Area business happenings

Names and Faces

Mike Mergenthaler, vice president of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce and director of the Helena Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been elected president of the Gold West Country Tourism region. Mergenthaler has served on the executive board of Gold West Country for the past five years and has been in the tourism industry for two decades.

Jane Wendt has been selected as 2009 board president for the United Way of Lewis and Clark County. She is a registered nurse and librarian and has been on the United Way board since 2005. She succeeds Shannon Hall as president. Darla Fitzpatrick was selected first vice-president, and Robert Ward was elected second vice-president. Chick Rolling will continue as treasurer and executive director Tim McCauley serves as board secretary. Newly elected to the board were Pat Bertagnolli, a human resource officer with UPS; Craig Johnson, manager of the Helena Wal-Mart; Tom McGee, an agent with MT International Insurance; and Hiromi Tousey, a membership marketing manager with Costco.

The United Way also recognized the work done on its 2008 campaign. Larry Winslow and Dan Anderson were recognized for their work as co-chairs on the campaign, which is projected to be close to its goal of raising $765,000. Anderson was recognized as Volunteer of the Year work his work on the allocations and campaign committees and for his work in strengthening mental health services in the Helena area. Outgoing board member Terey Artz received the Betty Lou Lindstrom Award for outstanding service as a board member.

Karen Quihillalt recently joined Montana Independent Telecom Systems as an administrative assistant, bringing years of experience as an executive secretary and familiarity with the telecommunications industry.

Four stylists have joined the staff of Haute Headz Hair & Nail Design. Terry Alexander, Jenny Balcerzac, Nikki Kovick and Doris Hruska are now taking appointments at 443-3169.

Nate Windward, owner of Budget Blinds in Helena, recently attended the national Budget Blinds convention in Orlando, Fla., seeing new products and taking part in classes that focus on the latest trends in window coverings.

Recognition

Peter W. Sullivan of Sullivan Financial Group has qualified for the 2009 Million Dollar Round Table, his 35th consecutive year of membership in the independent association representing sales professionals in the financial services industry.

Changes

Crown Trophy has moved to 2704 Billings Ave., behind Wal-Mart, after eight years on Helena Ave. The new, larger showroom gives the company more space to accommodate more items and showcase more products, with more parking too. Crown has also added new services, including sand carving on glassware, full-color process printing on mouse pads, coffee mugs, ceramic tiles, plaques and other items. The phone number remains 442-3506.