Business Briefcase: New co-owner at brewery, doctors complete leadership course

Bex Peppelman is the new co-owner of Mt Ascension Brewing, marking a new chapter for the downtown Helena gastropub.

Peppelman brings over 20 years of experience in the brewing industry, having worked in brewing, sales and consulting roles with top Montana breweries like Blackfoot River Brewing and Conflux Brewing.

A graduate of Wilmington University, she has also studied brewing in Bavaria and Belgium, adding a global perspective to her craft.

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Peppelman has called Montana home for more than two decades. She is passionate about creating exceptional craft beer using locally sourced ingredients and offering an inviting gastropub experience to the Helena community.

In her free time, Peppelman enjoys traveling internationally with her husband, and Mt Ascension Brewing co-owner, Pete Crowley.

State says record growth in apprenticeships

The Department of Labor and Industry and Gov. Greg Gianforte released a report Friday showing what they said was a “record-breaking increase” in apprenticeship opportunities statewide.

According to the report, 3,150 Montanans were enrolled in active apprenticeships at the end of September, an increase of 25% over the last five years. The number breaks the previous record set in 2022.

In 2024, 770 apprenticeships began in the first nine months of the year and more than 680 Montana businesses offered apprenticeships to train workers, another record high. In 2023, the state added 1,100 new apprenticeships and 45 counties offered registered apprentice programs.

The fastest areas of growth for apprenticeships included health education, industrial engineering and health care. Since 2019, DLI has developed new apprenticeship programs in industries facing workforce shortages, including the registered nurse apprenticeship program.

The governor proclaimed Nov. 17-23 as Apprenticeship Week in Montana.

“A college degree may not be for everyone, and now more than ever before, hardworking Montanans have the opportunity to thrive in a career across a wide variety of industries,” Gianforte said in a news release.

He said the state will continue to increase access to apprenticeships so it’s “easier for Montanans to work, live, and raise a family here.”

Helena doctors graduate from HELP class

Two doctors from Helena were among the 10 health care professionals who graduated recently as the 11th class of the Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program, the Montana Medical Association said recently.

HELP is a leadership program aimed at equipping Montana health care professionals with the leadership skills needed to create positive change in their practices, hospitals and surrounding communities.

Helena graduates of the 2024 program are Dr. Jenifer Dodge, a family practice, obstetrics and geriatrics practitioner who works primarily at St. Peter’s Medical Group in Helena, and Dr. Diane Nowak, a family medicine practitioner at the St. Pete’s Medical Group.

Jean Branscum, chief executive officer of the Montana Medical Association, said in a news release that these graduates join 165 other top-tier alumni who occupy leadership positions across Montana’s health care industry.

“Graduates of this program affect change and leadership in the healthcare arena and are prepared to embrace the new and emerging expectations of medical professionals and changes that lead to better patient care,” she said.

Graduates were honored in September in Big Fork.

HELP was created in 2013 by Montana physicians to help industry health care professionals’ step into leadership roles and engage in vital health care policy discussions across the state. Participants attend five sessions across Montana to learn about the state’s health care issues and gain critical leadership skills.