Meet our Board of Directors
The Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce operates under the governance of a board of directors. Our directors are all Chamber members and see the value and return-on-investment that the Chamber of Commerce offers to the business community, non-profits and individuals, as well as the connections that are made and maintained with the community.
President
Name: Clara Vancura
Educational Background: BS degree in Dietetics from St. Catherine University and did a year long internship in LaCrosse WI through Viterbo University before completing my boards to become a Registered and Licensed Dietitian
Professional Information: Works for New Horizon Foods at CentraCare Health Long Prairie as the clinical dietitian at the hospital, clinic and care center since July 2012
Family Information: Husband Franz and dog/needy child Dos
Community Activities/Associations: Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, I enjoy using and visiting local resources and businesses.
Hobbies: Gardening, home remodeling projects, painting, reading and cuddling with our dog
Joined the board: February 2016, Secretary March 2016
Name: Clara Vancura
Educational Background: BS degree in Dietetics from St. Catherine University and did a year long internship in LaCrosse WI through Viterbo University before completing my boards to become a Registered and Licensed Dietitian
Professional Information: Works for New Horizon Foods at CentraCare Health Long Prairie as the clinical dietitian at the hospital, clinic and care center since July 2012
Family Information: Husband Franz and dog/needy child Dos
Community Activities/Associations: Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, I enjoy using and visiting local resources and businesses.
Hobbies: Gardening, home remodeling projects, painting, reading and cuddling with our dog
Joined the board: February 2016, Secretary March 2016
Vice-President
Name: Denita Wisniewski
Professional Information: I have been employed at American Heritage National Bank since 1987. I have worked in all departments at the bank. I am an Assistant Vice President/Personal Banking Officer. I work as an administrative assistant as well as a consumer, Real Estate, & Agricultural Lender.
Family Information: My husband, Mike and I live south of Long Prairie with our two Miniature Schnauzers, Bandit and Abby.
Community Activities/Associations: Board Member of the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hobbies: I enjoy doing many crafts including crocheting, quilting, and stamping. My husband and I like to camp and fish.
Joined the board:
Vice-President: January 2017
Name: Denita Wisniewski
Professional Information: I have been employed at American Heritage National Bank since 1987. I have worked in all departments at the bank. I am an Assistant Vice President/Personal Banking Officer. I work as an administrative assistant as well as a consumer, Real Estate, & Agricultural Lender.
Family Information: My husband, Mike and I live south of Long Prairie with our two Miniature Schnauzers, Bandit and Abby.
Community Activities/Associations: Board Member of the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hobbies: I enjoy doing many crafts including crocheting, quilting, and stamping. My husband and I like to camp and fish.
Joined the board:
Vice-President: January 2017
Secretary
Name: Misty Lemke
Educational Background: BS degree in General Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Stout.
Professional Information: Works for CentraCare Health since 2018, currently holds title of Communications/Marketing Specialist.
Family Information: Husband Robby (Cubby), and two children, Allie and Tyler
Community Activities/Associations: Long Prairie Ambulance EMT, Firearm Safety Instructor, Youth Activity Coach, Community Education Advisory Committee, Minnesota Responds member
Hobbies: Gardening, Hobby Farming, Reading, Baking, Continuous Learning, Playing and Spectating Sports, Fishing, Hunting, Arts and Crafts, Family Time, Doing Good
Treasurer
Name: Ted Gray
Educational Background: I graduated from LPGE High School in 2008 and then attended the University of Minnesota Morris for 4 years and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Professional Information: I am currently employed at Central Minnesota Credit Union in Long Prairie. My position at CMCU is a personal banker which I have been doing since February 1, 2013.
Family Information: My parent's names are Tom and Kate Gray and I have a sister named Eleanor Gray. My parents currently farm about 7 miles Northeast of Long Prairie.
Community Activities/Associations: I am currently a part of the Chamber of Commerce in Long Prairie, I am also on the Executive Committee for Long Prairie, I participate in my church's Trinity Lutheran in Long Prairie) Endowment Committee. I assist in coaching legion baseball and I am currently the assistant coach/player for the Long Prairie Predators, the amateur team in town.
Hobbies: I enjoy hunting and fishing with family and friends. I really enjoy playing sports, mostly baseball or softball. I do currently help my parents with farm work whenever I am available to do so.
Joined the board: June 2013
Name: Ted Gray
Educational Background: I graduated from LPGE High School in 2008 and then attended the University of Minnesota Morris for 4 years and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Professional Information: I am currently employed at Central Minnesota Credit Union in Long Prairie. My position at CMCU is a personal banker which I have been doing since February 1, 2013.
Family Information: My parent's names are Tom and Kate Gray and I have a sister named Eleanor Gray. My parents currently farm about 7 miles Northeast of Long Prairie.
