MONICA SHAMBAUGH CAPStone Chair Elect
CRAIG KRENTZ Regional West Health Services Past Chair
JERI GOODMAN FNBO Vice Chair
DOUG MADER Western Nebraska Community College Treasurer
JENNIFER SIBAL Gering Public Schools Chair
MEGAN DOCKERY Simmons Olsen Law Firm
KENT HOLUB Team Auto Center
DOUG COUSE Riverstone Bank
DOUG SOUTHARD Rural Radio - Scottsbluff
KRAIG KELLEY Kelley Bean Company
JERRY UPP Midtown Animal Hospital
BRADY SHAUL Shaul Design
JAKE AULICK Aulick Industries
PAGE 2
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
Looking Forward
Looking Back
Affairs, and Valley Visions brings innovative ideas to life, strengthens partnerships, and drives initiatives that enhance our quality of life. The time, energy, and passion you dedicate is inspiring. I also want to thank Gering Public Schools for allowing me the opportunity to commit this additional time in our community. I deeply appreciate how the work of the Chamber complements the foundation laid in our schools. Educators create the workforce of tomorrow, equipping students with the skills, creativity, and resilience to succeed in our ever-changing economy. Together, education and business form a powerful partnership that ensures our community’s sustainability and growth. To the Chamber staff, Jodi and Gemi, thank you for your leadership, professionalism, and ongoing commitment. Your behind-the-scenes efforts are the glue that holds all these moving parts together. Tonight, we celebrate our collective accomplishments and several individuals who have been catalysts to these accomplishments, and as we look to the future, I am confident we will continue to build on this momentum, fostering innovation, collaboration, and success for all. Thank you for making this community a remarkable place to live, work, and grow. I’m happy to pass the baton to our new Chamber leader, Monica Shambaugh, who will continue to drive the Chamber forward with integrity and a heart of service.
“With Purpose” is going to be my motto as we move forward into 2025. I am excited to serve as the next president of the Chamber Board of Directors. I am looking forward to continuing our collaboration with our current and future Board members as well as current and future Chamber members. As I work with the Board and members of the Chamber, I want us to focus on “The Purpose” of what we are doing, why we are doing it, how does it effect our members and how will what we are doing strengthen our communities. Throughout 2024, I watched and learned from our outgoing Chamber President Jennifer Sibal who led with integrity, was thoughtful in her decision making and available to all. I watched her ask the hard questions and let everyone provide their perspectives and ideas before decisions were made. I am thankful I will continue to get to work with Jennifer in 2025. 2024 saw us hire a new Executive Director, Jodi Lewellen, who has hit the ground running. Jodi and Gemi are dedicated staff who handle all our day-to-day operations and work with members as Chamber Ambassadors to celebrate new businesses and coordinate business after-hour events fornetworkingandbusinessrecognition. Our Chamber staff also work with the following committees: Agri-Business, Government Affairs, Valley Visions and Workforce Readiness. The Chamber also assisted NEXT Young Professionals
JENNIFER SIBAL Gering Public Schools
MONICA SHAMBAUGH CAPStone
and Leadership Scotts Bluff. None of these committees or groups would work without the dedication of active members and I applaud your continued service to provide these opportunities for education in our community Our Chamber Board of Directors and Staff are committed to making 2025 a year of growth as we continue to collaborate with our area partners. I encourage you to promote The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce and all of the committees served and please reach out to any of us with ways to enhance our Chamber. We all, “With Purpose” will strengthen our business community for the better in 2025. Monica Shambaugh
As we gather tonight to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce and its vital role in shaping a thriving, connected community. The Chamber is a cornerstone of progress, bridging the needs of businesses, civic organizations, and residents to ensure our region continues to flourish. None of this would be possible without the dedication and contributions of our Chamber members. Your investment in our collective success demonstrates your unwavering commitment to this community. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who serve on our committees. Your work through Agribusiness, Ambassadors, Workforce Readiness, Government
