Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter November 2019 Edition | Page 16

16 - The Sparta Ambassador - November 2019
Board of Directors Election Information
Chamber members in good standing should watch their mailboxes for official 2020 Board of Directors ballot. Five seats on the Sparta Area
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are open. Five candidates appear on the ballot, one of which is running for re-election. Members
should vote using the paper (post card) ballot included in the election announcement. The post card ballot must be returned in person or via the
U.S. Postal Service by November 30, 2019.
Chamber Bylaws: “At the regular September Board meeting, the President shall appoint, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, a Nom-
inating Committee of not less than three (3) members of the Chamber. The President shall designate the Chairperson of the committee. At
minimum, the nominating committee shall present to the Board of Directors a list of candidates sufficient to ensure each open Board position
is filled. Each candidate must be an active member in good standing, and must have agreed to accept the responsibility of a directorship. The
Board shall then accept or reject these nominations, and can nominate a candidate from the floor who meets the above requirements. The Board
shall then instruct the Chief Executive Officer to mail a ballot to every paid-up member to select one director for each vacancy to serve a three-
year term. The election shall be determined based upon the total number of votes each candidate receives from the membership.”
The following names were submitted by petition and by the Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors in September and are being rec-
ommended by the Board. They are presented in alphabetical order.
Shannon Davis (Mathews Archery Inc) - I am a lifelong resident of Sparta. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse in 2005
with a degree in Business Management.   I have worked at Mathews for 19 years in various roles but for the past 7 years as their Logistics – Re-
turns Manager.  I also work at Arenz Shoes on a limited part time basis.  I have previously been a part of Sparta Women’s Association where I
served as President for two years and helped organize their annual scholarship fundraiser. I am currently a member of the local chapter of P.E.O.
International.  Over the years, I have volunteered at various fundraising events throughout the community. In my spare time, I enjoy spending
time with my husband Bryan, and two young daughters, Elin (8) and Evie (5). 
Julie Lanahan (Referral Staffing Solutions) - I moved to Sparta, WI, at the age of 9.  I graduated from Sparta SAILS Charter School in 2006
and went on to receive my CNA certification.  After working in the medical field for a few years, I decided to make a career change. I accepted
a position where I managed a payday loan store. After five years in that role, I was ready for additional growth, which then lead me to further
my education.  I have since received my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Small Business Management from
Southern New Hampshire University. I now utilize my education in my current role as a Talent Recruiter with Referral Staffing Solutions,
where I recruit and screen candidates, work directly with clients, process payroll, and manage their social media sites. I am thrilled to be con-
sidered to fill a seat on the board of directors for the Sparta Chamber.  It will be a great place to meet people who share a common interest in
serving our community!
Heidi Lydon (Edward Jones) - My name is Heidi Lydon and I was born and raised in Sparta, WI. I am a graduate of Colorado Technical Uni-
versity and joined Edward Jones in 2016. I worked out of Denise Halverson’s office in Sparta and recently moved into my own Edward Jones
office as of June 2019. Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor I had a successful career as a Real Estate Agent for Assist 2 Sell. Over the past
few years I have become very involved with Edward Jones and the Sparta community. I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce,  Chamber
Ambassadors, Sparta Area Young Professionals group and the Board of Review for the City of Sparta. My husband, Brandon and I have a one
year old son John Paul. He keeps us on our toes and we enjoy spending time together as a family. In our spare time we like to venture out to my
parents’ farm with family and friends and helping out when needed. We also enjoy hunting and fishing during those seasons and being outdoors
whenever we can.
Lal Patel (Best Western Trail Lodge) - I am the general manager and voting member of the Best Western in Sparta. I also have interest in 15
other hotel properties such as the Americinn, Quality Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites, and Econolodge. I was born in Western India and immigrated
to the United States in 1998. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and a Master’s in Medical Technology. I worked as a senior medical
technician at Quest Diagnostics Labs in Chicago. I have worked in the hotel industry since 2007. I am married and live in West Salem. I have
two children, a daughter attends UW-Madison and a son who is a sophomore at West Salem High School. I enjoy assisting underprivileged
children with their schooling.
Jen Simunich (Boys & Girls Club) - I have been employed at Boys & Girls Club of Sparta since September of 2001.  I was originally hired
to start and run the homework support and tutoring program.  In 2007 I took on the roll as Program Director of the Club, served as interim Ex-
ecutive in 2008 and again in 2010.  I moved into the Executive roll in July of 2016.  Prior to my nonprofit work in Sparta, I taught elementary
school for a handful of years in La Crosse and in the Cleveland, Ohio area.  I was also a director of a nonprofit nursery school for many years
during the 90’s.  My college education was completed in Ohio at both Kent State University and Lake Erie College.