Community Activities/Associations: I am currently a part of the Chamber of Commerce in Long Prairie, I am also on the Executive Committee for Long Prairie, I participate in my church's Trinity Lutheran in Long Prairie) Endowment Committee. I assist in coaching legion baseball and I am currently the assistant coach/player for the Long Prairie Predators, the amateur team in town.
Hobbies: I enjoy hunting and fishing with family and friends. I really enjoy playing sports, mostly baseball or softball. I do currently help my parents with farm work whenever I am available to do so.
Joined the board: June 2013
Board Member
Name: Ashley Behagg Educational Background: Studied Business Management at St. Cloud Technical College, and Organizational Leadership at Arizona State University Professional Information: Personal Banker at Central Minnesota Credit Union Family Information: Originally from Avon Minnesota and most of my family still resides there. I have one older sister – Hope Weaver. Hobbies: Softball, Volleyball, Predators Baseball Fan! Joined the Board: February, 2019 
Board Member
Name: Teresa R. Sorenson Educational Background: Attended Navajo Community College; Shiprock & Tsaile Branches in Pre-Law Advocacy Program. My military career began when I enlisted on October 30, 1986. I completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, attended Advanced Individual Training-Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and also attended Technical Escort Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Professional Information: Todd County Veteran Services Officer Community Activities/Associations: Long Prairie Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Vice-President of Long Prairie Lions, Christie Home Board Member, Vice-Chair of Hands of Hope Resource Center, Todd County Council on Aging President, Vice-President of Wellness in the Woods, Member of Citizen's Against Drugs Coalition-Long Prairie & Staples Area, Member of Minnesota County Veteran Services Association, Member of National County Veteran Services Association and member of the Vietnam Era Intertribal Association-Metro Chapter Color Guard Hobbies: Reading, drawing, walking/hiking, making jewelry and spending time with family and friends. Joined the board: April 11, 2017 
Board Member
Name: Todd Ecker Educational Background: Bachelors of Science from St. John’s University in Biology. AA degree from Alexandria Technical College in Computer technology and Voice networking. Professional Information: Work for American Heritage National Bank as VP of Operations. My background is in IT. Stated as a consultant in Minneapolis and worked there for several years before my job here at American Heritage National Bank. Family Information: Wife - Renee Ecker; Siblings - Sam Ecker, Abigail Ecker, Allison Ecker Community Activities/Associations: Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce Hobbies: sports, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, running Joined the board: January 2014 |
Board Member
Name: Stephanie OchEducational Background: Bachelor of Arts from College of St. Benedict in Psychology Professional Information: Executive Director at Hands of Hope Resource Center Family Information: Husband – James Och; Children – 2 sons and 1 daughter Community Activities/Associations: Board Member on Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce, Morrison County Area Foundation, Todd County Collaborative and Todd County Circle of Parents Hobbies: reading, playing piano, yoga, family time Joined the board: February 2019 
Board Member
Name: John Howard Educational Background: Accounting degree from College of St. Scholastic Professional Information: Store director at Coborn's in Long Prairie since 2/2017 and assistant store direcector at Coborn's in Big Lake 3/2013 - 2/2017 Family Information: Parents (father deceased) and 2 brothers Community Activities/Associations: I am active in the community and believe in giving back and helping. I helped out with the Block Party and Chamber events in Big Lake. I was a board member of the Chamber in Big Lake as well. I also volunteered in Duluth to help out with walking/hiking paths. Hobbies: Exploring, sports, BIG Vikings fan, running, reading, traveling, and seeing things. Joined the board: August 2017 
Board Member
Name: David Determan Educational Background: St Cloud State University-Criminal Justice/Education Professional Information: Been employed with Todd County since 2007. Sheriff’s office 2007 to present and Todd County HHS 2012 to present Family Information: Wife Kristen and young daughter Community Activities: Todd County Citizens Against Drugs Coalition, Long Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Long Prairie Parks Board, Todd County Parks and Trails Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family, riding motorcycle, hunting, fishing, and traveling Joined the board: January 2014 
Board Member
Name: Andy Otremba Educational Background: Professional Information: Community Activities/Associations: Hobbies: Joined the board: June, 2017 |
Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Name: NEXT MEMBER
Name: NEXT MEMBER
Archives: Former Board Members
Name: Peg Churchwell
On the board: 2014 to August 2018 
Name: Tamie Barber
On the board: November 2011-November 2016 President 2014-16 
Name: Devin Hines former Board member and Treasurer On the Board: January 2013- February 2016 
Name: RoseAnn Marx
On the Board: from 2014- Sept. 2015 
Name: Kelly Peterson
On the board: February 2016 became President January 2017 till January 2019 |
Board Member
Name: RaeAnn Waytashek On the board: October 2011-2017, Vice-President 2013-April 2017 
Name: Warren Weber
Former Board member and Secretary On the board: December 2013- February 2016 
Name: Ryan Jacobson On the board: Late 2013 to December 2015 
Name: Henry Rodriguez
On the board: Board member January 2015- June 2016 |
