Abby Clemons 

Past President 

Abby Clemons is the owner of Suburban Furniture and Flooring in her hometown of Waseca, MN. Suburban is a go to destination for a day of shopping, a place to find inspiration for home design and a space to find pieces for your home that you won’t see anywhere else.

 Abby is the third-generation owner of the business, following in the footsteps of her parents, Kevin and Keri Clemons, and her grandparents, Lawrence and Leta Clemons. Abby graduated from Waseca High School and followed with a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She moved back to Waseca in 2013 to raise her family and later purchased the furniture store in 2019.

 Outside of work Abby is active in the community, serving as Past President on the board of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Together on Memories nonprofit. She also volunteers for the Bluejay Blast committee and Junior Achievement. Abby spends her free time with her family – her fiancé Pat, her 3 daughters, Violet, Leta and Indie, and her two stepdaughters, Macy and Miley, and their dog Lady. They love spending time together participating in many outdoor activities like boating, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting and family games of whiffle ball.  

 

Mikhail Rostislavich

President 

 

Mikhail Rostislavovich, a distinguished resident of Waseca, Minnesota, has a rich history of public service and community involvement. After a notable career in federal and state governments, collaborating with international leaders and heads of state, he chose Waseca to be his home in 2021. Since then, he has an active member of the community, serving on a plethora of boards and organizations, many in a leadership capacity. He currently serves as the Preseindt of the Waseca Arts Council, President of the Waseca Exchange Club, President of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, President-Elect of the Discover Waseca Tourism, and Junior Warden for the Masonic Lodge No. 77.

He also gives his time to the Waseca Lions Club, Waseca Rotary Club, The Waseca Area Special Olympics as well as Campaign Director for Representative Tom Sexton and the Waseca County Republican Party.

In his limited time, Mikhail enjoys attending theater, opera, and orchestra performances, visiting museums, and seeking rare antiques, reflecting his deep appreciation for culture and history. Mikhail’s multifaceted contributions continue to enrich the landscape of Waseca, embodying a steadfast commitment to community service and the arts.

 

President Elect

Jodie Thompson

Jodie Thompson is a deeply rooted member of the community. She is a graduate of Waseca Public Schools and earned a B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Management from Gustavus Adolphus College. In 2006, Jodie and her husband Isaac returned to Waseca with their three young children. She began her real estate career in 2011, and in 2012, Edina Realty opened its original office in downtown Waseca, later relocating to their current site. Jodie is incredibly passionate about real estate and is committed to helping individuals find their dream homes, striving to make the buying or selling experience as seamless and stress-free as possible. She believes in the importance of supporting Waseca and has dedicated countless hours to volunteering for public schools, churches, and various organizations. Since 2018, Jodie has served as a Waseca Area Chamber Ambassador and is also an active member of the Waseca Area Chorale and the Waseca Area Lions Club. Jodie chairs the WACC Membership Committee and is a member of the Workforce Development Committee.

 

Vice President

Dr. Jay Bulfer 

 

 

Heath Miller

Treasurer

I moved to the Waseca area in the summer of 2018 and currently serve as the Market President at Minnwest Bank in Waseca. With 19 years of experience as a banker and team leader in the financial services industry, I bring a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to supporting our community. I specialize in agricultural lending and am passionate about working with local farmers to help them achieve their goals and strengthen the agricultural backbone of our region.

Outside of work, I’m a proud father to two very active boys who keep me on my toes. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, fishing, or simply exploring the beauty of the area. Waseca has been a wonderful place both personally and professionally, and I’m proud to be part of this vibrant community.

 

Katie Gonzales

Secretary 

 

Katie Gonzales is a dedicated State Farm agent based in her hometown of Waseca, MN, where she offers a comprehensive range of insurance services including auto, home, life, and health insurance. With over five years of experience in the financial services industry, Katie is committed to providing her clients with the best possible coverage to safeguard their families and financial futures.

A proud graduate of Waseca High School, home of the Bluejays, Katie has deep roots in the community she serves. She finds immense joy in helping her neighbors and friends secure peace of mind through personalized insurance plans.

Outside of work, Katie is an active member of the Waseca Rotary Club and a committee member for Southern Minnesota Pageants. Katie loves spending quality time with her husband, Andrew, and their two wonderful children, Levi and Grace. Her dedication to both her family and her clients is evident in everything she does, making her a trusted and valued member of the Waseca community.

 

Jamie Beckstrand

Director 

My name is Jamie Beckstrand and in addition to serving on the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Chair of the Agribusiness Committee, I work full-time at United Prairie Bank here in Waseca as a Relationship Manager. I graduated from South Dakota State University in 2019 with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness and minors in Animals Science and Economics. I was born and raised in rural Waldorf, MN. I am on the Waldorf City Council and serve on the Waseca County Extension Committee. In my free time I enjoy helping with my family’s cow-calf operation where we focus on raising high quality show cattle and traveling the country to exhibit our cattle. I also am in a bowling league and sand volleyball league, and I enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephew and spending time with my 2 dogs, family, and friends.

 

Jessica Klinger

Director 

 

Aaron Omtvedt

Director 

 

Aaron Omtvedt is a funeral director and embalmer that has lived in Waseca with his family for twenty years. He is an owner and managing partner of Steffel & Omtvedt Funeral Care LLC, which operates as Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, Janesville, and Waterville, and as Schoenbauer Funeral Homes in Montgomery and Le Center.

Aaron grew up in Estherville, IA and graduated from Estherville Lincoln Central High School with the class of 1998. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and an associate’s degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Aaron and his wife Carol relocated to Waseca in 2005, and their two teenage daughters Ava and Stella have grown up knowing Waseca as their home.

Aaron looks forward to serving Waseca and its citizens on the Chamber Board of Directors. He believes that the collaboration of individuals, businesses, and local government is integral to the betterment of the entire community. Further, he believes Waseca is well on its way to becoming a showpiece of cooperation, commerce, industry, and quality of life for all Minnesotans to emulate.

Shannon Kuball

Director 

 

Shannon is part of James Bros Construction. Shannon grew up in the family business working alongside her parents and many other family members.  After graduating from high school she earned an Associate’s Degree in Ag-Business, a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She has used those degrees to serve the community in various capacities from outpatient therapy to hospice work while also owning and operating Kuball Dairy Farm with her husband Nathan.

In June, Shannon officially returned to her roots at James Bros Construction to continue the tradition of excellence alongside her siblings and her mom.  The company has since opened a landscape supply retail location in Waseca and continues to look for ways to better serve the surrounding communities with an emphasis on excellent workmanship, customer service, and community engagement. 

Shannon believes we are better when we work together and is passionate about the intersection between business and community engagement.  She values community service and is on the board for Together on Memories-nonprofit, is Secretary for the Grizzly Booster Club, is Co-Chair of the Rice County ADA Board and volunteers for various church, school, and community activities. 

Shannon and her husband Nate have two daughters in college and a son in his senior year of high school.  In her free time, Shannon likes to garden, hike, ride bike, and go camping with her family.