Montana

Montana Roofing Leaders Breaking Barriers and Building a Brighter Future

Published

8 months ago

May 6, 2024

Montana Roofing Leaders Breaking Barriers and Building a Brighter Future

Montana
has its fair share of unique roofing challenges. Seasonality limits
timelines, while the varying landscapes and climates demand resilient
roofing systems. However, the expansive state also faces challenges that
roofing contractors everywhere understand.

Labor shortages
continue to hamper roofing companies, compounded by the difficulties of
recruiting younger generations more interested in being “influencers”
than climbing onto a roof. But in the Treasure State, two gems are
shining in the Montana Roofing Association’s crown, which indicates a
bright future for the industry.

At its 35th annual convention in
January, the MRA chose Morgan Thiel and Rachel Hoover as its president
and vice president, respectively, marking the first time in the
association’s history women held both roles. The move represents the
association’s desire to see the next generation lead the way and an
increased effort to make roofing more inclusive.

“I feel like
we’re in a unique space where we’ve both come from companies that have
really championed women – about half of my company is women,” Hoover
said. “I think that we’re seeing the desire to have more women in the
space because of the unique things we bring.”

Thiel and Hoover participating in the 2024 National Women in Roofing Days in Las Vegas. Photos courtesy of Rachel Hoover.

Madams President and Vice President

Thiel
is a third-generation roofer — her father and uncle co-own Thiel Bros.
Roofing in Sidney, Mont., and she grew up working at the family business
during summers, something she continued to do in college. After
finishing her post-secondary education, she returned to work full-time
in 2018.

Her official title is project coordinator, but she dons
several hats in the company, whether handling project paperwork, running
machines or working on a roof.

“I felt very welcomed at every
level in this industry. And I think that’s a really good sign moving
forward,” Thiel said. “I know a lot of women did push through more
uncomfortable times for us to kind of get where we are, but yeah, I
think that’s a really positive direction that the roofing industry is
going.”

Thiel Bros. Roofing is also a founding member of the
Montana Roofing Association. As a result, Thiel attended MRA conventions
as a child, especially when her parents ran the events. Two years after
joining the company full-time, some of the members asked if she would
join the MRA’s convention committee. She took them up on the offer,
continuing a family legacy.

A year after that, Thiel became vice
president of the MRA, a position she held for three years until she
became president in 2024.

Hoover’s journey into roofing began two
years ago when she joined Ace Roofing in Wilsall, Mont., as its director
of marketing. However, it’s not her only connection to the industry.
Hoover’s grandfather owned a roofing company in Montana, which was also a
founding association member.

“It was really fun [connecting] with Morgan’s dad and uncle and hear stories about my grandpa,” Hoover said.

Ace
Roofing’s founder and president, Jake Magalsky, had served as president
of the MRA. In 2023, he asked Hoover if she would serve on the
association’s convention committee. Hoover was glad to step into the
role, where she worked alongside Thiel. When Thiel became president,
Hoover was elected vice president and chair of the convention committee.

Her
experience with event marketing, sponsorships, developing growth
strategies and community involvement through Ace Roofing have made her
an asset to the MRA.

“I’m not the one putting roofs on, but it’s an important role and something that I really enjoy doing,” Hoover said.

Although Thiel and Hoover may be a minority in the roofing industry, the duo’s rise to the top leadership positions is no fluke.

“I
think that the members that voted us in obviously see the value in
having some newer people that maybe are a little bit more innovative or
looking at [how] we can change things to make things better,” Hoover
said.

The Montana Roofing Association’s annual golf outing benefits its Cameron Sauter Memorial Scholarship. The program has granted more than $40,000 in scholarships since 1994.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Changing
things for the better includes bringing more women into the workforce.
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, in 2019,
women made up approximately 2% of the roofing labor force, one point
more than a decade earlier.

“A lot of people don’t really know
about it as an option,” Thiel said. “We’re from a small town in a remote
area, but a lot of people don’t really even know what we do or what
working at a roofing company looks like until they come and try it out.”

In
addition to the MRA initiatives, a Montana-Wyoming chapter of National
Women in Roofing is slowly but surely growing in membership. Thiel, who
heads the chapter, expressed that there can be difficulties bringing
people together in such a massive state, but the efforts are paying off.

“We
try to get a women’s lunch going at all our MRA events to grow that,”
Thiel said. “It’s incorporating those events to give women a place in a
[fairly] male-dominated industry.”

