Laurentian Chamber of Commerce Announces New President, CEO
April 22, 2020, Virginia MN– The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Erik Holmstrom as the organization’s new president and CEO. “Erik grew up in Northeastern Minnesota, knows the region well and has the leadership skills to help the Laurentian Chamber thrive, particularly during these challenging and uncertain times for local businesses,” said Rick Crum, Board Chair, Laurentian Chamber of Commerce. Holmstrom will begin his role in early May 2020.
Erik Holmstrom graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School and attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He worked as the Director of Marketing and Development for Lakeview Christian Academy before moving with his family to Bismarck, North Dakota. While in Bismarck, Erik worked as the Director of the IDEA Center and as a business instructor at United Tribes Technical College. He serves on the National Board of the Marketing Educators Association and is a 2016 graduate from the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. Erik currently lives on the Iron Range with his wife and four children.
Holmstrom said, “I am excited to join the Laurentian Chamber at this time. This area’s small businesses, healthcare industries, iron mining and manufacturing businesses are poised for exciting growth once we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with these and other existing businesses and the commencing of construction at Polymet and Twin Metals. We have an opportunity to leverage our area’s incredible natural resources, business and human potential to create a future even stronger than our past.”
Crum said, “The Laurentian Chamber, along with other Iron Range Chambers of Commerce, are unique in that our socioeconomics are like nowhere else in the state. At the same time our Chamber, like other organizations and businesses has faced a few challenges in the last few months, not the least of which is the economic effects of the virus. Getting a creative and enthusiastic leader like Erik on board who understands what makes our region work and prosper into the future is a big win for our business community.”
The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce represents the Quad Cities of Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, and Virginia, Minnesota, as well as surrounding business communities on the Iron Range. The Chamber plays a key role in community partnerships and is an advocate for business development, retention, and expansion. Our mission is to promote business through education and advocacy to advance the prosperity of the region.
CONTACTS:
Erik Holmstrom
218-504-9318
Rick Crum
Board Chair, Laurentian Chamber of Commerce
218-742-1027