Names and Faces

Alan Hulse has been promomted to chief executive officer of the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. He has been with MMIA since 1992, as a claims adjuster, claim manager and chief operations officer. His credentials include an associate in risk management and an associate in claims from the Insurance Institute of America.

Jeff Driessen has been appointed to the board of directors of the Helena Building Industry Association. He is with Chicago Title and will complete the term of Stacey Everson, who recently stepped down.

Mountain West Bank recently announced a pair of promotions.

John McLaughlin has been promoted to executive vice president/ senior loan officer, in charge of all of the bank's lending functions. He has been with Mountain West since 2003 and was previously executive vice president/ real estate loan officer and Real Estate Loan Department manager. He is the past owner of MSD Computer Supply.

Julie Graham has been promoted to manager of the bank's new Real Estate Loan Department. She works out of the North Montana office and has been serving customers in the Helena banking industry for 25 years.

Hillary Purvis has joined American Federal Savings Bank as controller. She holds a degree in business administration from the University of Montana, and her background includes auditing and accounting at Lee & Co. in Missoula.

Recognition

Lynda Reisbeck, Farmers Insurance agent of Helena, was inducted into the Farmers' "Toppers Club" of Farmers' top sales producers for 2007.

Payne Financial Group was named one of the 2007 Best Pracices Agencies by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and Reagan Consulting.

Great West Engineering recently announced that three members of its staff have passed the professional engineering licensing exam in the State of Montana:

Nate Hagen is a civil engineering graduate of Montana State University with experience on a number of projects across the state.

Samantha Stough, a project engineer with the firm, holds a master's degree in civil and environmental engineering.

Robert Kimble is a civil engineering graduate of West Virginia University (bachelor's) and the University of Idaho (master's) with experience in a number of different types of projects.

Learning Ops

The Montana Manufacturing Center, Montana Department of Agriculture and Montana Department of Commerce have teamed up to offer a free three-hour business growth seminar on Monday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to noon in the meeting room at the Super 8. The seminar, delivered by MMEC certified growth coaches Todd Daniels and Bill Nicholson, will introduce a method for growing a business called "Eureka! Winning Ways." There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required by going to www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com or calling 994-3812.