Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber will be closed July 2- 4 in observance of Independence Day. As we take this time to celebrate with family and friends, we also pause to reflect with gratitude on the freedoms we enjoy and the values that unite us as a nation. Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July!

Please note that there are no Connections scheduled during the month of July.

Congratulations and thank you to Willmar Municipal Utilities for 50 years of continuous support of the Chamber! Established in 1891, Willmar Municipal Utilities' mission is to provide the highest quality, lowest cost services while being fiscally responsible. WMU promotes three principles: deliver service that exceeds customer expectations, provide a solid financial foundation for the City of Willmar, and improve service efficiency using industry proven processes and technologies.

Representing the WMU staff: Andrea Prekker, Jeron Smith, Alan Neer, Mike Sangren, Abby Ahrendt, Ed Zurn, John Eggert, Kevin Marti, and Janel Johnson.

WMU Commissioners: John Kennedy, Bruce, DeBliek, and City Council MUC Liaison Tom Gilbertson.

Representing the Chamber: Andrew Kveene (Edward Jones), Brittany VanDerBill (B.VanDerBill Consulting), Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Tayla Boersma and Lindsey Peters (MinnWest Technology Campus), Suzanne Hass (Allstate Insurance), Lexi Kopacek (Christianson CPAs and Consultants), President/CEO James Miller, Jon Schmidt (DataSucess), Jayme Sczublewski (New London Real Estate), Steve Gardner (Willmar Electric), Amy Evink (Mick Quinn - State Farm), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Dan Jacobs and Jason Kowalczyk (Marcus Construction), and Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank).

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber is accepting nominations for positions on its Board of Directors. Any Chamber member in good standing is eligible to be nominated or to self-nominate for a three-year term. A Nominating Committee will review all submissions. Nominations my be sent to Chamber President/CEO James Miller at jmiller@willmarareachamber.com.

Last week, Representative Scott Van Binsbergen, Senator Andrew Lang, and Representative Dave Baker offered a comprehensive overview of the recent legislative session. They provided valuable insight into key decisions made at the Capitol and explored how these developments impact our community and local businesses. The event drew a full house. Conversations like these play a vital role in driving us forward.

Join us for Rock the Dock, the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber's annual fundraising event - formerly known as Melvin's Throwback! Enjoy this beachfront concert featuring live music from Pirates, Guitars, and Beachfront Bars! Show off your best pirate look for a chance at fabulous prizes. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 after July 11th.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Desiree Petrich of Intentional Action. They talked about the Intentional Leader Summit in Marshall on August 6th.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

• CentraCare - EMT, Paramedic

• Citizen's Alliance Bank - Loan Admin Clerk, Loan Servicing Specialist, Teller/Personal Banker, VP/Ag Commercial Loan Officer, Mortgage Operations Supervisor, Operations Lead, Risk Manager, Insurance Customer Service
• Representative, Loan Officer

• Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Fuel Transport Driver, Field Service Technician

• DREAM Technical Academy - Special Education Paraprofessional

• Employment Plus - Bank Teller

• Haug Implement - Parts Counter Professional, Ag Equipment Sales, Tire Specialist, Truck Driver, Diesel Technician, Showroom and Merchandising Assistant

• Haug Kubota - Service Technician

• Jennie-O - Revenue Finance Specialist

• Life-Science Innovations - Corporate Tax Accountant

• Marcus Construction - Marketing Coordinator

• Minnesota Department of Human Services - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant



• Minnesota Department of Transportation - Surveying Technician, Executive Assistant

• Northern Radiator - Customer Service Representative

• RELCO - Staff / AP Accountant, Senior Automation Engineer

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Physical Therapist, Special Education Paraprofessional

• The Village - Children's Museum Attendant

• West Central Sanitation - Full Time Drivers - All Experience Levels

Tuesday, July 1 at 4:30pm - Membership Milestone at AIM of West Central Minnesota

Wednesday, July 2 - Friday, July 4 - Chamber Office Closed | Happy Independence Day!

Tuesday, July 8 at 7:30am - GrowMN Meeting at the Chamber

Tuesday, July 8 at 8:00am - neXt Leadership in the MinnWest Multi-Tech Room