Chamber Leadership

Valerie Finlay
2023 Chamber Board President
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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
2023 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 Massachuttes, board member and Massachuttes State Chapter president, PSIA East Division Pennsylvania Delegate representing Region.

KimBerly Keyton
2023 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.

Todd Howard
Director
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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.”

Emily Nelson
Director
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Emily was born and raised in the Silver Valley, returned home to the family-owned business “The Brooks Hotel” in downtown Wallace after studying internationally and practicing Architecture the past few years in Boise. Emily has been managing the Brooks and spear-heading all of the renovations since the later part of 2019. Growing up learning the history of the area, she was inspired by the town to be a wildland firefighter while she pursued her degree in Architecture. Now she uses her skill sets for design and marketing; celebrating the history and tourism in her hometown, Wallace.


Rae'Lynn Howell
Director- Chairperson of Craft Brew Event 2023
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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.

Kenzie Jensen
Director
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Kenzie was raised between Idaho and the Midwest, and has always been drawn to beautiful places; rare is the day a camera is not in Kenzie’s hands to capture that beauty. After graduating from BSU with an associate in Business and studying Biology for several years, She made the move to Coeur d’ Alene on a mission to explore the northern panhandle in 2017. The scenery of the Silver Valley is inspiring, but it was the rich history of Wallace and the surrounding areas that captured her heart. Since moving here in 2020, she has become dedicated to honoring the traditions, and keeping that history alive. Her hope is to inspire and motivate the younger generations into realizing the value of preserving the antiquity and beauty of this incredible town, along with the community, past and present.
Kenzie currently owns and operates 5th House Media as a freelance photographer, videographer and drone pilot. You may also see her serving pizza, vino and brews over at The Fainting Goat. Her next venture is operating a bed & breakfast called the Siri Christina, in a historic 1910 Victorian house. Kenzie hopes to leverage my relationships with other business owners in the valley to add value to this chamber and revenue to the area. A rising tide lifts all boats and we’re all in the same water!

Brenda Johnson
Immediate Past President & Chairperson of Center of the Universe & Raffle Event
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Julie George
Coordinator