About Us
The Seward Chamber of Commerce & CVB is a voluntary partnership of business and community leaders working together to make Seward a better place to live, work and play. As a 501(c)6 membership organization, the Seward Chamber works to support its business members through education and networking opportunities, promotion and advocacy efforts.
Through Visit Seward, the Seward Chamber works to promote and market our community as a destination. By providing community promotion services and support, visitor management and services, local economic development, and a positive living environment, our effective team encourages and engages visitors and foster the success of our member businesses and the community as a whole.
The Seward Chamber is supported by its hardworking board of directors, who set Chamber policies and direction using our mission as their compass. The mission of the Seward Chamber is to promote and support its members in maintaining a diversified economy and positive business and living environment in the greater Seward area.
Elections occur each November, with members casting votes for those individuals they wish to represent them. Directors serve on the Board for three (3) years, at which point they may run for reelection.
2022- 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-
Melissa Schutter, – President - First National Bank of Alaska
Term Expires 2025 -
Robbie Huett, – Vice President -Edward Jones
Term Expires 2024 -
Jena Petersen, – Secretary- Mountaintop Cabin
Term Expires 2023 -
Geri Nipp, – Treasurer- Kenai Fjords Tours
Term Expires 2023 -
Hillary Bean, Seward Brewing Company
Term Expires 2025 -
Matt Cope, Salted Roots Alaska
Term Expires 2023 -
Stephanie Millane, Sunny Cove Kayaking & Millane's Serenity By the Sea Cabins
Term Expires 2024 -
Lyrissa Hammer, Gateway Hotel
Term Expires 2024 -
Greg Haas, Stoney Creek Brew House
Term Expires 2025 -
Cliff Krug, Forests, Tides & Treasures
Term Expires 2024 - Kirsten McNeil, Major Marine Tours
Term Expires 2025
JOIN OUR BOARD
Elections occur each November, with members casting votes for those individuals they wish to represent them. Directors serve on the Board for three years, at which point they may run for re-election. If you are interested in running for a position on the Chamber Board of Directors, you must submit a Declaration of Candidacy. Download a Declaration of Candidacy or use this Google Form to submit your Declaration today.
SEWARD CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOB DESCRIPTION
The Board of Directors is composed of twelve (12) members elected by the membership. Directors represent various sectors of private enterprise, government, and the community and each industry sector may be represented by a maximum of two (2) representatives unless a Director has an affiliation with more than one business in different industry sectors.
The Board of Directors sets Chamber policies and direction, using our mission as our compass. The mission of the Seward Chamber is to promote and support our members in maintaining a diversified economy and positive business and living environment in the greater Seward area.
The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing procedures and formulating the policy of the organization. Board members will attend Board meetings (approximately 1 1/2 hours, once monthly) to consider, advise and act upon business before the Board. Board members are expected to attend regularly.
Board members attend membership meetings as scheduled (the second and fourth Fridays of each month, except for June, July, August, and December which are the second Friday of the month only) and assist in suggesting speakers or topics that will contribute to the membership and meet the strategic goals of the organization.
The Board of Directors plans for the future of the organization through long-range (strategic) planning and establishing short-term goals. Board members (in-coming and out-going) participate in an annual strategic planning session, reaffirming the organization’s mission statement and reviewing and refining the long-term plan and goals for the upcoming year.
Board members participate actively on one or more Chamber committees by attending meetings and creating and/or executing ideas with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Board members advocate for the organization and encourage potential members to join and participate in Chamber functions. Board members lobby funding sources and communicate with the community and members about the Chamber’s needs.
Individual board members contribute their professional and personal expertise by advising the President, Board, and staff of areas in which the Chamber can better represent the business community. Board members attend as many of the Chamber’s functions as possible to ensure good visibility of the Board and facilitate interaction with the membership.
