Name: Steve Anderson

Education: University of Wisconsin (MBA)

Current Business: Artisan Doors of Montana

Business Notes

A well-known consumer products executive and global business leader, Mr. Anderson has held key roles for $7 billion Bass and $2 billion Bausch & Lomb during the past twenty years.  Most recently, he was CEO (Asia Pacific) for Bass Brewers.  He has successfully developed and executed growth strategies on a local, regional, and global basis for leading consumer brands such as Bass Ale, Ray Ban, and Renu. Reflecting his entrepreneurial nature, Steve established a private investment group, Timeless, LLC.  This company, together with other investors, has invested $20 million in new businesses.  Recently, Mr. Anderson took majority ownership in a small niche high-end specialty wood products company in Northwest Montana and is building this business into a global leader.  He has also invested in two other northwest companies with high potential and in mentoring their CEO’s as present.

Name: Pat Barkey
Education: University of Michigan (BA, PhD)
Current Organization: Surgical Principals, Inc.

Business Notes

Patrick Barkey became director of the BBER in July 2008, after serving as director of health care research since April 2007. He has been involved with economic forecasting and health care policy research for twenty-four years, both in the private and public sector. He served previously as Director of the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University in Indiana for fourteen years, overseeing and participating in a wide variety of projects in labor market research, and state and regional economic policy issues. He attended the University of Michigan, receiving a B.A. ('79) and Ph.D. ('86) in economics.

Name: Don Gaumer
Education: University of Montana (MBA), Plymouth State University (BS)
Current Organization: Independent Consultant

Business Notes
Donald Gaumer received his MBA from the University of Montana in 1983. He worked for several years in commercial banking concentrating in problem loan and work out situations. In 1986 he started with Sun Mountain Sports, a small manufacturer in the golf business. During his eighteen years with the company worked in all facets of management as the company has grew to become a powerful force in its industry. For the past two years Mr. Gaumer has been working as a strategic consultant and is currently leading a startup / early stage enterprise located in Boston. Throughout his career Mr. Gaumer has been involved with numerous acquisitions and divestitures. He has also led several successful financial restructurings using traditional bank financing and privately placed financing.  Gaumer has been an instructor for various professional groups since 1984. His teaching experience includes professional seminars, Western CPE and The University of Montana.

Name: Bjorn Nabozney

Education: University of Montana (BS in Business Administration)

Current Business: Co-founder, Big Sky Brewing Company

Business Notes
Bjorn is one of the founders of Big Sky Brewing Company (BSBC).  He wrote the business plan for BSBC while earning his degree at the University of Montana's School of Business Administration. Bjorn's responsibilities at BSBC include marketing and new product development.  However, Bjorn has been known to wear many hats for BSBC, having plumbed the entire facility in which the company now resides.  Bjorn is also a frequent guest speaker at the Business School and a generous supporter of many campus and community activities.
 

Name: Becky Reno

Current Business: President and Chief Executive Officer, City Brew Coffee, Cool River Coffee Roasters and City Vineyard

Business Notes
Becky's first business, Video Library Stores, Inc.,  began with one retail store front in Billings, Montana in 1980.  Twenty-three years later the company had expanded to include 15 retail stores doing business in Montana and a wholesale division doing business in 14 states including Alaska.  Becky sold the business in 2003 to Movie Gallery, the 2nd largest video chain by store count in the United States. In 1998 Becky started City Brew Coffee, growing  to 7 retail locations and 2 kiosk drive-thru locations.  She also founded City Vineyard Fine Wines, a fine wine retail store with a beverage license for hosting wine tasting. Becky was named the Montana Business Woman of the Year in 1997 and current serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Saint Vincent Hospital and Healthcare.  

Name: Tim Wynne
Education: University of Montana (BS inBusiness Administration)
Current Organization: Surgical Principals, Inc.

Business Notes

Tim is currently involved in his third startup company.  His first company, Horizon Medical Technologies, was sold in 1999 to Tucson Medical, now LXU Healthcare, which he co-founded.  His current company, Surgical Principals (SPI), was founded in 2001 and has annual sales of over $10 million.  SPI markets leading edge surgical products to hospitals and surgical centers in the western United States.  This past spring SPI expanded further east into the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.  Tim recently acquired a 50% interest in a NY-based distribution company and is active in commercial real estate.   His most recent building renovation will soon be home to a 42,000 square foot drag racing and muscle car museum featuring over 100 collector and drag cars.