Laura Lokken President	Background Born and raised in Duluth. Attended UMD and Lake Superior College. Worked at Lakewalk Surgery Center and for Interim Health Care before purchasing Golden Oaks. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy the socialization with fellow business members and learning how to be successful in my own field. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to show the people of Hermantown my commitment to helping the community grow. I chose to build my advanced assisted living facility in Hermantown because I believe the area has great potential and I want to be a part of that. Golden Oaks Assisted Living Hermantown Phone: 729-5014 Fax: 729-0319 lauralokken@goldenoaksduluth.net
Cindy Nelson Vice President	Background Hermantown resident. Has been in the banking industry since 1988. Graduated from UMD in 1988. Currently pursuing a masters in management from CSS. Two daughters, Kirsten age 13 and Elizabeth age 11. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy the networking events that our Chamber sponsors. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? As a board member, I would like to be proactive as an ambassador for the Hermantown chamber and community. Members Cooperative Credit Union Phone: 625-8500 cindynelson1@hotmail.com
Wade Petrich Treasurer	Background Publisher and co-owner of the Hermantown Star. Wife: Traci. Two children: Allicia and Aidan. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy the chance to network and meet others in the local business community. We have a great membership of proactive thinkers. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? Hermantown continues to grow and the business community has great potential in this area. We need a chamber that helps move business forward. I think we have that, but we need to continue doing it as a chamber and board. Hermantown Star Hermantown Phone: 727-0419 Fax: 722-5821 wpetrich@hermantownstar.com
Jamie Sathers-Day Secretary	Background Graduated from Hermantown HS & the College of St Scholastica. Has sold real estate since 1989. Family: Husband, Patrick & Two sons. First year on the board. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I love meeting people & learning about their businesses. It's a very friendly networking group! J. S. Realty LLC Duluth, MN Phone: 729-9784 Fax: 729-5638 jamiesathersday@msn.com
Doug Ralston Ex-Official Executive	Background Hermantown Federal Credit Union Marketing and Public Relations Manager What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy meeting and working with members of the business community both on a professional and personal level. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? Through my past experiences and expertise as a business professional, I want to provide guidance for the betterment of the organization and the well being of businesses within our community. Hermantown Federal Credit Union Hermantown Phone: 729-7733 or 729-7978 dralston@hermantownfcu.org
Leonard Johnson Director	Background Member of Citon Team since Nov. 2007. Graduate of Hermantown High School in 1990 and UMD in 1995. Married to best friend Melanie since May 2004. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy the openness of the Chamber and the camaraderie among the members. I also enjoy attending many of the social events sponsored by the chamber. I always have fun. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to make many new friends and assist in growing the chamber membership. Improving the Web site and technology is important as well. Citon Corp Duluth Phone: 740-2821 Fax: 722-1231 ljohnson@citon.com
Scott Hanson Director	Background Office manager, National Bank of Commerce, Hermantown Office. Wife: Tracy. Sons: Cole and Tate. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy meeting other professional leaders and business owners and getting to know more about their businesses. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to help maintain and establish the Hermantown business opportunities. National Bank of Commerce Hermantown office Phone: 730-2404 Fax: 730-2414 shansen@nbofc.com
Dean Luoma Director	Background Co-owner Superior Print of Duluth - 17 years. Co-owner Quiznos Sub Hermantown - 3 years. First year on the board. Hermantown High School graduate. Attended UMD. Lifetime Hermantown resident (40+ years). Wife: RaShell - married 10 years; Children: Nyah, Neela. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy meeting other business people in the Hermantown area. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to help promote the chamber to increase membership and to promote area businesses through networking opportunities. Superior Print of Duluth, Inc. Duluth, MN Phone: 722-4135 Fax: 722-0416 dean@superiorprintinc.com
Tess Dandrea Director	Background Employed by Lake Superior College as a Customized Training Representative specializing in the Health Care Industry. First year on the board. Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota. Hermantown resident for the past 10 years. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy meeting other business people in the Hermantown area. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to help promote the chamber to increase membership and to promote area businesses through networking opportunities. Lake Superior College Duluth, MN Phone: 7233-7600 Fax: t.dandrea@lsc.edu
John Muehlbauer Director	Background Has worked for Minnesota Power since graduating from UMD in 1989 and currently manages the Operations Coordination Center within Distribution Engineering & Operations. Has lived on Stebner Rd in Hermantown since 1995. Wife: Carol; Daughter: Jessica (15); Sons: Joe (13) and Josh (3). Enjoys his children's sports/activities, fishing, hunting, and golfing. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy meeting new people/fellow chamber members, learning about their businesses and their families, and talking about how we as a chamber can all work together to help all of our businesses prosper in Hermantown, and maintain the quality of life in this community. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I would like to work with the board in finding new, creative ways to bring new families and customers to Hermantown and its businesses. Minnesota Power Duluth, MN Phone: 722-1972 Fax: 720-2781 jmuehlbauer@mnpower.com
Wade Backstrom Director	Background Retail Sales Manager Engwall Florist, Greenhouse and Garden Center. Born and raised in Duluth. Graduated from Denfeld in 1994 and UW-Superior in 1999. Family: Wife Sue, Daughter Ella, and new addition due in May. First year on Board. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I view the chamber as an excellent place to network and to learn about the dynamics of our business community. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to help increase the value of chamber membership through retaining and increasing the membership base. Engwall Florist, Greenhouse and Garden Hermantown, MN Phone: 727-8961 Fax: 727-8890 wade@engwalls.com
Lori Sample Director	Background I am the office manager for Salo Engineering, Inc., Hermantown's City Engineer. Born in Duluth and raised in Cloquet. Enjoy traveling, fishing and camping with husband Bill and spending time with our twin grandsons in Atlanta. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I feel that my associations with Chamber business members have helped me both personally and professionally, and I enjoy the socializations. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I hope to be a part of the new chamber attitude to promote business growth and opportunities. Salo Engineering Hermantown, MN Phone: 729-4451 Fax: 727-0126 lsample@saloeng.com
Andy Thielen Director	Background Principal, Andrew Engineering. Ltd. Graduated from the University of North Dakota. Has lived in Hermantown since 1997 with wife, Kathy, who is a Hermantown graduate. Three children. What do you enjoy about chamber membership? I enjoy the opportunity to network with other members of the business community and the opportunity to ensure a healthy business climate. What do you hope to accomplish as a board member? I would like to promote continued growth of businesses and employment in Hermantown. Andrew Engineering Hermantown, MN Phone: 729-9286 Fax: 888-266-6480 andy.thielen@aeiduluth.com