Executive Profiles

Herbert (Herb) Leuprecht, Chairman of the Board
Born and raised in Austria, Herb grew up in the hotel business and was educated in European hotel and culinary schools. After working in Switzerland and at his family’s two hotels in Austria he started his North American career in Montreal, Canada with Hilton International. Soon thereafter, Herb was recruited to work in Montana, becoming a hotel partner in 1975, and has been involved as an owner, builder, and investor in hotels since that time. He has served on several boards including the Board of Directors of Best Western International. Herb served for five years as Chairman of the Montana Workman’s Compensation State Fund. Herb is also active in many organizations in Butte as well as in other Montana communities. He is respected throughout the state as a soft-spoken executive who finds opportunities and is able to pull together the necessary resources to generate successful outcomes. Herb has a unique ability to unite people through leadership and the tenacity to fight for those he represents and advises. Herb’s success can be attributed to his experience, visionary outlook and employment of proven work principles and ethics.

Larry McRae, CEO
A third generation Montanan, Larry has owned or operated hotels around the United States for more than four decades including brands such as Western International, Sheraton, Ramada, Howard Johnson, LaQuinta and Best Western and including regional management of multiple hotels. His expertise includes successful operations of food and beverage operations, turnarounds of distressed properties, renovations and new construction. He has held executive positions with Helmsley Spear Management Company and LaQuinta Motor Inns. Larry has served on numerous professional boards, including many in the hospitality industry, Norwest Bank of Kalispell and Best Western International, where he was elected as Chairman of the Board for the years 2004-2005

Mike Johnson, President
Mike was appointed President of Management Consultants in 2011 and assumed the responsibilities of daily management, as well as leading the growth and development of the organization. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana Tech in Business Administration. In 1997 he was awarded an MBA from the University of Montana (U of M) and in 2012 the U of M conferred Mike a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

Mike brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in the utility industry, the utility-services sector, non-profit foundations, and higher education. Mike began his professional career with the Montana Power Company, culminating his responsibilities as President and CEO of a utility-services subsidiary, One Call Locators (later named ELM Locating). After leaving the utility services company, Mike joined the faculty of Montana Tech serving as a professor of Business Administration. Two years after entering the faculty Mike was appointed Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.

Amber Wood-Jensen, VPO
Amber joined Management Consultants, Inc in 2008 as Vice President of Operations. She is a Montana State University graduate and has spent the last 17 years in the hotel industry. Amber has worked in all facets of the hotel industry and has spent the last 12 years in senior level management positions. She has served on numerous boards, including the Montana Tourism Advisory Council, Best Western Member Marketing Advisory Committee, Best Western Member Reservation & Technology Advisory Committee, as well as for many charitable and civic organizations.

Jackie Neumann, CFO
Jackie Neumann has been employed by Management Consultants, Inc. for the past 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology/Accounting from Montana Tech of the University of Montana and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She specializes in hotel accounting and management and strives to provide strong financial controls and in-depth reporting. Her experience includes working with franchises such as Best Western, Wyndham and Hilton, as well as with independent properties.