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Today's Featured Biography

 
Skip D. Stanaway

When Crystal and I left Billings in 1989 to live in Oregon, we never would have imagined how the twists and turns would lead up back to our strong Montana ties. In 1979 after graduating from MSU in architecture, Crystal and I were living in Billings, she was teaching, and I was working at CTA Architects during the week and then weekends at A&I Distributors, my family's business. We were both growing in our careers, and then in 1984 started our family. In 1988, I had just finished up as the Project Architect for Billings Skyview High School and received the recruiter call for a firm in Portland, Oregon looking for an architect with my expertise and experience. Our sons were 5 and 3 at the time, so we made the decision to follow the Oregon Trail for greater adventure and opportunities. We were fortunate both in our careers and our family life. During this time, we stayed close to family and friends in Montana and Crystal would bring our boys back to Montana for the summers and remained close to our Montana roots.

Professionally, I have been fortunate to be the Principal Architect on numerous once in a lifetime projects throughout the US including State Capitols, many University and College Master Plans and Buildings, University and Community Libraries, City Halls, and four Shriners Hospitals for Children.

In 2010, Crystal was still teaching in Oregon, I was deep in my architectural career, and our sons after their college degrees were working in the family business of A&I Distributors. The opportunity presented itself for our sons to start a new branch of A&I in Portland. It was at that time, our sons asked me to join them in expanding the family business in Oregon. I was enjoying architecture and my career, but how could I say no to that opportunity! So, I retired from architecture, sold my shares in the architectural practice, and was back in the family business of A&I Distributors, working with our sons Tucker and Tate. This year, the company is 100 years old, four generations, has over 260 employees with 9 branches through 8 western states. I am Chairman of the Board and work with our sons, my brother, and my father to continue to grow the company and lead us into the next 100 years.

Work is a family affair and always exciting, but Crystal and I are finding time to travel, golf, ski, cycling, and enjoy it all with family, friends, and our 4 grandchildren. Being back in the family business brings us back to Montana on a regular basis. Montana continues to be a strong part of our daily lives, even while living in Oregon for the past 35 years.

Crystal and I are enjoying our life together and living life to the fullest. We look forward to this re-union to see friends we haven't seen for a while.

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