September 6, 2016

 

Montana Business Hall of Fame announces honorees for 2016

 Inductees will be recognized during ‘An Evening with Henry Winkler’ dinner event on Oct. 11 at the Radisson Hotel in Billings. 

 

 

Contacts:

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

Bill Kennedy, MSUB Foundation, 657-2244

Barbara Wheeling, College of Business, 657-2326

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University’s College of Business and the MSUB Foundation recently announced three distinguished leaders in business will join the Hall of Fame’s eight other members during an Oct. 11 ceremony. 

 

The 2016 class comprises Dr. Nicholas Wolter, CEO of Billings Clinic; Karen Fagg, retired president and majority owner of HKM Engineering, Inc.; and Terry Payne, founder and chairman of PayneWest Insurance.

 

“It’s a privilege to honor the achievements of three outstanding business leaders of our great state through their induction into the Montana Business Hall of Fame,” College of Business Dean Barbara Wheeling said. “They and those inductees who have preceded them represent the best in business that impacts Montana and beyond. Their lives and careers have had a tremendous influence on business within the state and their communities, and have inspired others to do the same.”

 

The hall of fame is designed to honor, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of Montana business leaders who have enhanced the state’s business climate and made significant contributions to their communities, Wheeling said.

 

To be inducted, nominees are selected based on a number of criteria, such as their level of business leadership and ethics, willingness to take risks, concern for customers and employees, innovation and impact on their community and the state’s economy.

 

Selected from 17 nominees, the three Hall of Fame members will be honored during ‘An Evening with Henry Winkler’ dinner event. During the event, Wheeling will present inductees with portrait watercolor paintings painted by Joe Heins, of Heins Creative.

 

Large portrait oil paintings featuring each inductee, also painted by Heins, will be housed at the Business Hall of Fame in MSUB’s College of Business.

 

“Not only is the Hall of Fame an honor of inductees, it also serves as an example and inspiration for our students, alumni and entrepreneurs across the state,” Wheeling said. “It shows them success is achievable, and how it can be achieved.”

 

Inductees are noted for innovations, Wheeling said, but also for their contributions to their communities.

 

“The inductees have all been successful in various ways and industries,” she said. “But one common trait is their commitment to the people they serve.”

 

Winkler, the evening’s keynote speaker, might be best known for his role as “The Fonz” for 10 seasons on the sitcom Happy Days from 1974 until 1984, winning two consecutive Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the leather jacket the character wore has hung in The Smithsonian since 1980.

 

“Leadership comes in many forms, which is represented through our inductees and “An Evening With’ keynote speakers,” MSUB Foundation President Bill Kennedy said. “The event has featured an athlete, a politician, and now someone from the entertainment industry. Their accomplishments and innovations serve to inspire others to make the best of their chosen careers while being thoughtful of the people in their organizations and communities.” 

 

In addition to a successful acting career, Winkler began writing a series of children’s novels in 2003. The books are inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges and have appeared on several best seller lists including The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Behind the scenes, Winkler has also made his mark as a producer and director, producing more than 20 television series and specials. Winkler has used his fame to help others, particularly children, and serves on numerous national charities.

 

Tickets for the dinner event are $100 per person. Individuals who choose to join the MSUB Foundation Chancellor’s Circle with a $1,000 tax-deductible gift will have the opportunity to meet and be photographed with Winkler. Seating is limited.

 

Last year’s class included Don and Marilyn Floberg, of Billings, Greg Gianforte, of Bozeman, and Tom Scott, of Dayton, Wyo. These individuals were honored at “An Evening with Terry Bradshaw” dinner on September 10, 2015.

 

Nominations for hall of fame inductions will reopen this fall for the 2017 class.

 

For more information, visit msubillings.edu/MBHOF/.