Shawn Crowser, President
Republic Bank, Inc.
Background
I am married to Valerie and we have two children, Logan and Alayna. I attended college at Bemidji State University majoring in Business Administration with concentration in Finance. For Republic Bank, I am the Assistant Vice President and In Branch Manager at the Miller Hill Mall location.
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
What I enjoy most about Chamber membership is the wide variety of business personalities I encounter and the opportunities the Chamber has given me to grow my business.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
What I hope to accomplish as a Board Member is to engage Chamber membership businesses with each other resulting in building stronger businesses that will form long-lasting partnerships.
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Nancy Kastelic, Vice President
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota
Background
I am a Business Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo Bank and have more than 13 years of banking experience and am currently working toward completing a Masters of Arts in Management and Masters in Business Administration from the College of St. Scholastica.
I’m a member of the City of Duluth Building Appeals Board, a member of the BNI Twin Ports Chapter and co-chair of the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee. I have two sons and a daughter, and love to volunteer with organizations and groups that directly affect them.
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
Membership in the chamber affords me another perfect venue to learn about Hermantown businesses. As a banker, I visit with business owners and learn about their industry as part of my job. I get caught up in the passion the owners feel for their business. I just love to learn about them. So membership increases that opportunity for me.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I am hoping that my board member position will provide me additional resources, which I can then utilize to help Hermantown businesses grow and succeed. I also hope to strengthen business relationships as a Hermantown Chamber Board Member as well as forge new relationships.
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Amy Ugstad, Secretary/Treasurer
OneUP Creative
Background
I have worked professionally in the field of graphic design and marketing management since 1996, and I launched my own graphic design business, OneUP Creative, in 2008. I am a life-long Hermantown resident, graduating from HHS in 1992 and The College of St. Scholastica in 1996.
What do you enjoy most about chamber membership?
I enjoy networking with other business people in a friendly and supportive environment. I also appreciate the opportunities the chamber has given me to grow both personally and professionally, while building my business.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I hope to contribute to the continuing success and growth of the chamber by 1. Building and promoting the value of chamber membership to both current and potential members and 2. Working to increase participation in chamber activities.
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Lori Sample, Ex-Officio
Labor Relations
Background
I am the office manager for Salo Engineering, Inc., Hermantown's City Engineer. I was born in Duluth and raised in Cloquet. I enjoy traveling, fishing and camping with my husband Bill and spending time with our twin grandsons in Atlanta.
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
I feel that my associations with Chamber business members have helped me both personally and professionally, and I enjoy the socializations. I like working on the events, meeting new people and getting to know others better.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I hope to be a part of the new chamber attitude to promote business growth and opportunities.
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Matt Cartier, Director
Cartier Agency, Inc.
Background
I have worked with the Cartier Agency for 15 years and focus on business insurance. I graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a major in business communications. I have always felt it is important to be a part of my community, doing my part to help move business forward. My wife and I live in Hermantown and have two children.
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
I enjoy getting to know other business people in my neighborhood. I like the strong sense of community I get from being involved in the Hermantown Chamber.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I know how important the chamber can be when it comes to developing Hermantown's economy. I want to help be the voice for the business community.
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Natalie Peterson, Director
Otis-Magie Insurance Agency
Background
I am the Group Health Department Manager at Otis-Magie. With an 18-year background in healthcare, my focus is on commercial health benefits. I am originally from International Falls and have lived in Hermantown for the last nine years with my husband Erik, my daughter Emma (11) and my son Elliott (9).
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
I love what the chamber has brought to me both professionally and personally. It has allowed me to expand my business and build supportive and social relationships that have helped me grow.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I look forward to helping the chamber grow its membership and encouraging current members to be involved. It is exciting to see members exceed in their business from their chamber relationships.
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 Bill Kimbler, Director
CW Technology
Background:
I grew up in Ironton, MN, and graduated from the University of MN-Duluth in 1994 with a degree in Business Administration. I moved to Duluth five years ago and am currently a Partner focusing in sales at CW Technology. My wife is Teresa (she is a Duluth native) and I have two boys: Noah (9) and Jonah (6). We also have two dogs, a cat and a guinea pig named Winnie.
What do you enjoy most about chamber membership?
As a local business partner, the chamber gives me multiple opportunities to network and stay connected within the community. I enjoy the various professional networking opportunities as well as the advocacy the chamber provides for the business community in Hermantown.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
My goals include learning more about the unique attributes of the Hermantown business community. Not having been a lifelong resident of the area, I believe I will bring an “outsider” perspective with the challenges and opportunities presented to the board. I also plan on working to bring the chamber on its “Buy Local” campaign to educate the local population on the value of buying from our local businesses whenever possible.
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Chelsea Roy, Director
Residence Inn by Marriot
Background
I am the Director of Sales at the Residence Inn by Marriott-Duluth. I studied at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and graduated with a degree in Mass Communications along with a minor in Health. I entered into the hospitality world while going to college , and started my hotel career as a Meeting and Event Specialist with ZMC hotels. I traveled to Ottawa, Canada to work at the Crowne Plaza Ottawa as a Sales Manager and then came back to home sweet home and have since been with the Residence Inn by Marriott-Duluth. Previously a Sawyer, MN native I now reside in Hermantown.
I am currently acting as Vice President of the North Star Network, a weekly networking group and in my free time I am a fitness instructor at Peak Fitness in Hermantown.
What do you enjoy about your Chamber membership?
I enjoy that there are multiple opportunities to network with fellow members. In any given month, there is a handful of large events, small events, morning events, lunch events, evening events that gives everyone no matter your schedule the chance to get out and meet with other professionals.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I hope to help increase membership within the Hermantown Chamber and also increase participation and interest in all of the great events that the Hermantown Chamber organizes.
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Doug Ralston, Director
Hermantown Federal Credit Union
Background
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
The opportunity to stay connected with area businesses, network with employees and owners and when needed be heard as a business person in the community.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
To follow through with the mission of the chamber of promoting and energizing the business community and help enhance all opportunities for growth and success.
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Dee Munson, Director
The Woman Today
Background
I am the General Manager and Account Executive at The Woman Today Magazine. I have been with the magazine for 13 years and have 28 years of experience in marketing and publishing. I am a Duluth native and my husband and I live in the Hermantown area. I am a graduate of the University of MN-Duluth in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
What do you enjoy about chamber membership?
I love what the chamber has brought to me on a personal and professional level. It has helped me build a good number of social relationships that have helped me to grow and that has grown my professional relationships in my business.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
I hope to learn more and be involved more in the development of Hermantown’s' economy. I look forward to helping the chamber grow its membership as well.
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Andrew Horngren, Director
Outback Steakhouse
Background
I have two boys that are my world: Dominic (9) and Vincent (7). I am a current resident of Proctor and I attended Central High School and Duluth Business University. I’m currently the Managing Partner at Outback Steakhouse. I’ve been in the restaurant business for 15 years. I play hockey goalie in a couple of rec leagues and I enjoy snowboarding and golfing with my sons.
What do you enjoy about the Chamber membership?
What I enjoy most about my chamber membership is meeting new people and building lasting relationships with other business professionals.
What do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
As a board member I’m looking forward to serving and giving back to my community and to grow personally.
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