PREVIOUS FRIEND OF THE CHAMBER HONOREES

2021 Del Mari Runck (Neighborhood National Bank)

2020 Carl Vaagenes (Alomere Health)

2019 Brett Paradis (Paradis Broadcasting)

2018 Shari Lavin (Viking Bank)

2017 Carol Wenner (Local Level Marketing)

2016 Todd Emmons (Innovative Builders, Inc.)

2015 K athy Pesta and Carla Spaeth (Pro Staff)

2013 Kevin Kopischke (Alexandria Technical and Community College)

2012 Mark Proudfoot (MJ Communications)

2011 Marie Rutten (Bremer Bank)

2010 Tom Jacobson (Swenson Lervick Trosvig Jacobson PA)

2009 Tim A arsvold (Geneva Beach Resort & Viking Motel)

2008 Jill Blashack-Strahan & Joani Nielson (Tastefully Simple)

2007 Bruce Wiitanen (Juettner Motors)

2006 Lynette Kluver (Alexandria Extrusion)

2005 Susan Skoglund Boerhave (Viking Savings Bank)

2004 Carol Meyer (Garden Center)

2003 Rose Virnig Shorma (American Business Solutions)

2002 Kyle Diekman (Diekman Jewelry)

2001 Vicki Jodsaas (Alexandria Technical and Community College)

2000 Jody Hanson (Echo Press)

1999 Blake Evert (Target Alexandria)

1998 Chamber Ambassadors Group

1997 Sue Davidson

1996 Al Quam

1995 Janet Thorkelson

1994 Leroy Meyer

1993 Jim Karn, John Carlberg, Chuck Pugh & Ken Martinson

1992 Governor’s Fishing Opener Committee

1990 Jerry Jensen

Message from the Executive Director

(Alexandria Education Foundation/Cardinal Athletic Foundation), Ryan Blakesley (Viking Bank), Darcie Zirbes (Alexandria Police Department), Lukas Gotto (Alexandria Public Schools), Jay Fiskness (Glenwood State Bank). (Middle): Brandon Plotz (Edward Jones), Nolan Steidl (Hilltop Lumber), Jason Crannell (ITW Heartland), Cally Endres (Windmill Ponds), Kasey Morris (Bold North Cellars), Andrew Holte (Bell Bank), Jon Botz (Widseth), Kari Ziesemer (McCarten Design), Julie Rambow (Randy Fischer Real Estate), PJ Malin (First Lutheran Church), Tonia Kvale (Kvale Real Estate). (Front): Stanley Nelson (CONTECH Bridge Solutions), Joe Korkowski (Explore Alexandria Tourism, Cyndi Magnuson (Knute Nelson), Gabrielle Giannonatti (Geneva Capital), Sam Williams (Alexandria Covenant Church), Sophia Watt (Horizon Public Health), John Zipoy (Brenton), Jeff Walsh (3M Abrasive Systems Division Plant).

The Chamber offers two programs to build and support community leaders – Leadership Alexandria (LA) and Leadership Alexandria 2.0.

LA is currently in its 30th year of building a stronger community one leader at a time. The program is for individuals of any age serving in a leadership role or hoping to transition into a leadership role. Key takeaways of the nine-month program include insight into local history, business, education and government; personal growth and wellness; connections with other business professionals and more.

In LA 2.0, participants learn to apply leadership tools, clarify communication, overcome challenges, achieve work/ life balance and more while gaining insight into how their leadership impacts the future of the community.