2024 board of directors
The board is comprised of a group of leaders within WACC’s membership base that serve as the governing body for the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce. This group of volunteer is fiercely committed to ensuring the success of WACC, its members, and the community while aligning all programs, events, and initiatives with WACC’s mission, vision, and goals.
The directors can serve two consecutive two-year terms and are voted in by WACC’s membership.
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MOUNTRAIL-WILLIAMS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Workforce Committee Co-Chair
Jessica George was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2008 she made the decision to move to Williston and has since made this her home.
She works for MWEC and through her PR & Communications Coordinator position has become more involved throughout the community.
Jessica joined the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2021 where she served as Vice-Chair and is currently serving as Chair. She is also a member of the Williston Community Builders, Upper Missouri Relay For Life, McVay PTO and serves on the Little Lamb’s Childcare, Inc board. She and her family are also active in their church.
Jessica along with her husband Doug have two daughters, Kaylee and JoJo, and are grateful to be raising them in such an incredible community.
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Leadership & Education Committee Past Chair
Kenley Nebeker has served as the Executive Director of TrainND Northwest for the past 5 years. Through his leadership, TrainND Northwest has expanded and diversified exponentially. During his time in North Dakota, Nebeker has developed and implemented many workforce trainings that are impactful throughout the state. Nebeker serves on the UND Petroleum Engineering IAC, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and chairs the Western Star Foundation Board of Directors as well as the North Dakota UAS Council. Nebeker recently became the founding President of the TrainND Foundation. Nebeker, his wife Jen, and their son Liam live in Williston and love the many benefits and opportunities associated with living in Western North Dakota.
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WESTERN COOPERATIVE CREDIT UNION
Workforce Committee Co-Chair
Krystal is a long time Williston native with a passion for her home town. After graduating from Williston High School, Krystal obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design at North Dakota State University.
Realizing that Williston was where she wanted to call home, she moved back to Williston where she participated in the Adult Learning Center with WSC, creating activities for the community with workshops and educational programs.
She then obtained a Business Management degree and began her professional career in the Human Resources field. She has worked in Human Resources in the oil and gas and financial sectors and is currently Human Resources Generalist with Western Cooperative Credit Union.
She is also a teacher/ choreographer for a local dance studio and loves helping Williston’s youth grow to be young citizens of this community.
Krystal thrives on creative endeavors and loves to be a part of projects throughout the community and looks forward to working with the Chamber and its members!
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I grew up on a farm/ranch in Ray, ND. Went to college at NDSU in Fargo, ND, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. I work for KLJ Engineering in Williston, ND, as a licensed professional civil engineer.
My professional career in the transportation discipline specializes in aviation by providing engineering services for general aviation and commercial service airports in North Dakota and Montana, with a majority of the work within the NW corner of ND and Eastern Montana. By working with the airport clients, cities, counties, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, and contractors, we are working towards maintaining, improving, and expanding the needs in aviation for our local communities.
These airports support our local businesses and communities by providing medivac flights, agricultural spraying operations, private business operations, military and border patrol operations, and commercial air travel operations for some examples. I am also an active part of our family farm/ranch in Ray, ND, the fifth generation.
A few activities I enjoy in my own time include reading, music, hunting, and flying my drone. I am excited to be a part of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce and look forward to being more involved in the community.
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ECKERT YOUTH HOMES
Dr. Hoffman is the clinical director at Eckert Youth Homes in Williston, ND, where they provide both residential and outpatient addiction treatment for youth. She has both a bachelors and master’s degree in addiction studies and completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences though the University of South Dakota (USD) in May 2020. Dr. Hoffman supervises the treatment providers at Eckert and facilitates graduate and undergraduate internships. She also teaches graduate school at USD. Leah lives in Williston with her husband and their three boys.
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WILLIAMS COUNTY
Leadership & Education Chair
Helen Askim, Williams County Administrator, started her career at Williams County in 1997 as the Administrative Assistant in the Veterans Service Office. Over her 26+ year career at Williams County she has served in many roles including Director of the IT, HR and Communications Departments. She has served as instructor of the public speaking curriculum for the Chamber’s Leadership Williston Program since 2016 and is a member of the Education and Leadership Committee. Helen graduated from Minot High School and Minnesota State University Moorhead before moving to Williston with her husband, Chad, and raising their two sons.
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MIDWEST METAPHYSICS
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UPPER MISSOURI DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT
Policy Committee Chair
I’ve been in the Williston area for 10 years now, going on forever. I moved to Williston in Oct. 2012 at the age of 27 and promised myself I’d be out by the time I was 30. I have a Bachelor of Health Science in Public Heath and have served as the Community Health Coordinator at Upper Missouri District Health Unit since 2012.
Upon moving to Williston, I knew I wanted to connect with my new community to grow my knowledge of my new environment and participate in the community. The first thing I did was take part in the 2013 Williston Police Dept. Citizen Police Academy course. In 2016, I joined the Williston Rotary Club and graduated from Leadership Williston through the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce with my project as the Co-City Manager of the 2nd Annual Lemonade Day.
I met my husband Nick here along the way and we have 2 children Hazel and Sophia. We enjoy Williston and the surrounding area of Northwest North Dakota.
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I grew up in Northern California and transplanted to Western North Dakota in 2013. I met my husband, Brian, shortly after and decided to put down roots in Williston. We now have two kiddos, two dogs, and two cats. We enjoy camping, boating, and spending time in Montana at the family ranch.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics from UC Davis (go Aggies!). I have always enjoyed working with people and numbers. As a Financial Advisor with Thrivent I get to fulfill my own cup by helping others with their financial and retirement goals, as well as helping others fill their cups with our fraternal programs.
I am passionate about small businesses and shopping local. I look forward to using my time with the Chamber to act as a dot-connector for Williston businesses.
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FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK & TRUST
Young Professionals Chair
Katelynn Lesmann is a North Dakota native who has lived in Williston since 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Energy Economics from Minot State University and a Master of Science in Energy Legal Studies from Oklahoma City University. She is a Registered Professional Landman and is a member of the Landman Association of North Dakota.
Her professional experience in the oil and gas industry led her to her current role as the Mineral and Land Services Land Manager at First International Bank and Trust, where she oversees the mineral management and land management lines of business.
She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and teaches yoga at Exhale Yoga & Wellness in Williston. Katelynn has a deep rooted love for North Dakota and all things outdoors, including hiking, fishing, and camping.
Katelynn and her husband have one daughter, June, and two dogs, Jones and Pete.