Thiel and Hoover emphasize
education as one of the cornerstones of their approach, drawing
inspiration from groups like the NRCA. Among their strategies are
reaching out to people seeking a different career and working with
schools to present roofing as a viable career path.

“Women are
really good with technical details and tend to be better at taking care
of paperwork and reports along with running a lot of the machinery we
operate that is more detail-oriented, so there are definitely companies
looking for women for specific roles,” Thiel said.

Looking to the Future

The
efforts go beyond gender. The MRA is pursuing ways to reach other
minorities in roofing and younger generations. This has included
bringing guest speakers to its conventions and seeking information and
resources from manufacturer partners.

“It’s shifting the
perception away from ‘it’s a summer job’ to a legitimate career path,
not just for women, but for men too,” Hoover said. “Most of the people
in our organization didn’t think they were going to go into roofing, and
they found a place and they made a good career out of it.”

Technology,
as a solution for making roofing more efficient with fewer workers,
continues to gain steam, though the construction industry is
traditionally a late adopter. Montana’s diverse landscape and remote
locations mean roofing companies vary wildly in what products they use,
whether on the roof or in the office, so making suggestions to MRA
membership isn’t one-size-fits-all.

“Everyone is struggling with
workforce issues these days, so this is just one way we’re looking to
solve that issue,” Thiel said.

Thiel admits her company might be
“behind the curve” in implementing technology but understands why —
companies with more extensive legacies have innate understandings of how
their operations work, so the urge to modernize can become an
afterthought.

“We’re pretty much always looking for something that
can work for us; it’s been a bit of a challenge finding programs that
will fit what we do, specifically us because, since we’re in such a
remote area, we do a lot of different things to serve our region,” Thiel
said.

By comparison, Ace Roofing has adopted various software
programs to streamline its operations. However, Hoover cautions that
companies must ensure they’re not bringing on tech simply because it is
new.

The duo points out that adopting technology is more than
using modern software and drones. The latest gadgets, tools and
equipment make roof applications easier than in past decades, and as
more advancements to roofing products hit the market, equipping crews
with them can make the job more appealing to those who perceive it as
grueling work.

“I think the other part of it, too, is I think
we’re all a bit unique. [Ace Roofing has] a fairly young team,
millennials and some Gen Z, so I think those generations are very eager
to implement new technology if it means working smarter, not harder,
which is great,” Hoover said.

The association’s approach to
tackling all these issues is multi-pronged. For instance, Hoover said
the MRA’s political committee has been active, meeting with state
lawmakers and representatives as recently as last March to garner
support for the industry.

“I think we’re involved in things on
multiple levels, making sure we’re serving the roofers of Montana and
serving our industry the best we can,” said Hoover.

Of course,
it’s not all work and no play for the MRA. The association holds an
annual golf tournament to support its scholarship and is hosting its
third annual fishing trip at Flathead Lake in July.

As they lead
the MRA into the future, Thiel and Hoover are grateful for the
association and the support they’ve received from its membership. Both
readily seek advice to fill the gaps in their knowledge.

“We have a
lot of older members who have been around a long time and have a great
deal of knowledge, experience, and wisdom that guide us a lot,” Thiel
said. “We have a lot of people who have grown up, like me, [as] children
of founding members that are in leadership positions now, which is cool
to see, and then we also have quite a few new people stepping in … it’s
cool to see different perspectives from different groups.”

Hoover agreed that having that depth of information has been invaluable.

“I
feel like they’ve really kind of taken us under their wing; they’ve
been mentoring us and giving us advice on the things that work [and] the
things that haven’t, and it’s just been such an amazing wealth of
knowledge,” she said.

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Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Dec. 22, 2024

Published

8 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

04-07-37-43-47, Lucky Ball: 08

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-12-23-27, Bonus: 06

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9:00 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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FCS Championship Game: Montana St vs NDSU Tale of the Tape | Opta Analyst

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

FCS Championship Game: Montana St vs NDSU Tale of the Tape | Opta Analyst

It’s a dream matchup, with No. 1 seed Montana State considered a slight favorite over No. 2 seed North Dakota State heading into the 2024 FCS championship game. As they build off rousing semifinal-round wins, we preview what to expect when each finalist has the ball.

If it feels like Montana State and North Dakota State are standing in opposite corners staring across at each other, you have it right.

The 2024 FCS championship game is a heavyweight bout between the top two seeds from an original 24-team field that embarked on the Road to Frisco.

Come the night of the Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Montana State (15-0) will have spent over two months as the FCS’ last unbeaten team. But the No. 1-seeded Bobcats’ last defeat occurred against NDSU – a 35-34 overtime thriller in the 2023 playoff second round.

