Townie of the Year
2025 - Mike Nugent, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties
Mike Nugent exemplifies the values and mission that the Missoula Midtown Association (MMA) strives to uphold – promoting and enhancing the quality of life and place for businesses, residents, and visitors alike – through his actions as a dedicated public servant, community advocate, local business owner, and a longtime supporter of the MMA.
In his role as City Councilor for one of the key districts that makes up Midtown, Mike has consistently been a strong and thoughtful voice in addressing resident concerns, advocating for policies that support local businesses, and pushing forward initiatives that strengthen the district’s vitality, proving that his leadership is deeply rooted in a desire to see the community thrive.
Mike continues to play a central role in major development efforts – most notably the Southgate Crossing property, the Transform Brooks Connect Midtown, and the North MRL Triangle property redevelopment for which he has consistently shown commitment in attempting to understand concerns and pursue potential solutions that reflect his compassion, practicality, and shared responsibility.
Beyond his work in policy and planning, Mike is a visible and engaged member of the community. He is a consistent presence at our monthly Midtown Mixer events — many of which his business, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServces Montana Properties has generously hosted (including one of the first Mixers ever held, years ago). He also is a part owner of Paradise Falls and has helped shepherd their membership and involvement.
His support for Midtown has remained unwavering over the years, not just as a public official, but as a neighbor, business owner, and advocate who consistently encourages others to get involved. Mike embodies the spirit and values of the Missoula Midtown Association to a marked degree, and we are thrilled to recognize his contributions to our community!
2024 - Heather Foster, Missoula Family YMCA
Heather Foster, CEO of the Missoula Family YMCA, who was awarded the prestigious “Townie of the Year” Award for leading the Missoula YMCA’s $20 million Russell Street campus revitalization project and for her incredible commitment to providing free and inclusive programming to Midtown families and seniors. The Y’s new Phyllis Washington Early Child Care Center opens this Summer with additional phases of construction to be completed through next year. Midtown widely considers the Y its community center and Heather was recognized for her hard work ensuring the Y will serve Missoula well for decades to come.
The award, sponsored by Jackson Contractor Group, recognizes a Missoulian who exemplifies the mission of the Association through their commitment to maintaining a healthy business community and enhancing the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.
2023 - Ellen Buchanan, Missoula Redevelopment Agency
The award, co-presented by Farmers State Bank and Jackson Contractor Group, recognizes a Missoulian who exemplifies the mission of the Association through their commitment to maintaining a healthy business community and enhancing the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.
Ellen Buchanan is the Director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, where for two decades she has been the behind-the-scenes leader guiding the creation of Mary Avenue’s extension across the Southgate Mall parking lot, the transformation of a railroad property into the well-loved MRL park, the redevelopment of a shuttered KMART into the South Crossing with restaurants and retail spaces, and she helped with the creation of the Missoula Midtown Association as one of our founding volunteers who saw the potential in organizing businesses and residents to have a voice in Missoula’s future.
“Ellen has spent countless hours guiding our organization in the Midtown Master Plan process,” Lauren Hutchison, Midtown Board President said. “We are incredibly grateful for her years of advocacy, her vision and her ability to help make big goals a reality to ensure residents and businesses in the center of this valley have a vibrant and accessible place to live and work.”
Nominees for the 2023 Townie of the Year included Ellen Buchanan of the MRA, Scott Burke of First Security Bank, and Glenn Marangelo of the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium.
2022 - Debbie Williams, Trempers Shopping Center and Kent Plaza
Debbie Williams and her family own and manage Trempers Shopping Center and Kent Plaza. Her grandfather built Trempers over 60 years ago and as a fourth-generation Missoulian, Debbie manages one of the most visible shopping centers on Brooks and does an excellent job maintaining the property and promoting retail, restaurant, and professional services activity in Missoula’s core commercial district. Last year Debbie and her business partners built and opened the Kent Plaza north of Trempers and it has quickly become a showcase for creative commercial redevelopment. In addition, Debbie has been a backbone board member of the Midtown Association since its inception.
“We have heard repeatedly from urban designers and planners that the new Kent Plaza commercial development exemplifies good design and creative repurposing of under-utilized commercial space,” Lauren Hutchison, Midtown Board President said. “In addition to spending hundreds of volunteer hours growing our Association, Debbie supports Missoula businesses in so many ways and her work at Trempers and the Kent Plaza are to be commended.”