In this episode of Mountain Mule Media, Tim sits down with Brian Sprenger, CEO of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Brian shares how Montana’s busiest airport has maintained its warmth, craftsmanship, and local identity through decades of growth. From architecture and design to community impact, Brian offers an inside look at what it takes to balance progress with a sense of place.
Building an Airport That Feels Like Montana
Walk into the Bozeman airport and you’ll immediately notice something different — it doesn’t feel like an airport. It feels like Montana. Natural wood beams, stone walls, open windows, and local art all create a space that reflects the character of the region.
That atmosphere didn’t happen by accident. Brian explains that when the terminal was first designed in the 1970s, it was intentionally built to feel like a lodge — a warm, grounded reflection of Montana’s landscape and culture.
“Every time we expand,” he says, “we emphasize that we want to maintain that same ambiance. We can improve things for passengers, but we don’t want to lose that original feel.”
Even the advertising in the airport is designed with care — more art than signage. “We’re not trying to plaster ads everywhere,” Brian adds. “That’s not the experience we want people to have.”
Maintaining Vision Through Growth
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has grown from a 35,000-square-foot terminal to nearly half a million square feet, with continued expansion on the horizon. Despite that growth, Brian and his team have made sure that design and purpose come before speed.
“The board gives us the direction,” he explains. “Once we know that, our design team understands that it’s an honor to carry that legacy forward.”
That legacy is not just about structure — it’s about what people feel when they arrive. “Our goal is to make the airport inviting,” Brian says. “We want it to feel like a first impression of Montana.”
Connecting Montana to the World
Brian has worked at the airport for over four decades, starting when he was just 12 years old helping his dad move chairs into the new terminal. He’s seen the Bozeman airport grow from a small local stop to a major hub with more national connections than most cities its size.
“There’s nowhere else west of the Mississippi with our level of air service without a population over a million,” Brian notes. “We’re fortunate that so many people want to come here.”
The airport’s growth mirrors Bozeman’s — rapid, dynamic, and full of opportunity. But Brian views it as a response, not a cause. “We’re reacting to growth, not creating it,” he says. “Our job is to make sure we’re ready for what’s already coming.”
Planning for the Future
Bozeman’s next expansion will bring the airport to 15 gates and include new baggage facilities and terminal improvements by 2027. The challenge, Brian says, is balancing progress with purpose.
“We’re building to catch up and to prepare for where we’re going,” he explains. “Growth keeps exceeding expectations, so we have to stay ahead.”
That forward-thinking approach also extends to technology and infrastructure. Brian and his team have discussed long-term ideas like autonomous vehicles and evolving parking systems — all while keeping Montana’s environment and driving habits in mind. “The almighty car is hard to give up here,” he laughs, “but we always try to anticipate what’s coming next.”
More Than Just a Job
When asked what he loves most about his work, Brian doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people,” he says. “Airports are full of every emotion under the sun — joy, reunion, excitement, even sadness. But it’s all connection.”
Every day brings something new. Some challenges are immediate; others take years of planning. “We’re constantly thinking about today and ten years from now,” he says. “That’s what keeps it interesting.”
His advice for anyone working in leadership or long-term projects is simple: stay adaptable. “Change is going to happen whether you’re ready or not. The best thing you can do is learn to adjust and prepare for what’s next.”
A Reminder for Travelers
For locals and visitors alike, Brian has one main piece of advice: plan ahead. “We’re busier than people expect,” he says. “We’re not a small-town airport anymore. But if you give yourself time, the experience can still be relaxing.”
He also wants people to know that the airport’s growth directly supports the community. Tourism generates jobs, tax revenue, and over $1.5 billion in economic impact for Southwest Montana. “A lot of people can live here because of the access the airport provides,” he says.
To learn more about Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, visit:
Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation, connecting Montana’s businesses and the people who keep them moving.
