Growing up on a cattle ranch in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley on the southern end of the Crown of the Continent was an upbringing that helped establish my inherent love for Big Sky Country and desire to grow a diverse thriving economy that benefits the entire state. I have spent more than two decades promoting travel and tourism to Montana, including the last 16 years as the President CEO for Glacier Country Tourism – a regional destination stewardship organization. I have played an active role helping make tourism one of the top two industries in the state. In addition to leading one of Montana’s largest destination organizations, I am also involved with Tourism Matters to Montana, Voices of Montana Tourism and helped to establish the new Montana Travel Association.