Speaker Racene Friede

Racene Friede (pronounced Ray Seen Free Dee)

President CEO

Western Montan’s Glacier Country – Missoula, Montana

With a career that spans 30 years—18 with Western Montana’s Glacier Country—Racene has worked with her board, partners, stakeholders, community and industry—at the local, state and national levels—to navigate the evolution of the visitor economy from a time when tourism was beginning to find its footing as an economic driver to present day being one of the top two industries in Montana. She wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of the travel industry for Montana, and her commitment is not only professional but deeply personal as she strives to showcase the beauty and opportunities that her cherished state has to offer while at the same time helping communities create a diverse economic base that compliments and aligns with the character and identity of each.

Education:

• 1988 – 1992  Montana State University (Bachelor of Arts in Communications – Mass Communications)

Work History:

• 1994 – 1999  Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce (CVB Coordinator)
• 2000 – 2007  Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative (Marketing Representative)
• 2008 – present Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission aka Western Montana’s Glacier Country (President CEO)

Boards/Associations:

Montana Chamber of Commerce – Board Member (past)

Tourism Matters to Montana – founding member and current program facilitator

Voices of Montana Tourism – founding member and Board Chair (current)

Blackfoot Challenge – 13 Board Member for 13 years, Education Committee Chair (past)

Destinations International – Advocacy Committee Member (current), Sustainability Committee Member (past)

Heather is married to Brad Walter, who was also born and raised in Polson, and they have two boys – Rokton (10) and Quaid (7).