Non-profit affiliated with Montana High Tech Business Alliance to help Montana’s next generation of technology workers launch successful careers

April 9, 2024

MISSOULA, MT (April 9, 2024) – Montana Jobs Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit newly affiliated with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, announced the election of nine members to its Board of Directors. The full list of Board members includes:

• Kate Pace, Board Chair - Director of Strategy Operations, Cognizant, Missoula 

• Derek Eaton, Vice Chair - Managing Director, IIInigence, Billings 

• Libby Brunell Adams, Secretary - Senior Consultant, Cascadia Management Group, Missoula

• Jimmy Graham, Treasurer - Vice President, Allied Steel, Lewistown

• Jann Butler - VP, People, onX, Missoula

• Kym Corwin - Head of Workforce Development, Cognizant, Missoula

• Paddy Fleming - Director, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC), Bozeman

• Allison Johnston - COO/CFO, Marsh McLennan Agency, Missoula 

• Chris Omland - Vice President of Product Management, Workiva, Bozeman

Montana Jobs Network was established in 2001 to promote skilled workforce development in Montana. In Fall 2023, Montana Jobs Network became affiliated with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA) to serve as the organization’s 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit arm. The new mission of the Montana Jobs Network is to help Montana’s next generation of workers launch successful careers.

Montana Jobs Network Priorities and Resources

Under new leadership, the Montana Jobs Network is united by the vision of a vibrant innovation economy that benefits all of Montana's citizens. Through programs, events, and data analysis, the organization will support the growth of high-impact industries; the creation of high-skill, high-paying jobs; and economic prosperity for our entire state.

Since its affiliation with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Montana Jobs Network has supported resources and programming focused on the following three areas:

• Engaging Montana’s next generation workforce with stories and role models that get them excited to pursue tech careers in Montana.

• Helping students and job seekers understand the specific steps they can take, and what skills are needed by employers, to get from where they are into a tech career.

• Working with partners in education, government, business, and nonprofits to strengthen technology education within the K-12 school system, higher education, and workforce development and diversify Montana’s tech talent pool.

"Montana’s most valuable natural resource is her people, and far too many of them are under-employed,” said Kate Pace, Board Chair of the Montana Jobs Network and Director of Strategy Operations for Cognizant in Missoula. “The workforce opportunities in tech are diverse, and the Montana Jobs Network aims to better connect job seekers and employers through statewide partnerships to ensure that more individuals – from all backgrounds, across 56 counties and 8 tribal nations – have access to high-paying jobs that feed their family, their career, and their spirit.”

Christina Henderson, Executive Director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, will also serve as Executive Director for the Montana Jobs Network.

“Surveys of Montana’s high tech companies have consistently shown that hiring skilled technology workers is one of the biggest impediments to industry growth,” said Henderson. “We are fortunate to have such a diverse and experienced board of directors leading the Montana Jobs Network to ensure Montana employers have the talent they need to keep growing and providing opportunities for our kids and grandkids to stay here and thrive.”

Launched in April 2014, MHTBA is a nonpartisan, statewide association focused on responsibly growing the technology ecosystem in Montana. The Alliance currently has more than 200 member firms. The addition of the Montana Jobs Network as the 501(c)3 affiliate of MHTBA provides a channel through which to expand the pool of talent to support the hiring needs across the Montana tech sector and convene key stakeholders to collaborate on solutions to address Montana’s broader technology workforce needs.

Additional Background

• Learn more about the new Montana Jobs Network board members: https://www.mthightech.org/leadership-mjn 

• Montana Jobs Network website: https://www.mthightech.org/montana-jobs-network 

• Learn more about Montana High Tech Business Alliance: https://www.mthightech.org/ 

Workforce Initiatives and Events

https://www.mthightech.org/news/coding-a-brighter-future-the-last-mile

https://www.mthightech.org/news/four-keys-to-launching-a-biotech-career-in-montana

https://www.mthightech.org/news/5-tips-to-set-yourself-up-for-success-in-a-tech-career 

About Montana Jobs Network

Montana Jobs Network was established in 2001 to promote skilled workforce development in Montana, and in 2023 became affiliated with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance to serve as its 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit arm. The Montana Jobs Network is driven by a mission to help Montana’s next generation of technology workers launch successful careers. https://www.mthightech.org/montana-jobs-network