Troy Downing: A Career of Entrepreneurship, Military Service, and Public Office
Troy Downing has led a multifaceted career spanning academia, high-tech entrepreneurship, military service, and government leadership. From his early days as a research scientist to his role as a public official in Montana, Downing has consistently transitioned between diverse sectors, applying a background in mathematics and business to various ventures.
Professional Beginnings and Entrepreneurship
Downing began his professional journey in academia as a research scientist and educator at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. Following his time in college, he entered the tech sector by founding WebCal, a web calendar company that was eventually acquired by Yahoo!.
His entrepreneurial drive extended beyond technology. Downing established a nationwide commercial insurance company and a real estate firm. He also founded AC Self Storage Solutions, a real estate investment and self-storage firm based in Carlsbad, California, where he served as CEO.
In more recent years, Downing became the co-owner of Wildrye Distilling in Bozeman, Montana. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distillery pivoted its operations to manufacture thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer to support the state of Montana.
Military Service
Following the events of September 11, Downing enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to a combat search and rescue squadron, where he served as a flight engineer—a specialist responsible for monitoring aircraft systems and ensuring flight safety during missions.
During his tenure in the Air Force, Downing was deployed to Afghanistan on two separate occasions.
Political Career and Public Office
Downing's entry into politics began with a bid for the United States Senate in 2018, where he placed third in the Republican primary in Montana.
He later sought the office of Montana state auditor during the 2020 election. In the Republican primary, Downing faced candidates Scott Tuxbury and Nelly Nicol. He secured the nomination on June 2, 2020, winning 55 out of 56 counties and capturing 50% of the vote in the three-way race.
In the general election, Downing defeated state Senator Shane Morigeau. He was officially sworn in as the Montana state auditor on January 4, 2021.
Key Facts
- Academic Background: Former research scientist and educator at NYU's Courant Institute.
- Tech Success: Founded WebCal, which was later acquired by Yahoo!.
- Military Rank/Role: Served as a flight engineer in the US Air Force with two deployments to Afghanistan.
- Business Ventures: Founded AC Self Storage Solutions and co-owns Wildrye Distilling.
- Political Office: Served as the Montana state auditor starting January 4, 2021.
| Sector | Role/Entity | Key Achievement/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Academia | Courant Institute (NYU) | Research scientist and educator |
| Technology | WebCal | Founder; acquired by Yahoo! |
| Military | US Air Force | Flight engineer; 2x Afghanistan deployments |
| Business | AC Self Storage Solutions | Founder and former CEO |
| Government | Montana State Auditor | Elected in 2020; sworn in Jan 2021 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What company did Troy Downing found that was acquired by Yahoo!?
Troy Downing founded WebCal, a web calendar company that was subsequently acquired by Yahoo!.
What was Troy Downing's role in the United States Air Force?
Downing served as a flight engineer within a combat search and rescue squadron and was deployed to Afghanistan twice.
How did Wildrye Distilling contribute during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Wildrye Distilling, co-owned by Downing, manufactured thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer for use in Montana during the height of the pandemic.
When did Troy Downing become the Montana state auditor?
After winning the 2020 general election against Shane Morigeau, Downing was sworn into office on January 4, 2021.
Which counties did Downing win in the 2020 Republican primary?
Downing won 55 of the 56 counties in the Montana Republican primary for state auditor.