The No. 2-seeded Bison (13-2) are back where most of their recent seasons have gone. They’ve already captured nine FCS championships prior to their 11th appearance in Frisco since the 2011 season – both all-time highs for the Division I subdivision.

A tale of the tape suggests a lot with this season’s FCS championship game. Maybe Michael Buffer should be brought in for pregame introductions.

When Montana State Has the Ball

Incredibly, the Bobcats have scored in 54 of their 60 quarters this season while averaging an FCS-high 41.3 points per game. They want to pound the run – plain and simple.

Coach Brent Vigen’s squad ranks No. 2 in the FCS in rushing yards per game (301.0), with their devasting attack set up by an offensive line whose five starters are all listed as being at least 6-foot-4, 300 pounds (right tackle Marcus Wehr is a two-time first-team All-American).

North Dakota State rarely surrenders 85 rushing yards to an opposing quarterback, but that’s what Tommy Mellott needs for the Bobcats to gain a third 1,000-yard rusher along with their standout running backs, the physical Scottre Humphrey (1,360 yards, 15 touchdowns) and the big-play Adam Jones (1,134, 14). Mellott has 15 career games of 100+ rushing yards, including in their last two playoff wins.

Graphic by Graham Bell.

Ty McCullouch is by far Montana State’s top pass catcher over his two seasons in the program, but fellow wide receiver Taco Dowler has been the go-to target of Mellott (2,564 yards, 29 TDs to just two interceptions) during the playoffs, catching four touchdowns across the three wins.

The NDSU program has long subscribed to the concept that field goals won’t beat it, and the Bison have done well to defend their red zone, allowing touchdowns on just 57.9% of their opponents’ opportunities.

The defense, anchored by tackle Eli Mostaert, allows 119.3 rushing yards per game. The Bobcats, though, have been over 200 rushing yards in each of their playoff wins.

When North Dakota State Has the Ball

NDSU’s offense is different in coach Tim Polasek’s first season from many recent years.

Oh yes, the Bison still flex their muscle with a ground game that’s paved by a huge starting offensive line (it’s a little bigger than Montana State’s, with tackles Grey Zabel and Mason Miller as anchors).

But Bison quarterback Cam Miller, whose 44 career wins as a starter include against the Bobcats in the 2021 FCS championship game, has set career highs in most passing statistics, including completions (239), completion percentage (72.6), passing yards (3,052) and TD passes (31).

NDSU’s 225.9 overall passing yards per game mark their highest average since 2007 and are nearly 26 more per game than in any other season since then. The breakout season of wide receiver Bryce Lance (66 receptions, 964 yards, NDSU-record 16 TD catches) has contributed significantly to it happening.

fcs-championship-game-ndsu-vs-montana-state — *Graphic by Graham Bell.*

Make no mistake, the Bison’s 192.7 rushing yards per game are excellent, ranking 20th out of 129 FCS teams. However, in a program that’s been ground and pound over time, it’s the lowest average since the first FCS title season in 2011.

A recent toe injury has slowed top rusher CharMar Brown (1,104 yards, 14 TDs), but Barika Kpeenu has over 1,200 yards the last two seasons and Miller’s been over 500 rushing yards in three straight seasons.

NDSU’s six turnovers are the fewest in the FCS, but Montana State’s defense is disruptive. Half of the Bobcats’ 36 sacks have come in their last five games – defensive ends Brody Grebe and Kenneth Eiden IV have a combined for 16.5 this season – and 12 different players have at least one takeaway.

And Then There’s the FCS National Awards

Montana State and North Dakota State also will see a lot of each other at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet – two nights before the FCS championship game.

Vigen will receive the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS coach of the year and Brown will receive the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS freshman player of the year (Jones was second in the voting). Additionally, the Walter Payton Award for FCS offensive player of the year is down to Mellott, Miller and Southern Utah running back Targhee Lambson.

Top Photo: Montana State vs. NDSU in 2023 FCS playoffs. (Garrett Becker/MSU Athletics)

Follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

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Montana State’s Touchdown Tommy Leads Wyoming Supporting Cast Into FCS Title Game

Published

24 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Montana State’s Touchdown Tommy Leads Wyoming Supporting Cast Into FCS Title Game

BOZEMAN, Mont. — With eight and a half minutes left in the second quarter, Tommy Mellott — aka Touchdown Tommy, aka The Boy From Butte — ran a quarterback draw straight up the middle, dodging several South Dakota defensive players.

