We Are the Chamber: Sarah Herrick-Smisek, 23rd Veteran
“I’ve always been someone who enjoys bringing people together,” said Sarah Herrick-Smisek, the Communications and Synergy Manager for 23rd Veteran, the nonprofit organization that provides those who have served with mental-wellness assistance. “I grew up in Duluth, and throughout my career – whether running a small business, working alongside nonprofits or stepping into operational leadership […]
We Are the Chamber: Peter Haines, H&H Exports, Inc.
“I was born in Duluth, lived in Edina, moved to Bismarck in second grade and graduated from UND with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering,” said Peter Haines, the President and Managing Director of H&H Exports, Inc., who deliver U.S. bearings and power-transmission parts globally. “I’m a performance-oriented business professional that tackles challenges, provides innovative solutions, […]
We Are the Chamber: Jim Lenard, Lenard Electric
“In high school, I had zero plans of ever becoming an electrician and certainly not an electrical contractor,” said Jim Lenard, who eventually established the long-running Lenard Electric in 1996. “I was totally focused on business classes and was confident I was going to work in a large corporate firm. After a brief semester at […]
We Are the Chamber: Charity Johnson, STARBASE Duluth
“Much of my career has been spent in the nonprofit sector, where I’ve become passionate about building and revitalizing programs that make a meaningful impact,” said Charity Johnson, the Director of STARBASE Minnesota, Inc.’s Duluth branch. “I originally started my professional journey in biology and environmental consulting, but I quickly realized that my strengths and […]
A Home of One’s Own
Wadena West and Welch Place Built to Address Critical Housing Need The housing crisis rages on. The post-pandemic era has been marked by an imbalance in supply and demand with regard to affordable homes and apartments. Recently, it was reported in many places that real-estate investors with the means bought up around one-third of all […]
We Are the Chamber: Judy Seliga-Punyko, Mary Kay
“I was first introduced to Mary Kay products after attending a bridal fair at the coppertop church back in 1983,” said Judy Seliga-Punyko, who is now an Independent Sales Director with that company. “I only planned on having the makeup done for the day of our wedding, but I fell in love with skin care […]
We Are the Chamber: Elsie Storm, Turning Life Gold
“I have been coaching professionally for the last 10years,” said Elsie Storm of Turning Life Gold, the business she established in 2018. “I have a Master’s in Spiritual Psychology and a coaching certificate through Tony Robbins.” Storm opened Turning Life Gold when she realized the path to happiness for others is one that includes helping […]
We Are the Chamber: Christina Woods, Duluth Art Institute
“My career has been shaped by over 35 years of leadership experience in education, arts and social justice work,” said Christina Woods, Executive Director of the Duluth Art Institute since 2017. “Before joining the DAI, I spent 14 years in education, often using creative problem-solving and art as tools to nurture communication and connection. My […]
We Are the Chamber: Peter Mellin, Mellin Promotional Advertising, Inc.
“I started the business in my basement,” said Peter Mellin of Mellin Promotional Advertising, Inc. Now, he’s celebrating three decades in operation, and he’s got significantly better digs – showroom and all – in the Duluth Airpark. “We are a promotional products distributor that provides imprinted products – stuff with your logo on it – […]
We Are the Chamber: Jason Vincent, JayBee Travel
Jason Vincent of JayBee Travel previously worked for more than a decade as a television news anchor and has been a restaurateur since 2014, owning and operating the Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors and Boat Club Restaurant in Duluth. But now he’s onto something quite different. “I began working in the travel industry about a […]