Olson takes over as new director at Havre chamber

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has hired Jody Olson to take over as executive director of the Chamber.

Olson and her husband, Brian, had become so enamored with Havre during their years living here from the late '80s to the mid-'90s that, even after 16 years away, they still wanted to move back to stay after retiring, Jody Olson said.

"In those years he worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, so the railroad was what originally brought us here (until Brian) transferred to Fort Worth, and then we did everything in our power to get back here," she said.

The Olsons moved back to Havre in 2010 and they've both been busy in the community since, primarily the Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club for her and the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited for him.

While the Chamber's executive director position is more involved than just a hobby for retirement, Olson said, she felt compelled to take the opportunity.

"Well, this just came up, kind of a once in a lifetime chance to do this, and I thought, 'Oh, this'll be fun,' just because we've loved Havre so much," she said. "I'm like a walking poster board for it."

A lot of what they found attractive, she added, is the small-town atmosphere, the outdoor opportunities and the community's cultural diversity which incorporates people brought in by U.S. Border Patrol, Montana State University-Northern and Northern Montana Hospital; Native Americans from local reservations; and the Hutterite colonies.

Olson said her first day in the office was July 5, and she's been attending meetings and getting up to speed on what former director Debbie Vandeberg and the board had put into motion. Long-time office manager Shari Robinson "has been invaluable," Olson added.

Because so much of what the Chamber does deals with long-term arrangements - planning and scheduling for events, promotions, printing, booking venues and more - everything is in place for about the next year, she said.

But, she said, she's gathering and formulating ideas for future efforts and changes.

"I hope I'm a fresh face or someone who's approachable," she said. "... I want to be approachable and do my best for the business community they can tell me what needs to be done."

Olson said she grew up in Minnesota and has been married 37 years. She and her husband have three daughters and eight grandchildren. One daughter lives in Fort Worth, another in Seattle and the third, who has three children, moved to Havre, Olson said, and she and her family live next door to Olson west of town.

Olson said Havre just feels like home.

"I really do appreciate the town and being back up here after living other places," she said, adding, "we wanted to come back here - we chose to come back here."