MISSION STATEMENT
The Montana Business Assistance Connection catalyzes community leaders, stakeholders, and opportunities driving prosperity, our economy, business vitality, high quality job growth and the enhancement of quality of life throughout the region.
The Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) was created with the expressed purpose of improving the economy and livability of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher counties. We help businesses start up, improve, expand, relocate or transition to new ownership.
MBAC professionals and our key partners (SCORE, SBDC, Job Service, Chamber) mentor businesses. This is done by getting to know the business model, the people involved and specific needs. We help you identify potential opportunities but at the same time minimize risks. These services prepare your team to obtain financial resources and secure capital. Our strategic partnerships with traditional lending institutions, as well as access to more than a dozen different types of loan funds, make it possible for businesses to gain financing for which they may not normally qualify.
Our ultimate goal is to improve the standard of living for all citizens by enhancing the area business climate, diversifying the local economy, expanding the tax base, and enhancing local employment opportunities. Since our inception in 1999, we have leveraged private and public capital resources and professional business development assistance to directly create and retain hundreds of area jobs and injected millions of dollars of capital into the regional economy.
Brian Obert
Executive Director
Brian Obert has served as the Executive Director of Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) and the Gateway Economic Development District (GEDD) since 2015; before that, Brian worked on the community development side of MBAC since 2006. A Townsend, Montana native, Brian brings nearly two decades of economic development experience. Before his work in economic development, Brian worked as a Manufacturing Engineer for Boeing in Renton, Washington. He was involved in the arts as the Owner/Artist of Windmill Designs, offering art framing and sales. Brian enjoys traveling the state and the Montana outdoors with his wife, Laura, in his free time. Brian can be contacted at [email protected].
2024 MBAC BOARD
President
Dustin Stewart
Owner/Lead Developer, Edge Marketing
Past President
Vickie Rauser
Mayor, City of Townsend
Vice President
Andy Shirtliff
Executive Director, Montana Building Industry Association
Treasurer
Jenny Taylor
St. Peter’s Health
Secretary
Kali Wicks
President, Treasure State Strategies
General Board Members
Wes Feist
City of East Helena
Jackson Rose
Meagher County Stewardship Council
Victor Sample
Broadwater County Appointment
Dallas Rasmussen
Vocal Credit Union
Tom Rolfe
Lewis and Clark County Commissioner
Dave Allard
McDantim, Inc.
Callie Aschim
Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, Ex Officio
Lindsey Richtmyer
Broadwater County, BW Co. Liaison (Ex Officio)
Ginger Kunz
Jefferson County Appointment, Ex Officio
Sandra Bauman
Helena College, Ex Officio
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Eric Seidensticker
Senior Program Manager, FADC Director
Eric has been in economic development for close to a decade. He has worked in both regional and county-level economic development. During his tenure in the field, Eric has served primarily as a community and business development specialist and as an Executive Director for a county-level economic development organization. Eric focuses heavily on assisting rural businesses, agriculture development, and providing technical assistance to local governments. Eric is the current director of MBAC’s Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC). Eric is a graduate of the University of Montana. He is a proud husband, father, and sixth-generation Montanan. Eric can be contacted at [email protected]
Katherine Anderson
Economic Development Program Manager
Katherine Anderson serves as the economic development program manager in MBAC’s community development department. Katherine is a Carroll College graduate pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree through the University of Montana. Katherine has a diverse background and has worked for non-profit organizations, international think tanks, and state governments. Alongside her professional pursuits, Katherine is an avid traveler and volunteers with a local domestic violence shelter and various professional and women’s organizations. In addition, Katherine serves on several local boards, including the Holter Museum of Art. Katherine enjoys all of Montana’s outdoor pursuits and is driven by her passion for making a positive impact in the community. Katherine can be contacted at [email protected].
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
Rebekah Dupre
Office Manager
Rebekah Dupre is the head of the accounting department and office manager at MBAC, bringing her close to twenty years of accounting experience, predominantly within the non-profit sector. A proud graduate of Montana State University, she holds a business degree in accounting. Before joining MBAC, Rebekah held various roles in non-profit organizations across Montana, including positions with the National Affordable Housing Network, the Student Assistance Foundation, and the Helena School District. Outside of work, Rebekah enjoys music, baking, traveling, and hiking. Rebekah can be contacted at [email protected].
Sarah Moeller
Accounting Technician
Sarah Moeller works as an accounting technician in the accounting and payroll department at MBAC, bringing almost 16 years of experience to her role. Sarah pursued a math degree at Carroll College and later graduated with a degree in business economics from Eastern Oregon University. Originally from Alaska, Sarah has lived in several states, including Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Outside of work, she is passionate about crafting, reading, and exploring the Montana outdoors with her husband and two dogs. Sarah can be contacted at [email protected].
LENDING DEPARTMENT
Mark Menke
Director of Lending
Mark Menke has been a senior-level commercial banker in the banking industry for over 32 years, primarily in Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, and Helena, Montana. Mark has worked with MBAC for the past eleven years in the lending department and is the current director of lending for Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC), serving a tri-county region of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher Counties. MBAC currently manages 22 separate revolving loan funds for numerous federal, state, county, city, and private entities, primarily doing a broad range of commercial and commercial real estate lending and alternative energy project financing in collaboration with local and regional banks and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In addition, Mark is a member of the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds Board of Directors and President of the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds Foundation. Mark can be contacted at [email protected].
Charmayne Kaminski
Loan Officer
Charmayne Kaminski is MBAC’s loan officer. She grew up in Helena and received her Bachelor of Science from Montana State University—Bozeman. She has worked in the banking industry for over a decade as a credit analyst, most recently at Valley Bank of Helena. She is inspired daily by her husband and their two sons. Charmayne enjoys riding horses, spending time with her family, doing anything related to volleyball (e.g., playing, coaching, and officiating), and living a true Montana lifestyle surrounded by good people who do what she loves.
Charmayne works to impact her community daily by helping small businesses thrive and guiding new businesses through the startup process. She looks forward to working with business owners, community leaders, and organizations within Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher Counties. Charmayne can be contacted at [email protected].
Darren Clayton
Loan Assistant
Darren Clayton serves MBAC as a loan assistant, working closely with the lending department. He primarily works on DEQ loan processing and commercial loan assistance. Before his role at MBAC, Darren worked at the Ben Franklin Crafts Store for nine years and has over a decade of experience in the merchant services industry. He brings a passion for clean energy and helping small businesses prosper. Darren is also an avid gardener, home brewer, and bookworm. Darren can be contacted at [email protected].
