Richard L. Marcus, Born in Chicago 1/13/52

I am a businessman, husband, father, grandfather, and landowner with over 35 years of hands-on experience.  I have a strong interest in education, business, family, social commitment, stewardship of land and outdoor activities.  I am active in my community and concerned about its future.  My background makes me well suited to represent you as your Ravalli County Commissioner for District One.
I firmly believe that our current county commissioners lacks direction and the administrative ability to run out local government.   

WORK & BUSINESS:
After graduation, I worked as a crisis intervention counselor and quickly realized that I was too young and not properly prepared for the tremendous commitment and emotions that are involved with Social Work. Since I had grown up around tradesmen I took the opportunity  to work for my father's electrical construction company.  In 1972, I went into business for myself operating an electrical distribution and motor repair-machine shop company.  Over the years I owned and operated several other businesses such as a mail order marine supply company, yacht brokerage, battery distribution company.  In addition, I occasionally  taught classes in history and marketing at the local university.

The success of these businesses gave me the opportunity to purchase a local pump manufacturing company. With a lot of hard work I was able to expand that business many times it's original size including national distribution.  After developing and marketing several new products, I had gained the respect of my competitors who regarded my products as the 'Cadillac of the Industry'. I sold this company in 1997 to a much larger pump manufacturer located in Kentucky.

CONNECTION TO MONTANA AND THE BITTERROOT VALLEY:
My first visit to the Bitterroot Valley was in 1970 during a road trip with a  friend. We had been camping in Glacier National Park.  I wanted to visit Kalispell because after WWII my father had been a partner in a local electrical/machine shop business. Continuing south we came through the Bitterroot Valley and my heart never left.

In 1985 we purchased a small cabin, and for several years used it as recreational property while we planned our permanent move to Montana. After the third of our four children graduated high school we sold our property and businesses in Illinois and completed our move.

FAMILY AND CURRENT ACTIVITY:
Our oldest son graduated from the University of Montana with high honors and is continuing his graduate studies in California. Our first daughter graduated from the University of Oregon with high honors and has a management job with a large not-for- profit food bank in Chicago. Our second daughter is studying to be a nurse and made us Grandparents in 2003. Our youngest son is a senior in high school and enjoys golf snowboarding and, art.

For the last six years, my wife has owned and operated a beautiful store in downtown Stevensville called Majestic Mountains Gifts & Gallery. I am very proud of what she has achieved and her contribution to the town.

Today, I own and operate a growing business called Pickup Sticks Landscaping servicing customers from Missoula to Hamilton. In addition, we own some acreage, commercial and rental properties, and some water rights.

Our family enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, skiing, and riding our ATV's . We are involved as participants and sponsors in local charity and nonprofit organizations such as: Stevensville Main Street Association, Campus Life-Youth for Christ, Stevensville Community Foundation, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and, Bitterroot Services Corp. (for disabled adults).

For further information about me, my opinions, or why I think I can serve our community....please contact me by phone 777-0739, or by Email. rlm@richardmarcus.net