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Our Mission

To preserve, promote, and protect the commercial, historic, recreational and environmental interests of Wallace, Shoshone County, and surrounding area, for the benefit of those who live, work, play and visit this beautiful area.

Chamber Leadership

KimBerly Keyton

 President 2025-2026 & Chairperson for Historic Wallace Craft Beer Pub Crawl & Wallace Open Putt Putt Golf Tournament

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KimBerly’s family and friends supported her dream of buying a cool retro motel so when she found the Stardust in 2021 it was a perfect match.   They officially took ownership on January 7, 2022.   She was born into an Air Force family and as a result has more than a few states “she’s from” (Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, California and now Idaho).  Prior to being a motelier,  KimBerly taught piano, worked on a cadastral survey team for the BLM, ran recycling operations for Waste Management for the whole of Coachella Valley, assisted in writing contracts for City solid waste services, secured grant funding, oversaw low income housing real estate portfolios in Memphis, consulted in the real estate and short term rental space and while running the motel, she still has a day job teaching people how to acquire multifamily property and grow their real estate portfolios.  She believes in the spirit of collaboration and looks forward to a lifelong relationship supporting the Silver Valley and Wallace ID.

Matt Sawyer

Vice President 2026-2027 & Marketing Chairperson

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Matt is the Director of Marketing for Lookout Pass / Route of the Hiawatha.  He currently serves on the Montana Ski Areas Association Marketing Committee, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association.  Previous board experience includes extended stints on the Berkshires Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and marketing committee, SnoCountry – the voice of the mountains advisory board, Pennsylvania Ski Area Operators Association, National Wild Turkey Federation for the state of Massachusetts, board member and Massachusetts State Chapter president, PSIA East Division Pennsylvania Delegate representing Region.

Brenda Johnson

Director & Chairperson for Center of the Universe Re-dedication Ceremony & Raffle

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Brenda is co-owner of Johnson’s Gems. A former board member of the Silver Valley Chamber, Brenda is also a long time volunteer for organizations countywide. A lifetime North Idaho resident, Brenda and her husband Ed reside in Pinehurst. Brenda is also the chamber’s official representative to the North Idaho Tourism Alliance and the Chairperson of the Center of the Universe & Raffle Event held every year to re-dedicate Wallace as the Center of the Universe.

Todd Howard

Treasurer 2026-2027 – Chairperson for Bylaws & Budget

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A third-generation resident of Wallace, Todd continues his education career as the Wallace School District Superintendent. He has been in the education profession for over 20 years as a math/science teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. He and his wife Jill have raised two children in the local community and realize the importance of a strong education system and supporting community. “It’s a privilege to be an active member of the Wallace Chamber and our local school district. There are very few places that can offer the things found in this little rural Idaho town.”

Chris Magart

Director & Membership Committee

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Chris grew up in the Chewelah and Valley areas of Washington and joined the U. S. Marine Corps during his senior year of high school in 1984.  After his time on active duty was complete he settled in Spokane and began working in the portable toilet industry in 2006.  This was only going to be a short term gig for him, but it became a career decision.  After learning the ropes in the industry he saw what was lacking in the local providers he saw an opportunity to take his knowledge and experience to provide better service than what was being offered.  With the help of two business partners, Amerifirst Portalet and Pump Services LLC was born.  Amerifirst then began operating Tam’s Traveling Toilets in 2018.  The business has seen growth every year since beginning operations.  From the start, Chris worked to make Tam’s not just a business in the area, but a member of the community.  He is a past member of Toastmasters International and a Rotarian.  His board experience includes serving on the board of the Spokane Area Council of Square and Folk dancing for seven years, three of those years serving as the president.  Chris was also 50 votes shy of being the vice president of the Washington State Square Dance Federation.

Justyce Dimitroff

Director & Pub Crawl Committee & Christmas In Wallace Committee

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Justyce grew up here in North Idaho. After she graduated in 2016, she moved to Montana but quickly discovered she missed her beautiful home town of Wallace so she moved back and told herself she will reside here for the rest of her days. She is a sister and an aunt which are two of her favorite titles. Justyce loves doing just about anything and everything outdoors that the silver valley has to offer. When Justyce graduated, she got into Pharmacy and was a Pharmacy Technician for about 5 years. She now works at Pressed on Pine and does administrative and design work. Justyce is also a member of the Wallace Elks Lodge. She loves being able to help and give back to the community. She enjoys everyone that she gets the pleasure to serve beside at the Chamber and is excited to see what the future for Wallace can and will look like.

James Barnhart

Secretary 2025-2026 & Membership Committee & Pub Crawl Committee

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James married into a third generation Wallace family and has owned a home in Wallace with his wife Heather for more than 10 years.   In 2023 he retired from a 30 year career in the recreational boat and yacht industry; including more than 13 years as the Director of Service Operations for Hagadone Marine in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, then most recently as the Director of Operations for the MarineMax Corporation in Pompano Beach, Florida.  James and Heather sold their home in Boca Raton, FL in May of 2023 and moved back to take up permanent residence in Wallace.  James now serves as the General Manager of The Wallace Inn and is looking forward to working with the local community to help Wallace thrive and preserve its unique history and charm for future generations.

 

Melanie Morlan

Director & Fall For History Committee & Pub Crawl Committee

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Melanie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Artist.  She has an online private practice specializing in relationships, marital, pre-marital and individual psychotherapy and is currently building a business in textile art (The Vintage Lamb Mercantile) upcycling, wool, linen, jute and cotton vintage fabrics.

Melanie and her husband Chris own a vintage, restored 1912 bungalow on the south hill of Wallace. Once owned by a timberman in the Dayrock Mines.   They love the small-town kindness and people of Wallace, the historical eccentricities and the many opportunities for outdoor adventures.  With a deep appreciation of local history, her first deep dive as a Chamber Director was to become a member of the Fall for History Committee.  She has done extensive research on her Silver Valley ancestors, French Canadian fur trappers and traders who came to the Panhandle area from Canada during the 1800s.  “One of my ancestors, Michel Bourdon was a fur trader who worked for the North West Company and traveled with David Thompson to the Pend Oreille River in 1808 to establish a fur trading post on Lake Pend Oreille in 1809 called Kullyspell House (the first fur trading post in the North West). Silver Valley, mountain living and wild-crafting is in my DNA.”

She loves wild sourcing food, preservation, cooking, baking, and collecting vintage mining memorabilia (especially dynamite boxes).  Her husband is an architect and running coach and they have a wonderful 25-year-old son who lives in Arizona.

 

JoHannah Branstetter

Director & Christmas In Wallace Committee

Zareh Tamrazian

Director & Marketing Committee & Budget Bylaws Committee

Julie George

Executive Director Chamber Coordinator

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Julie is lifelong resident of North Idaho who grew up in Post Falls her grandparents homesteaded in Cataldo and she has many roots in the Silver Valley. Her and her husband Jim who was raised in Pinehurst, now live in Kingston, and they are newly minted grandparents. Both love being in the mountains and enjoying what North Idaho has to offer.  Julie has worked in pharmacy and has negotiated labor contracts and served as a business agent during her 20 years in pharmacy. Organizing has followed Julie well as she has served as a Human Resource Manager and Association Membership Coordinator. All this accomplished while raising twin boys and working full time. Julie is excited to be working for the Wallace Chamber and enjoys the dedication and friendliness of Wallace and its community and network of volunteers that make the town a great place to live in and visit.