Directors Completing Terms
Directors Renewing Terms
CRAIG KRENTZ Regional West Health Services
KENT HOLUB Team Auto Center
MEGAN DOCKERY Simmons Olsen Law Firm
MONICA SHAMBAUGH CAPStone
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
PAGE 3
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
2024 Reflections
Year In Review 2024 ADVOCACY – (See also Government Affairs Committee) • January 30 & January 31 – Lincoln Trip – Scotts Bluff Leadership classes joined us • January – April – Rolls & Issues Zoom Calls with Senator Brian Hardin • October 23 – State of the Valley Luncheon – Mayors & County Chair – 100 attended • October 3 – Candidate Forums (Scottsbluff City Council & Scottsbluff School Board) • Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Exec Association – bi-weekly zooms • 6 Regions One Nebraska MEMBERSHIP SERVICES • January 25 – Chamber Annual Banquet – 179 attended - Awards: Rising Star: Megan Hayward, Visionary Super Star: Rebecca Pierce, Trailblazer: Tony Kaufman • Community Event Calendar on website www.scottsbluffgering.net • Facebook Business Recognitions
The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce has over 120 volunteers who help us accomplish our Program of Work that is established by the Board of Directors each year. The committees of the chamber are listed on page four and five of this annual report. The Board of Directors and Co-Chairs share their time and talents with the chamber, these leaders truly make a difference in our community. Accomplishments are listed in this publication to shows you the magnitude of areas the chamber touches.
• Advertising Opportunities • Sponsorship Opportunities
JODI LEWELLEN Executive Director
PUBLICATIONS • Annual Report – tabloid published in Star-Herald
Many thanks to Gemi who is a great part of the chamber team and helps keep things running smoothly. Thank you to Jennifer Sibal who lead our board in 2024 and thank you to the Board Members, Co-Chairs, Ambassadors and volunteers for making 2024 a success.
• Facebook page - Like us on Facebook! • Website with Chamber Master Software
– www.scottsbluffgering.net – Enhanced listings available! • Community Directory – Distribution 2,500 plus online • Weekly Newsletter – sent electronically via Constant Contact • Maps – 2000 printed every other year • Instagram – Follow us!
TRAINING • March 26 – Chamber board retreat held at Bluffs Business Center Board Room • May 1-3 – Mid-America Chamber Execs Regional Conference in Sioux Falls, SD
• June 20 – Welcoming Communities Conference in Gering, NE • September 11 – Economic Development Summit in Lincoln, NE
Chamber Staff
• October 9-10 – Nebraska Chamber Association Fall Conference in Holdrege, NE • Virtual Trainings: Nebraska State Chamber, US Chamber, NCA, Regional Rendezvous
SUPPORT/ASSISTANCE • Leadership Scotts Bluff – provide office support www.leadershipsb.org • Next Young Professionals – provide office support www.sbnextyp.com • Heartland Expressway Association Board position www.heartlandexpressway.com
Contact Information: Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce 1517 Broadway, Suite 104 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 308-632-2133 | Fax 308-632-7128 Email: office@scottsbluffgering.net www.scottsbluffgering.net
GEMI LIND Office Coordinator
PAGE 4
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
Agri-Business 2024 Co-Chair
Government Affairs 2024 Co-Chairs
Ambassadors 2024 Co-Chair
Ambassadors have made 30 visits and attended 13 Business After Hours. • 1 First Dollar Presentations • 20 Ribbon Cuttings • 4 Anniversaries • 2 Relocation Certificates • 1 Renovation Certificate • 2 Lunch Only • 13 Business After Hours
• Awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing agriculture degrees • Sugar Tour an educational tour of the Western Sugar Factory. • Ag Career Day Sponsored by UNL PREC and Platte Valley Companies. • Water Tour an educational overnight tour
ROB EIRICH UNL PREC
ALICIA PALU Regional West Foundation
highlighting the east instead of the west to show where the water goes and how it’s used.
