The 2008 top family businesses in Montana are: St-Char-Ro Floral & Event Rental of Ronan in the very small business category (fewer than 10 employees); Owenhouse & Associates of Bozeman in the small business category (10 to 30 employees); Wyo-Ben, Inc. of Billings, in the large business category (more than 50 employees); and Montana DataSure of Bozeman in the business category (operating 10 years or less). Hofeldts Livestock of Chinook won the Judge's Special Recognition Award. "It is wonderful to be able to recognize exemplary family businesses that have all shown a commitment to customer service, family values and diversification to satisfy the needs of their markets, often in challenging situations," said Nancy Dodd, director of the Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Program and an MSU professor of management. "Family businesses are central to the economic vitality of Montana, and the businesses that are honored are perfect examples of why and how family businesses contribute to our communities, our state and our nation."
At the awards ceremony, Phil Rogers, a COB instructor of marketing, will discuss controlling expenses, growing sales, building profit margins, delivering excellent customer service and responding to customer demands. Registration is required to attend the event and ranges from $10-$25, depending on which parts of the program a participant chooses to attend. For more information or to make a reservation, call Karen Beach at 994-6796 or e-mail familybusiness@montana.edu.
The Montana Family Business Program is in its 15th year. The MSU College of Business and State Farm Insurance, in honor of Robert Jaedicke, host the program. Stockman Bank underwrote the awards, with additional support for the program provided by the Montana Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: Audrey Lee, (406) 994-7026 or audrey.lee@montana.edu From Anne Pettinger, 994-4902 or annep@montana.edu.
This story is available on the Web at: http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=6234