Kevin Paschke

As 2010 winds down, I hear from more and more Chamber Members how grateful they are for this whirlwind year.  Record revenues and profits have been a bountiful blessing to them, their families and the community.

Even though the weather has turned cold, economically we're in (and for what I'm told) a long time of fall harvest.  Knowing this, I believe we should view business challenges in a positive light. Whether it's hiring, training, customer service, or any other challenge, as you implement solutions, your business becomes stronger.

Please know how grateful the Chamber is for your membership. My staff and I are thankful for the opportunity to serve you.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kevin Paschke

PS - Please stop by December 3^rd (11:30am - 1:30pm) for our Annual Member Appreciation Luncheon.  We'd love to say THANK YOU in a more personal way.

Your 2011 Williston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are:

· Ken Callahan, Montana Dakota Utilities Co., President-Elect

· Cathy Kruse, GeoResources Inc., Past President

· Kevin Paschke, Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director

· Judy Billehus, Western Cooperative Credit Union, Director

· Tammy Fredrickson, The Shopper, Inc., Director

· Chris Jundt, First International Bank & Trust, Director

· Amy Krueger, Convention & Visitors Bureau, CVB Rep.

· Mitzi Moe, Williston Herald, Director

· Brad Peterson, Country Floral, Director

· Deanette Piesik, WSC/Workforce Training, Director

· Penny Soiseth, AE2S, Director

· Leslie Sullivan, Mercy Medical Center, Director

· Edna Turner, Industrial Equipment Sales & Service, Inc., Director

· Jeremy Wright, J Dubs Bar and Grill, Director

We will be introducing each board member in upcoming News Briefs.

The North Dakota Association of Builders Awards Banquet was held  on Friday, November 12, at the Grand International Minot ND. At this annual awards banquet, the state awards a couple awards for recruiting membership. For the second year, Williston's Rick Tofte received the Big Spike of the Year award!! Cindy Cooper from Fargo received the Distinguished Spike Award. The next two awards were for Associate and Builder of the Year. Each home builder association from around the state votes on these categories. Every association around the state nominates a local associate and builder of the year. The local presidents and previous nominees vote for these categories. Mark Barstad,  from Barstad Builders, was voted Williston's Builder of the Year. Mark helped organize the Williston Area Builders Association a year a half ago. Mark is a Charter member and has been on the board of directors since we started. He sits on the education and the home show committees. Mark has agreed to represent Williston on the State Board. Fargo's John Gunkelman from Dakota Construction won the Builder of the Year for the state. John a is an Immediate Past President of the NDAB  Board, he's a life Director, and a past President of Fargo's Builder Association. Congratulations John, a well deserved honor.

Jeff Zarling from DAWA Solutions LLC. was nominated from the Williston Builders Association and won Williston Builders Association's Associate of the Year. Jeff volunteered to help our organization from the beginning. He donated the design of the web site, he volunteered his staff to do what it took to help us get our organization off the ground. Jeff volunteered to help design our logo and our first business flyer.  Jeff sits on several committees: legislative committee, home show committee, parade of homes committee, he attended NDAB''s Leadership Summit, 2009 Annual meeting, and serves as NDAB-Pac Trustee for Williston. Jeff won NDAB Associate of the Year!! Jeff is such a classy guy; he thanked his family and his employees. He said if it wasn't for his employees he wouldn't be able to help organizations like Williston Area Builders Association. As President of the Williston Area Builder Association, I couldn't be more proud, first  of Rick Tofte last years winning Builder of the Year and this year, Jeff Zarling winning Associate of the Year. In less than two years, Williston has left an impression on the State. Next to the guy who has five rigs on his land, I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world, being able to work with the quality of people like Rick and Jeff. If anyone knows Jeff, he doesn't like the recognition and doesn't do things to be praised, however, I'm here to say "We Willistonians are so happy to have him in our community!!!" Most of all, I'm proud to say Jeff Zarling is my friend. Please help me congratulate him as North Dakota's Associate of the Year!!!