Chamber of Commerce elects Geerdes as chair

The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated its 102nd annual dinner ending its fiscal year 2008-2009.

Chairman Mike Beard of JCPenney passed the gavel to Shelly Geerdes of Pinnacle Publishing as incoming chairwoman of the board of directors for the Chamber's new fiscal year 2009-2010.

Geerdes has been employed by Pinnacle Publishing LLC for nearly 15 years and has been the CEO/general manager for almost 10 years. In the past 15 years Pinnacle has grown from publishing seven telephone directories to 137 in 17 states.

Geerdes is a Bemidji State University alumna, a member of the Bemidji Rotary Club and active with the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. She and her husband, Kevin, and their two sons, Tyler and Tony, live west of Bemidji.

She has served on the Chamber board since 2004 and has seen many changes in the organization in the past five years.

"I am excited to continue my service with our local Chamber Board and to get involved in Bemidji's business community," she said. "There are a lot of exciting opportunities for our community and I am looking forward to meeting more of you through the chamber-sponsored events."

Some goals for this year are to increase board member participation on subcommittees and for events, continue to hold listening sessions and to personally meet more Bemidji area business owners and managers.

"There are so many positive changes taking place right now with the trails, downtown development and the building of our event center," Geerdes said. "Whether you are a lifelong resident, a newcomer, a student or here for a short visit, it is a great time to experience Bemidji."