Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Ambassador Award Recipients

Honorees recognized for outstanding contributions to economic development in Montana

• August 09 2021

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the Montana Ambassador Awards, honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to economic development in Montana.

"I appreciate the Montana Ambassadors' partnership as we work to make Montana an even better place to live, work, raise a family, and achieve the American dream,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our Montana Ambassadors are making an important difference by supporting Montana's entrepreneurs and job creators and telling the Montana story broadly to encourage new job-creating businesses in our state.”

The honorees will be recognized this evening in Anaconda at the Montana Ambassadors Annual meeting. 

The Montana Ambassador Placemaker of the Year – West Paw, Spencer Williams

A 5th generation Montanan, Spencer Williams grew up on a working ranch in Columbus, Montana. Spencer attended Middlebury College in Vermont. After he graduated with a degree in German, he moved back to Montana, where in 1996, he purchased a small soft goods pet toy company in Livingston, Montana. Under Williams’ leadership, West Paw went on become a world-class manufacturer of eco-friendly and award-winning pet toys, beds, leashes, collars and treats. West Paw’s pet products are sold in over 5,000 North American locations and in over 40 countries worldwide. In 2016, Forbes magazine named West Paw “One of the Best Small Companies” in America.

The Montana Ambassador Legislator of the Year – Senator Jason Ellsworth

Senator Jason Ellsworth of Hamilton demonstrated strong leadership in taking on the broadband challenges that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation that he sponsored, SB 297, was an excellent step toward securing a better future for the state. When the federal government subsequently provided the state with an allocation through the American Recovery Plan Act, Senator Ellsworth's legislation became even more critical. It was through work with industry leaders, the Gianforte administration, and his fellow legislators that SB 297 will serve as the guide rails for how billions of federal funding will be deployed in Montana to close the digital divide and better support business access to the critical last mile.

The Montana Ambassadors Mike Malone Educators of the Year - Gregory M Johnson

For more than 25 years, Greg Johnson served as Artistic Director of the Montana Repertory Theatre and as a professor at the University of Montana. Under his leadership, the Rep, the professional theatre company in residence at the University of Montana, grew to become the most highly regarded professional theatre-touring company in the U.S., training thousands of students in every aspect of the craft. Mr. Johnson died at age 71 earlier this year.

The Montana Ambassador Business of the Year – Inimmune

Inimmune is emblematic of the type of startup success story that is becoming transformational for Montana’s economy. In addition to proving highly adept at securing federal funds to support their research targets, commercialization efforts, and high-paying jobs to execute on these fronts, in 2020, Inimmune secured the largest Series A round in Montana history with a $22 million commitment from Two Bear Capital.

The Montana Ambassador Entrepreneur of the Year – Jon & Cassie Wick, 5518 Designs

In 2012, Jon Wick started 5518 Designs, a branding, graphics, and print design company proudly based in Butte. Wick’s design work was awarded the 2013 Butte-Silver Bow Moving Mountains Award and was named a Distinguished Alumni of Montana Tech in 2015. In 2016, 5518 Designs expanded into a retail location at 27 N. Main Street in Butte, Montana, in the historic Chequamequon Building, offering their very own brand of outdoor and recreation-inspired apparel line, custom merchandising packages, and creative business solutions.

The Montana Ambassador Plenipotentiary Award – Bill Johnston

Bill Johnston serves as the Community Relations Officer at First Security Bank of Missoula, a Glacier Bank Company. For 36 years, Johnston worked at the University of Montana, as the Director of Alumni Relations. Johnston has always served Montana well in strengthening connections to the state throughout his professional career and generous time as a Montana Ambassador.

Montana Ambassador of the Year – Front Line Workers

Frontline workers across the state, including but not limited to: health care workers; social workers; grocery store workers; retail employees; restaurant staff; truck drivers and delivery services; postal workers; firefighters, police officers and other first responders; educators;  housekeeping staff; and utility workers. This past year has taken an incredible toll on local communities, our state and our nation. These everyday heroes risked their health on a daily basis to keep our communities and state running. They helped us to get through this pandemic, provided us with the stability we needed us to endure, and inspired us with hope.

The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer, not-for-profit association made up of passionate people dedicated to living and doing business in Montana. Our members act as official Ambassadors of the State of Montana, both in and out of state, and represent the Office of the Governor and the Department of Commerce. Ambassadors are predominantly leaders in business and education, as well as many other professions. Learn more at montanaambassadors.com.

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