As a registered respiratory therapist, Pete Montano was able to work in numerous hospitals and mostly worked in neonatal intensive care units. That is how he met his wife, Laurie. She worked in the pediatric intensive care unit at the University of Utah. Pete also worked as a certified welder building ore and powder wagons. He worked in that field for two years. However, Pete is mostly known for his work in the restaurant business. Mr. Montano has always enjoyed cooking for others.
Volunteer work is something Pete has always been involved with. In high school he volunteered helping elementary school students with reading challenges. He was a volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for five years. Pete worked at the summer camps as a therapist for five years as well. "It was a wonderful experience working with the kids and other volunteers," Pete stated. As his children grew he volunteered to be a soccer coach. Pete even earned his level E certification as a coach though he never played the game. "I believe that volunteer work is important if you are to be part of your community. I have volunteered my time in many ways. My email tag line is 'be involved'."
The first time Pete met his future wife he was covered in mud. He and a buddy had been out four wheeling in the foothills of Salt Lake City when they got stuck. The two men walked down to some homes where Pete knew a nurse named Laurie lived. Hopefully she was home and they could call for help. She was. Pete took off his muddy boots tiptoed in and called his friend Dave for help. Dave came and they went to get the truck. Once they got to the truck, he realized he had left his boots at Laurie's house. Pete went back a couple of days later to sheepishly get his muddy boots. She had cleaned them, and they were spotless. They were married about a year later.
Pete reflected on his involvement in Onward!, "I really believe in the work we do in supporting our community. By working behind the scenes we enable non-profit organizations to plan for the future and devote more time to their passion."
BE INVOLVED!
