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2023 has been a busy year filled with a lot of change for the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce. At the beginning of the year Jena Lowmaster was still the Executive Director and longtime Kodiak resident Linda Hartle started working as the Administrative Assistant on January 3rd. Fast Forward to September and we have an all new staff and some new board members too.
I was hired as Executive Director at the end of March and started working with Jena part time in mid-April, was working full time by the week of Crab Fest, just in time to learn as much as I could about set up, take down, the parade and everything in between.
This summer I posted the Community Relations Director position and began interviewing candidates in August. We were blessed with some great choices and I hired someone I'm confident you will appreciate for her genuine and friendly demeanor, her skill as a writer, doer, volunteer, her past event experience, work with nonprofits, many years with Community Schools, and working for KMXT. I think you will find her to be truly helpful and easy to work with, please join me in welcoming longtime Kodiak resident Lori Siebe to the Chamber as our new Community Relations Director.
Other big changes this year, Nicholas Mangini and Rob Greene joined the Board. Discover Kodiak's new Executive Director Brock Simmons is on our Board as ex-officio member. We also have two new Coast Guard Ex Officio Board Members joining us this year. CO Base Kodiak Captain Jeremy Hall and CO Air Station Kodiak Captain Timothy Williams.
As we head into the fall we have many exciting events taking place. Candidate Forums tonight and Wednesday in the Borough Assembly Chambers and broadcast live on 100.1 FM KMXT. Chamber Board Election and the Annual Meeting & Recognition Dinner at the Afognak Center on Saturday, October 28th! Moonlight Madness & Downtown Trick or Treat and not long after that will be our Annual Holiday Decorating Contest for Businesses. We are working on picking a theme for Crab Fest 2024 and then we’ll launch the Logo & Poster Contest. There’s also a Relocation Guide Photo Contest coming up.
For those of you that don’t already know me, for the past 16 years I was the General Manager of Kodiak Island Broadcasting Co. Inc. I've worked with Chamber staff over the years while working at KVOK & HOT 101.1, and all the way back to when Wayne Stevens was the Executive Director. I was on the Chamber Board of Directors from 2014 to early 2020.
As long as I can remember I have cared deeply and passionately about this community. It goes back to when I was a young child walking to the store on errands for my parents, or walking downtown with friends to the Sizzler Burger, Captain’s Keg, Beryl’s, Kraft’s, City Market, and of course to any of our great small businesses like Wodlinger’s, Sutliff’s, Eggemeyer’s, Cy’s Sporting Goods, Norman’s, Mack's, and Ardinger’s, or going to the Elks for dinner or Sunday breakfast with my family, and waiting in some very long lines to see a movie at the Orpheum Theatre. This is my home. I have a lot of history here and it has always mattered to me that we have a thriving economy and small business community in Kodiak.
We live on a stunningly beautiful island. I believe that having a community to call home that matches just how amazing this island is should be what we are always striving for. It is my hope and intention to bring my professional experience, drive, and desire through my role as the Executive Director of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce to help each of you in your efforts, as we all do our part to make Kodiak, Alaska be an incredible place to live, work, play and enjoy for all.
I hope you'll find time to explore all of the information regarding upcoming Member events, benefits and other information below.
Kindest Regards,
Ellen Simeonoff
Executive Director
Kodiak Chamber of Commerce
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