Havre Chamber celebrates successes at 108th annual meeting

Community stakeholders and members of the Havre Area of Chamber of Commerce gathered for the Chamber's 108th annual meeting Wednesday in the Olympic Room of the Duck Inn.

As attendees dined on pasta, chicken and salad, members of the Chamber leadership spoke about the  successes throughout the past year.

Joe Ross of Cavaliers For Men & Women presided over the meeting as the Chamber's new president.

"Your board is a dedicated and professional team that is focused on business and you our members," Chamber Executive Director Debbie Vandeberg said. "They are always committed to Havre being a strong and active community in which to work as well as to live."

She said the Chamber aims to be a vehicle for individuals and businesses to achieve meaningful accomplishments. Vandeberg said the Chamber's members, and more than 100 active volunteers on the Chamber's 12 working committees, make that possible.

Vandeberg honored the Chamber's outgoing President Shawn Holden, who she said was in Washington, D.C., with his son ahead of Friday's inauguration.

She lauded Holden for his participation in the annual Havre Pride cleanup and taking part in downtown revitalization projects, such as getting all nine of the city's traffic boxes adorned with colorful wraps by local artists.   

"He really has that passion for the community," she said.

Holden will continue serving on the Chamber's Board of Directors in the position of past president.

Vandeberg presented outgoing members past President Debbie Callahan and Havre Public School Superintendent Andy Carlson with plaques and thanked them for their contributions.

New members of the Board of Directors Craig Muller, Havre Public Schools assistant superintendent, and Matt Wertheimer of Independence Bank were introduced as were new Montana State University-Northern board representative China Bonh and city government City Council President Andrew Brekke.

Ross also thanked the volunteers who chair the Chamber's committees.