Photos Courtesy of Lynn Laumann Photography
Steve Curtis, Board Chair
Business Development Manager, Express Employment Professionals
Phone: 952-556-6110
Email: steve.curtis@expresspros.com
As business development manager with Express Employment Professionals, Steve Curtis helps businesses find the people they need to grow their businesses. He is passionate about building and maintaining client relationships and loves to meet new people. He also enjoys presenting at conferences and events to share expertise on developing a strong company culture, managing a multi-generational workforce, and creating strategies for attracting and retaining employees. In addition to staffing and recruiting, his background includes consultative sales and restaurant management. Steve grew up in western Wisconsin (Go Pack Go!) and now resides in Chaska with his wife and three boys. Outside of work, you’ll find him coaching a little league, camping with the Boy Scouts, or visiting a local craft brewery.
Melissa Carlson, Vice Chair
AVP/Business Services and Branch Manager, Nicolet Bank
Phone: 952-556-1305
Email: mcarlson@nicoletbank.com
Melissa Carlson has been in banking since 1992 when she started as a teller and over the years has advanced into lending and management positions. Recognizing that she would be a great fit and wanting to work in her community, Mel joined Charter Bank in 2007. As the Asst. VP/Branch Manager for the MN Nicolet Bank locations, she manages customer relationships for business and consumer clients, provides business development, and manages the MN Retail Banking team. Mel enjoys building relationships with others making sure everyone feels welcome & valued.
Mel has enjoyed being involved in several organizations over the years including the Southwest Metro Education Foundation (fmr Board Member), Downtown Chaska Business Alliance (current Board Member), Launch Ministry (Volunteer), each of them bringing a different perspective to the local community.
Sammie Engelmann, CPA; Treasurer
Smith, Schafer & Associates
Phone: 952-920-1455
Email: s.engelmann@smithschafer.com
Sammie is an Accounting Principal for Smith, Schafer & Associates. She is a member of AICPA and MNCPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University. She joined the Twin Cities practice in 2008, and her areas of expertise include: QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Business Consultation, Accounting services specialist, Payroll support services, and Business tax preparation & planning.
How she approaches her work: "I believe the keys to a long lasting client relationship are building trust, displaying consistency and producing a high quality product."
How she spends her time elsewhere: "I enjoy spending time with family, tractor pulling, gardening, anything outdoors, and community involvement."
Tammy Shade, Past Chair
Real Estate Advisor; Engle & Vöelkers, Lake Minnetonka
Phone: 612-386-6775
Email: tammy.shade@evrealestate.com
During Tammy’s 20 years of experience in property management and residential real estate, she has assisted a variety of individuals and families in meeting their real estate needs and goals, whether buying, selling, or investing in their future. She truly enjoys listening and getting to know you to understand your personal needs and wishes. She has lived in the west metro for over 20 years and has extensive market knowledge of Minnetonka and the surrounding areas. When you choose Tammy as your real estate advisor, you will receive excellent communication, someone you can trust, extensive market knowledge, and an experienced negotiator.
Paul Newton, Director
Insurance Agent, Carver Insurance Group
Phone: 952-448-4580
Email: pnewton@carinsgroup.com
Matthew McDougall, Director
Melchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP
Phone: 952-448-2225
David Winters, Director
Owner/Agent, D Winters Insurance Services
Phone: 612-325-3516
Email: davidwinters@mnipn.com
David Winters is a life long resident of the South West Metro. David started D Winters Insurance Services in 2014 to help people and businesses understand the simple, yet complex world of insurance. Before this, David held a variety of executive-level positions with a handful of affiliated companies for 30 years. It was here he gained the knowledge he uses today to assist businesses with their risk management. David is also an active volunteer helping many local charities and organizations. The central organization is the Civil Air Patrol, where is the Squadron Safety Officer.
Brent Wordelman, Director
Director of Finance, Ridgeview
Phone: 952-442-2191
Email: brent.wordelman@ridgeviewmedical.org
Charles Liedtke, Ph.D., Director
President, Strategic Improvement Systems, LLC
Phone: 952-380-0778
Email: charles@sisliedtke.com
Charles A. Liedtke, Ph.D. is the President of Strategic Improvement Systems, LLC, a management consulting company designed to assist leaders in improving the performance of their organization from a strategic perspective. Charles conducts research, consults, and provides customized training on Strategy, Quality, Analytics, Improvement, and Innovation. He has worked with organizations worldwide on strategic improvement initiatives including Fortune 500 companies, privately-held companies, non-profit organizations, and government entities. His most recent research projects were on Quality, Analytics, Big Data; Big Data in Hoshin Kanri; Information-Based Customer Value Creation; Advances in Strategic Planning and Shaping Organizational Culture.
