ANNUAL CELEBRATION

The Annual Celebration offers an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and to kick off the New Year.  Our outgoing president passes the gavel to the incoming president, we honor a Friend of the Chamber, outgoing board members, Top 5 Under 40 Honorees, and more.  We welcome all to come network and celebrate the Chamber’s role in the community!

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View our Annual Tabloid

Chamber Celebration spotlights 2024 successes and plans for 2024

Thanks to all who attended the Chamber’s 2025 Annual Celebration January 27 at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center. The event celebrated the successes of 2024 and gave a glimpse of what to expect in 2025. Here are a few highlights!

​Mike Doyle named 2024
​Friend of the Chamber
Mike Doyle was named the 2024 Friend of the Chamber! Mike is the administrator for Heartland Orthopedics. He served on the Chamber  Board of Directors from 2015 to 2020, and on the Director Transition Team in 2015-2016 when Executive Director Coni McKay announced places to retire after 19 years. He served as board president in 2016, the year new director, Tara Bitzan, was hired. Mike has been an active member of the Chamber Ambassadors since 2020, a long-time member of the Chamber Government Affairs Committee, and an important support and resource for  Chamber director and team.

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The gavel is passed
2025 President Lynn Arnquist, Customized Training Representative for Alexandria Technical & Community College, accepted the gavel from 2024 President, Brad Lenertz, Administrative Director for Alexandria Clinic, A Service of Alomere Health. Lenertz  received a caricature as a parting gift that features his love of the lake, his family, and his career path.

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Ambassador & Membership Team Awards

Ryan Hjelle of Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical was named 2024 Ambassador of the Year

Donna Ryan of Glenwood State Bank was name Membership Team Member of the Year for 2024

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President's Award
The President’s Award is given by the outgoing Chamber board president to someone who best exemplified the Chamber theme for the year. 2024 President Brad Lenertz selected Chief Scott Kent of the Alexandria Police Department as the person who best exemplified the “Building Tomorrow” theme. In addition to his law enforcement training, Kent has gone through implicit bias training and now facilitates the trainings to other officers in Minnesota and Illinois. He has graduated from the FBI National Academy, is a Certified Learning Facilitator for Adverse Childhood Experiences curriculum, and was appointed to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training.  Lenertz noted that Chief Kent is dedicated to 'Building Tomorrow' through the professional development of his team and for building a spirit of community-minded officers and staff.

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$80,495 in Chamber Bucks were distributed locally in 2024!

Douglas Machine was the top Chamber Bucks partner in 2024 purchasing $14,995.

Diamond Buick GMC was the 2nd highest Chamber Buck purchaser in 2024 with $9,000

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2025 Top 5 Under 40 Young Professionals

The Chamber and Echo Press Newspaper partner to honor young professionals who are doing amazing things in the community. Honorees are selected through a nomination process based on professional achievements, community involvement, and overall depth of qualities. These honorees included Tyler Notch, Owner/General Manager of Alexandria Shooting Park and Owner/COO of Lakes Area Arms; Jenna Hill, Special Education Teacher for Alexandria Public Schools; Courtney Childers and Kari Ziesemer, Co-Owners of McCarten Design and Pinecasa Rentals; Jennifer Olson, Chief Human Resource Officer for Alexandria Technical & Community College; and Lisa Duberowski, Population Health Manager for Vivie.