Bryn Hagfors: Rising Star in Great Falls

Bryn Hagfors

Age: 24

Hometown: Great Falls

Education: Graduated from C.M. Russell High School in 2009. Earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from the University of Montana.

Professional experience: Business and marketing analyst for Davidson Investment Advisors.

Earning bachelor's degrees with high honors from the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana opened up nationwide career opportunities for Bryn Hagfors. However, the C.M. Russell High School graduate chose a job in his hometown, even though his immediate family now lives in Oregon.

"I was fortunate to do internships in Portland, Ore. and Washington, D.C. when I was in college," he said. "But when the opportunity was available to work here at D.A. Davidson Cos. and in Great Falls, it was perfect. Being away from Montana when I was an intern for two months definitely made me realize I wanted to come back to Montana."

His present job has Hagfors "doing a little bit of everything. It's the right one for me, with a broad title that lets me learn more about the business, the industry and specific companies every day. I had an evolving career path, but this is the right choice for me."

With a passion for fly fishing and a family cabin at Holter Lake, Hagfors is spending plenty of time enjoying his favorite recreational activity since returning to Great Falls.

But he is also carving out time for community activities he is passionate about.

Hagfors was a member of the grassroots group, Kids' Education Yes!, which lobbied, successfully, in support of the Great Falls Public School mill levy.

"It was exciting to see the levy pass, but also to know that Great Falls maintains an open dialogue on issues," he said. "People on all sides get involved in issue discussions."

He's also assisting in the organization of a networking and volunteer group for young people called Connect Great Falls.

And the former C.M. Russell High School football standout is now an assistant coach for the team.

"It's been great to be involved in the sport from the other side as a coach," he said. "And when you talk about empower other people, it doesn't get more real than working with kids, people who you can really have an influence on."

Great Falls has a lot to offer its young people, Hagfors said.

"My education here was first class," he said. "At the Davidson Honors College, a lot of my classmates were prep school graduates and my education from the Great Falls Public School was in line or better with theirs."

There have been many remarkable improvements in the Great Falls community since he left to go to college in the fall of 2009, Hagfors said.

"It feels like a completely different town than the one I left," he said. "Part of that is that I'm at a different stage of life, but now there are three micro breweries here and a lot of new restaurants. The Centene Stadium as been renovated. There are all the community events, such as Alive @5. I think the Farmers Market has doubled in size since the time I left for college.

"And I notice a lot more cohesiveness in the community, which is awesome."