Name: Donald J. Bennett
Education: University of Montana (BA)
Current Business: Founder and President of Freedom Bank

Business Notes
Don Bennett spent most of his career with First Citizens Bank (1984-2004) and served as Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 2004.  In 2005 he started Freedom Bank in Columbia Falls.  He is a well-respected member of the banking and insurance industries in the state of Montana, serving as the Chairman, Board Member, and Treasurer of the Montana Bankers Association and President of the Flathead Association of Independent Insurance Agents.  He is also Chairman of the Board for an Internet banking software company, e-Financial Systems, Inc.  Mr. Bennett is also very active in the community, serving as a Board Member for Jobs Now, North Valley Hospital Foundation, Flathead Economic Development Authority, and as Chairman for Montana West Economic Development.  Mr. Bennett also served on the University of Montana's School of Business Administration Advisory Council.

Name: Jon Marchi

Education: University of Montana (MS, BS)

Current Business: Chairman, Glacier Venture Fund

Business Notes

Jon Marchi spent most of his professional career with D.A. Davidson, holding several senior level executive positions before moving on in 1985 to pursue entrepreneurial interests. Since that time Jon started Marchi Angus Ranches, Development Corporation of Montana, and Glacier Venture Fund. He was also responsible for developing the Montana Private Capital Network, an organization that brings together angel investors from across the state.  Glacier Venture Fund has invested in several Montana businesses and Jon serves as a board member and mentor for many of these organizations.  In 2004, Jon received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Business Administration at the University of Montana – Missoula.  Jon also assisted Dr. Shay as a judge for business plans at the London School of Economics.

Name: Elizabeth C. Marchi (Liz)

Education: Hollins University (BA)

Current Business: Frontier Angel Fund

Business Notes

Mrs. Marchi is a member of the Montana Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs (MADE), a group that teaches, supports and recognized distinguished entrepreneurship in association with the University Of Montana School Of Business. Mrs. Marchi serves on the Boards of the Glacier Region of the Montana Community Foundation, the Montana Women’s Fund, the PPL Community Advisory Fund and the Montana Economic Developers Association.  She is immediate past President of the Montana Ambassadors, a statewide group appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor that supports business development and education in Montana and was appointed by Governor Schweitzer to the Governor’s Economic Development Advisory Board. Ms. Marchi was the recipient of the Desiree Taggart Workforce Development Award presented by Governor Schweitzer in 2006 for individual achievement in workforce development. Prior to moving to Montana, Mrs. Marchi was the Executive Director of Communications and Public Policy for the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina. She is a graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia where she majored in Politics and has served as a trustee and President of the Alumnae Association.

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: Tom Swenson
Education: University of Montana (MBA, BS)
Current Business: Founder of the Bank of Montana and Montana Business Capital

Business Notes
In addition to his degrees from the University of Montana, Thomas R. Swenson holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma's National Commercial Lending School and the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Tom has held senior-level management positions at private corporations and financial institutions for the past thirteen years and was a professor of Small Business Management, Statistics and Accounting at the University of Montana. He has been a featured speaker at SBA, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and Department of Commerce community events and seminars. The combination of his education and professional experience as the Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of the Bank of Montana, Montana Business Capital, and the Bancorp of Montana Holding Company and community development lender provides Tom with exceptional insight into commercial lending. Tom has judged several business plan competitions in the past and is a member of MADE’s special task force assigned to the John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition.

Name: Ed Wetherbee

Education: University of Denver (MBA), University of Colorado (BS)

Current Business: Principal, Colorado Venture Management

Business Notes

Ed Wetherbee is a principal of Colorado Venture Management (CVM), an investment and business development company.  It has managed approximately $20 million of high risk investment capital; supporting over 50 companies grow and develop over 20 years, primarily in Colorado, New Mexico and Montana.  CVM formed two companies, a developer of environmentally friendly natural gas fired electrical generation projects, and an agribusiness company growing premium produce in greenhouses.  Ed was CEO of these companies, together funded with over $200 million of investment capital, growing to over $75 million of annual revenue, and employing over 350 FTE’s.  He was a partner in a real estate acquisition and development company which managed over $500 million of assets.  He is/has served on the board of directors of several companies, including Big Sky Airlines and Nutritional Laboratories in Montana, Colorado Independent Energy Association, CV Technologies in Edmonton, the Boulder Children’s Museum, Voices for Children (a CASA program), and has assisted in University of Denver and University of Montana business school programs.