BILL BOYER Rural Radio – Scottsbluff DAWNE WOLFE FNBO • Host Lincoln Legislative Trip - Scottsbluff & Alliance Leadership classes • Hosted “Rolls & Issues” bi-weekly zoom calls with Nebraska Senator Hardin • Hosted State of the Valley Luncheon in October - 200 participated • Hosted Pre-Legislative Luncheon with Senator Hardin • Monitored legislative issues affecting Chamber businesses. • Recorded local contested candidate forums - partnered with Rural Radio Scottsbluff Bill Boyer - Rural Radio - Scottsbluff Brandi McCaslin - U.S. Senator Deb Fisher’s Office Cassie Nichols - U.S. Senator Pete Rickett’s Office Chris Perales - Mayor of Terrytown Dawne Wolfe - FNBO
Alicia Palu - Regional West Foundation Amy Doll - Platte Valley Companies Amy Sapp - Panhandle Area Development District Anthony Gurrola - Twin Cities Development Cherokee Gribble - US Bank Christa Pelster - Uptown Scottsbluff Cinda Munoz - Buyer’s Realty Craig Landers - Retired Darlene Kovarik - Home Team Realty, Inc. Dawne Wolfe - FNBO Doug Couse - Riverstone Bank Eric Sisson - NBC Nebraska Jackie Hoff - Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union J ennifer Urdiales - Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC Jessie Cozad - Creative Signs by Cozad Jordan Diedrich - Twin Cities Development
Amy Yeager - FCSA Andy Groskopf - SB County Farm Bureau Bob Pile - Retired Branden Hessler - Western Sugar Brandi McCaslin - U.S. Senator Fischer Cassie Nichols - U.S. Senator Ricketts Chabella Guzman - UNL PREC Charlie Wright - Panhandle Coop Craig Larson - Rural Radio Scottsbluff Dan Carter - Retired Dan Keener - Westco Dan Smith - Kelley Bean Company Darrin Clarkson - FCSA Dave Shields - WESTCO Doug Southard - Rural Radio - Scottsbluff Jack Whittier - Retired Jeff Nichols - SB County Farm Bureau Jerry Darnell - Western Sugar Kelly Downer - Platte Valley Bank Kendra Feather - Rural Radio Scottsbluff Lana Hubbard - Scotts Bluff Co. Ag Society Lex Larson - J G Elliott Insurance Matt Miller - Farmers National Company Neil Moseman - U.S. Senator Fisher Paul Burgener - Hancock Farmland Services Paul Pieper - NE Dry Bean Grower Assoc.
Kayla Milton - Platte Valley Companies Karla Montelongo - Viaero Wireless Kim Johns - Heritage Estates
Landon Clark - Bytes Managed IT LeaAnne Strain - Home Instead Linda Harimon - Retired Lori Marquez - Nebraska Department of Labor Maunette Loeks-Van Patten - Star Herald Publishing Co. Melody Baily - Nebraska Public Power District Michael Anderson - Eakes Office Solutions Mike Moravec - Bluffs Physical Therapy RaNae Garton - Dietrich Distributing Company Sharaya Toof - City of Scottsbluff Starr Lehl - Retired Stephanie Lewis - Bytes Managed IT
Jeanne McKerrigan - Mayor of Scottsbluff Jim Ellison - Kovarik, Ellison & Mathis PC Ken Meyer - Scotts Bluff County Commissioner Kent Ewing - Mayor of Gering Steve Olsen - Simmons Olsen Law Firm Tony Kaufman - Platte Valley Companies
Rob Eirich - UNL PREC Ryan Reuter - Betaseed Scott Schaneman - NPNRD Sean Ridgeway - FCSA Sean Gross - Legacy Loop
Val Jansante - Cong. Smith Office Zac Karp - Platte Valley Companies
Val Jansante - Congress Smith’s Office Wayne Dillman - Kelley Bean Company
Steven Alvizar - Buyer’s Realty Susan Wiedeman - Legacy Coop Tara Lovesee - Champion Realty
Tammy Lutz - Gering Memorial Chapel Talya Shellito - Finken Financial Services Tricia Strauch - Rural Radio - Scottsbluff Todd Lewis - Bytes Managed IT Wendy Wells - UNMC College of Nursing
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
PAGE 5
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
Leadership Scotts Bluff
Workforce Readiness
Valley Visions 2024 Co-Chair
