December 2017

As I sit down to write my final column as Chair of the Board of our great association, I can’t help but reflect back on a great year.  Our membership has remained steady.  Our account balances are solid. We held two successful conferences with great attendance, and terrific line-ups of content and presentations.  Thanks to our friends in Detroit Lakes and Roseville for hosting us. Jobs well done!

We also had some challenges this year.  With the loss of our Executive Director to greener pastures at the end of last year, we reviewed RFP’s and resumes, interviewed, and eventually chose and hired a management company (Dowell Management) to assist us in the running of our organization.  While it has only been six months since they started, it seems a great choice so far.

Our board also convened in a work session in October to assess our current public policy program’s goals and purpose and establish strategic objectives.  From there, we established an RPF for lobbying and government relations services.  We are in the final stage of finalizing an agreement that would go in effect in early January, 2018.  Luci Botzek, Capitol Connections, declined to submit a response to the RFP.  We deeply appreciate the many years of services she provided to MACVB and its members.

I also should take this time to thank the people who have kept this organization strong and continually moving forward:

Our Officers:

Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism, my Vice Chair and a great guy (He is! – Just ask him. He’ll tell ya!)

Megan Christianson, Grand Rapids, our Treasurer (and what a treasure she has been!)

Our Committee Chairs:

Stephanie Busiahn, Fairmont, Chair of our Government Affairs Committee

Megan Christianson, Grand Rapids, Silent Auction Committee

Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods, Education Committee (Conference Program Content)

Our Board Members:

Amie Burrill, Burnsville

Stephanie Busiahn, Fairmont

Megan Christianson, Grand Rapids

Brent Cory, Eagan

Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods

Nort Johnson, Faribault

Shelly Loberg, Edina

Anna Thill, Mankato

Our paid staff:

Luci Botzek, Capitol Connections

Dee Schutte, Dowell Management Company

And, to my predecessor (last year’s Chair) Steve Markuson, Twin Cities Gateway, for setting us on the path.

Thanks to all of you, for all you do and for all you have done.  We are stronger because of your time and talents, and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Dave Looby