Business Newsmakers

Stack Financial Management on Barron’s 2025 Top 100 list   

Stack Financial Management in Whitefish was recently named to Barron’s 2025 list of the “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” in the United States — climbing in ranking from No. 66 to No. 63.  

The firm was also ranked No.1 in Montana on Barron’s 2025 “Top 1200 Advisors by State.” This marks the 18th year of recognition for the firm by Barron’s. 

“Stack Financial Management is honored to again be recognized by Barron’s as one of the Top Independent Financial Advisors in the country,” Jim Stack, president and CEO, said. “Every member of our team has played a vital role in the achievement of this success, and it proves the extraordinary talent that is available here in the Flathead Valley and the state of Montana.” 

The elite group of advisors considered for Barron’s “Top 100” are ranked on an extensive list of over 100 criteria that includes assets under management, client satisfaction and retention, quality of the practice, revenue growth, succession planning, and professional designations of staff to name a few. The ranking is responsive to trends and important issues in the industry and focuses on the criteria that should matter most to investors. 

UM accounting student wins national scholarship  

Ella Pheifer, a University of Montana accounting student, recently won a national scholarship geared toward outstanding graduates considering careers in auditing.  

She earned a $15,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. She is among a select group from across the country to receive this recognition for the 2025-26 academic year. 

Pheifer was raised in Kalispell and completed an Associate’s of Arts degree during her last two years of high school through the Running Start program at Flathead Valley Community College. She is just beginning the UM Master of Accountancy Program. 

VillaPro earns accreditation  

VillaPro has earned accreditation for its Home Watch services from the National Home Watch Association. VillaPro serves the areas in and around Whitefish. 

Owner Micah Carlson has a degree in finance from the University of Arkansas. He also has certifications in snow removal from SIMA, as well as a Certified Pool Operator certification. 

The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada. Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured, and bonded. 

KLJ announces several promotions around regional leadership 

KLJ Engineering LLC has announced organizational enhancements designed to improve project delivery, strengthen regional leadership, and better serve clients across the communities it supports.  

As part of the change, KLJ introduced a new regional leadership model with dedicated Regional Operations and Regional Business Development Directors across five key regions within it Public Works and Transportation business line.  

KLJ has named several leaders to key roles within its regional leadership structure. Jason Reimer (Colorado, New Mexico, Tom Nixon (Minnesota, Dan Richardson (Montana), Scott Middaugh (North Dakota), Paul Knofczynski (South Dakota/Wyoming), and Craig Genzlinger (Tribal Nations) have been named Regional Business Development Directors. Bryan Field (Minnesota), Matt Lange (North Dakota) and Matt Corcoran (South Dakota/Wyoming) will serve as Regional Operations Directors.  

Reimer has more than 16 years of engineering experience leading transportation, municipal, and aviation projects. Reimer is a licensed professional engineer in nine states. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. 

Nixon has more than 11 years of experience leading transportation safety projects, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery with a strong understanding of MnDOT processes and community-focused design. He earned his master’s degree in project management from The College of St. Scholastica. 

Richardson has more than a decade of experience in roadway and hydraulics design, stormwater management, and multi-discipline project leadership. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Floodplain Manager. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Montana State University.  

Middaugh has 16 years of experience in roadway design, construction, and QA/QC for urban and rural projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states and earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from North Dakota State University.

Knofczynski has more than 34 years of experience in transportation project management, design, and quality management, with a strong focus on SDDOT projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota State University.

Genzlinger has more than 32 years of transportation project experience with a focus on safety and Tribal projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota State University.

Field has more than 21 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and project management for transportation projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states and a Certified Design-Build Professional. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Lange has more than 17 years of experience in transportation project design and management, including roadway design, environmental documentation, and public involvement. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of North Dakota.

Corcoran has more than 25 years of experience in civil engineering design and construction across the Midwest, specializing in commercial and industrial development. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa. 

Sliters Lumber & Building Supply named Montana's Hardware All-Star  

Sliters Lumber & Building Supply, a family-owned hardware store and lumberyard serving the Flathead Valley since the 1930s, has been recognized as Montana's Hardware All-Star in Hardware & Building Supply Dealer Magazine. 

The magazine's annual Hardware All-Stars program recognizes one business from each state that demonstrates exceptional performance, community engagement and customer service. Sliters, with its three locations in Bigfork, Somers and Lakeside, has been recognized for its deep community roots and its "P.A.C.T." with customers, promising professional service, a can-do attitude, commitment to customers and community, and teamwork.

Andrew Sliter, president of Sliters Lumber & Building Supply, said it’s an honor to be named Montana’s Hardware All-Star.  

“This recognition reflects our team's dedication to providing outstanding service and building strong relationships within the community,” Sliter said. “The ‘P.A.C.T.’ is how the business operates, and it is wonderful to see it recognized by a national publication."

Sliters has a long history of community involvement, supporting many charity projects and initiatives. Everit and Grata Sliter founded the store in the 1930s, and it remains family-owned and operated.