fbpx

New Executive Director Takes Reins at Columbia Falls Chamber

Anna Stene took over for Carol Pike on May 4

By Justin Franz

COLUMBIA FALLS – Anna Stene has been named the new executive director of the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Stene replaces longtime director Carol Pike, who stepped down at the beginning of May.

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1987 and now has more than 250 members. The chamber represents businesses from Polebridge to Essex.

Stene is originally from South Dakota and has lived in the valley for more than a decade holding numerous jobs in business management and communication. About a year ago, when her daughter had graduated from high school and moved, Stene took some time off to travel the country for a few months. On that trip she decided that she wanted to stay in Columbia Falls and rededicate herself to making the community a better place to live. A few months later, the executive director position at the chamber opened up.

“I wanted to make a commitment to Columbia Falls and my community and I wanted to find a job that filled that need,” she said.

As executive director, Stene said she has two objectives: to draw visitors during the busy summer tourism season and to attract new businesses to the area. While Columbia Falls shares a lot of the same qualities as Whitefish, Kalispell and Bigfork, it has one advantage that sets it apart from the rest: its proximity to Glacier National Park. Stene said that is a huge selling point when trying to bring people to the area.

Stene said she plans on listening to local residents – both those who have been in the community for years and newcomers – to find a vision for Columbia Falls’ future. She hopes the chamber can help attract companies to build a diverse economy that does not just rely on the seasonal ups and downs of tourism.

“I want to bring all groups together to help create a sustainable community that has a long-term vision,” she said.

Stene said that following Pike, who held the top job at the chamber for  27 years, will be tough but that she is excited about the opportunities ahead. The chamber is also excited about some upcoming events, specifically a roundtable discussion with Greg Gianforte, an engineer and founder of RightNow Technologies, about economic opportunities in the Columbia Falls area. The event is set to take place on June 1 at 12 p.m. at the North Valley Hospital Community Room on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls. To RSVP for the event, call (406) 892-2072 or email [email protected].

For more information visit www.columbiafallschamber.org.