Join us as we sit down with Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director of Big Sky Economic Development, for his final Vault podcast episode before retirement, as he reflects on 16½ years of leadership and impact. From launching major initiatives like BillingsWorks to founding Rock31, helping bring RVU – Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine to Billings, and navigating the transition of the GE Capital building into an opportunity for reinvestment, Steve has helped shape the economic future of Yellowstone County, and the region.

He shares lessons learned through both success and challenge, from the importance of incremental progress to the power of collaboration. “We got bad news, we leaned in, we solved problems, and turned it into something really special,” he says, reflecting on BSED’s role in the GE building transition.

Steve talks about how his leadership has evolved—shifting from task-oriented to people-centered—and why caring for the people you lead is essential. He opens up about the decision to retire, how he carefully prepared BSED for a leadership transition, and why championing collaboration remains at the heart of strong, regional leadership.

“I always want to be a learner,” Steve says. “The more I know, the more I experience, the more I can be helpful.”

This episode is more than a farewell—it’s a conversation about leadership, legacy, and what it means to leave an organization better than you found it.

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This episode is brought to you by Big Sky Economic Development, and the MT Small Business Development Center.

"The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA."