Two Bozeman men's work in entrepreneurship has earned them the recognition of the Montana Ambassadors.

The organization has named Montana State University's College of Business Dean Richard Semenik the educator of the year. Bozeman businessman Don Cape, who developed the local Hilton Garden Inn and Old Chicago restaurant, is the group's entrepreneur of the year.
The Montana Ambassadors is a group of business people and educators who promote living and working in Montana. The organization often works with, but is not run by, the governor's office.

The educator of the year award recognizes excellence in education in honor of former MSU president Mike Malone.

Semenik is being recognized for his work at MSU, including his position as executive director for the Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West. The center, based at Bozeman's TechRanch, gives students in MSU's entrepreneurship program hands-on experience working with scientists and entrepreneurs.

"It is one of the greatest awards in my career," Semenik said Tuesday.
Cape, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, is being honored for his work with JWT Capital, which he owns with his wife.

The company has franchise rights for Old Chicago restaurants in Montana and elsewhere in the West and last year opened the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman. The company plans to open another Hilton and Old Chicago in Billings.

"It's an award for doing what we've always done," Cape said, "and that's what's humbling about it."

Cape's family also owns the Cape France company, which has been involved with businesses in the Bozeman area such as Ponderosa Homes of Belgrade.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer will present the awards in Whitefish later this week. Both Cape and Semenik plan to attend.

The ambassador's organization gives out five awards annually across Montana. Former Gov. Ted Schwinden formed the organization in 1984, said the group's Ambassador Coordinator Kerry Schaefer.