MSU Billings Foundation & Alumni hires permanent President and CEO
MSU BILLINGS NEWS—Montana State University Billings Foundation & Alumni Board of Trustees announces Krista Montague as the permanent President & CEO of the MSU Billings Foundation and Alumni effective immediately. Montague has been serving as the Interim President since December 2021, a few weeks after the former President & CEO Bill Kennedy announced his retirement.
“I’m very pleased to announce the appointment of Krista Montague as the new President/CEO of the MSUB Foundation & Alumni. She comes in with a great deal of prior experience and has both an undergraduate and graduate degree from MSUB. Krista is an accomplished member of the Billings community, and we feel she will add encouragement to the scholarships and other financial support systems that can be provided by the MSUB Foundation,” said MSU Billings Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Don Roberts. “She knows that the ability to provide financial assistance to students at MSUB can be a paradigm changer for their lives, and she is able to recognize what this can mean for the future of the Billings community. We’re looking forward to working with her in the future.”
Montague has been leading the MSUB Foundation & Alumni for the past three months and has made positive strides, providing stability and structure during the transition in leadership. She has helped secure multiple gifts and donations in her short time and the Board of Trustees is confident in her ability to continue to grow the organization.
“I am extremely honored to be chosen as the permanent CEO and President of the MSUB Foundation & Alumni,” said Krista Montague. “During my three months here, I have already learned so much and can see the tremendous potential we have to support MSUB and its students. I want to thank Chairman Roberts and the Board of Trustees for their support and this tremendous opportunity. I am looking forward to working very hard to represent them and our Foundation with pride and honor. Our Foundation plays a critical role in the success of the University and I am honored to lead the effort. MSUB is a special place and I look forward to working with the Foundation staff, University leadership, Board of Trustees, and our community to help take it to the next level.”
MSUB Chancellor Stefani Hicswa adds, “I am excited to work with Krista in this capacity. Her background and experience are a perfect fit. The MSUB Foundation & Alumni are in great hands with Krista at the helm.”
During Montague’s time as MSUB’s athletic director, she oversaw a budget that relied heavy on fundraising to help support 16 varsity sports. She also oversaw the completion of a seven-year partnership with Avitus Group, securing the naming rights of MSUB’s softball field through 2024. The Annual Yellowjacket Athletics Dinner Auction and Golf Tournament saw great success under Montague’s leadership, with proceeds benefitting scholarships for student-athletes. Montague was also successful in negotiating and helping raise funds to expand and improve the MSUB weight room, soccer field, team locker rooms, and fitness center. Her contribution to the community includes service to various national, state, and local organizations.
Montague holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from MSU Billings in addition to recently earning her Montana real estate license. She lives in Billings with her husband Brent and has two daughters, Shayla and Allie.
For more information, contact Maureen Brakke, director of Communications and Marketing at Maureen.brakke@msubillings.edu