Just a few yards from the end zone, Touchdown Tommy elevated like a Marvel superhero and dove for the goal line. A South Dakota defender upended his legs, flipping Mellott, who landed on the turf just shy of scoring.

On the next play, Mellot handed off to Scottre Humphrey for the go-ahead score Saturday in the FCS semifinals at Bobcat Stadium, putting the home team up 21-14. The Cats never looked back as they punished the Coyotes with physical play on defense and magical moves by Mr. Mellott.

Mellott went on to lead the undefeated Bobcats to a 15th straight victory 31-17 over South Dakota and a trip to the FCS national championship game Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas.

Four MSU teammates with Wyoming roots will be with Mellott playing for the title.

Meanwhile on the South Dakota sideline, Garrett Coon of Sheridan wore shorts and a sweatshirt during the unseasonably warm game. He didn’t dress out in Bozeman, but his brother Colson on the opposite MSU sideline did.

Along with Coon, Montana State boasts three other players who played high school football in Wyoming.

These supporting cast members in the Tommy Mellott show include Dane and Brock Steel, also both from Sheridan, and Jake Vigen, son of MSU Head Coach Brent Vigen, who spent seven years as an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

Coach Brent Vigen, former assistant at the University of Wyoming, is beloved in Bozeman. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
MSU transfer, current South Dakota player and former Sheridan Bronc Garrett Coon did not dress for the game against his former team, missing the chance to blast down the sideline past his brother, MSU running back Colson Coon. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
Laramie’s loss, Bozeman’s gain: No. 44 Jake Vigen left Laramie High to play for Gallatin High School in Bozeman. He’s now a sophomore defensive end playing for his father’s undefeated Bobcats. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
Coach Brent Vigen, former assistant at the University of Wyoming, is beloved in Bozeman. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
Sheridan product Dane Steel is a freshman wide receiver for Montana State. His brother Brock is a sophomore defensive back. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
A sold out crowd packed the parking lot around Bobcat Stadium before the semifinal showdown with South Dakota. Ryan Harris, Montana State University class of 2011, made the trip up from Golden, Colorado, and brought a hat made with a real bobcat pelt. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
A sold out crowd packed the parking lot around Bobcat Stadium before the semifinal showdown with South Dakota. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)
Drum Major Major Dani Espiritu led Montana State’s Spirit of the West Marching Band throughout the spirited game. (David Madison, Cowboy State Daily)

Looks Like An Average Guy

Mellott stands a modest 6 feet tall, weighs 208 pounds and looks like the living cliché of the nice boy next door.

But on the field, the pride of Butte High School is a cold-blooded offensive assassin.

Now preparing for the final game of his college career, Mellott continues to rack up the accolades.

He was named Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP and a top three finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Coming into the game against South Dakota, Mellott led the nation in points responsible for (246) and passing efficiency (183.21).

Mellott has thrown 259 passes, completing 182 for 2,430 yards and 28 touchdowns on just two interceptions. Mellott also has rushed for 790 yards with 14 rushing touchdowns. His 8.6 yards per carry would lead the nation if he qualified for that NCAA stat, according to the American Football Coaches Association.

He squats as much as an offensive tackle and can outrun some FCS receivers. He’s well-known around Montana, but one of the most under-the-radar football talents now catching the attention of NFL scouts.

“Tommy Mellott, a dual-threat quarterback from Montana State, has emerged as an intriguing prospect for the NFL Draft,” reports nfldraftbuzz.com. “He ranks seventh in Montana State history with 2,474 career rushing yards and is tied for third with 29 rushing touchdowns. His passing ability has also improved, accumulating 3,241 career passing yards, good for 10th in school history. In 2023, Mellott was named Second Team All-Big Sky and won the FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, showcasing his academic prowess as a financial engineering major.

“In the 2021 playoffs, he became the first player to catch, throw, and rush for a touchdown in the first 16 minutes of a game against Sam Houston State.”

Mellott’s size could limit his opportunities as an NFL QB, but he might turn heads as a Wes Welker- or Julian Edelman-style slot receiver at the next level.

On To Frisco

The Bobcats will carry a lot of emotion into the national championship game vs. North Dakota State in Frisco, Texas.

Coach Vigen played for the Bison, then started his coaching career in Fargo. North Dakota State is also Montana State’s biggest rival after the Grizzlies at the University of Montana.

That’s because the Bison have trampled the Bobcats five times, ending their seasons and leaving hoofprints all over their game plans for a national championship.

But now a former Bison is leading the Cats as Montana State, powered by Mellott, competes for its first title since 1984.

David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.

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