How this Encore Electric Team Builds Airports, Ski Lifts, and Team Spirit in Montana
January 27, 2025 – Big Sky, MT — 2025 marks the fifth year of operation for the Encore Electric Montana Business Unit. Over the last five years, these teammates have built projects across Montana, in addition to building a team that will carry on the legacy of Encore Electric in the state for years to come.
Operating hundreds of miles away from the other Encore Electric business units, it has been critical for the Montana team to build a strong team foundation to set the group up for success.
“We preach about the team mentality,” said Montana Business Unit Leader Bill Frye. “We have to stick together as a team to help one another out from job to job. We constantly are shifting people around to help one another out. If one of our jobs fails, then we all fail. Team, Team, Team – it’s all about the team.”
The Encore Electric team in Montana has spent the last few years building a distinct project resume across the state. The team excels at complex projects and can be seen bringing power to everything from luxury resorts to ski lifts to airports in some of the most intense climates and terrains found in the United States.
This versatility has enabled the team to continue to take on complex projects unique to the Montana Business Unit. One major project the team has tackled recently was the Lone Peak Tram at Big Sky Resort. The tram pushed the project team to their limits, as they navigated delivering project materials and teammates to the mountaintop each day. Parts of the project were accessible by car, but others required the team and their materials to be airlifted by helicopter. Encore Electric also was faced with building electrical infrastructure that can withstand the extreme weather conditions found at the top of Lone Peak. Challenges of the tram and projects like it have given the team the skills and experience to power projects that many teams cannot.
With an ability to meet unique challenges on complex jobs, the team has been able to remain on a steady path of growth over the last few years in business and now has over 80 people in the business unit.
“Seeing the growth has been an awesome thing to watch and be a part of,” said Frye. “When we first opened an office, there were only 10-12 people in Montana. Seeing the commitment from our people to move themselves and sometimes their families 750 miles away for Encore Electric, it shows that we treat our people well for them to have the attitude to do whatever it takes for this team.”
Another key to success in the growth of the business over the last few years is a group of young leaders on the team. From apprentices to project support staff, teammates of the business unit have come together to build strength.
Apprentice Clay Woodall joined Encore Electric as an apprentice in the Prefabrication and Tools Center. He was inspired to go to Montana after hearing stories of adventurous and challenging projects being built in Big Sky Country.
“My favorite project was spending time on Lone Peak working on the tram,” said Woodall. “We got to drive through snowstorms, work with people from other countries, and even had a jobsite ‘pet’ fox. The Encore Electric Montana Business Unit has been fun to be a part of because it feels like a family. We spend a lot of time together and away from home, and that’s helped build bonds throughout our team outside of work and a layer of trust between everybody.”
Blake Dunagan, Journeyman
Journeyman Blake Dunagan was born and raised in Montana and been with the team since 2020. Dunagan recently passed his journeyman’s exam and is now gaining project leadership experience running a small portion of the Big Springs Village project.
“Being in Montana from practically the start of the division is something that I appreciate,” said Dunagan. “Talking with the travelers that have come over, they always say that this is a different type of work and atmosphere than they are used to. All in all, if you are interested in a new location that is full of outdoor activities and sightseeing, Montana is a great place to check out if you get the opportunity and see what we do up here.”
As the team enters another chapter, they remain eager to continue meeting the challenges Montana has to offer as they bring All Things Power, Technology, and Energy ® to the region.
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