Chamber presents annual awards, announces new Board, officers

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held its 78th annual meeting and awards presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Surf Ballroom.

At the meeting, the Board of Directors named two new Board members and three current Board members renewed their service for a second three-year term.

New Board members for a three-year term are: Amanda Kasten, Kingland; and Carrie Shannon, Hall Realty. Renewing Board members for a three-year term are: Michael Knorr, Accord Architecture; Sarah Nielsen, First Citizens Bank; and Kent Thoe, MBT Bank. Retiring Board members are: Jay LeFevre, First Gabrielson Agency; Kelli Mason, Lake Lifestyles; and Diana Symonds, McQuaid Agency.

Chamber Board Officers for 2020 are: Chair, Natalie Plagge, Clear Lake Bank & Trust; Past Chair, Dan Nichols, CL Tel; Treasurer, Sarah Nielsen, First Citizens Bank; Vice Chair Tourism, Deb Cash, Farmer’s State Bank; Vice Chair Legislative Affairs, Mark Dodd, One Vision; and Chair-Elect, Carrie Tysdahl, American Solutions for Business. 

Annual award recipients include: First Mate of the Year, Denni Sue Erickson, Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel; Education Partner of the Year, CL Tel; North Iowa Service Award, Linda Upmeyer; Larry Luker Volunteer of the Year, Carrie Tysdahl, American Solutions for Business, and 2020 Business of the Year, Fareway.