Montana Agri-Women hosted Annual Meeting: New Season & Fresh Perspectives
(Billings, Mont.) Montana Agri-Women hosted their annual meeting in Billings, Mont. at the Clocktower Inn on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Montana Agri-Women conducted their business meeting during the morning session. Reports from the executive committee included President, Maggie Howley and Membership Chair, Melody Dobson sharing their trip to Helena, Mont. exploring the Montana Made Market and Dobson’s presentation at the capitol for I.D. O’Donnell. Annual Income and expenses presentation from Treasurer, Karen Yost, included the organization’s new endeavor of scarf sales. Celebrating 30 years, Montana Agri-Women, designed at limited edition silk scarf that features original artwork. The scarf not only serves as a commemorative piece for the celebration, but also financially supports the mission of Montana Agri-Women.
Montana Agri-Women is a nonpartisan group that is active in legislation. As such, they invite the Montana political delegation to take part in each of their meetings. Senator Daines’ office sent a video message highlighting his dedication to Montana Agriculture. Constituent Liaison for Sen. Tim Sheehy, Wesley DiGiulio addressed the group and provided a video message from Sen. Sheehy. Sen Sheehy specifically targeted burdensome taxations that focus on Montana Agriculture. Zoey Stroop from Rep. Troy Downing’s office also affirmed his dedication to Montana Agricultural families.
Along with their business meeting, the group invited three speakers to present. The speaker line-up included Emily Arthun, the current CEO of the American Coal Council, expounding on the opportunities happening within the energy sector of the United States. Prior to her role at ACC, Emily was actively involved with the Women’s Mining Coalition (WMC), advocating for mining across various industries. Other speakers included Andrew Swedenborg, a retired Marine Corps captain with over a decade of service in the Marine Corps and Stacy Zinn, a retired DEA agent and private security expert, that shared the threats rural America faces due to the influx of cartel activity and illegal trafficking.
Emily Arthun, the current CEO of the American Coal Council, brings over twenty years of experience in the coal and hardrock segments of the mining industry. Prior to her role at ACC, Emily was actively involved with the Women’s Mining Coalition (WMC), advocating for mining across various industries. She also contributes to the Washington Coal Club and Women’s Mining Coalition boards.
A native of Montana, Emily now resides in Gillette, Wyoming, known as the Energy Capital of the World. Growing up on a working cattle ranch in northeastern Montana, she holds a BS degree in Business Management from Montana State University. Notable in her career, Emily testified before a U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources subcommittee in 2014, focusing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Women and Minorities.”
Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily and her husband, Scott, established Arthun Equine Services in Gillette, Wyoming. Through this equestrian facility, they share their passion for the rodeo.
Stacy Zinn has a Master’s Degree from Texas Tech University. Prior to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), RAC Zinn was a body guard for approximately eight years. RAC Zinn started her DEA career in 2001 and was first assigned to El Paso where she developed investigations against the Mexican Cartels and conducted multiple undercover operations for the FBI. In 2005, she transferred to Quantico, Virginia where she was assigned to the Foreign Deployed Advisory and Support Team (FAST) Team that supported the DEA drug efforts in Afghanistan (AF). She and her team deployed to AF on four separate tours and conducted multiple drug operations against narco-terrorist organizations. Afterwards, RAC Zinn transferred to Lima, Peru and worked with the Peruvian Counter Narcotics Police, oversaw the inception of their wire interception program and liaison with other law enforcement throughout the South American region. While in country, she received a promotion to Group Supervisor and transferred to Billings, Montana and oversaw the Tactical Diversion Squad responsible for investigations located in eastern Montana. In November 2018, she was the first female promoted to be the RAC of Montana and oversees the three DEA offices located in Billings, Missoula and Great Falls.
Andrew Swedenborg is a retired Marine Corps captain with over a decade of experience in combat, intelligence, and special operations. Following his military career, he served as a Detroit police officer before leading the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violent Offender Task Force in Minneapolis after the George Floyd riots, addressing domestic security threats and violent crime. As an intelligence officer, he has operated in over 100 countries—including Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern Europe, and Central America—executing clandestine action missions, hostage rescues, and counterterrorism operations in high-threat environments.
His expertise includes counterterrorism, foreign security assistance, intelligence operations, and special operations advising for allied forces and partner nations. He has worked with foreign governments, military units, and intelligence agencies to enhance operational capabilities in combat zones and politically unstable regions. Additionally, he led the Tunnel Task Force for U.S. Border Patrol in San Diego under the Department of Homeland Security, disrupting transnational criminal networks and securing critical infrastructure.
Beyond operations, he specializes in technology integration, overseeing the development and deployment of COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) self-defense and offensive tools. His work enhances force protection, operational effectiveness, and national security. With extensive experience in mountain warfare and operational training, he has prepared personnel for some of the most challenging environments worldwide, by utilizing cross industry product integration.
The day included lunch with registration, silent auction, and door prizes. The annual meeting was made possible due to the generosity of Montana Agri-Women sponsors AgWest Farm Credit, Stockman Bank, Little Horn State Bank, First Interstate Bank, Western Skies Strategies, Tri-State Livestock News, Western Ag Reporter, and CopyRight Printing.
-Montana Agri-Women
