Get to know the Chamber staff! Featuring... Jess Ptacek

My name is Jessica Ptacek. I grew up in and graduated high school from Parkers Prairie. After high school I moved to Alexandria and started working at McDonalds while attending Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC). In 2015 I graduated from ATCC from the Fashion Management and Marketing and Sales programs. After college, I continued to work at McDonalds as the People Department manager, doing the hiring, scheduling and training. I volunteered in my spare time at Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC), where I helped at the front desk, answered calls, worked on social media sites and helped plan events.

In May 2016 I started my career with the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce as the Visitor Center & Office Coordinator. I work at the front desk, answer phones and greet guests, plan and manage some of our events and programs and organize and stock the Visitor Center with Chamber member information. I am so grateful that I get to work so close with the Alexandria community. Before starting at the Chamber I wasn’t able to appreciate all of the amazing things this community has to offer. Now, not only do I know of all the amazing things to do in the area but I also have time to enjoy them! In May 2017 I joined the Alexandria Jaycees and in 2018 joined the board of directors as secretary. In September 2018 I joined the board of directors for the Red Willow Arts Coalition and was able to help choose bands to play on the courthouse lawn during the summer. I have also been active with other organizations periodically volunteering my time.  
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My husband, Kevin, and I have been married for three years and have a house in Alexandria with two adopted cats. I have nine beautiful nieces and nephews and one more on the way. In my free time I enjoy watching Netflix with my husband, video games, painting my nails and spending time with my family. I also trained for and ran my first 5K last spring. It was a great accomplishment and made me realize that I can do anything that I set my mind to! 

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