• WNCC Foundation hosts Business After Hours featuring career clusters. • Career clusters include: Human Services & Education, Health Sciences, Skilled & Technical Sciences, Business, Marketing and Management, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Communications/IT Systems. • Helps facilitate connections with schools and businesses. Becca Pierce - Riverstone Bank Doug Mader - Western Nebraska Community College
• Business Corridors - East Overland, 27th, Broadway, Scottsbluff/ Gering Highway, Gering. Prioritize and analyze ways to improve. Coordinate with other cities, etc. • Community Projects - Heartland Express Way, Monument Valley Pathway, Activate Scottsbluff/ Gering, Western Nebraska Economic Development, Creative Art District
BRANDI BRUNZ President 2024-2025 Region 1 Behavioral Health Auth.
JASON ROGERS Past President 2023-2024 City of Gering
SHARAYA DESERSA City of Scottsbluff
Nicole Regan - Gering Public Schools Jennifer Schwab - Bellevue University Jennifer Sibal - Gering Public Schools Justin Shaddick - Scottsbluff Public Schools Lori Marquez - Nebraska Dept. of Labor Lyn Carradine - Valley Home School Andrew Dick - Scottsbluff Public Schools Sue Herdt - Choices Wendy Wells - UNMC College of Nursing
• Lincoln Legislative Trip January • Hoops 4 Heroes Fundraiser for Leadership Scotts Bluff Benefactor - Northfield Haven • Mission is to develop the leader within. • Vision: Leadership has many dimensions and qualities, none of which are easily defined, quantified or treated as how to steps. Leadership Scotts Bluff is a comprehensive program for current and emerging leaders to analyze characteristics associated with leadership, develop individual skills, and gather an awareness of trends, challenges and issues that face Scotts Bluff County. Leadership Scotts Bluff seeks a diverse group of participants of varying interests and styles across a broad spectrum of achievement from the region. • Over 843 people have completed the program. • Class XXXIV 2023-2024 Graduation - 14 students graduated. • Class XXXV 2024-2025 - 14 participants recruited • www.leadershipsb.org
Amanda Shepperd - NPNRD Amy Seiler - City of Gering Annie Folck - City of Gering
Brenda Leisy - Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau Cassidy Baum - Keep Scottsbluff - Gering Beautiful Dan Morford - Scotts Bluff National Monument Darlene Kovarik - Home Team Realty, Inc. Dave Wolf - Legacy of the Plains Museum Jeff Wolfe - Panhandle Geotechnical Environmental Services Jessica Davies - Panhandle Public Health District John Marshall - Platte Valley Companies
Partners:
Karla Niedan Streeks - Retired Kim Johns - Heritage Estates Leann Sato - City of Scottsbluff Mike Minzey - H & R Block Scott Miller - Rural Radio - Scottsbluff Susan Wiedeman - Legacy Coop Sharaya DeSersa - City of Scottsbluff
Collaborations:
NEXT Young Professionals
• Beer & Wine Fest • Sip & Social Networking Events • Western Nebraska Pioneers Contributions • Annual Golf Tournament • Spring Up the Bluff • Pumpkin Carving Event • www.sbnextyp.com
MAUREEN GALEN President Western Nebraska Community College
• Approx. 175 members • Pathway to Success • Monthly Luncheons • Showcase Community Leaders
PAGE 6
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
Visionary Super Star Lee & Shannon Floth
Rising Star Gering Community Ever Green House
Trail Blazer of the Year Jeff Wolfe
Outgoing Board Chair Jennifer Sibal
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
PAGE 7
SG United Chamber Of Commerce
PAGE 8
2024 ANNUAL REPORT SG United Chamber Of Commerce Thank You 2024 Chamber Members
