Loenbro actually operates several companies under our name. They include: Loenbro Industrial Construction, Loenbro Inspection Services, Loenbro Insulation, Loenbro Pipeline, Loenbro Oilfield Services, Loenbro Plumbing and Heating, Loenbro Instrumentation and Electrical, RDS Industrial Coatings.

At the Montana High Tech Business Alliance the stories we’re excited to tell in 2016 – about the state of the industry, high-growth companies, and scores of new employees hired - all point to a state on the rise.Here’s a sneak peek at five positive trends I see in the year ahead for Montana businesses.

When Workiva (WK) had its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2014, Jeff Trom had been there before. The Chief Technology Officer and six members of Workiva’s founding management team took a previous company, Engineering Animation, public in the 1990s.But the second time around, the IPO was easier and less costly thanks to Workiva’s proprietary Wdesk platform, which automated the process of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Recruiting skilled workers is the #1 barrier to growth for Montana high tech and manufacturing firms. Whether hiring software developers, machinists, or lawyers, Montana employers face similar challenges. Based on conversations with members around the state, here are a dozen ways to attract the best talent.