The big shift came when Jamie Griffith took over the reins as the new executive director of the Chamber in December. Griffith, who also manages the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, was the Chamber president in 2025, and had been working closely with the Chamber staff, Anna Woodward and Robin Streigle, serving on the board for the past six years. When Woodward moved on to another position with Iowa Central Community College, Griffith stepped into her shoes.

“I sat on the board for many years, and I was the one volunteering with any transition of staff,” said Griffith. “I’ve been the board member who has heavily volunteered in the office.”

Adding the Chamber role into her busy life is going to take some adjustment. Griffith and her husband Ty have four girls who live in Blairsburg. With twins who are now 6, a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old, her days are full. In addition, she is now balancing the management of the fairgrounds with the management of the Chamber office.

But she has found that the board position has helped her with the job at the fairgrounds.

—Daily Freeman-Journal by Kolleen Taylor
It doesn’t take much to make Robin Streigel happy, as she finds a missing stapler at the Chamber of Commerce office. She is the Office and Events manager for the Chamber office in Webster City.

“My board experience at the Chamber reflected on my job at the fairgrounds,” she said.

Griffith is a life-long Hamilton County resident, and wanted to stay in this area.

“I grew up in Williams and graduated from Northeast Hamilton. It has been important for me to stay in Hamilton County,” she said. “I have a love of a lot of things at the fairgrounds, especially the race track. So much of what I do is intertwined.”

Griffith doesn’t see any changes in the way the Chamber will operate.

“We will keep the programs the same as years past and work on the transition of roles,” Griffith said.

—Daily Freeman-Journal by Kolleen Taylor
Jamie Griffith, executive director of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce, trains Amelia Oliver on some of the computer software that is unique to the chamber office. Oliver is taking on the role as the Office and Events support for the Chamber of Commerce.

One of the transitions has been moving Streigle up as the Office and Event manager. Streigle has worked at the Chamber part-time for the last three years.

Amelia Oliver has joined the team, and is learning the administrative side of the Chamber. Working closely with Streigle, Oliver will have the title of Office and Event support.

A Webster City native, Oliver grew up in the community and graduated from Webster City High School in 2004. She brings with her a background in fast-moving tech startup businesses and a strong passion for personalizing the process of growing a community — experience that will be an asset to the Chamber.

“I’m excited to be involved with people and businesses around town,” Oliver said. “I’m looking forward to helping out wherever I can be of use.”

Oliver has been most visible on the Webster City Community Theatre stage, starting nearly 30 years ago, while still in high school

She attended the “First Impressions” meeting where the importance of tourism was highlighted and the first steps of improving the community to welcome newcomers, both as tourists and potential future residents.

“I think the results in the First Impressions report is going to be a great place to focus on in 2026,” said Griffith.

With the vital input from that report, individuals working on that aspect will rest heavily on the Chamber staff to communicate needs to the business community. During 2025, the Chamber set up the Locable program and has been pushing hard for businesses and organizations to claim their Google Business account and start using the Chamber’s Locable tool.

“It will save people a lot of time updating websites, if they just use it,” said Streigle.

The Locable listing automatically updates the state tourism websites, establishes an employment section, and even lists volunteer jobs that are needed around the area.

The Chamber’s strategic plan reflects the work that has been ongoing the past few years. With the Chamber website, working with Locable, there is a communitywide calendar that helps keep the business community and community at large informed.

The Chamber of Commerce is all about partnerships. Their board members reflect many of the community connections that go beyond regular Chamber membership, but are key to the growth of the community.

The Chamber’s board of directors help steer the course for the year and monitor the operations of the Chamber. Current board members are Jill Burtnett, president of Neighborhood Realty; Monica Haberman, vice president of Platinum Connect; Ryan Williams, treasurer, market president for Availa Bank; John Harrenstein, city manager; Ottie Maxey of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance; Ketta Lubberstedt-Arjes of Kendall Young Library; Mark Ferguson, of Karl-Webster City; and Jeff MacRunnel, of K.C. Nielsen.

Vision 2026 is the Chamber’s strategic plan. This document sets the course for the next three years. The strategy for 2026 includes the following four key concepts:

Advocate and promote

1. This part of the vision is to tell the new story of the Chamber and Webster City.

2. Manage Tourism: Create and manage the Webster City Area and Hamilton County visitor guides

3. Develop a Welcome Task Force: This would involve creating a new resident “tool kit.”

4. Engage the Community: Partnering with all sectors of Webster City area residents, youths, businesses and organizations.

Create a strong local economy

1. Expand and retain business: Make regular contact with business and prioritizing business visits.

2. Build awareness of local business: Support local and highlight local business offerings and merchandise

3. Attract new business: Partner with city and county economic development

4. Business succession planning: Offer resources and expertise to facilitate business transactions.

Give Business a competitive edge

1. Chamber Ambassador program: Identify community champions to support Chamber events and support other businesses.

2. Expand educational opportunities: Offer local businesses educational programming and resources to meet their needs

3. Develop a culture of loyalty: Foster cross promotion, business-to-business relationships and strong, supportive connections.

4. Practice Targeted Marketing efforts: Identify opportunities to support businesses by connecting with their niche clientele or target market.

Be the area resources

1. Create business start-up materials; Identify key organizations and resources entrepreneurs need to contact

2. Improve communication: Create resource materials in partnership with business-related organizations.

3. Serve as a Community Hub: Be the “go-to” resource for community members.

4. Build Volunteer Network: Engage with the community to build manpower to tackle large projects.

The Webster City community has always needed a guiding plan for growth. The commitment of the Chamber of Commerce to further that plan is critical for the future of the town and the county. The projects and events planned by the Chamber are designed to help the businesses and the community at large, with volunteers needed at every step.

It’s not just about the businesses; the role the Chamber plays in Webster City is not one that can easily be duplicated by other non-profits or organizations. It’s the pivet point which all else must point to in keeping the community informed and strong.