Downtown Helena, Inc.

Why did you choose to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I am excited to assist downtown Helena into developing into a more vibrant and dynamic community, while still maintaining its historic roots

What do you love most about Downtown Helena?

I love walking around downtown, and running into all the amazing friends, business owners, and characters that make up our community.

What is your affiliation to downtown?

I am the owner of the Western Bar and Gold bar, on the 400 Block of downtown Helena!

Why did you choose to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I want to help build up the collaborative culture of downtown Helena. Growing up in Helena, I have seen the downtown area grow significantly and excitingly and I want to be a part of the growth that comes with the future!

 What do you love most about Downtown Helena?

I love how close-knit and welcoming Downtown Helena is. There is something for all ages and all interests and it shows how much the downtown area is here for community. It brings people from all walks of life together and encourages creativity and expression.

What is your affiliation to downtown?

I am the Development Director at the Holter Museum of Art. We have the wonderful opportunity to partner frequently with DHI and other downtown affiliates for community events and opportunities!

Why would you want to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I would like to volunteer to be on the DHI board to contribute to the growth and community of Helena. As the owner of Stonetree Climbing Center, I am committed to building an active, engaged, and multigenerational Helena. In many ways, my business acts as a community center, and I would enjoy elevating the voices of our customers and share their excitement for the future of Helena. I believe that a thriving, inclusive, and active downtown culture reflects a resilient and stable Helena community, and would like to work towards that vision through DHI.

What do you love most about Helena?

I love Helena’s quirkiness, outdoor recreation, population size, and accessible “urban” spaces. And what I love the MOST is where those qualities intersect – in events like Don’t Fence Me In, Alive at Five, and most nights at a brewery, at a restaurant, or walking around town and bumping into neighbors. And while the physicality of the town is unique in its walkability and recreation access, I have also found that there are incredibly talented, kind, and loyal people that live here too.

What is your affiliation to downtown?

I live just up the hill from downtown, I own a business that is part of DHI, and I’m a walker, eater, shopper, drinker in Helena.

Why would you want to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I have always wanted the opportunity to work with other people who are passionate about the direction and promotion of downtown events, planning, marketing, and growth, with the focus of supporting our town’s historic district. My expertise and history with Downtown Helena would benefit the businesses, community, and tourists that the DHI Board supports.

What do you love most about Downtown Helena?

I was born and raised in Helena, and grew up on 7th and Rodney. My family’s history with Downtown Helena is rich. I have such fond memories of spending time at the library as a child and when the walking mall was relatively new in the 80s, going to Union Market with my dad and getting a free hotdog from the butcher, walking with my sister to the Goodie Shop for doughnuts, eating at Coney Island and playing video games in the back room, getting into trouble for skateboarding on the walking mall (oops), hanging out with friends always downtown at the library, and later working at the Windbag in the 90s. Downtown Helena businesses, business owners and events shaped who I am and will forever be a part of my core as a Native Helenan.

What is your affiliation to downtown?

My wife Onawa and I own Proof Marketing and the building at 330 N Last Chance Gulch.

Why would you want to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I feel as a business owner that it is my honor and duty to serve as a voice. I’ve explored many organizations and have felt that representing the heart of Helena, the downtown of Helena, is the best place to focus my energy and show the love for the community that I’ve has since I was born here in Helena, Montana.

What do you love most about Downtown Helena?

Downtown Helena in the heart of Helena. It is what draws local interest, excitement and destination. It also brings events, tourism and special occasions. the business to business relationships thrive in the Downtown, and the stronger this board grows the stronger the community will be.

What is your affiliation to Downtown?

As I am not a physical business of downtown, I am a business that believes in downtown. I am also a mobile food vendor that has been a part if the community of downtown for over 4 years. My interest in improving the quality of relationships between myself, the city and the downtown businesses is key. As a community of business owners, we all have so much to offer.

Why would you want to sit on the board in a volunteer capacity?

I absolutely love our town and the spirit of local entrepreneurs. I’ve got a lot of experience in marketing and am excited for the opportunity to help downtown Helena and Helena as a while grow and flourish.

What do you love most about Downtown Helena?

The thing I love most about Helena is that we are such tight nit community with a lot to offer families and tourists. We have a lot of opportunity to show off our history and bring people here to visit and enjoy what Helena and it’s surrounding areas have to offer.

What is your affiliation to Downtown?

The only affiliation I have with downtown is people that I know who run businesses downtown. I also enjoy the festivities as a Helena citizen and bring my kids to many events.