Montana Ambassador Awards
2022/ 2023 Award Winners
Montana Ambassador of the Year
Jenni Graff
Early Stage Montana
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Ambassador of the Year, Jenni Graff.
Jenni is the founding executive director of Early Stage Montana (ESMT) where she works to grow the technology entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. Prior to joining ESMT, Jenni was the founder of a professional recruiting firm and worked in Economic Development. She has worked extensively with state and local agencies to bring technology companies to the state and encourage business growth. When she's not helping local tech startups scale, she is scouting new trail runs across Montana, or practicing her Spanish somewhere south of the border.
She is a loyal UM grad with BA's in Anthropology and Communications as well as an MBA, all from the University of Montana.
Montana Outreach Ambassador of the Year
Allison Whitmer
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Outreach Ambassador of the Year, Allison Whitmer.
For the past 25 years, Allison has been involved in filmmaking, beginning with "The Horse Whisperer," a Robert Redford classic, as well as the adaptation of the Native American breakthrough novel, "Winter in the Blood," penned by the acclaimed author James Welch. She brings the knowledge of her own pioneer grandparents and a love of open spaces and augments it all with degrees in Media and Theatre Arts and Consumer Economics from Montana State University. Her worldwide clients have included Paramount, Valentino, Virgin Records and Italian Vogue. She actively promotes historic preservation and youth education, and especially enjoys bringing the quiet stories to life. Allison serves as Commissioner for the Montana Film Office.
Montana Plenipotentiary of the Year
Lynda Colucci
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Plenipotentiary of the Year, Lynda Colucci.
After retiring from 42 years in the insurance corporate world, Lynda still utilizes her expertise in economic development strategies to drive business development from her home in Nevada. Her networking 'gift' continues to achieve business success stories and much of that is with Montana in mind just north up the I-15 freeway. Her background in professional liability coverages for technology, architects & engineers, and healthcare firms provides the platform for her relationship building and her 'out of the box' innovative thinking.
Lynda also serves as a Director and Officer on several non-profit boards and professional associations. Much of her free time is spent fundraising for cancer research as well as an ambassador shepherding opportunities for Montana. Her favorite pastimes involve her Beagles and Italy.
Montana Ambassador Place Maker of the Year
Katelynne Eslick
Sugar Plum Fine Jewelry
2022 recipient for the Place Maker of the year, Katelynne Eslick of Sugar Plum Fine Jewelry.
Katelynne Eslick grew up in Chinook, Montana, the daughter and granddaughter of jewelers. After marrying her high school sweetheart and attending college in both Missoula and Bozeman, they made a move to Glendive with a 1-year old son and twin daughters on the way. Katelynne opened her brick-and-mortar store, Sugar Plum Fine Jewelry, in 2013.
When she bought a dilapidated property in 2018 with plans to improve it, people asked “why?” and she responded, “because…I believe in Glendive!” And thus was born the slogan and positivity movement, “We Believe in Glendive”, which has been adopted by individuals and businesses alike. Katelynne has always believed in finding the good and celebrating it; making one small impact; and that it is a responsibility to be a good steward of the community.
Montana Ambassadors Educator of the Year
Kim Gibbs
Miles Community college
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Educator of the Year, Kim Gibbs.
Kim Gibbs is currently the Agriculture Instructor at Miles Community College and has been for the past ten years. Over the past ten years, MCC has added wildlife and natural resources transferable two year degree programs for students interested in range and wildlife management. Since Kim Started in the Ag position at MCC, Miles Community College has seen substantial growth in student numbers in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs.
Kim’s goal is to get students involved and become successful individuals be it in school or their career. She also advises the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Club at MCC. Kim has taken students to several state and national competitions where they students have competed well against other college students. In the fall of 2022, she is the Division chair for the Career and Technical Division at Miles Community College
Montana Ambassador Business of the Year
David Oien
Timeless Seeds
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Business of the year, David Oien of Timeless Seeds.
David is a third-generation Montana farmer whose Norwegian grandparents homesteaded in the early 1900s a few miles south of the current farm near Conrad. Influenced by a childhood of riding tractors with his dad and watching the clouds float across the big sky, plus a college degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies focusing on Oriental, Native American, and Judeo-Christian religion, he returned to the family farm in his own personal “back-to-the land movement” in 1976.
An avid supporter of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture for 30 years, David was a founding member of the Pondera Solar Alliance, AERO’s Sustainable Agriculture Task Force, two local organic farmers’ chapters, Montana Organic Certification Advisory Committee, and the Montana Organic Association. David received the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) 40th Anniversary Leadership in Sustainability Award, 2014; the 2008 Lifetime Service Award from the Montana Organic Association; and the 1989 Sustainable Agriculture Award from the AERO.
Montana Ambassador Legislator of the Year
LLew Jones
Senator/Representative
We are excited to feature our 2022 recipient for the Legislator of the Year, Llew Jones.
Representative Llew Jones is currently the Chairman of House Appropriation. During his 8-year tenure in the Senate, Llew Chaired Senate Finance and Claims for 4 years. In the 2 decades Llew Jones has been involved in Montana Appropriations, it is noteworthy that Montana is one of only two states that has never run red ink.
Senator/Representative Jones has been involved in and carried a significant portion of the more complex legislative proposals of the last decade including significant initiatives in K-12 education, WWAMI, CTE, energy production and agriculture. He also established Montana’s rainy-day fund. In the private sector, Llew Jones, and wife Carole are owners and partners in several successful business ventures ranging from farm and ranching to a partnership in Frontline Ag Solutions with stores in 10 communities.
