Tech leaders at the tech roundtable at First Security Bank in Bozeman on June 25, 2025 included (left to right): Aubrey Tuss, Community Connections, NorthWestern Energy; Katie Armstrong, Co-Founder, ArmstrongLin Optimal Solutions; Will Price, Founder, Next Frontier Capital; Kalli Ryti, President & CEO, First Security Bank Bozeman; Michele Piazza, Founder, MP Global Ventures; Neel Kashkari, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; K Mita representing Senator Tim Sheehy; Jimmy Talarico, Associate, Project Designer/Business Development, Cushing Terrell; Chris Dahl, Co-Founder, Foundant Technologies; John Durnal representing Senator Steve Daines; Zach Hargrove, Director of Program Management, Bridger Aerospace; Abby Schlatter, CEO, commonFont; Matt Allen, Program Manager, Speridian Technologies.

June 26, 2025

On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Alliance was honored to partner with Randy Chesler, Kalli Ryti, and the team at First Security Bank, a division of Glacier Bank, in Bozeman to host a tech roundtable with Neel Kashkari, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and his staff. President Kashkari was eager to engage with tech leaders to better understand the state of high tech in Montana.

Christina Henderson, Executive Director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network, was joined by several tech business leaders who shared their thoughts on the evolving business landscape and the future of innovation in Montana. Key takeaways from the conversation:

Business outlook: Many companies are seeing renewed momentum in investment and hiring, particularly in tech, construction, and commercial sectors.

Workforce & housing: Talent pipelines remain strong, but housing availability and affordability continue to shape how and where companies grow.

AI & innovation: AI is rapidly reshaping business operations. Leaders emphasized the importance of thoughtful adoption, workforce readiness, and practical applications.

Talent development: Companies are investing in homegrown talent through local training programs, partnerships with universities, and remote-friendly roles to retain Montana graduates.

Montana’s opportunity: The state continues to attract founders, remote professionals, and growing companies drawn by quality of life and an emerging tech ecosystem.

Special thanks to our members who joined us for this insightful discussion and the organizers that helped create this excellent opportunity. See the highlights from our 2023 conversation with COO Ron Feldman at Zoot Enterprises.

About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our biweekly newsletter.