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: 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
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
Secretary
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, Treasurer January 2020 -
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, Treasurer January 2020 -
Treasurer
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
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, Treasurer April 2019- January 2020 
Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Name: Jodi Dixon Educational Background: Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Science with studies in Adult Development and Aging in addition to Minors in Gerontology and Psychology at NDSU. Associate Degree in Applied Science at Rainy River Community College. Early Childhood and Family Education degree at 916 Vo-Tech. Professional Information: Currently I am the manager at the Long Prairie Senior Center and the Mayor of Long Prairie Family Information: Husband is Wade Dixon. I have a brother, Richard and a sister, Monica, they do not live in Long Prairie. Parents live in Center City, Community Activities/Associations: Along with being Mayor, I am currently on the Hill Top Regional Kitchen Advisory Board, Christie House Museum board, Welcoming Communities action group and Long Prairie Park Board. Hobbies: Camping, Gardening, Canning, Homesteading and Lapidary. Joined the board: November 2020 |
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: 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: Andy Otremba Educational Background: Professional Information: Community Activities/Associations: Hobbies: Joined the board: June, 2017 
Board Member
Name: Tony Roggenbock Educational Background: Professional Information: Family Information: Hobbies: Joined the Board: January 2020 |
Archives: Former Board Members
Name: Misty Lemke
On the board: August 2018- July 2020 Secretary January 2019-July 2020 
Name: Stephanie Och
On the board: February 2019- August 2020 |
Board Member
Name: Barb Neumann Educational Background: Professional Information: Family Information: Hobbies: On the Board: April 2019 - December 2020 |
Name: Ted Gray
On the board: June 2013- April 2019 Treasurer 2015-April 2019 
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: RaeAnn Waytashek
On the board: October 2011-2017, Vice-President 2013-April 2017 
Name: Kelly Peterson
On the board: February 2016 became President January 2017 till January 2019 
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 |
