Celebrating Excellence: 15 Nominees Announced for Downtown Awards as MDA Marks 50 Years

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: 15 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR DOWNTOWN AWARDS AS MDA MARKS 50 YEARS

As the Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization proudly announces 15 outstanding nominees for the 2024-25 Downtown Awards. These awards honor the individuals and businesses who make a remarkable impact on the heart of Missoula. Winners will be announced at the MDA Annual Awards Banquet & Meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Downtown.

“This year’s event is particularly special as we reflect on 50 years of community building, growth, and collaboration,” said Jed Liston, President of the MDA Board of Directors. “It’s an honor to recognize the individuals and businesses whose dedication and passion continue to shape Downtown Missoula as a vibrant and thriving community hub.”

The nominees include:

• Downtown Employee of the Year:
  • Jeff Overturf, A Carousel for Missoula
  • Brian Hensel, City of Missoula, Public Works
• Downtown Volunteer of the Year:
  • Jasmine Decelles, AC Hotel
  • Joe Beatty, Missoula County Public Schools
• Board Member of the Year:
  • Paige Livingston, One Eleven
  • Joan Redeen, Montana Department of Transportation
  • Karen Sippy, Allez! Owner and BID Board
• Committee Member of the Year:
  • Jamie Mitchell, Dick Anderson Construction
  • Bailey Durnell, Missoula Makers Collective
• Downtown Business of the Year:
  • Cranky Sam Public House
  • Worden’s Market
  • Radius Gallery
• Dan Cederberg Downtowner of the Year:
  • Charlie Beaton, Big Dipper Ice Cream
  • Sophia Etier, University of Montana
  • Ann Karp, Sideways Gaze

Founded in 1975, the MDA represents a vibrant network of 550 business members, united by the commitment to promoting, supporting, and enhancing the vitality of Downtown Missoula. The annual awards program, established in 1986, began with the prestigious Downtowner of the Year Award, renamed in 2018 to honor local attorney Dan Cederberg for his three decades of dedicated public service to the Downtown community. Over the years, the program has grown, adding new categories in 2004 and 2014, to recognize a total of six honorees annually. These awards celebrate some of Downtown Missoula’s most passionate advocates and dedicated champions.

The MDA Annual Awards Banquet & Meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Missoula. For more information, call the Downtown Missoula Partnership office at 406-543-4238 or purchase tickets online at missouladowntown.com/event/awards-tickets/.