Department Of Commerce

Montana-Ireland Trade Commission

The Montana-Ireland Trade Commission was established to foster closer economic ties, promote business and academic exchanges, encourage joint action on shared priorities and support mutual investment in trade, infrastructure and development.

The Montana-Ireland Trade Commission was created in the 69th Montana Legislature to build on our 150-year shared heritage by promoting business and academic exchanges and encouraging economic support and investment between Montana and Ireland.

The commission is composed of nine appointed members representing the Montana Senate, the Montana House of Representatives, the Montana Department of Commerce, the Montana Department of Agriculture, the commissioner of higher education and Montana residents.

Public meetings will occur throughout Montana subject to the availability of funds.

The commission will raise money through fundraising events and individual donations to fund activities, including meetings and travel expenses to foster closer economic ties, promote business and academic exchanges and encourage joint action on shared priorities. The commission accepts gifts, grants and donations.

If you would like to donate to the Montana-Ireland Trade Commission, please make checks payable to the Montana Department of Commerce and mail checks to:

Montana Department of Commerce
c/o Deputy Director
301 S. Park Ave.
Helena, MT 59620

The members of the Montana-Ireland Trade Commission are as follows:

  • Senator Mike Cuffe - Chair
    • Member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate
    • Term: 7/1/25-6/30/27
    • mcuffe@interbel.net
  • Senator Ellie Boldman - Vice Chair
  • Representative Gary Parry
    • Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House:
    • Term 7/1/25-6/30/27
    • gary.parry@legmt.gov
  • Representative Josh Seckinger
    • Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives
    • Term: 7/1/25-6/30/27
    • joshua.seckinger@legmt.gov
  • Tony Brockman, director’s designee
    • Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, or the director's designee
    • Term: ongoing per statute
    • tony.brockman@mt.gov
  • Director Jillien Streit
    • Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, or the director's designee
    • Term: ongoing per statute
    • jillien.streit@mt.gov
  • Commissioner Clayton Christian
    • Commissioner of higher education, or the commissioner's designee
    • Term: ongoing per statute
    • cchristian@montana.edu
  • Jim McCormick
    • Montana resident, appointed by the governor, who represents the Irish American community and is interested in furthering trade between Montana and Ireland
    • Term: 7/1/25-6/30/26
    • montana59601@gmail.com
  • Paddy Fleming
    • Montana resident, appointed by the governor, who is part of a Montana business association, trade organization, economic development organization or chamber of commerce headquartered in Montana and is focused on the promotion of international trade
    • Term: 7/1/25-6/30/26
    • pfleming@montana.edu

By September 1 of each year, the Montana-Ireland Trade Commission will report to the governor and the legislature, in accordance with MCA 5-11-210. The report will include:

  • A description of the commission's work, including how often the commission met during the preceding 12 months and the minutes of the commission's meetings.
  • A description of benefits to the state and to sectors involved in international trade, attributable to the commission's efforts.
  • Recommendations for legislative action that would support trade between the state and Ireland.
  • A summary of anticipated commission activities in the ensuing year, including any recommendations or requests that may assist the commission's work.

2025 MITC Report