We recently added a new team member to our Big Sky Finance Department in our Helena, MT office, Aaron Pratt! Aaron answered some questions for us to help us and you get to know him a little better! Please welcome Aaron to the BSED team!
What town do you now call home?
Helena (I never thought I would return to my hometown, but I love it here!)
Where did you grow up?
Helena.
Career background before joining the BSED team?
I have worked in commercial lending, green building, consulting, and community, economic, and business development in Portland, London, and Montana.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’ve run the Hood-to-Coast relay from Mt. Hood to Seaside, Oregon 5 times. My parents both grew up on dairy farms that have each been in our family for over 100 years, and my favorite times as a kid were spent there. I’ve had speeding tickets in 7 states (but I now drive much, much slower).
What’s your favorite snack?
Pita chips and hummus.
What was your first job?
Bagging groceries at Albertson’s.
How do you prefer to start your day?
NPR and coffee on the deck, a walk with the dog by the creek, and a hug from my daughter.
What led you to this career field?
In college I studied finance and got an MBA, but my passion and interests have always been in thinking creatively and connecting people. I’ve had a couple of great mentors in commercial lending and economic development that helped tremendously by inspiring and encouraging me early in my career, and strive to pay those gifts forward.