Bruce Butch Gillespie for MT State Senate District 9

Meet Butch ~ A Born Leader

 

  • Visiting with others running for office
  • At a recent local Meet and Greet in Shelby
  • We love helping young people in Ag
  • Presenting awards to these young cattlemen at the Marias Fair, representing MRLA
  • Visiting in Helena with Congressman Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan
  • Senator Daines, in Helena visiting from D.C.
  • Rob Cook and I with Senator Steve Daines at Conrad and Shelby listening sessions.
  • With our string of calves at the NILE Stock Show in Billings MT
  • At our ranch in Kevin MT
  • Board of Directors, Marias River Livestock Association
  • Taking part in a local meeting

 

Early Life, Education & Career

I was born in 1946 and grew up on a ranch west of Kevin, Montana. I attended grade school in Kevin and high school in Sunburst. My time was spent helping on the ranch and many 4-H activities- local, state, and nationwide. I attended college at MSU in Bozeman MT and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business and Range Management. While there, I was elected to serve on the Student Council, President of Alpha Zeta (Ag Honorary), Head Resident, and member of Alpha Gamma Rho Ag fraternity. I was awarded the Outstanding Junior in Agriculture Award and a month-long trip to Ralston Purina Company in St Louis, Missouri, and then Camp Miniwanca in Stoney Lake, Michigan.

I was accepted into Peace Corps and served 2 years in Ecuador, SA. My second year there, I managed a herd of purebred Brahman cattle. I also worked with many of the local farmers and ranchers on management practices. Later, I managed a 500 head Registered Charolais ranch in Arizona.

 

 

My Home, Family & Community

My wife Doreen and I have two wonderful children and a granddaughter, Thea. Our daughter Kisten is a school psychologist in Madison, Wisconsin, and our son Kent teaches in an inner-city school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Doreen and I ranch in the Kevin and Ethridge area. We take great pride in caring for the land. For many years, we have raised calves to sell to youth for show projects in 4-H, FFA, and Junior Livestock Programs. This has been a great way to be involved with the next generation, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. I also consult and sell livestock nutrition and genetic products.

I have served on church finance committees, the Cut Bank School Board (nine years total, three as chairman), Vice President of the Marias River Livestock Association, Montana Stockgrowers Association, U.S. Cattlemen's Association, Marias Fair 4-H Livestock Board, 4-H Committees (local and state wide). Doreen and I also serve on the MSU Animal and Range Sciences Advisory Committee.

 

 

A Reason for Leadership

Montana and Senate District 9 is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We are blessed with an abundance of natural resources to care for and benefit from. We are the Treasure State. We must promote, cheerlead for, and strive for an economic climate that provides even better opportunities for all our young people to stay here and raise their families. I will use my talents, enthusiasm, and skills to do just that. I welcome creative ideas that anyone can share. I will do the best job possible to leave future generations a beautiful state filled with opportunities.