Glacier National Park Receives "Agency of the Year" Award from SBA

Date: November 20, 2008
Contact: Amy Vanderbilt, 406 888-5838

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Chas Cartwright, Superintendent of Glacier National Park announces that the Montana District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has chosen the National Park Service at Glacier National Park as its Agency of the Year.  Michelle Johnston, District Director of the SBA in Helena and Robert Much, Lead Business Development Specialist, presented the award at park headquarters on Tuesday, November 4.  The award recognizes Glacier National Park's achievements in support of the (8)a Business Development Program.

According to Cartwright, “Special congratulations are due to Neil Brewster; Glacier’s recently retired Contracting Officer. Brewster retired in July after 33 years of government service, 27 of which were spent working at Glacier National Park.”

Brewster was singled out as the primary reason for Glacier's success.  This is the second time in recent years that Brewster has been recognized by the SBA for his assistance, encouragement, and support for minority-owned businesses in government contracting. The SBA previously presented the Agency of the Year award to Brewster in September 2005. According to Michelle Johnston, “Firms in the SBA’s Montana 8(a) Business Development Program were awarded 44 contracts worth $24,562,431 in 2008, due in large part to the unwavering support of procuring offices like the National Park Service. Glacier National Park has been a leader in ensuring that minority businesses throughout Montana have access to government contracting opportunities.”

Jonathan Allen took over as Glacier’s Contracting Officer in July when he moved to northwest Montana from Rapid City, SD; Allen was a Contracting Officer in the 28th Contracting Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Brewster continues as a part-time contract employee working for the Intermountain Region of the NPS, stationed at Glacier.

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Editor’s Note:  A digital image of Michelle Johnston and Robert Much presenting the SBA award to Neil Brewster is available by scrolling over the word "award" or by calling the Public Affairs Office.