Lonsdale Chamber welcomes new board members

After weeks of searching for qualified members to serve on the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the LACC Nomination Committee consisting of current and past board members made their recommendations to the Board of Directors, and all were approved. At the regular meeting of the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce held Tuesday, Dec. 18, the board welcomed new board members Matthew Brennan, Jessica Pumper and Diane Weyrick, bringing the board up to nine members under the direction of 2013 Chair Terinee Stangler.  

Matt Brennan: Matt is the outside plant manager at the Lonsdale Telephone Company. He also installs, provides and maintains all equipment that keeps the phones, televisions and internet running in Lonsdale. He lives in Lonsdale, and has experience in helping with Lonsdale's biggest annual event: Lonsdale Community Days.  

Jessica Pumper: Jessica is the owner and photographer of J. Pumper Photography. She and her husband Dan, and their children Jorgia and Griffin live just outside of Lonsdale, where she also has her portrait studio. She photographs high school seniors, families, children, newborns and weddings. 

Jessica has been a LACC member since 2008, and when she was asked by the nominating committee to consider becoming a board member, she said she saw it as a great opportunity.

"I hope to become more active in the community and to possibly bring new ideas to the LACC," she commented.

Diane Weyrick: Diane is no stranger to the LACC Board of Directors. She has been a part of the Chamber since it evolved. 

"At that time I was on the New Prague School Board and worked closely with many folks from Lonsdale on the levy for the schools," she explained. She was a board member from 2007-09 and then again from 2011 to this renewal of her term.

Diane lives in Webster with her two sons Zebedee, 15, Zander, 12, and her recently widowed mother. She is an independent financial advisor with offices in New Prague and Northfield, helping clients make strategic decisions with their resources. "I believe money is a tool, and lifestyle is the goal," she said.

While serving on the board, she said she wants to continue efforts to unify Lonsdale's business community and preserve the joy of a small town while the community is expanding.

"I'm staying on the board because I enjoy the people and the community involvement," she added.

The new board members will be introduced at the Annual Member's Dinner to be held January 19.