The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards gala on Jan. 29 at Grouse Mountain Lodge. The gala’s theme coincided with the Whitefish Winter Carnival LXVI theme, ‘There's SNOW Place Like Home.’ 

True to that message, each citizen and business was honored for putting their hearts into making Whitefish a home for the whole community.  

THE GREAT Whitefish Award was presented to Lisa and Jim Stack, owners of Stack Financial Management and longtime philanthropists. 

“The ‘granddaddy’ of the awards, a ‘heavy-hitter,’ if you will, our equivalent of a lifetime achievement award,” was well deserving for the couple, who’s “energy and entrepreneurial spirit inspire everyone around them,” said Eric Schmidt of First Interstate Bank and 2025 Winter Carnival prime minister.  

“You are authentic, community-oriented, approachable and absolutely brilliant at what you both do,” Schmidt said to the Stacks.  

The Stack’s passion for outdoors and conservation is forefront, Schimdt said.  

They have contributed to the preservation of the Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park and supported Flathead Land Trust’s Owen Sowerwine easement and Whitefish Legacy Partners’ Beaver Lake and Haskill Basin Whitefish Trail sections. 

The Stacks have been committed members of the Whitefish Community Foundation, supported medical advances and most recently, have given a large donation to the new North Valley Music School building.  

“To be honest, I’m not sure if there’s anything around here you guys haven’t supported,” Schmidt said.  

The Stacks have also played a big part in making the chamber’s Fourth of July fireworks show happen every year.  

When the fireworks barge burned down for two consecutive years in 2013 and 2014, it was no surprise the fire department didn’t have staff for a fire boat come 2015.  

Kevin Gartland, executive director of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, said that in that moment, he called Lisa and said, “Lisa, do you think...’ and she said, ‘Stop right there! It’ll be on the water.’” 

Sure enough, that fire boat was on the water in 2015 and has been every year since.  

Jim Stack, who grew up in Cut Bank, anecdotally started remarks by humbly adding “first to fall off the T-bar chair as an 80-pound 9-year-old" to his accolades.  

Lisa Stack, who grew up in Kalispell, began with “I have nothing to say. I’m just so blown away and grateful for this community, and to be involved – to be accepted – in such a personal way, I’m without words.”  

Jim Stack filled in the words then.  

“When I graduated from college, I wanted to live in Montana, but there was only one place I wanted to live, and it was Whitefish,” he said.  

"Like many kids today, I couldn’t afford Whitefish. But I kept that dream... and I built a business, and then I met this one.”  

Lisa Stack said, “we love you all, and we just can’t wait for more and more and more with all of you.”  

CITIZEN of the year was awarded to Tony Veseth. 

“Our recipient is a spicy, hard-working, rose blackberry highline-raised fourth generation Montanan,” said Lauren Walton, Chamber of Commerce visitor specialist, who presented the award to Veseth. 

“From running a successful insurance business, to spending countless volunteer hours with local organizations, and now helping reign over as Winter Carnival Prime Minister, Tony does it all with a positive attitude,” Walton said.  

Along with running a Farm Bureau Financial Services branch in Whitefish, Veseth has dedicated countless hours to the chamber and North Valley Food Bank.  

He has breathed “new life” into the Moose Lodge and served on the tedious, “highly sought-after" position on the city’s Impact Fee Advisory Committee, Walton said.  

Veseth contributed to hosting a workforce housing summit and needs assessment and advocated for part of the city’s resort tax to go toward housing. 

His most recent contribution to North Valley Food Bank included a donation of 100 crockpots.  

Veseth leads by example, demonstrates integrity and embraces people first, Walton said, joking that people can consolidate such goals into one mantra: “Be like Tony.”  

Veseth said, “We have a soul. We have a community here. And as much as we’ve grown, and all the craziness we’ve seen, with these kind of events, it’s what keeps this town having a soul. 

“Find something you’re passionate about. If you can’t open a checkbook, go do some lifting and give back.” 

TOURISM BUSINESS of the year went to the Firebrand Hotel, which “quite frankly, could have won this award a half dozen times over,” Gartland said.  

Both hopes and development controversy were high when the business opened in August 2016, but since then, Gartland said the Firebrand has been “an undisputed success and a big part of what makes Whitefish Whitefish in the 2020s.”  

The Firebrand has filled a niche for a boutique hotel and attracted international interest, while also promoting Whitefish, Gartland said.  

The Firebrand has hosted traditional events such as the Halloween costume contest and the Winter Carnival Grand Parade after-party.  

“Meanwhile, they keep coming up with fun new events, like the Christmas sweater contest and the dropping of the Fish New Year’s Eve party,” Gartland said. 

Gartland added a personal note about the exceptional Firebrand staff.  

“A year ago my brother passed away. He was the night auditor at the Firebrand,” Gartland said. “The employees showed me what it is to have a family at work. My brother – he had a great family at work.” 

Gartland said that visiting family stayed at the Firebrand while honoring his brother. “They felt like they were at home there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

BUSINESS OF the year went to Compass Chiropract owners Andy and Kailey Armor and their crew of seven staff members.  

Alex Hopkins, who nominated the “mom and pop” business, said that they “do an amazing job taking personal interest in every person that walks in their doors. They make you feel incredibly at home and at ease, and they’ve instilled this entire mentality in their entire team as well.”  

Compass has also taken time outside of business hours to promote wellness, therapy for all, and a focus on prenatal care, a statement to being a “backbone” to the community, Hopkins had said.  

A collective statement from seven Compass employees said that open communication and support are key in creating a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.  

The Armors moved to Whitefish from Pittsburgh in 2017  

“It only took one time visiting to feel the magic. We’re a tight knit community,” Kailey Armor said. 

VOLUNTEER of the year was presented to Jason Wheeler, a dedicated chamber supporter and current employee for the vacation rental company I Love Whitefish.  

“He ran the Oktoberfest tent like the Energizer bunny,” Gartland said. “He was the de facto site manager, the guy that everyone yelled for whenever they had a problem. He did everything he could.”  

Wheeler spoke about how he “grew up a drifter military kid.” 

“I’ve traveled around so much. But this place is one of those places... it’s nice to be a part of,” he said.  

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR of the year went to Dodd Talbot. 

A chamber ambassador’s role is to welcome in new members and encourage and engage current members.  

“He’s been an ambassador for a little over a year, but it seems longer than that,” said Debby Webb, the chamber’s membership director, who was presenting the award.  

“Dodd shows a genuine interest in you. Kevin [Gartland] actually introduced him as an ambassador before he was because he just showed up so much,” Webb said.  

Gartland later concurred; “I mean he just acted like an ambassador and was there every day and I just figured he was.” 

At a Chamber meeting earlier this year, Talbott said that the word of 2025 was “unbelievable,” because it could be a pro or con. 

“But when we think about Dodd, he’s only unbelievable in a positive way,” Webb said.  

Talbot joked that “all of us are ambassadors” anyway.  

“I mean, does anyone give a damn if you're the first or second or third or whatever bank?” Talbot said. “We do what we do. We go out and tell everyone how great our town is.”