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Say Yes to Your Local Lending Experts
Chamber Edc Staff
Maggie Byrd ...................................................Event Coordinator
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Emily Eback ...Business Development & Marketing Coordinator
Ross Frohlich ............................................Membership Director
Mary Kempenich........................Workforce Marketing Specialist
Christine Nelson ..........................Vice President Sales & Events
Rebecca Pelkey .................................Communications Specialist
Brian Ritter .......................................................President & CEO
Julianne Sauvage ...................... Office & Accounting Manager
Lyndsey Scheurer .........................Creative Marketing Specialist
Nathan Schneider ................................................Vice President
Emily Seebold ................................................ Sales Coordinator
Cathryn Sprynczynatyk .....................Communications Specialist
Kelsey Wirt .......................Small Business Outreach Coordinator
1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-223-5660 • www.bismarckmandan.com
Contact Information
Advertising Emily Seebold eseebold@bmcedc.com
Content Rebecca Pelkey rpelkey@bmcedc.com
It takes a special kind of bank to process a $10,000 loan for a small town business and a $100 million loan for a big-city corporation with the same quality of service and expertise. Our status as a large community bank helps us offer the best of both worlds – the knowledge and expertise of a big bank and the customer service and attention to detail of a small community bank. With First International Bank & Trust, you’ll be able to Say Yes to Living First with banking solutions tailored to your needs, from business loans to direct deposits. No matter what stage your business is currently in, we can help you grow into your future.
BANKING | MORTGAGE | INSURANCE* | TRUST & INVESTMENTS*
At the beginning of each year, the communications team at the Chamber EDC puts together a preliminary editorial calendar to plan the feature stories for each edition of the Connection. This process not only organizes the team but also generates some great ideas, including this month’s cover feature; the impact of the military on Bismarck-Mandan. Since we’re not home to a large military installation like the Air Force bases in Minot or Grand Forks, it can sometimes be easy to assume the military has less impact on our community.
However, I think that this month’s cover feature will help change that.
Bismarck-Mandan has TWO military installations-- one at both Fraine Barracks located near the Liberty Memorial Bridge and another at the National Guard Armory near Exit 161 on I94. While these are outward signs of the military’s presence, the people who serve at these installations have the most impact on our communities. Whether active duty or reserve, Bismarck-Mandan is home to thousands of people currently serving with our branches of military. What’s more is that they’re doing so while also participating in our community as business owners, dedicated staff, or community leaders. This month’s Connection will spotlight not only the military’s presence in our community via their facilities, but their volunteerism in the business world.
After you read these stories, I’m confident you’ll clearly see that military impact as you’re out and about in Bismarck-Mandan this summer. Speaking of which, summer is (finally) here!
We have a great lineup of Chamber EDC events for you to take advantage of over the coming months. The Chamber EDC Outdoor Golf Scramble will kick off our summer events on June 5 at Hawktree. On July 22 hundreds of kids across Bismarck-Mandan will participate in Lemonade Day and learn to flex their entrepreneurial muscles. In August, we’re planning our very first, family-friendly Chamber EDC Networking event and, to round things out in September, Brats with the Brave and Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan will help us share our appreciation for those who serve and support our community. And… don’t forget about our monthly Membership Mixers and Lunches on the Patio, which are all FREE for Chamber EDC Members. We have a LOT of activities planned and we’re looking forward to seeing you all out and about!
On top of that, our next few months also includes the search for a new Chamber EDC President & CEO.
In late April, current President & CEO Brian Ritter announced his plans to resign next month for a great new opportunity as Head of Market Affairs for Sanford Health. While we’ll certainly miss Brian and wish him the very best as he advances his career, our attention now turns to finding his successor. To lead this effort, we have appointed a Search Committee consisting of Chamber EDC Executive Committee representatives, Board Members and Members At-Large. This group has already met to update the position’s description, develop a timeline, and post the position nationally. Our intent is to move quickly to minimize any disruption to the organization’s operation, but also deliberately to ensure that we find the right candidate. If you have any questions or concerns as this process unfolds, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
As you can see, the summer is shaping up to be a busy one, but we’ll be sure to savor the warm weather as much as we can. As always, thank you so much for your continued support and we’ll look forward to seeing you around!
Wendy Van Duyne, Chair Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC
