By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director
Over the next few months, I am going to be using this space to introduce our readers to the Chamber Board of Directors. Because, believe it or not, it’s not just myself, Sierra and Tammy running the show over here. As a non-profit, we have a hard-working and dedicated Board that brings a plethora of skills, expertise and passion to what we do. These 11 individuals come from all different backgrounds and represent a broad spectrum of our county – and together they understand the value of having a strong, thriving business community that enhances the livability for our residents and encourages visitors to enjoy our area.
Whitey Forsman; Board Chair. Whitey has been serving on the Chamber Board for five years now, and is also the manager of Pacific Seafood in Bay City. Whitey joined our board to encourage an improved quality of life in Tillamook County by maintaining and improving our current businesses and striving to add new ones.
Whitey also brings a passion around partnering with other organizations in both Tillamook proper and the county. Yet perhaps one of the greatest assets that Whitey brings to our team is his ability to understand, project and improve finances. Since he joined the Chamber Board he has been instrumental in our ability to strengthen our financial stability, which increases our value as a community partner.
When asked how he would like to see the Chamber grow, he said “By continuing to strengthen our relationships with our members and adding new businesses.”
“It also gives me a positive outlook to have passionate, community-centered people serve with me on the board,” Whitey added. “We have also had the ability to move to the middle of downtown which gives us a strategic location to be part of the revitalization of our downtown.”
Kayla Seaholm; Vice Board Chair: This is Kayla’s second year on the Chamber Board. She is also the Commercial Lender for US Bank. When asked why she joined our Board, Kayla said, “I was new to Tillamook and I felt that joining such a reputable organization would be a great opportunity to get to know the community better.”
Kayla brings a great understanding of an emerging population of young professionals. Kayla moved to Tillamook from Newport a few years ago for her career, and has since purchased a home and got married just last month. She has a drive to make Tillamook a fun and desirable place to live and do business – which fits in perfectly with the personality of the Chamber and all of our team.
Kayla is a passionate advocate for Chamber members and continually brings new ideas and ways to build our community to the table. “The purchase of the new chamber office says a lot about the stability of the organization with being able to acquire such a large asset,” she said. “That stability really allows us to concentrate on building our community, rather than how to survive as an organization.”
Whitey and Kayla are two individuals who support the work we do and help keep the Chamber relevant in the community and sustainable for the future. I look forward to introducing you to the rest of our Board in the coming months.