21st Century Equipment, LLC 21st Century Water Technologies A & A Porta Potties LLC A & L Construction Inc. Action Communications, Inc Advance Services, Inc. Aging Office of Western Nebraska Agromac International, Inc. AIM Institute Allen Capital Group ALLO Communications, LLC Ameri-Co Carriers, Inc. Arby’s Aulick Industries B & C Steel Corporation
Dana F Cole & Company, LLP Dana J. Weber, CPA Dietrich Distributing Co. Domino’s Pizza - Scottsbluff Domino’s Pizza - Gering Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek,Ossian, Vogl & Snyder PC Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel
Immigrant Legal Center (Justice for Our Neighbors-Nebraska) Independent Plumbing & Heating, Inc Inland Truck Parts & Service InterTECH Intralinks, Inc. J G Elliott Insurance Center JEO Consutling Group, Inc JNW Consulting, LLC Joe Mejia, ChFC, CLU, CPCU - State Farm Insurance & Financial Services Keep Scottsbluff - Gering Beautiful Kelley Bean Company Kendell Henderson Agency, Inc. Kristy Culek Agency, LLC - American Family Insurance Legacy Cooperative Association
Oregon Trail Eye Center Oregon Trail Plumbing & Heating Outpatient Radiology Scottsbluff Palmer’s Panhandle Monument Company Panhandle Auto Group - Scottsbluff Panhandle Environmental Services Inc dba EnviroService Panhandle Geotechnical & Environmental Services
Snell Services, Inc. St Agnes Catholic School St. Francis Episcopal Church Star-Herald Publishing Company State of Nebraska - Department of Health and Human Services
Stonegate Seamless Roofing Summit Christian College Swire Coca Cola Target Store
Eagle Communications Eakes Office Solutions Educational Service Unit (ESU 13) Elite Health Center Elite Physical Therapy & Wellness, LLC-Scottsbluff Elite Total Fitness Ellison, Kovarik & Turman Law Firm P.C. Engelhaupt Agency, LLC - Allstate
Panhandle Humane Society Panhandle Partnership, Inc. Panhandle Public Health District Papa Murphy’s Pizza Pathfinder Irrigation District Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Pete’s Builders Pile, Bob & Elaine
Team Auto Center Thompson Glass Tim Lecher State Farm T-Mobile Total Care Chem Dry Trails West Architecture Transwest Ford Triple O Truss LLC TruGreen Twin Cities Development Assoc. Twin City Auto Twin City Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. United Way of Western Nebraska University of Nebraska PREC UNMC College of Nursing Uptown Scottsbluff US Bank Valley Airways, Inc. Valley Ambulance Services, Inc. Valley Wealth Management Viaero Wireless Village at Regional West Vistabeam Wireless Walmart Supercenter Weathercraft Roofing Company Webb Eyecare Webb Orthodontics Weborg 21 Centre
Bellevue University Benzel Pest Control Best Plumbing Heating and Cooling Black Hills Energy Black Hills Parks and Forests Association Blossom Shop Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Bluffs Chiropractic Clinic Bluffs Physical Therapy Bluffs Vision Care / 20/20 Eyewear Brandt Court Reporting Bridgman Funeral Home & Crematory Services Buyer’s Realty Bytes - Managed IT Caitlyn M Lastovica, D.D.S., LLC CAPstone Child Advocacy Center Carpenter Intergenerational Center Carr-Trumbull Lumber Do It Center CASA of Scotts Bluff County Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC Celli’s Cycle Center Century 21 - Midlands Century Business Products, Inc. Champion Realty
Legacy of the Plains Legal Aid of Nebraska Main Street Appliance Main Street Market
Pioneer Animal Clinic Platte River Auto Glass Platte Valley Bank Plaza West - Mr. Tire Plummer Insurance, Inc. Pony Express Station
Equus Workforce Solutions ERH Technology Solutions Farm Bureau Finanical Services - Harvey/Hansen Farm Credit Services of America Farmers National Company
