By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Jessica Fagerbakke as their new Executive Director.
Fagerbakke has lived in Havre for more than four years after her job at BNSF led to her moving. Most recently, she served as Office Manager at Lakeside Excavation, but says working with the Chamber was an opportunity that she could not pass up.
“I just am really passionate about our community and our economy and the economic growth. Havre is a great place to live, work and play. I just want everyone to be able to experience it and I really care about the economic growth and sustainability of our community.”
One of the first items on Fagerbakke’s agenda as Executive Director will be to help host the 2nd Annual Bear Paw Marathon, scheduled for June 4th.
“Getting that in order and trying to get people signed up for it and getting all of our sponsors and our advertising, all of the things that go along with setting up the Marathon together. So that’s my first order of business. And then, working with the Board on different committees, getting to know people, doing some community outreach, and letting them know that ‘hey I’m here and I’m available for you, and what can we do for you and your business.'”
Fagerbakke replaces Julea Robbins, who resigned earlier this year to take the position of Regional Disaster Economic Recovery Coordinator for Bear Paw Development.
Fagerbakke has been a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors since November, and says she has already spoken with Robbins, but plans on having a more extended conversation later this week.
“So we can do a little bit of a turnover and I can hopefully pick up where she left off,” says Fagerbakke.
