Events

Montana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd O'Hair will be our guest speaker on October 7, discussing "Montana's Changing Economy: Opportunities in Big Sky Country."

Todd has served as president and CEO of the Montana Chamber since May 2019. An organization of over 2,000 business members representing every size, industry, and region in the state, the Montana Chamber offers a key link to our state's success. As head of this statewide business organization, Todd assures the Montana Chamber’s strategic plan – Envision 2026 – is carried out as intended. The plan is designed to improve the health of Montana’s economy by focusing on the state’s business climate and assuring appropriate investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and promoting entrepreneurship.

A Montana native, Todd hails from Livingston where his family owns a multi-generational family ranch in the Paradise Valley. Prior to being named president and CEO of the Montana Chamber, Todd served as senior manager of government affairs for Cloud Peak Energy, a major coal mining company. While at Cloud Peak, he was a member of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and served as chair of the board in 2016-17. 

Before his private sector work at Cloud Peak, Todd worked for four years in Governor Judy Martz’s office. He also served as the natural resources policy advisor for U.S. Congressman Rick Hill in Washington, DC, and later as state director.

A Montana State University graduate with a degree in Business Marketing, Todd resides in the Paradise Valley.

Our speaker for this week is hosted by Tim Berry.

“Lines That Shaped Montana” is the title of retired journalist Kim Briggerman’s presentation at our October 14 meeting of Rotary Club of Missoula. 

Kim grew up in the Bonner area on both the Road to the Buffalo and the original Mullan Road. 

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to history-loving teachers like Larry Burlingame at Bonner School, Hal Stearns at Sentinel High and K. Ross Toole, Harry Fritz and David Emmons at the University of Montana,” he says. 

Kim met his wife Linda Biggs when both were first-year school teachers at Valier in 1981. By 1984, they were married and teaching at Hall School near Drummond, where they began raising the first two of four daughters, all of whom have now gifted their parents with ten energetic grandchildren. 

“I had worked part-time sports at the Missoulian through college,” Kim explained. “And in 1986 shifted back to the newspaper business, first at the Independent Record in Helena, then at the Missoulian for the next 33 years. I was the beat writer for the Grizzlies when they won the Division I-AA football championship in 1995 and when they played for the title in 1996.”

In 2006, Kim switched from sports to the news department where he completed the last 14 years of his journalism career. In 2024, he was appointed to succeed his old high school teacher, Hal Stearns, on the board of the Montana Historical Society. 

“I’m active with our Bonner Milltown History Center, which includes the popular weekly coffee sessions in Bonner that we call Old Roads and Rabbit Holes,” he said. 

Our speaker is hosted by Tim Berry.

Dan Lee has spent a lifetime collecting titles. He’s been a teacher, principal, superintendent, professor, dean, and, as of May, an Emeritus Professor, a distinction he proudly mentions whenever a conversation pauses for more than three seconds. 

When not adding lines to his résumé, Dan stays busy serving his community through Rotary Club of Missoula, the Knights of Columbus, the Missoula County Tax Appeals Board, CASA, and the Board of Directors for Brightways Learning. Apparently finding all that free time unacceptable, he was recently elected president of his HOA, proving that after years of managing schools, he was finally ready for a difficult leadership challenge: disputes about garbage cans, lawn height, and the proper shade of beige for front doors. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 

In January, Dan traveled solo to Antarctica, fulfilling a childhood fascination with polar exploration and proving that retirement is not for the faint of heart. At our Rotary Club meeting on October 21, he will share the fascinating history of the White Continent while discussing climate change, environmental stewardship, and the challenges posed by the exploitation of natural resources.

Or at least that’s the plan. 

The truth is, Dan isn’t entirely sure what he’s talking about. But after decades in education and administration, he has mastered the art of sounding authoritative. So, sit back, enjoy the presentation, and see if you can figure out which facts are real before he does.

Our speaker for this week is hosted by Tim Berry.

Our speaker on November 11, fellow Rotarian Tim Furey will share his experience in participating in the US Army Change of Command Ceremony for his son Kevin held on the grounds of Fort Totten, Queens, NY. Tim was the guest speaker during the event. 

A Rotarian for more than 30 years, Tim has dedicated much of his life to public service, nonprofit leadership, and civic engagement. Tim demonstrated his commitment to service through the Boy Scouts at an early age, earning Eagle Scout and serving as an adult leader for more than 20 years.  In 1971, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Being too young to register for the draft, his parents had to sign for him. Following his tour with the 3^rd Marine Airwing, he graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in recreation management followed by a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. 

Tim built a career of serving community-focused organizations, including the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association, Easterseals, Camp Make-A-Dream, the University of Montana Foundation, the Loyola Foundation, and Opportunity Resources. Tim primarily focused on serving individuals with disabilities in Illinois and Montana.  

Several organizations benefited from Tim’s volunteer presence, including Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Special Olympics, Bonner Development Group, Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, Meals on Wheels, Garden City Harvest and Missoula Interfaith Collaborative – Meadowlark Residential Program. 

Tim served the people of Montana in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013. He held positions on legislative committees focusing on agriculture, business and labor, human services, transportation, revenue and taxes.

A member of the Rotary Club of Missoula, Tim’s Rotary activities include: Missoula Rotary Foundation, Missoula Rotary Board of Directors, Rotary service projects to the Philippines and Peru, and numerous local Rotary projects.

Tim has been married to his wife, Sue, for 45 years and calls Missoula, MT home. The couple has three sons.

Don your sparkly duds and join fellow Rotarians for a Holiday Dinner Party complete with entertaiment, music, and merry fellowship! The evening will begin at 5 pm at Missoula Country Club. Guests welcome. RSVP required. 

The story of one man's journey living with polio.