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska Mark Chiropractic & Acupuncture LLC Marketing Consultants Masek Golf Cart Company MBE CPAs Mediation West Meridian Trust Fed. Credit Union
Print Broker Print Express Pro Overhead Door Co., Inc. Quality Inn Quick Care Medical Services Reganis Auto Center Region 1 Office of Human Development Regional Care Inc. Regional West Foundation Regional West Health Services Reichert Jewelers Riverside Business Plaza Riverstone Bank Robert Pahlke Law Group Runza Restaurant - Gering Runza Restaurant - Scottsbluff Rural Radio Scottsbluff Rusch’s General Contracting, LLC Russel Automotive Sam & Louie’s Pizza Pasta Sandberg Implement, Inc. Scotts Bluff Country Club Scotts Bluff County Scotts Bluff County Agricultural Society Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center Scotts Bluff National Monument/Agate Foss
Ferguson Signs Festival of Hope Finken Financial Services
First United Methodist Church Fisher Roofing & Restoration Floyd’s Truck Center, Inc. FNBO
Midtown Animal Hospital Midwest Auto Supply Inc Midwest Theater, Friends of the
Frank Parts Company Gardner Technologies Gering Civic Center
Millenium Benefits LLC Minatare Public Schools Mobius Communications Company Monument Physical Therapy Monument Smiles PC Family Dentistry Morton Buildings Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co, Inc. NBC Nebraska NE Panhandle Area Health Education Center Nebraska Business Development Center Nebraska Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Nebraska Department of Labor Nebraska Non-Stock Beet Growers Assoc. Nebraska Public Power District Nebraska Title Company Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation Services Nebraskaland Commercial/Ag Center Nebraskaland Tire Nemnich Automotive LLC Next Generation Tax & Accounting NMC Cat North Platte Natural Resources District Northfield Retirement Communities, Inc. Old West Balloon Fest, The Oregon Trail Community Foundation
Gering Community Ever Green House Gering Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Gering Memorial Chapel Gering Merchants Association Gering Public Schools Gering United Methodist Church Goodwill Industries of Greater NE H & R Block Hampton Inn & Suites - Scottsbluff Haun Nelson Real Estate, LLC. Helping Hands Stay At Home Care Heritage Estates Herstead Monument Company High Plains Beverages High Plains Feed Yard Holiday Inn Express & Suites Holyoke, Snyder, Longoria, Reichert, & Rice PC LLO Home Depot Home Instead Home Team Realty, Inc. Hotel 21 & Co. Housing Partners of Western Nebraska HydroZen Ideal Linen Supply
Wel-Life at Scottsbluff Wells Fargo Advisors West Nebraska Arts Center WESTCO Western NE Human Resource Management Assoc
China House Cirrus House City of Gering
City of Scottsbluff City of Terrytown Classic One Insurance Cobblestone Hotel & Suites Community Action Partnership of WN Community Christian School Connecting Point Contryman Associates, P.C Copier Connection Couplamatic Systems, Inc Creative Signs by Cozad Credit Management Services, Inc. Culligan of Scottsbluff Culver’s Frozen Custard Restaurant Cyclone Express Dairy Queen
Western Nebraska Board of REALTORS® Western Nebraska Community College Western Nebraska Community College Foundation Western Nebraska Regional Airport
Western Sugar Cooperative WHF - Wellness Health Fairs Wiedeman Financial Services Wilburn’s Transmission Inc. Wills Chiropractic Clinic PC WPCI XESI Document Solutions YMCA
Scottsbluff Body & Paint Scottsbluff Public Schools Scottsbluff Vision Clinic Shaul Designs LLC Sherard Audiology Sherwin Williams Simmons Olsen Law Firm Simon Sitterz, LLC
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online