Few, if any, landowners in Montana are asked to give up property rights in exchange for hypothetical 'credit' in an unrelated public discussion about the use of public lands. Montana landowners are not known for relinquishing valid existing property rights.

In the 1980s, we responded to what we were seeing in the market from an investment opportunity point of view. We really were developing this practice on our own. It was complementary to PNC's focus on the smaller end of the middle market, but in terms of our context, we were building sources for deals and deal referrals on our own.

When you follow the demographic trends, there was a lot of business formation back in the middle-1940s continuing through the 1970s. Now transactions are being driven by ownership transitions or estate planning.

We know we have a long ways to go with the Missoula public.

Whether my house was open or not, the noise was just as bad. ... It was like someone constantly pounding on the house.

Our target for the year is to invest in four to six new companies.

I do not think the duty to cooperate necessarily includes the duty to include the state in the loop in the settlement process. These settlement negotiations sometimes extend over months and years. To have the state at the plaintiff 's side would be a logistical problem.

We use the opportunity to share and make introductions.