Why I'm voting for Greg Gianforte

Editor,

Greg Gainforte is a job creator, a true leader with a proven track record who genuinely cares about Montana.

I met Greg when I joined RightNow Technologies upon graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman in 2000. At that time, in-state jobs for technology majors were rare. Of the nine Montana engineering friends I attended classes with, I was the only one fortunate to find a job in Montana.

Staying in Montana at Greg’s start-up company was a gamble. The company was relatively new, and previous attempts to start and grow a large tech company in Montana hadn’t been successful. Some tech companies were downsizing. However, Greg’s leadership, with Montana employees, set a new standard for what could be accomplished here.

Since then, many tech companies have started in Montana, often led by previous RightNow employees. Greg has traveled Montana urging students to consider technology careers. Oracle regularly hires interns from Montana State and converts them to full-time positions post-graduation. Montana is now attracting other big-name companies which have come to realize the benefits of our work ethic and education system, all due to Greg’s leadership and focus on building a successful Montana company.

I’ve been blessed to be able to stay in-state, working for a Bozeman company that has grown to over 500 Montana employees. Greg’s interest in the community, evidenced by RightNow’s policy allowing employees to donate 40 hours annually to community service during paid work hours, is highly commendable.

Greg’s expertise is no gamble for Montana.

Duane Ray

Bozeman