June 4, 2007 (Bigfork, MT) — The Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission recently hired Racene Friede as its new Executive Director. Friede has more than eight years of experience in the Montana travel and tourism industry, as well as an additional seven years of marketing experience.

“I am very excited to have been chosen as the Glacier Country Executive Director,” said Friede. “Sharing this incredible region with others is not only a privilege, but is necessary to our economic well-being. I look forward to continuing the outstanding work of Glacier Country and its partners.”

Friede attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in speech communication-communication studies. She most recently worked for Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative as a marketing representative. She also served as the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director, in addition to completing terms on the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Yellowstone Country Tourism Region Board of Directors.

Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission, a nonprofit organization, receives the majority of its funding from a statewide four percent “bed tax.” Glacier Country is dedicated to a balanced partnership among Flathead, Glacier, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli and Sanders counties to effectively market the region to visitors, and to educate the public regarding the value of tourism while encouraging respect for the area’s outstanding natural environment and quality of life.