Moving Bemidji Forward Together
Whether working, visiting, playing or living here, the Bemidji Alliance partners have got you covered.
At its core, the objective of the Bemidji Alliance is to help our region set its strategic direction and develop a collective plan of action for regional growth. As an umbrella to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Bemidji, the Bemidji Downtown Alliance and Greater Bemidji, the Bemidji Alliance will work with the each of the four organizations, identifying opportunities to work together and support each other.
The creation of the Bemidji Alliance partnership does not change the importance of each of our individual organizations. The partnership will take a "noses in, fingers out" approach, encouraging collaboration and alignment yet ensuring each organization has the freedom to operate and fulfill its mission. Each organization will continue to have its own board, leadership and staff. The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Bemidji, the Bemidji Downtown Alliance and Greater Bemidji all have had a rich history and together will have a bright future.
By partnering in the Bemidji Alliance, the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Bemidji, the Bemidji Downtown Alliance and Greater Bemidji are prepared to lead the way. We are committed to aligning our organizations long term to benefit our community. Through the Bemidji Alliance, collaboration will become part of the DNA of our organizations and community.
Bemidji Alliance Board Members
The Bemidji Alliance is governed by an all-volunteer leadership council representing the family of organizations. The Leadership Council acts as stewards of both the organizations involved as well as the broader greater Bemidji community.
Executive Committee
Gary Johnson
Chair
CEO, Paul Bunyan
Communications
Dana Lee
Visit Bemidji
Owner, AmericInn
Mike Mulry
Visit Bemidji
Director of Corporate Relations
& Strategic Partnerships,
Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation
Caralee Nowak
Bemidji Area Chamber
Products and Marketing Manager,
Pinnacle Marketing Group
Ashley Johnson
Bemidji Area Chamber
Senior Development Officer,
Northwest MN Foundation
Annie Butler-Ricks
Bemidji Downtown Alliance
Director of Community Impact,
United Way of Bemidji
Carl Johnson
Bemidji Downtown Alliance
PVP of Business Banking,
Security State Bank USA
Barb Smith
Greater Bemidji
Regional President,
Riverwood Bank
Jared Echternach
Greater Bemidji
General Manager,
Beltrami Electric Cooperative
Bemidji Alliance Leadership Council
Rita Albrecht
Mayor,
City of Bemidji
Ryan Baer
Senior VP,
Security Bank USA
Pete Aube
Retired,
PotlachDeltic
Jim Bensen
President Emeritus,
Bemidji State University
Jason Brodina
Owner, Choice Therapy
Kevin Erpelding
Owner, Corner Garage Sales and Rental, Blackduck
Jake Ellefson
Area Manager,
Otter Tail Power Company
Mary Eaton
President/CEO,
The Idea Circle Inc.
Bob Fitzgerald
Director of Operations,
Kraus-Anderson Construction
Jess Frenzel
Controller, Knife River Materials
Shelly Geerdes
CEO, Pinnacle Marketing Group
Faith Hensrud
President, Bemidji State University
Tim Lutz
Superintendent,
Bemidji School District
Steve Hill
Owner,
Hill’s Plumbing & Heating
Erik Hokuf
Owner, AirCorps Aviation
Mike Karvakko
President, Karvakko
Gretchen Knutson
VP, Delta Dental of Minnesota
Jim Lucachick
Beltrami County Commissioner
Bryan Nermoe
President, Sanford Health
of Northern Minnesota
Mitch Rautio
Owner, Specklebelly LLC
Micah Ricke
Director of Product Development,
TEAM Industries
Phil Verchota
Vice President,
Deerwood Bank
Hugh Welle
Vice President,
First National Bank Bemidji
Karen Weller
Executive Director,
Bemidji Regional Airport