Michele Reese
A recognized expert in dynamic marketing Michele is known as a highly creative, strategic thinker, business builder and leader. She is an excellent team builder and dynamic business developer.

Among her many noteworthy credentials she was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Walt Disney Attractions and Disneyland Resorts during Resort’s most successful years in the mid to late 90’s. Under her leadership the Resort enjoyed record-breaking attendance. Michele was very involved in the expansion of the Resort to two parks and accompanying businesses to support it. Her duties included marketing strategic planning, tactical development and execution for daily marketing and sales, on-going and new business development including Walt Disney Travel Company, resort hotels, sponsor development for Disney’s California Adventure and the retail spaces surrounding the Resort.

Michele has led Universal Studios Themed Attractions as Executive Vice President Worldwide Marketing and Sales for Universal Studios Hollywood. She has also led the marketing teams at Weintraub Pictures, Embassy Pictures and DiLaurentiis Films. She filled a senior marketing roles at Universal Studios and Columbia Pictures.

Michele was VP of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Big Mountain Resort for three years from 1998 – 2000, then promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Resort. While there the Mountain was the highest rated destination ski Resort in Montana. Her duties there included leadership for business development and guest and operational departments for the winter and summer resort. The company added new seasonal attractions, became a true destination resort and a recognized leader in marketing and sales for the snow sports industry. The growth of Big Mountain was credited for helping to revitalizing the tourism industry and economic health of the region at the time.

Michele has been President of Beargrass Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting firm providing services to a range of business clients since 1993. Her clients represent an interesting mix of industries and products that are both regional and national in scope. She travels widely presenting the very popular “Marketing Boot Camp” and “Publicity 101” marketing training seminars for business professionals. She is often asked to appear as a motivational speaker to business groups. Her speaking style is informative, fun, inspirational and provides powerful idea generators for employees of both small and large companies.

Among other service and community volunteer work, Michele served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Montana Tourism Advisory Council for six years. She has served as the co-chair of the Foundation of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), and Chair of the California Tourism Corporation before moving back to Montana. She is an active Rotarian and served in the USMC for eight years where she reached the rank of Major before leaving the Marine Corps to pursue other professional interests.

Michele is a native Montanan. She lives in Whitefish with her husband and 3 wacky cats.