Lori Meeder named exec director of Boyne City Main Street

The Boyne City Main Street Board has named Lori J. Meeder as the organization's new executive director starting March 1. Meeder replaces Hugh Conklin, who retired in August after seven years in the position. Meeder is a resident of Boyne City and a member of the city Planning Commission. "I am just so excited to be able to devote my time and energy to this community," Meeder said. She has extensive experience in business development and banking, most recently as a senior lender for Northern Initiatives and entrepreneurial division director for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. She has also worked for the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and several banks in downstate Michigan. She holds BA and MBA degrees in finance from Grand Valley State University. Meeder has served as a Main Street volunteer on the Team Boyne Economic Restructuring Committee, and she is a board member of Leadership Charlevoix County, a program affiliated with the Boyne City, Charlevoix and East Jordan Chambers of Commerce. City press release.

Chamber honors community leaders, installs board at Annual Meeting

A crowd of 325 people attended the Boyne Area Chamber's 2015 Annual Meeting at Boyne Mountain, enjoying great food and drink, entertainment and the presentation of awards to community leaders and organizations. The award winners are pictured here. Thanks to Erika Blackwell of Center of Attention Photography for providing our pictures, and more photos are here. The award winners are:

> Volunteer of the Year - Nancy Cunningham, whose patient determination over several years on behalf of the Friends of the Boyne River has given us the new Boyne River Nature Area.
> Community Pride Award - The Boyne Thunder Committee, which organizes and manages this July event, has raised more than $300,000 for Camp Quality and more recently Challenge Mountain.
> Young Entrepreneurs of the Year - Four young women who have in the past year or so started working for their parents' businesses and thus are the heirs apparent to keeping the business going, and keeping it in the family. They are: Asuka Barden of F.O. Barden and Sons, Jessica White of Boyne City Hardware, Jennifer McAndrew of Boyne Co-op True Value and Shantel Erber of BC Lanes.
> Entrepreneurs of the Year - Chris and Sandra Nelson, who took our long-neglected and closed bowling alley and brought it back to life as BC Lanes, located adjacent to their highly successful BC Pizza.
> Heritage Award - Bruce Janssen of The Wood Shop, who has been in business since 1974, and has contributed greatly to the appearance of our area with his artistic sign creations.
> The Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award (presented by Sally's sister, Julie Wellman) - Tony Williams and Robin Lee Berry of Freshwater Gallery, whose are active in many organizations and whose winter concert series has brought nationally-known talent to Boyne City.
> The Chamber Board of Directors was installed at the Annual Meeting with Kristine Brehm honored for completing her  year as president and Karen Guzniczak starting her year as the incoming president. Full board.