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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

Brenda Johnson

2024 President & 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.

Valerie Finlay

Past President (2023) – Chairperson of Home for the Holidays Event

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Valerie is long-time resident of the Silver Valley and is the owner of So Natural Val.  She has been in business for over a decade but recently became “official” in 2021 to serve the Silver Valley Community by helping others seek natural wellness.  She has volunteered at the Wallace Visitors/Welcome Center as an official greeter to the travelers and residents of Wallace.  She has volunteered her time in other community events and fundraisers over the past years and enjoys serving her community and helping others while promoting and collaborating with local businesses.  Her family has strong roots in the mining industry of the Silver Valley with generations of underground miners.

Matt Sawyer

2024 Vice President

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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.

Todd Howard

2024 Treasurer – 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.”

KimBerly Keyton

2024 Secretary

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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.

Rae'Lynn Howell

Director – Chairperson for Craft Brew Pub Crawl

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Rae’Lynn Howell is the Manager of the Orehouse Tasting Room and Silver Valley Salesman at Wallace Brewing. She has lived in the Silver Valley since 1993, although her mother was born in Wallace and her grandfather grew up in Mullan. She graduated from Wallace High School in 1997. She has owned and operated a couple businesses with her husband Dustin throughout the years. She coached cheerleading and substituted for the Wallace School District for 12 years. She has been at Wallace Brewing for the last few years, and she really enjoys the town of Wallace, with its rich history and close community.

Patti Herndon

Director

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Patti A Herndon is the owner of North ID Unique Creations in Wallace. A very Unique Gift Store.

She started visiting the Silver Valley back in 1985 visiting her parents who moved here.

She moved here in 1998 to help care for her parents when she met her Soul Mate “Miner” Mike Herndon a Wallace boy born & raised here.

Its a great community to raise their kids, then they grew up and moved out on their own, Patti packed up the house and followed Mike around a few Mine sites and states, then the grandkids started happening! They decided they had the opportunity with Covid and working from home to actually move back “Home” Wallace area!

Patti started up her dream of opening a store again to help local talent doing what she loved and where others felt the same.

She will help out and dedicate herself in any way she can…as long as it’s here in GODS Country, where her heart is! Home Sweet Home Wallace

Susan Berry

Director

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Susan Berry is the Administrative Assistant at Shoshone Medical Center.  She and her Husband fell in love with Wallace and purchased their home over 13 years ago with the intent to retire in Wallace.  They have lived here permanently since 2020 and are enjoying “semi-retirement”.  Susan’s background is in the restaurant industry as Director of Corporate Marketing for a large restaurant chain.  She and her husband have also owned – and her husband has operated – automotive repair shops for over 20 years, and opened a small shop in Osburn when they relocated to the Silver Valley.  She has volunteered for many organizations over the last 30 years and is excited to give what time and help she can to support Wallace and the Silver Valley Businesses and Community.

James Barnhart

Director

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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.

 

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.