Bob Burns to serve as President of the MDA Board in 2023

New Board Member and Officers Ratified at Annual Meeting January 18

At the 36^th annual meeting of the Missoula Downtown Association, Bob Burns was ratified by 200+ members as the new Board President for 2023. With deep family roots in Butte and Livingston, Burns earned a BA in Business Administration & Finance from the University of Montana in 1996 and has worked in banking for more than 20 years. He has served as the Missoula Market President for Stockman Bank since 2014 and has served on the MDA Board of Directors since 2018. Most recently, Burns chaired the Downtown Advocacy Committee in 2022.

MDA members approved the full slate of officers for 2023:

• Bob Burns…………………….. Stockman Bank Market President…………………………………………………….. PRESIDENT
• Josh Eder……………………… SG Long Financial Planner……………………………………………………….. PAST PRESIDENT
• Conor Newman……………… Boyle, Deveny & Meyer CPA…………………………………………………………… TREASURER
• Katie Ghen Simpson……….. Bathing Beauties Beads Business Owner……………………… VICE PRESIDENT ADVOCACY
• Mimi Hall Gustafson………. Holiday Inn Sales & Marketing Director……….. VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & EVENTS
• Ellen Buchanan……………… Missoula Redevelopment Agency Director………………. VICE PRESIDENT MASTER PLAN
• Jed Liston……………………… Families First Learning Lab Director of Impact…………… VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP

Additionally, Bryan Hickey was appointed as a new member of the MDA Board with full support from the membership. Hickey serves as President of Big Dipper Ice Cream and has been with the company for over 20 years.

“I am honored to be chosen by my peers to serve in this role,” said Bob Burns. “MDA has a long history of community service and leadership in the Missoula community, and the efforts put forth by the entire Downtown Missoula Partnership has attracted significant interest, investment and vibrancy to the heart of our community. Stockman Bank has made substantial investment in Missoula, and our team believes in giving back. This is one way in which I can be of service, and I look forward to what 2023 brings.

“The MDA is committed to serving our members,” Burns said, “plus we are leading implementation of the Downtown Master Plan and the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan. Community festivals, Downtown advocacy, décor and Downtown Gift Cards are at the core of what we do, and making Downtown Missoula the best it can be is our focus.”

Other individuals who serve on the MDA Board of Directors include:

• Ashley Larkin……………………………………………………………. First Montana Bank AVP Commercial Loan Officer
• Aimee McQuilkin………………………………. Betty’s Divine, Divine Trash & Clark Fork Yacht Club Business Owner
• Zachary Millar………………………………………………………………………………………… Dram Shop Business Owner
• Matt Mellott………………………………………………… Sterling Commercial Real Estate Advisor & Business Owner
• Kia Liszak………………………………………………………………….. Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) Director
• Scott Whittenburg……………………………………………………. University of Montana Vice President for Research
• Paige Livingston………………………………………………………………………… One Eleven Boutique Business Owner
• Heidi Starrett………………………………………………………………………. Missoula Broadcasting Account Executive
• Corey Aldridge……………………………………………………………………….. Mountain Line CEO & General Manager
• Ian Ortlieb…………………………………………………………………… Missoula Parking Commission Services Director
• Grant Kier…………………………………………………………. Missoula Economic Partnership Chief Executive Officer
• Megan Redmond…………………………………. Montana Department of Transportation Public Relations Specialist

Since 1975 the Missoula Downtown Association has focused on promoting, supporting and enhancing the vitality of Downtown Missoula for the betterment of our community. The MDA is a partner with the Missoula Downtown Foundation and the Downtown Business Improvement District under the umbrella of the Downtown Missoula Partnership.

For more information on Downtown Missoula and to view the DMP’s 2022 Annual Report, visit https://www.missouladowntown.com/connect/annual-report/.

To connect with President Bob Burns, contact him at Stockman Bank via phone (406-258-1401) or email ([email protected]).