Venture Boldly

Author: Jennifer Cronk

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.
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2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson
Episode 69
Sunday, 21 December, 2025

Send us your feedback!A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the role of hydropower, the limits of transmission, and how long-term planning and a service-first mindset support affordable, dependable electricity.Beyond the grid, Mark is deeply committed to community service, with long-standing volunteer leadership roles that reflect the cooperative model in action. He shares lessons from guiding organizations through challenging times, including Flathead Electric’s four-year rate freeze during COVID. The discussion also looks ahead to wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and the need for meaningful local generation, offering practical insight into how thoughtful leadership and community engagement will shape the region’s energy future.Flathead Electric Cooperative: Home - Flathead Electric CooperativeFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber, and on twitter @KalispellChambr. © Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com