— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship On her first day as Webster City Area Chamber Director, Linda Christianson accepted a donate of $1,500 from Advertising Manager Chuck Slagle and Advertising Consultant Danny Baessler. The donation comes following the recent publication of the Webster City Area Activities Guide. Also pictured is Jake Pulis, Chamber board president.

Linda Christianson, a Webster City High School graduate, has been named the new Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.

Christianson, who began her duties Monday, succeeds Deb Brown. Brown left the chamber to pursue her own business, SaveYour.Town.

She spent part of Monday meeting local business contacts with Chamber Board President Jake Pulis.

Christianson graduated from WCHS in 1983 and received her degree from Iowa State University. Following college, she moved to LeMars area where she raised her family. She has three children — Bethany, Russell and Ryan Schlofeldt.

“After the kids flew the coop and I became an empty-nester, I took a job in Dubuque to build a nonprofit organization,” she said.

After a time, she decided to move back to central Iowa to be closer to her children and other family members. Her parents, Lee and Deloris Ayers, and brother and sister-in-law, Rich and Kelly Ayers, all live in Webster City.

Most recently, she worked for the Boy Scouts of America, serving as the executive director for a six-county area.

When she found the posting for the Chamber job, she said she thought her skill set would mesh well with the requirements for the position.

“I’ve got a background in event planning, nonprofit management, volunteer coordination, marketing and some economic development through some of my nonprofit work,” she said.

Christianson said she’s looking forward to some of the upcoming Chamber events, such as JunqueFest Memorial Day Weekend.

“I’m to be part of that. The wheels are already in motion for that and Deb is going to stay on for that event,” she said. “That will allow me time to get organized and oriented to the position.”

Christianson said she’s glad to be back in her hometown.

“This was a great place to grow up,” she said. “I have a lot of good memories of being in school here. I’m glad to be back home.”

She said brings the unique perspective of knowing the community but with the fresh outlook of someone who has been away for a while.

“Hopefully that will give me a good perspective. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of a cloudy day, you can’t see the sun. Maybe a fresh set of eyes will be good,” she said.

Pulis said Christianson is joining the Chamber at an interesting time for the community.

“At least from my perspective, Webster City is at the beginning of a renaissance. We are excited to bring Linda on board. She’s going to be a good addition to the Chamber and there are great things yet to come,” Pulis said.

Donation

During her visit to the Daily Freeman-Journal Monday, Advertising Manager Chuck Slagle and Danny Baessler, advertising consultant, presented Christianson and Pulis with a check for $1,500 for the Chamber of Commerce. The donation comes from the recent publication of the new 2017 Webster City Area Activities Guide.