Bear Paw Development adds two new employees

Press release

Bear Paw Development Corp. announced the addition of two new staff members to its roster of economic and community development practitioners that serve the needs of businesses, local governments and others in the organization's five-county region of northern Montana.

Samantha Chagnon and Eryn Nissen are the newest members of Bear Paw's staff and serve as the organization's loan technician and community planner, respectively. 

  "As Bear Paw Development continues to meet the economic and community development needs of our region in a variety of ways, it is important to have the right people in the right positions to continue to make a difference for our area," said Bear Paw Executive Director Paul Tuss. "I think we hit the jackpot with the addition of these two talented, committed individuals who bring experience and a genuine interest in making our region a better place to live, work and invest."

Chagnon is a native of South Carolina and alumna of Mars Hill College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in zoology with a minor in business administration. She previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for Opportunity Link Inc. in Havre, and also as that organization's Information and Outreach Manager for two years.

Nissen, a native of Big Sandy, received her bachelor's degree from Central Washington University in public relations with a minor in business administration and advertising. Her previous experience includes nonprofit program management and coordination at Opportunity Link and the Pegasus Project. Nissen also served as a member of the U.S. Army for six years during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

  "Throughout Bear Paw's 46-year history of working in our region to grow the economy and making our communities more livable and vibrant, we have been blessed with outstanding employees who are absolutely committed to this mission," Tuss said. "Samantha and Eryn are no exception. They have hit the ground running and are having an immediate and positive impact for our organization and the businesses and communities we work with on a daily basis." 

Bear Paw Development is a multi-jurisdictional Economic Development District that serves the community and economic development needs in Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Chouteau Counties and the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations. It can be reached at 265-9226 or at http://www.bearpaw.org.