I spent most of my career in sales and marketing in the media industry. I liked what I did, and I really enjoyed the customer service aspect of my previous positions. However, I knew I wanted to make more of an impact with the work that I did. I had the idea of working for a non-profit in the back of my mind. When the opportunity to work for the Chamber presented itself in 2018, I felt it was an opportunity I could not pass up. I love knowing that I have helped someone in some way – for their business, personal life, etc – it is very fulfilling.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Jory, and I have been together for 30 years, married 23 this year. He has been a teacher in ISD833 for 23 years. Our oldest, Luke, is a senior at Lakeville North and our youngest, Mason, is a sophomore at North. We have lived in Lakeville for 15 years and could not be happier that this is where our boys have grown up. They have participated in sports and other activities, volunteered with me at Pan-O-Prog and various Chamber events and even drop by to say hi to me at the office [across the street from their school] from time to time!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been the Chamber President since October of 2018. I love this position. I get to be the champion for so many great people and businesses in our community. I get to see firsthand the impact that relationship building, and community pride have in elevating a business climate. I get to meet and interact with the people who are making a difference every day in our community. I am also spending time helping to give our Lakeville students opportunities for career exploration and workforce readiness. This has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job and I hope we continue to help prepare these students to come work in our businesses. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead this organization, nearly 500 businesses strong, and I am excited every day about the possibilities we create, the relationships we facilitate, and the support we give to these leaders – present and future – in this great community of Lakeville.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
As the Chamber President I cannot pick just one! I will say that what I love about our restaurant community is that we have over 60 choices from fast food to fine dining here in Lakeville. So many of these restaurants are owned and ran by local proprietors. They live here, their kids go to school here and they have embedded themselves in our community. If feels like Cheers or a Hallmark movie when you walk into many of these establishments – as you always seem to know at least one person inside!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been a Lakevill-ian for 15 years and worked here for about 3 ½.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Again, as the Chamber President, I cannot pick just one. However, I would say that some of our local historians and icons are so fun to talk with, as their memories are long, and their stories are so fascinating. Martha Erickson [Erickson Drug], Audrey Johnson [Johnson Companies] and Wally Potter [Lakeville Historical Society] are just a few that can story-tell like nobody’s business! It is impressive to see the number of people who have lived here much of their lives. That is a real testament to the fabric of our town that people want to spend their years in the same place they grew up.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
My husband and I celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2024 and it has been on our bucket list to do the major Alaska land and sea adventure to celebrate. I would also love to go to Italy or a Scandinavian country.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Depends on the day! I am a sucker for romance and anyone who knows me well knows that I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I love the idea of living in a Hallmark town and I think our downtown feels a lot like one most days! The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was E.T. and I cried like crazy!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I love “sayings”, so I have several of them hanging in my house. The ones I really like are – “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” “When life gives you more than you can stand…kneel.” And probably one of my favorites is: “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Just to travel in general. Most of our trips in the last 10 years involved a hockey rink somewhere. My husband and I hope to travel more when our boys are grown. It will be even better if they decide to join us on a few trips!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Country
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I have to give a shout out to Dean Simon at Ace Hardware here. Dean knows about my desire to “live” in a Hallmark movie and I tell him often that having a local hardware store in downtown Lakeville is about as Hallmark as it gets!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I don’t have that “one person” that I have always wanted to meet. I think the easy answer is someone like the President, Queen Elizabeth, etc. I think it would be fascinating to hear what their average day looks like. As I look at my to-do pile on the desk, and the stack of emails that need to be addressed daily, I always wonder what is on their to-do list, not the one their people take care of, the one they need to cross off themselves. Where would I want to eat? – somewhere private – my house? Except for the fact that cleaning it is also on that long to-do list right now!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The culture of our community. For a town that is the fastest growing city 6+ years running, and pushing close to 70,000 people, it still feels like a small town. The businesses owners are second and third generation, twenty and thirty-somethings come back here to raise their families, and people are so willing to give of their time, talent, and treasure here. People just get it – they are proud of our town and want to continue to give back to it and the next generation to keep it going.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope I am working smarter, traveling more and enjoying my children as [successful!] adults.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Man, I wish there was something! Well, speaking of “faces”, I was in a “Face of the ‘90’s” modeling contest for WLOL [remember that radio station!]. I made it to the finals, and it took me way out of my comfort zone – the contest was at a mall … that’s so 90’s!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I feel like I should say something profound here, but quite simply I would either say Hawaii or northern MN – both equally beautiful in their own way.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Month is October [I love fall!], Holiday – obviously Christmas!, and single day is any day that I can have all four of us together doing something fun [those days are unicorns with teenagers].
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Chocolate!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Love this question! Mulled Cider candles or Fresh Cut Christmas Tree
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
My husband, my sons, cozy and grounding