Charles earned a Ph.D. in Business – Operations and Information Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison specializing in strategy; strategic improvement; and quantitative analysis. His Ph.D. dissertation is titled, "Horizontal Interaction During Strategic Improvement Initiatives: A Study Involving Six Quality-Oriented Organizations." Charles has conducted research on Six Sigma, Lean, Process Management, Knowledge Management, Visioning, Hoshin Kanri, Long-Term Planning, Organizational Culture, Preserving Quality Superiority, Product and Service Design, Discovery, Process Improvement, Analytics, and Big Data. Charles also earned an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. minor in Statistics from UW-Madison; an M.S. degree in Statistics from Iowa State University; and a B.S. degree in Economics from South Dakota State University.
Lisa Sayles-Adams, Ed.D., Director
Superintendent, Eastern Carver County Schools
Phone: 952-556-6110
Email: SaylesAdamsL@District112.org
Lisa Sayles-Adams, Ed.D. has led the Eastern Carver County Schools district as superintendent since July 1, 2020. During her tenure, she has successfully guided the district through a global pandemic, led a successful referendum campaign, and launched a new strategic plan. She did so by thoughtfully engaging the community, listening and building trust, and always keeping the district’s work focused on its central mission: providing a well-rounded and excellent education for every student.
Lisa is committed to ensuring educational equity and excellence for every learner. With more than 27 years of experience spanning a multitude of roles from classroom teacher to superintendent, her passion for education and data-driven decision-making has resulted in school performance turnarounds, new strategic planning practices, innovative approaches to teaching, expanding programming, and more. She understands that work to support student success doesn’t end at the classroom door, and her leadership has made a difference in schools, communities, and cultures in both urban and suburban districts.
Lisa has been a frequent guest panelist offering her expertise and insight on academic inequities, building effective leadership teams and strategies, and a practitioner’s perspective on education. She received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University Mankato in 2022.
Eric Ziemer, Director
Branch Manager, CorTrust Bank
Phone: 952-908-3809
Email: eziemer@cortrustbank.com
Mike Reeves, Director
Sales & Marketing, Minuteman Press
Phone: 952-479-7099
Email: mreeves@minutemanpress.com
Mike is responsible for the growth of both his families franchises in Burnsville and Chanhassen MN. He does that through B2B sales, Networking groups and being involved in multiple Chambers of Commerce.
What sets him apart is his drive and passion to create a legacy for his family while creating a recognizable brand that people can trust. Mike truly loves his job and if you asked any of his customers about him they would say his passion shines through his work. Mike’s goals are to continue to grow each year, but to keep it manageable and always provide great customer service and to have thriving businesses to pass on to his kids and to support them through this fun ride.
Lynn Laumann, Director
Owner/Photographer, Lynn Laumann Photography
Phone: 952-210-2688
Email: lynnlaumann@gmail.com
Lynn Laumann is the owner of Lynn Laumann Photography in Downtown Chaska and has been operating her small business for 23 years in Waconia and Chaska. Her love of photography is matched only by her passion for business and helping businesses grow through connection, relationships, and referrals.
Her years of experience as a business owner and leadership in many business groups gives her the experience and creativity it takes to support other businesses in the Chamber. Her experience also includes starting two non-profits, mentoring High school students, and holding board positions in other business groups.
Lynn’s goal as a board member is to continue to help the Southwest Metro Chamber continue grow membership while helping the staff increase the value of chamber membership with new ideas, opportunities to build relationships, and of course some fun! Feel free to reach out any time with questions or concerns.
Jolene Breyer, Director
Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Phone: 952-444-5291
Email: jolene.breyer@ampf.com
Keith Payne, Director
Business Broker, Sunbelt Business Advisors
Phone: 612-730-1030
Email: kpayne@sunbeltmidwest.com
As a licensed Business Broker with Sunbelt Business Advisors, Keith looks forward to working with individuals who are looking to sell their existing business or acquire a business of their own.
As a business owner himself, he understands the rewards, challenges and responsibilities that come with business ownership. This firsthand experience enables Keith to share the trials and tribulations that come with owning your own business and pass along sound advice to his clients. Keith has over 30 years of corporate and small business experience and has provided services and guidance to a variety of business owners.
Keith has a BS from Washington State University, where he met his wife, and they moved to Minnesota from the Pacific Northwest in 1990. In addition to spending time with his wife and two adult children, Keith enjoys running, mountain biking and BBQing in his backyard.
As a member of both the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association (MIIAB) and the Professional Insurance Agents of Minnesota (PIA of Minnesota), Keith’s primary focus is working with independent insurance agencies.
Keith is proud to have been chosen as Rookie of the Year with Sunbelt and looks forward to the opportunity to share his knowledge with other business owners. With the support, expertise and experience of working with the world’s largest seller of companies, Keith is here to help!