Madeleine Feher to assume CEO responsibilities
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The Big Sky Community Organization announced Monday that CEO Whitney Montgomery has stepped down as of Saturday, March 1.
Montgomery served as CEO since 2021, and a BSCO press release commended him for steering the nonprofit during “a pivotal time in the organization’s history,” including the completion of the BASE Community Center, expansion of local trails, construction of a new facility for staff housing and maintenance, and projects including the Adventure Park playground and racket court renovation. With the Big Sky Community Park’s master site plan still being implemented, Montgomery will transition into a temporary role, director of special projects, until May 2025 to continue educating voters on the Community Park Bond to be featured on ballots in early May.
Madeleine Feher, current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the CEO role.
“Whitney’s impact goes beyond infrastructure—he tripled BSCO’s staff, grew the operating budget from $1 million to $3.3 million, secured over $8 million for capital projects, and doubled the organization’s annual unrestricted donations. Whitney has been a vital piece of shifting the Board of Directors into a strategic and generative body, ensuring a strong foundation for BSCO’s future,” the release stated.
Montgomery told EBS that he began his BSCO role in 2020 with a plan of staying three to five years, and entering his fifth year, he saw the right time to transition. He plans to move back to North Carolina to be closer to family.
“I have loved living here,” Montgomery said. “I love this community. I will be back.”
He’s most proud of his role in helping expand and modernize the organization, and he’s confident that BSCO has a strong launch pad to continue serving the community.
“We’ve really gone through significant growth,” Montgomery said, adding that he’ll remained focused on educating the community on the upcoming election and helping support Feher, and BSCO’s staff and board until his departure in May.
He said executive transitions take time and planning, and he and the BSCO team feel good about the current transition plan—Montgomery emphasized that it’s been exciting to see Feher’s growth in her time with BSCO, and that she’s certainly ready to take on the top leadership role.
Feher has lived in Big Sky for over 25 years and joined BSCO in 2022 as BASE director, eventually expanding her role within BSCO while serving on the Big Sky Trails, Recreation and Parks District since 2020, which supports long-term, stable funding for Big Sky’s outdoor assets.
“Whitney has done so much over the past four years, it’s been an honor working with him and opening this community center alongside of him,” Feher told EBS. “I feel like he’s given so much of himself to this community, and I just appreciate everything he has done to make us a stronger organization.”
She added her excitement to lean into “what truly matters” as she takes the helm: community, her BSCO team and partnerships that help the nonprofit achieve its mission.
“I’m just truly honored to lead this organization and there are so many initiatives I look forward to leading as I step into this role,” Feher said. “… It’s the perfect opportunity to refocus—to get back to what BSCO was all about. That’s programming, that’s events and connecting our community together.”
The release stated that Feher’s experience and commitment to the community makes her an invaluable asset. “In her new role as CEO, Madeleine will focus on the strategic vision of the organization, foster community relationships and ensuring that BSCO continues to be a cornerstone of life in Big Sky.”
BSCO recognizes recent internal changes
In addition to this week’s transition of top leaders, the press release noted other recent changes to leadership roles within the organization.
In November 2024, BSCO hired Liv Grubaugh as director of development and communications. A former BSCO board member, Grubaugh spent nearly 10 years at Big Sky Resort, bringing experience in events and marketing to her full-time role at BSCO. Her role focuses on connecting the community and board to BSCO’s strategic vision.
Parks, Trails and Facilities Maintenance Manager Marco DelGuidice will continue leading his department, after being promoted to director of parks and trails in January.
“In addition to growing BSCO’s maintenance capabilities, expanding winter and summer trail networks and improving Big Sky’s parklands, Marco has been instrumental in ensuring that BSCO’s parks, trails and indoor spaces can operate year-round,” the release stated.
Eileen Coil was promoted to director of programs in November.
She joined BSCO in 2021 with two decades of experience working in occupational therapy and health promotion. She previously served as BSCO’s recreation and wellness manager, and will shift her focus to strategic planning of year-round programming, specifically focusing on expanding outdoor recreation, wellness and fitness programs for all ages.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a passionate and talented group of people to the Leadership Team at BSCO,” John McGuire, BSCO board chair, stated in the release. “Each of these leaders brings a wide range of experience and dedication to the places and community programs that make Big Sky such an incredible place to live, work and visit.”
