Celebrating FFA Week: Honoring the Roots That Shape Opportunity Bank of Montana

At Opportunity Bank of Montana, agriculture is part of our identity. Across our branches, many employees were raised in agriculture themselves. The leadership skills and real-world experience they gained from participating in FFA continues to guide the way they support producers today.

As we celebrate National FFA Week, from February 21-28, we’re proud to share stories from employees whose FFA roots continue to influence how they serve our communities and customers.

For many employees, FFA was their first experience with leadership and personal growth.

Growing up in Winifred, Jada Weber, now a Commercial Ag Loan Officer at our Denton branch, found her footing through competitive events. “I enjoyed traveling for competitions and gathering skills and knowledge, whether in Sales, Livestock Judging, Agronomy, or Public Speech,” she said. “I continued my involvement in college by volunteering for the state convention.”  The confidence she built in those early years now helps her connect with customers as she learns about their operations and supports their goals.

Similarly, Madison Michael, a Compliance Manager located in Townsend, discovered her strengths through competition. During four years of high school FFA, and later in Collegiate FFA, she competed at the national level in Agronomy, and won or placed in a number of contests at the state level. “FFA prepared me for leadership and life by showing the reward of studying and working quickly through problems on the fly,” she explained. Those lessons in communication and quick thinking became foundational to her professional path.

For others, the influence of a single advisor changed everything. Karlie Mills, at our Ashland location, credits the lasting impact from her FFA advisor, for where she is today in her career. That encouragement led her to compete at the state level and, ultimately, to understand the depth of her own capability.

“FFA taught me how to have grit, be tough, but kind, and to be dedicated to all that you participate in,” Mills said. “Through FFA I have made life-long friendships and have gained skills that aid me in my job today.” Today, those values guide her as a Commercial Ag Loan Officer Trainee, helping her relate to the resilience and determination of her customers.

FFA’s impact often extends far beyond high school graduation.

Mary Forbes, who remembers attending conventions and touring dairy farms, said those early opportunities broadened her understanding of agriculture. “It was fun to see how a dairy farm is managed. Those experiences gave me a broader perspective on agriculture,” she said.  That perspective now influences the way she serves customers as a Relationship Banker at our Dutton branch.

Decades of experience also shape Billings Market President Bruce Glennie’s connection to FFA. As the 1984 Star State Farmer, a State FFA Secretary, and later a Friend of FFA Award recipient, he credits the organization with developing the leadership skills that have guided his career. “FFA has had a tremendous impact on my life. The leadership skills learned as a State Officer have served me well throughout my career in banking,” he shared.

FFA’s influence also extends to other employees who took their experiences to the national stage. Angie Roberts, Relationship Banker at our Big Timber branch, competed in Floriculture at the National FFA Convention, an experience that she credits to helping her cultivate responsibility, communication skills, and confidence. “FFA played a huge role in shaping who I am today. I had the opportunity to serve as a chapter officer, which helped me grow as a leader and learn the importance of responsibility and teamwork,” she said. She now draws on those same skills while supporting customers.

Many Opportunity Bank employees continue to support FFA long after their student years have ended.

Few embody this commitment more fully than Great Falls Market President Matt McKamey, whose involvement spans decades. He has directed the Montana FFA Alumni Leadership Camp, served on the State Officer Nominating Committee, and mentored countless young leaders. Reflecting on his own years in FFA, he said, “the leadership development that occurred served as a foundation for leadership opportunities I have experienced throughout my career.”  His dedication was recognized in 2024 when he received the Honorary American FFA Degree, one of the organization’s highest honors.

Another example of continued involvement comes from Business Relationship Director Brandi Schweigert, who remains deeply connected to FFA both personally and through volunteer work. “FFA is a valuable place to grow leadership skills, real world production opportunities, and build a network of people,” she said. “Today, I volunteer with the FFA Alumni by judging various FFA competitions and participating in fundraisers so we can assist the FFA Chapter with their goals.” Her ongoing commitment ensures that local chapters have the support, resources, and mentorship they need to thrive.

FFA’s influence also stretches across generations within families. Bobi Jo Boeh, manager in Livingston, shared that her daughter is currently involved in both 4‑H and FFA, and their family remains active volunteers in their local chapter. “My daughter is involved in both 4-H and FFA. We also volunteer for the local FFA chapter,” she said.

As we celebrate National FFA Week, we recognize the employees whose lives were shaped by the blue corduroy jacket and whose work continues to reflect the FFA motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

Their stories, from competing in livestock judging to leading state officer teams, from learning confidence to mentoring today’s students, remind us that agriculture is built on people who show up with heart, integrity, and purpose.

This year, Opportunity Bank of Montana is proud to carry that commitment forward through our continued support of the Montana State FFA Convention, held in Great Falls from March 31–April 4. We are honored to serve as the Saturday General Session Sponsor and as a Day of Service Sponsor, supporting an event that aligns with the values our own employees learned during their time in FFA.

The Day of Service will bring together approximately 250 FFA members for a large‑scale community service effort. Students will assemble 40,000 shelf‑stable meal packages, each one designed to feed a family of eight, for food banks, food pantries, and similar organizations across Montana. Once assembled at convention, chapters will take these meals back to their hometowns, distributing them directly to local families in need.

At Opportunity Bank of Montana, we are proud to stand alongside Montana’s agricultural families and celebrate the next generation of leaders.