TRAVEL COMMUNICATION UPDATES: Check out the latest Glacier Country Tourism information on communication response and resources.

Team

Glacier Country Tourism’s professional, dedicated and enthusiastic staff loves working to ensure economic sustainability for the region while preserving the quality of life for residents and quality of place for visitors. We understand how important the travel economy is to not only the state of Montana but to every charming community and the businesses and people who call it home.

Glacier Country Tourism Staff


Racene Friede

Racene Friede, President CEO

From the small Montana cattle town of Ovando, Racene grew up on the southern end of the Crown of the Continent—an upbringing that helped establish her inherent love for Montana. Racene has spent more than two decades promoting travel and tourism to Montana, including the last 13 years as the President CEO for Glacier Country Tourism. She has been a key player in helping to make tourism one of the top two industries in the state. In addition to leading one of Montana’s largest DMOs (destination marketing organizations), Racene is also actively involved with Tourism Matters to Montana, Voices of Montana Tourism and the Blackfoot Challenge.

racene@glaciermt.com


Debbie Picard

Debbie Picard, Director of Sales

A Washington native, Debbie was born and raised just north of Seattle in the scenic town of Edmonds. Her love of travel was firmly established at a young age as an exchange student to Germany. Throughout her adult years in Washington—promoting the state as a travel destination—she would vacation in Montana, and Debbie soon fell in love with Montana’s natural beauty, outdoor activities and people. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry to Glacier Country Tourism, in a role that seamlessly blends her sales experience with her love of Western Montana, as she sells its offerings as a travel destination to different markets all over the world.

debbie@glaciermt.com


Lucy Beighle

Lucy Guthrie, Director of Communications

Lucy has called Missoula home for more than three decades. She teaches public relations in the communication studies department at the University of Montana, and most recently owned a public relations consulting business where she worked with clients in the hospitality, conservation, arts, music, technology, food, education and medical industries. Lucy’s specialty at Glacier Country Tourism is helping people tell their story, and she brings this passion to the many diverse communities in Western Montana, all of which have unique and captivating stories to tell.

lucy@glaciermt.com


Aerionna Hardesty

Aerionna Skrutvold, Marketing Project Manager

Born and raised in the Missoula Valley, Aerionna spent most of her youth exploring the outdoors and attending art, music and cultural events in the community. She completed an AmeriCorps program with the University of Montana's Flagship Program and volunteered with the Missoula Community Foundation and the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. She currently serves on the Volunteer Board for the Missoula Community Foundation, and has B2B sales experience. At Glacier Country Tourism, Aerionna combines her career with her passion for Montana.

aerionna@glaciermt.com


Tia Metzger

Kristi McNeal, Director of Operations & Accounting

A western girl at heart, Kristi has spent most of her adult life in Montana’s Missoula Valley. Equipped with more than 25 years of experience in financial management and accounting, Kristi merges her keen eye for detail with her passion for travel. Kristi is responsible for keeping Glacier Country Tourism’s private and public budgets and financials up to date. She also a key person in Glacier Country Tourism's partnership program and works with our 300+ partners.

kristi@glaciermt.com


Jenna Boltz

Jenna Boltz, Director of Community Engagement and Destination Stewardship

Born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, Jenna has been a passionate advocate for the outdoors, conservation and community involvement throughout her career. After attaining a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism from California State University of Chico, Jenna began her career working in luxury resorts and developing engagement plans for large-scale community events. She then transitioned to nonprofit management, where she was able to really engage with and help make a positive impact in various communities. Jenna has called Seeley Lake, Montana, home for the past five years and is an active volunteer in her community. She enjoys the incredible lifestyle that Montana offers with her husband, two children and two black labs.

gcstewardship@glaciermt.com


Tia Metzger

Tia Metzger, Client Services Director, Windfall

Contract Agent of Glacier Country Tourism

Born and raised in Conrad, Montana, western hospitality is in Tia’s blood. She has 15 years of industry experience in the tourism sector. For Glacier Country Tourism’s agency of record, Windfall, Tia’s marketing efforts include strategic planning, media strategy, buying and negotiation, and reporting. Tia also places all paid media and advertising on Glacier Country Tourism’s behalf.

tia@windfallstudio.com


Annie Mead

Annie Mead, Partnership Sales, Windfall

Contract Agent of Glacier Country Tourism

Annie brings a smart approach to sales, driven by her natural relationship-building skills and personable communication style. Her upbeat attitude and great sense of humor help, too. She has championed clients for 10+ years, including the largest daily newspaper in Montana, where she managed more than 400 accounts. For Glacier Country Tourism’s agency of record, Windfall, Annie focuses on partnership sales, connecting Western Montana businesses with valuable tools and resources to reach visitors. She also oversees travel guide and digital advertising sales.

annie@windfallstudio.com


Jessie Yeager

Jessie Yeager, Senior Account Manager, Windfall

Contract Agent of Glacier Country Tourism

For the past 10 years, Jessie has proudly called Montana home. She loves spending time outdoors, wanting to make the most of her Montana adventure and be involved in the community. As an energetic and resourceful marketing account manager with proven administrative skills, she has spent the past seven years providing a high level of support to various businesses to achieve their goals. For Glacier Country Tourism’s agency of record, Windfall, Jessie serves as the main point of contact, and her responsibilities include account management and project management.

jessie@windfallstudio.com


Alex Wardwell

Alex Hanich, Social and Video Specialist, Windfall

Contract Agent of Glacier Country Tourism

At Windfall, Glacier Country’s Tourism’s agency of record, Alex Wardwell manages Glacier Country Tourism’s social channels and develops branded content including photo and video assets. As a photographer and videographer, Alex has a gift for compelling visual storytelling, and she stays engaged in the community by volunteering for social and environmental groups. She is also a board member of the Western Montana Climbing Coalition.

alex@windfallstudio.com


Holly Kuehlwein

Holly Kuehlwein, Partnership Specialist, Windfall

Contract Agent of Glacier Country Tourism

Of her almost two decades in Missoula, Holly spent 17 years at the Missoulian coordinating specialty publications like Montana's Cultural Treasures, Montana Magazine, Montana 55, and the Missoula Public Art Guide. As a coordinator for Missoula.com, she also gained valuable knowledge about Missoula's entertainment and outdoor recreation scenes. For Glacier Country Tourism’s agency of record, Windfall, Holly assists in project management for marketing efforts, as well as in partnership fulfillment and support.

holly@windfallstudio.com

Glacier Country Tourism has been a valuable partner to the community-based work of our rural economic development organization. Their support and technical assistance has contributed to the success of Thompson Falls Main Street as a statewide model of planning and tourism infrastructure projects.

- Jen Kreiner, Sanders County Community Development Corporation