Page 11 - KOG Glory & Grace, Issue 10: Voices

You met in politics, a line of work with plenty of job hazards. What skills have proven valuable to you in this setting?
Bob: I served in the Montana Legislature for sixteen years from 1994 – 2010, including being elected President of the Montana Senate for the 2009-2010 Session. Since 2013, I have been the Executive Director of the Montana Taxpayers Association (Montax) whose goal is to make sure the tax system is business friendly and can succeed. In these roles, I ask questions. My goal has always been to listen and understand, then communicate what I hear to others, and strive to bring opposing views to compromise. I like to work with new legislators, especially on the Tax Committees, to help them understand current policies in place and how certain legislation will affect change, be it good or bad. It is a complex puzzle that can be daunting to understand. At the beginning of the 2023 session I was asked to do a workshop on Property Taxes with the Tax Committees in both the House and Senate.
Jyl: Working with others (and having strong administrative skills) has served me well in various roles over the years. I first worked in the Legislature in 1999 as a Senate Committee Secretary. This was followed by working for the Montana Motor Carriers Association in Helena as their office manager and later for Whitewood Transport in Billings. In 2012 I became the Executive Director for Montana Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA). These positions included being a political watch dog for our members. In the 2021 legislative session, I worked in the Secretary of the Senate’s office, and now (in retirement) I work with Robert serving as the office manager for Montax.
Today Bob and his wife Jyl continue the family tradition of raising cattle, along with crops, on their Park City ranch.
KOG members Jyl and Robert (Bob) Story
You both also share your voices with the KOG Choir. What is it about KOG that you find meaningful?
Jyl: There are many things that are meaningful about KOG, but we appreciate the projects that bring people together to serve. We both love music, and it is a blessing to be part of the choir music ministry. We’ve really enjoyed making those friendships. KOG is special, in large part, due to the many generations that make up the congregation.
Editor's note: As expected, Bob's answers were succinct. Since Pastor Jen had not seen "Lonesome Dove," some additional research was required. What follows is a brief summary of Bob's ancestor, Nelson Story, who led the first cattle drive from Texas to Montana in 1863.
Though the promise of gold sparked Bob's ancestors' interest in Montana, they stayed for the land and the realization that the land was perfect for cattle. According to The Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia, “Not only did he fight his way through thousands of hostile Indians, but he also had to outwit the U.S. Army, who wanted to turn back the expedition for its own safety. Story had to sneak 3,000 longhorns past the troops in the dark. These cattle that were driven into the Gallatin Valley formed the nucleus for Montana’s cattle industry.”