Bill Gupton was hired as the new MSU-Northern Foundation Executive Director and started work on May 1 st, 2007. Gupton was in business in New Mexico but worked in many states through his consulting business and that is how he became interested in Montana. On his first visit to Montana, his first question was "why do people live here?" The question "was answered quickly: the lifestyle, the simplicity of it, the self sufficiency of the people who take responsibility for their actions, and the lack of ostentatious display of money." He had been looking for a way to come to Montana to live when he returned on a business trip in the late 90's and drove the route up from Billings. By the time he reached the Grass Range area he felt a definite pull and decided "I want to live here" and needed to figure out a way to make it happen.

He was interested in this position because it was a good fit for his background and experience which is in leadership and management consulting; the tie was a consulting job working on a project for Northern Montana Hospital in Havre. "MSU-Northern is an asset to this entire region and it needs to be appreciated by everyone. The Foundation has an important roll to play in a generalized, cohesive marketing effort for Northern." He will bring his marketing expertise to look outside the box, from someone who has lived outside the box. Bill is currently formulating both along term and short term effort to promote the opportunities available at Northern. He quickly formed an appreciation for the things that have been done by the Foundation and praises Tom

Reynolds work here using "amazing" and "awesome," to describe Tom's work tapping into local resources and people in a "remarkable way." "Tom is an awesome individual and has been very successful facilitating the Foundation accomplishments."

The Northern Alumni Association and the MSU-Northern Foundation are separate groups, but often work closely together. Gupton says that "they are like a hand and glove, sharing the same mission, working with the same population base of alumni. Alumni are the biggest selling point and the Foundation should facilitate that ...they are the greatest advocates. There are tremendous challenges and tremendous opportunities for Northern and we can decide how to deal with it."

On a personal note, responding to the questions what has been the most surprising about living in Havre and what required the most adjustment, he said, "how easy it is to get around here. It's the most amazing thing in the world to leave for lunch at 11:57 a.m. instead of 11:30 a.m. and not worry about the crowds. Elsewhere everything is long lines and places you just don't want to go on the weekends like the grocery stores. It was an easy adjustment. This is Paradise to me; it would take a stick of dynamite to get me out. The Hi Line is a unique part of America and Havre is a hub." He was surprised to note that you don't often see neighbors outside visiting with each other, but knows that they look out for each other and take care of the neighborhoods. He was shocked to see 2 and 3 second graders walking home alone and to see children out playing and riding bikes on their own. "We need to protect this lifestyle and cherish and appreciate it." He is in a committed and happy family relationship and for fun and recreation, he likes to be outdoors biking, hiking, walking and running.