winter - Explore Big Sky

Montana
bIG SKY, HELENA – Meg O’Leary
spent the last two decades telling the
big Sky story to the nation and the
world. Now she gets to tell Montana’s
story.
Governor-elect Steve bullock on
Nov. 30 appointed O’Leary, big Sky
Resort’s Sales and Marketing Director
for the past 12 years, as Director of the
Montana Department of Commerce. In
that role, which will start Jan. 7, 2013
with the legislative session, O’Leary
will be a key player in developing jobs
statewide.
“[bullock] ran on three priorities: job
creation, the economy and education.
The first two are something I’ll have
whole lot of involvement with,” she
said.
A large agency with broad impact, the
Montana Department of Commerce
acts as an information broker for businesses
and communities in the economic
and community development areas.
14 dec. 14 - 27, 2012
A Helena native, O’Leary graduated
from the university of Montana with a
degree in business administration and
management. She started at big Sky in
1989, handling group logistics through
the reservations department. In 1991,
she moved into group sales, and in
2000 assumed the director role.
“It’s a natural progression for Meg to
be asked to head Montana’s important
Department of Commerce,” said big
Sky Resort General Manager Taylor
Middleton. “She understands how to
listen, how to lead, and how to hold
herself and others accountable to big
goals.”
If O’Leary brings her drive and enthusiasm
to Helena, she’s bound to make
an impact. In big Sky, she has also
served on the big Sky Convention and
Visitors bureau, the big Sky Transportation
District, and the big Sky Lodging
Association, and was a key leader
in securing new direct flights into the
bozeman Yellowstone International
Airport, including the non-stop flight
from New Jersey. She was named the
Tourism Person of the Year by the State
of Montana in 2012.
explorebigsky.com
“what we’re excited about is that Meg
has experience not just in tourism but
in growing business,” said bullock’s
deputy chief of staff Kevin O’brien,
calling both O’Leary and big Sky Resort
“Montana success stories."
“She’ll be able to help business there
grow and expand and help attract other
businesses to the state – everything
from manufacturing to energy development
– both traditional and renewable –
tourism, to the incredible opportunities
we have in high tech fields… I think
every city in our state has businesses
that have room to grow… Meg will be
at the forefront of making that happen.”
O’Leary knows she has a lot to learn
in the new role, but said her networks
will serve her well. Growing up in Helena,
she’s connected to many people in
state government – she ran high school
cross country with bullock. Through
her work with the resort, particularly
the professional conferences, she’s met
people from many Montana industries.
“It will be a challenge and really fun,
and I’m going to be able to bring a lot of
value because of that network.”
Tourism, her area of expertise, will also
inform her new role.
“bullock really wants to do this tourism
thing right,” O’Leary said. “He
respects the industry and he gets it. He
believes there’s going to be some good
interaction between the No. 1 industry
of [agriculture] and No. 2, tourism.
These two top industries – what can we
do to collaborate further?”
In O’Leary’s mind, this spells sustainable
jobs.
explorebigsky.com
Big Sky Weekly
o’leary appointed director of commerce for Montana
leaves big sky resort after 23 years
by eMily stifler
big sky weekly managing editor
This is how Big Sky gets
into hot water.
Nordic Hot Tub
We service what we sell!
Spa sales to fit your budget
Pool and spa care after the sale
Custom maintenance plans
Spa covers and custom lifts
Lots of accessories for your spa
Special orders available
www.BigSkyHotTubs.com
(406) 995-4892 • NordicHotTub@aol.com
47520 Gallatin Rd. • Big Sky, MT 59716
Meg O'Leary in the North Summit Snowfield
“I am looking forward to taking what
I know about telling the big Sky story
and applying it across the state, bringing
in the right kind of jobs for the right
kind of areas so we have sustainability.”
but it’s a change for a woman who’s
skied on lunch break for 23 years – one
O’Leary and her husband blaire Heinke
didn’t take lightly.
“I’m going to Helena, and I’m all in for
four years – for my professional life. I
will still be skiing and riding bikes [in
big Sky] and drinking coffee at the bakery…
It’s taken us a lot of really careful
soul searching.”
Other members of bullock’s cabinet
include Mike batista as the Director of
the Department of Corrections, Pam
bucy as the Director of the Department
of Labor, Tim burton as Chief of Staff,
Dan Villa as budget Director, and
Ali bovingdon and Kevin O'brien as
Deputy Chiefs of Staff.
Said bullock of these appointments:
“I’m excited to hit the ground running
with some of the best and brightest our
state has to offer and I look forward to
working with them to put Montanans
first.”
The Department of Commerce helps
maintain and improve community
infrastructure in Montana; finances
homeownership and rental assistance;
provides technical assistance and
training for entrepreneurs, businesses,
communities and development groups;
promotes Montana as a place to visit, locate
business, and film motion pictures;
and finances businesses that generate
financial and economic return for the
state.
tim fox announces first appointments to new administration
helena – Montana attorney general-elect tim fox on friday dec. 7, announced
the first round of appointments to his upcoming administration at
the department of justice. all appointees are Montana natives.
Chief of staff: scott darkenwald
Chief deputy attorney general: Mark Mattioli
solicitor general: lawrence vandyke
deputy attorney general: jon bennion
executive assistant: julie james