One of Western Montana’s most successful community organizers will now help Missoula Economic Partnership expand its services to investors, partners and entrepreneurs. Today, Melanie Brock joined the Missoula Economic Partnership staff as director of strategic initiatives, CEO James Grunke announced.
“With her deep knowledge and broad experience working with business and political leaders in Missoula and across the state, Melanie will have a powerful and immediate impact on the efforts of Missoula Economic Partnership,” Grunke said. “We could not have imagined anyone better suited to the responsibilities of this new professional staff position.”
Melanie Brock
Brock brings with her extensive experience and expertise in economic and community development; local, state and national politics; and fundraising for civic and political organizations. Most recently, she was acting executive director of the Missoula Downtown Association — for a time simultaneously taking on duties as director of operations for Missoula’s Downtown Business Improvement District. She has previously served as campaign manager for Missoula Mayor John Engen’s successful 2009 run, led development for the Montana Meth Project, and served as press secretary for Senator Max Baucus.
“I am thrilled to join an organization dedicated to growing opportunity and prosperity in Missoula,” Brock said. “This is already a strong organization, and I look forward to expanding on the community-building work that I have done in Missoula over the past decade.”
Founded in June 2011, the Partnership works collaboratively and strategically to facilitate increased prosperity in the Missoula area through business development while enhancing the business environment and quality of life in the community. Its programs support the growth of existing and new Missoula businesses as well as acting as a comprehensive resource for companies looking to move to or expand to Missoula. The Partnership’s programs include the Innovation Initiative, MEP Angel Network, Business Retention and Expansion Program, the Business Attraction Program and the Air Service Task Force.
Brock will manage the Partnership’s entrepreneurship development programs including the Innovation Initiative (a collaborative effort of the Partnership, The University of Montana’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, and Hellgate Venture Network). She will also spearhead the nonprofit’s investor relations activities, assist with communications, and serve the Partnership board’s government affairs committee and its work with local, state and federal government officials.
In this new position, Brock will work closely with Grunke as well as Director of Business Development Brigitta Miranda-Freer, the board of directors and the Partnership’s growing group of investors.
Brock holds a bachelor’s degree in communications–journalism from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania and a master’s in political science from The University of Montana.
About Missoula Economic Partnership
The Missoula Economic Partnership works to increase the prosperity of our community by nurturing sustainable business growth and quality job creation. The Partnership’s professional staff serves a central role in a broad, collaborative effort involving 80 business, individual and government investors as well as more than 30 strategic partners, all of whom share the vision of a vibrant, growing and diversified regional economy.
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