Area Development
FICO, a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions, has established an operations center in Bozeman, Montana. The company plans for further growth in the region.

Silicon Valley analytics pioneer FICO has quietly been establishing a foothold in Montana's Gallatin Valley, and plans to expand its workforce there in the coming months, company officials said. FICO executives also announced plans to hire 50 more people there over the next 18 months.

FICO, which is a member of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, said it intends to take an active role in the growth of Bozeman as a technology center, just as they have done in other cities.

Will Lansing, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, said that the region's strength as a technical hub, fueled in part by quality education at Montana State University, was behind FICO's decision. "It just makes sense," said Lansing. "We want to hire the best, and the talent pool in this part of Montana has attracted dozens of leading technology firms."

Wayne Huyard, FICO's Executive Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Services, said; "We've built FICO's global sales and service operations center in Bozeman, which today includes about 20 people. Bozeman is a fantastic place to live and work. It combines small-town living with the excitement of a high-tech hub and a strong, diverse pool of smart and experienced people."

Also on hand for the announcement was RightNow Technologies Founder Greg Gianforte, a FICO board member. "We now have over 80 high-tech companies right here in Bozeman," said Gianforte. "I'm thrilled to be a part of this announcement to bring even more high-wage jobs to Bozeman."

"We're seeing firsthand how technology removes geography as a constraint — Montana has an unmatched quality of life for folks with a tireless work ethic," said U.S. Senator Steve Daines. "At my tech summit in Bozeman last fall, we heard from FICO's CEO about the potential of more-high paying tech jobs in Montana and I'm thrilled that they are bringing them to Bozeman."