Chamber sets annual meeting for Jan. 22

115th The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 115th Annual Meeting luncheon Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Montana State University-Northern Student Union Building Ballroom from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Shane Etzwiler, Community Relations Manager for NorthWestern Energy, and former CEO of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker.

The meeting includes celebrating outgoing officers and board members and welcoming in the new, as well as an update on the Chamber's last year and plans for the next year.

Outgoing Officers and Board Members

Maia LaSalle: Alluvion Health-Outgoing Past President

Paul Tuss: Bear Paw Development Corp.

Jack Maloughney: Triangle Communications

Gal Phillips: PJ's Restaurant and Casino

Rachel Burchard: Koefod Agency

Jennifer Thompson: Bullhook Community Health Center

2025 Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Board Members

President: Courtney Helmers - AgWest Farm Credit

1st Vice President: Holly Bitz - Havre Public Schools

2nd Vice President: Corey Kopp - Spruce & Steel Music

Director at Large: Christen Ouellette - Independence Bank

Past President: Adam Johnson - NorthWestern Energy

Wendy Gerky: Bearly Square Quilting

Willie Madril: 406 Custom Auto & Sound

Adam Derby: Northern Montana Healthcare

William Lanier: Hill County Commissioner

Joshua Engle: MSU- Northern

Trent Goslin: Les Schwab Tire Center

Katie Kuhr LeMay: Bosch, Kuhr, Dugdale, & Brown PLLP

Samm Nimmick: Havre Job Service

Stefnie Redding: Bear Paw Development

McKayla Martin: Triangle Communications

City of Havre Representative: Mayor Doug Kaercher

MSUN Student Representative: Aiden Perkins

Momentum building in the Havre Chamber of Commerce

From Incoming Havre Area Chamber of Commerce President Courtney Helmers

I have had the privilege of serving on the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce board for four years and will serve as the president for the 2025 year.

When I joined the board my exposure to the Chamber was limited to the Agribusiness committee. I quickly became acquainted with how the Chamber is a broadly serving organization. I have learned how critical it is to extend connection and collaboration beyond our own organizations and professional networks to strengthen the environment where businesses and our community can flourish together.

We all feel and see the changes in the economic and business environments. In 2024 we (the Board, Chamber Executive Director, and Office Manager) challenged each other to find alignment in all that we do with the Chamber's mission of "PROMOTING THE WELLBEING OF THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE HAVRE AREA". We believe the goals we have set for 2025 will result in efficiencies, greater effectiveness and ultimately add value to our Chamber members and the community. There is a vision and energy going into 2025 and I am looking forward to seeing where this momentum takes the Chamber.

On behalf of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, thank you to all the Chamber members and volunteers for your continued support and active participation!

Thanks for supporting the Chamber, and stay tuned

From Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelli N. Sayers

I have had the honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Director of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce for the past year. As I reflect on 2024, I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for so many individuals, organizations, and businesses in our wonderful community and beyond. Thank you to our new and existing Havre Chamber members. Our members are the lifeblood of our organization, and we would literally not exist without them. I cannot express how thankful I am for our new chamber members who have recently joined, as well as our existing members who have faithfully renewed their annual memberships year after year. Thank you for your investment in the Havre community! If you would like more information on Havre Chamber membership, please call our office at 406-265-4383 or email us at [email protected].

I also wish to extend a sincere thank you to our Board of Directors. As the governing body of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, our board members dedicate countless hours to Chamber meetings, committees, events, programs, and projects. Their guidance and leadership over the last 12 months has proven vital to the success of our organization. Thank you for your service to the Havre Chamber and Havre community!

In addition, I would like to express my appreciation to our event sponsors, committee members, and volunteers. Our sponsors generously fund events, projects, and programs for the betterment of our community. Our committee members regularly schedule and attend meetings to further plan and implement activities that encourage local engagement and stimulate our economy. Our volunteers selflessly work to help plan, prepare, and execute events throughout the year. Thank you for investing your resources and time in community events!

I want to genuinely thank our Office Manager Richelle for stepping in and stepping up to anything and everything thrown her way. Richelle's creativity, flexibility, skills, talents, and abilities have proven crucial to the forward momentum of the Havre Chamber this past year. Thank you, Richelle, for everything you have done, and continue to do for the Havre Chamber!

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to those who attend Havre Chamber sponsored events and engage in Havre Chamber programs. Your continued participation and involvement in Havre activities ensures their success! Thank you for coming out and showing up! I look forward to seeing everyone out and about and partaking in all our community has to offer in 2025!

Please stay tuned for all the exciting developments the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce has in store for 2025! We have been busy planning, preparing, and working to ensure a prosperous and successful 2025! Please visit and post your events on the community calendar at havreareaevents.net to stay informed of Havre activities. Thank you again so much for all your support!