Opening General Session

Gianforte campaigned on getting Montana’s economy going again, getting Montana safely open for business, and getting Montanans back to work in good-paying jobs. He also focused on changing the way Helena and state government do business to better serve Montanans.

After 34 years in the private sector, Gianforte has been Montana’s voice in the U.S. House of Representatives since June 2017. In Congress, Gianforte voted to cut taxes for every American taxpayer, roll back unnecessary, anti-jobs regulations, lower health care costs, and protect our Montana way of life, including our public lands.

Gianforte spent his entire career focusing on creating jobs and opportunities. He founded five different startup companies. He’s worked to improve Montana’s economy through the “Better Montana Jobs” project. He also launched scholarship programs to help low-income students and veterans pursue the education and training they need to start a career in Montana.

Closing General Session

As Deputy Solicitor during the Trump Administration, Karen was the lead attorney in revising the regulations implementing Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the regulations recognizing the rights of local governments to protect the economic stability and customs and cultures of their constituents. She was also heavily involved in drafting regulations giving landowners the rights of appeal of wetland maps on the National Wildlife Refuge System lands. Karen also served as Interior’s representative on the task force that revised the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

As an owner of Budd-Falen Law Offices, Karen has assisted local governments in asserting their rights of consistency review, cooperation and coordination in federal agency decisions; private property owners in protecting their Constitutionally guaranteed property rights, other multiple users in supporting grazing and multiple use on federal/public lands; and exposing radical environmental groups’ abuse of the legal system and the attorney fee shifting statutes.

Coffee Talks Presentation

Presentation Summary

Montana livestock brand records—held at the Montana Livestock Department Brand Office—were created using a system that has evolved over 150 years.  These records are a Treasure.   We will discuss the Records’ origins, evolution and the endless stories of family, place and time they reveal.   Did you know that Montana Brand Records are available on the Montana Memory Project?

Zoe Ann Stoltz Bio

As Reference Historian for the Montana Historical Society, Zoe Ann’s career combines her two passions, the people and history of Montana!   After growing up in eastern Montana, and raising three daughters in the State’s northwestern corner,  Zoe Ann pursued her dream of becoming a Public Historian.  To this end, she earned her Master’s in History from the University of Montana.  She has been the MHS Reference Historian for 15 Years!