Montana State University College of Business Family Business Program.

Northern Home Essentials of Havre, Dale Plumbing and Heating, Inc. of Glasgow, TowHaul of Belgrade, Central Plumbing and Heating of Great Falls, Stockman Bank of Miles City, and Bouma Post Yards of Choteau are the six Montana businesses that won 2004 Montana Business Awards, according to Nancy Dodd, director of the Montana State University College of Business Family Business Program.

The winners received their awards at a luncheon in September. Dr. Diedre Combs, of Combs and Company, presented a session titled "Transforming Conflict into Creativity in the Family Business." Dr. Combs presentation focused on providing skills to better manage difficult situations and problem employees.

"The annual Family Business awards give us an opportunity to celebrate the many positive contributions made by family businesses to Montana’s overall economy," according to Nancy Dodd, associate professor of management in the College of Business at MSU and director of the Montana Family Business awards program.

This is the only Family Business Program statewide. It is a program that allows small businesses to share ideas and concerns that are common to most small businesses. Since 1994, Montana State University College of Business has presented the annual Family Business Program. This day-long program provides educational opportunities and resources to family-owned businesses from all parts of the state of Montana. The Family Business Program also provides recognition to pioneering and successful family businesses through the Montana Family Business of the Year Awards Program.

Each year, approximately 50 businesses from across the state are nominated to win. Judges pick 6 – 7 Montana family-owned businesses to be the ones to win the annual award. These companies then go on to compete in a national Family Business program. Since the beginning, Montana has had six national Family Business winners, more than any other program in the country.

The 2004 Family Business Program was sponsored by MSU College of Business, Bradford Roofing Management, Darigold Farms, Combs Law Firm, PC, and TwoMedicine. The six winning businesses are now eligible for the national MassMutual Family Business Awards.

For more information on the Family Business Program contact Dr. Nancy Dodd ([email protected]) at Montana State University College of Business.