Nomad

Nomad Technologies

Nomad Technologies

Shannon Hughes
Main Street Montana, Fall 2008

Decades ago, timber was the Flathead Valley’s primary resource, and people flocked to this area in northwest Montana for the jobs the resource extraction industry provided.  Today, the Flathead Valley’s stunning natural surroundings are attracting (and retaining) a new breed of entrepreneur: the kind that could operate from Anywhere, USA, but choose communities like Kalispell for the quality of life they offer. One of the most exciting tech companies to emerge in the Flathead in the past few years is Nomad Technologies; a remote communications company that is making possible conversations from Montana’s isolated field operations.

The four founders of Nomad technologies – brothers Will and Seth Schmautz, Shane Ackerly, and Clay Binford – are all in their late 20’s or early 30’s, and originally met while working as rafting guides during the summer.  It was during one of these summers that they saw firefighters fighting wildland blazes lining up to use the few pay phones available in the area. As Will Schmautz tells it, a remote communications company wasn’t exactly in the plans for the outdoor enthusiasts.  “I don’t think any one of us would have predicted that we would end up where we are today, doing what we are doing.  In many ways, it is a dream come true.  We get to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, work with exceptional friends and family, and be active in a fast paced, quickly changing business environment.”

That summer the four men came up with the idea to develop mobile vehicles equipped with advanced telecommunications equipment, and Nomad Technologies was born.  Today, their vehicles and telecommunications solutions are deployed across the United States, providing emergency and remote communication capabilities to all levels of government and private industry.

Nomad Technologies currently employs approximately 30 people, has multi-million dollar yearly sales, and is facing the challenge of tremendous growth while courting contracts from U.S. Army, federal and state agencies.  Schmautz says, “We face new challenges every day.  Some are related to keeping up with changing technologies, some with finding adequately trained staff in the northwestern corner of Montana, and some are related to competing with large corporations headquartered in areas with better access to large municipal areas and the powers that be.  In quite a number of instances, we have been encouraged to move our business to another, more central part of the US.” However, the company has no desire to leave the Treasure State. “We love Montana,” says Schmautz. It goes without saying that this is exactly the kind of challenge many Montana businesses hope to experience.

Nomad Technologies requires employees skilled in everything from manufacturing, information technology, and engineering to marketing and sales.  As Nomad continues to expand, it creates more job opportunities for talented individuals and valuable revenue for the state.
The Flathead valley is known across the nation and around the world for its incredible beauty and recreational opportunities.  “When we started Nomad Technologies in this valley we call our home, we were inundated with individuals, businesses and government entities excited about helping us get started.  By keeping our business in Montana, creating solid employment opportunities, and offering only the best communication technologies available, we hope that we will be able to give back to the communities that have supported us so well,” said Schmautz.

For more information on Nomad Technologies, visit their website at: http://www.nomadtechs.com/

Reprinted with permission from:
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Main Street Montana
www.MainStreet.mt.gov