certified in Contract Administration, Procurement Methods and Requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and Contract Law. She has degrees from Northern Arizona, Georgia Southern, and Northwestern. She was included among the Federal 100 Top Executives from Government Industry and Academia. In 2002, the Assoc. of Government Marketing Assistance Specialists awarded the MT PTAC the National "PTAC Center of the Year."
Kathy Moody - moody@bigskyeda.org, is an Economic Development Specialist with the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center. She is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the International Economic Development Council and has completed the Business Retention And Expansion course, as well as the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Strategies course. Direct line - 406-869-8413
MONTANA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION
Dale Detrick - ddetrick@coe.montana.edu, is the founding principal and served as president of DM Engineering, Inc for over 25 years. The company specialized in equipment design & manufacturing for companies like Ford Motor Co., Kodak & Monsanto. He also spent seven years with ConnStep, a MEP Network Affiliate as a manufacturing consultant. Dale holds a MS in Engineering from Yale University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Direct line - 406-869-8414