Last month, I attended my 13th ACCE National Conference alongside more than 1,000 Chamber professionals from across the country.
 
As Chambers continue to adapt to an ever-evolving business landscape, one central theme rose to the top: it has never been more important to have the right team in place to serve our members and advance our mission. 
 
Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the distinct honor of recruiting so many incredible individuals to serve our Chamber community. Coming back from the conference, it felt timely and necessary to shine a light on our current team members—and to express my deep appreciation and admiration for each of them.
 
The Seasoned Vets
 
Amanda Oltman
It’s hard to believe Amanda has been with us for 10 years, building and elevating the MADE brand across our community. Every beautiful piece of design that has come out of 316 W. Main over the last decade is thanks to her immense talent. (Bonus: You’ll never meet anyone better at keeping you up-to-date on E! News!)
 
Carrie Monley
Carrie has been a cornerstone of our team for 9 years. Originally hired jointly by the Chamber, Mason City Schools, and the City to serve as our community basket representative, she continues to be the welcoming face of our community. Even as local home sales have shifted, her eagerness to step up has never wavered. I have truly never heard her say "no" to a single project.
 
 
The Rising Stars
 
Tara Barry
Tara joined us nearly a year ago and has fully embraced her role as your value accountability partner. You joined this Chamber for a reason, and Tara is here to ensure you receive every bit of that intended value. She genuinely loves helping our members succeed.
 
Tina Sandhu
Tina started with us as an intern almost a year ago to support our administrative functions. We quickly discovered her natural talent for masterfully planning events, and we were thrilled to convince her to stay on while she completes grad school. If you've seen one of her itineraries, you know what I mean! 
 
Wade Hayden
Wade came onboard as a UC Co-Op in January. Seeing his immediate potential, we asked him to step up and support MADE CDC and the Mason Mile. He has officially committed to staying with us through the end of the year, answering every request with a smile and a level of confidence I could only dream of at his age.
 
Jack Kiamie
Jack, a Mason grad and current Ohio University student, first crossed our radar last fall when he produced a journalism project on the Mason Mile—interviewing local leaders, business owners, and residents. Given his passion for photography, we were thrilled to welcome him as a summer intern. Jack heads back to school next week, so please join us in wishing him a fantastic upcoming semester!
 
Robyn Jordan
Last but certainly not least, we just welcomed our newest addition to the team on Monday! Robyn is a 23-year Mason resident, a familiar face within Mason City Schools, and an alumna of our Women Leaders are MADE program. She brings an indescribable energy, a constant smile, and a heart for servant leadership. I can’t wait for you all to meet her.
 
Whether they’ve been with us for a decade or a few months, our entire staff shares a set of core values: to go above and beyond, serve with passion, remain humbly confident, maintain aligned independence, and genuinely care for each other, our members, and our community.
 
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. We know where you choose to invest your time and business is a choice, and we are deeply grateful for the privilege of helping you grow and thrive.