Media Contact:

Anna Nelson

701-570-0747

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2024

CHAMBER NAMES ITS FIRST “STARS OF WILLISTON” WINNERS

Williston, N.D. - The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) is honored to announce its first “Stars of Williston” class, a new take on its Annual Awards Banquet.

The Stars of Williston was held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at The Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center, hosting about 170 guests for the inaugural event. Along with the awards ceremony, the event featured a cocktail hour, The Range on the Road simulators, and a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, the proceeds from which went to benefit the Western Star Foundation (WSF).

While the format and name changed, the awards remained the same, naming community champions in seven different areas. The winners are named below, and their pictures can be found at the bottom of this page. Professional headshots and full biographies may be furnished upon request.

For media inquiries or to request interviews with any of the winners, please email anna.nelson@willistonchamber.com or call or text 701-570-0747.

All nominations were made by the community at large and narrowed down to the top two, listed below, by the respective voting bodies.

CHAMPION OF AGRICULTURE: Ryan Ellis, Producer on family farm

- Runner-up: Dr. Audrey Kalil, Horizon Resources

Sponsored by: Creedence Energy Services

Voted on by: WACC Agriculture Committee

GENERATION NEXT: Meriel Lora, Harmonic Creative World

- Runner-up: Alexa Neal, Alexa’s Carpet Cleaning (Alexa, Clean My Carpets)

Sponsored by: Ackerman-Estvold

Voted on by: Williston Professionals Network (Formerly Williston Young Professionals)

WILLISTON LEADERSHIP: Melanie Stillwell, Western Cooperative Credit Union

- Runner-up: Richard Ceynar, Busy Bee’s Hot Oil and Tiger Paw Holdings (River’s Edge, 4 Mile Bar)

Sponsored by: Williston Economic Development

Voted on by: WACC Leadership & Education Committee

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Rachel Linn, Thrivent Financial

- Runner-up: Williston Community Builders

Sponsored by: JE Dunn

Voted on by: WACC Ambassadors

CHAMBER CONNECTOR: Jessica George, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative

- Runner-up: Gabriel Black, NextHome Fredricksen Real Estate

Voted on by: WACC Staff

E. WARD KOESER ADVOCACY: Cory Hanson, Williams County Commission

- Runner-up: Rep. David Richter, ND House of Representative District 1

Sponsored by: American State Bank & Trust

Voted on by: WACC Policy Committee

DISTINGUISHED WESTERN STAR: Debbie Richter, formerly with American State Bank & Trust

- Lois Scheele, Buck & Lois Scheele Foundation

Voted on by: WACC Board of Directors

The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce wants to extend another heartfelt congratulations to all winners and nominees. Your contributions to this community are noticed, appreciated, and now celebrated.

Thank you so much to all of our staff, boards of directors, sponsors, members, supporters, volunteers, and this community for making the evening a success.

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