2 promoted at Bank of the Rockies
Michael A. Grove and Laura T. Myers have each been promoted to executive vice president of the Bank of the Rockies.
Grove has acted as the bank’s vice president and on the board of directors since 2019 but his history with the bank goes back many years. A graduate of Stonier Banking School, Grove also serves on the American Bankers Association’s Core Platforms Committee, Emerging Leaders Committee and is a VIP member of the Finovate Bankers Group.
He will oversee the management of the bank’s retail lending, information technology and accounting operations divisions.
Myers has acted as the bank’s general counsel and human resources director since 2020; and prior to that represented the bank in private legal practice. Myers is a graduate of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, serves on the ABA’s General Counsel Committee, and is certified by the Association of Corporate Counsel.
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She will oversee the management of the bank’s retail operations, compliance and loan operations divisions.
Grove grew up in Helena and received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Carroll College. He enjoys spending time with his growing family and Montana’s great outdoors.
Myers grew up in Billings and got her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Carroll College, and her law degree from the University of Idaho. She likes spending time with her husband and daughter and reading.
Bank of the Rockies, located in Meagher, Park, Fergus, Gallatin and Lewis and Clark counties, employs nearly 60 full- and part-time employees and continues to look for expansion opportunities.
They will both serve under the direction of president and CEO Michael E. Grove.
To learn more, visit www.botr.bank.
Benefis Health named a top place to work
Benefis Health System is recognized on the Becker’s Hospital Review 2024 list of the top 150 places to work in health care nationwide.
The list highlights hospitals, health systems and health care companies that “prioritize workplace excellence and the happiness, satisfaction, well-being and fulfillment of their employees.” Benefis was the only Montana health system included.
This year, Benefis was highlighted for maintaining a no-layoff policy and providing annual pay increases to its employees for 20 consecutive years, as well as its benefits, culture and processes to encourage staff input.
“The richness of our benefits demonstrates to our employees we are supporting their long-term health, financial well-being, and retirement security, as well as helping recruit in this competitive, challenging healthcare environment,” said Casey Buckingham, system senior vice president and chief Human Resources officer.
Becker’s also highlighted the generosity of Benefis employees toward each other, patients and the community.
In 2023, more than 47% of Benefis employees participated in the annual employee giving campaign, raising over $520,000 for Benefis Foundation. That included more than $109,000 for the Caring For Our Own Fund, which assists fellow employees and volunteers experiencing emergencies.
Becker’s also recognized Benefis as a top place to work in health care from 2014 to 2019, and Forbes recognized Benefis in its ranking of America’s best employers in America.
Stockman ranked a best-performer
Stockman Bank has been recognized by S&P Global Market Intelligence as one of the top 50 best-performing U.S. community banks of 2023, among banks with $3 billion to $10 billion in assets.
S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks institutions based on returns, growth and funding but places a premium on the strength and risk profile of balance sheets. The rankings were launched in 2011 to assess the performance of community banks.
“This recognition reflects not only our exemplary financial performance, but the dedication and expertise of our staff, who put the needs of our customers and communities first,” Bill Coffee, CEO of Stockman Bank, said in a news release. “For more than 70 years, as a family-owned, privately held community bank, we have not wavered from our focus on serving the financial needs of all Montanans through outstanding service based on western values, local management and prompt decision making.”
Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest, family-owned community bank, with convenient full-service locations across the state. Founded in 1953, Stockman remains uniquely focused on Montana, with comprehensive banking products and services, along with state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, wealth management and insurance services. To learn more, visit www.stockmanbank.com.
Montana Ag taking grant applications
The Montana Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for over $1.5 million in Round No. 2 federal funding available through the ARPA Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program.
The intent of the program is to advance Montana's agricultural industry through targeted investments in value-added agriculture projects across the state. Grants will assist with the development of innovative agricultural business improvements to keep pace with a transforming agricultural industry, create new jobs, and expand business opportunities.
The Montana Department of Agriculture will be releasing $1.5 million for a second round of ARPA-AIG project awards. Project activities must take place between June 1 and Dec. 16.
For a list of guidelines and eligibility requirements, please visit agr.mt.gov/ARPAGrants or contact your regional Food and Ag Development Center.
Grant proposals are due to the Montana Department of Agriculture by 5p.m. on April 29. Technical assistance calls will be held 10 a.m. Thursday via Zoom.
For more information, visit agr.mt.gov/ARPAGrants or email Olivia Mays at olivia.mays@mt.gov.
For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.
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