BEMIDJI -- New Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce President Deb Pfaff is no stranger to northern Minnesota.
The new chamber leader, who’s set to take over for retiring president Lori Paris on Friday, Dec. 22 , said she frequently visited the state for visits with family and became well accustomed to the area.
“I have family around here, and I’ve enjoyed spending so much time here. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to relocate to, so when this opportunity came up, it seemed like the perfect chance,” Pfaff said.
Pfaff said she’s only become more excited to lead the chamber as she sees how the community is developing.
“Bemidji feels like it’s on the cusp of something, like it’s poised for more growth,” Pfaff said. “I was very encouraged and wowed when Minnesota Monthly recognized Bemidji as the best city in the state. I thought ‘this is the place to be.’”
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Before coming to the First City on the Mississippi, Pfaff was the marketing supervisor for the Addison Park District, located in the western suburbs of Chicago. She was also volunteer director of communications and marketing for the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.
“There, I spent a lot of time in public relations and working with different entities,” Pfaff said. “I also worked very close with the city to make improvements to the community.”
In her new role, Pfaff said she hopes to carry on traditions from the past and build on opportunities that exist for the chamber, which has more than 400 member businesses.
“Our goal is to create more opportunity for membership engagement, recognition and spotlight,” Pfaff said. “There’s also a great chance to work closely with our state legislators on some opportunities that are ahead for Bemidji.”
