Waukee Chamber's New President Anxious to Build on Momentum

Sara Larson says with increasing membership and the strong leadership of executive director Melinda Behn, she hopes to be able to simply build on the successes of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce during her year commitment as its president. Waukee Patch sat down with Larson to find out about her goals for the Chamber and what she envisions for its future. 

Waukee Patch: What's the role of the Chamber of Commerce president?

Sara Larson: As the president of the Chamber, you kind of bounce off of the executive director (Melinda Behn). She's the machine that runs the Chamber. She is also face of the Chamber. I pair off of that also making sure that I talk about the Chamber, be at events so people understand that they’re important and make sure that others are networking and getting the word out about us. People see me out there and they ask questions and to me that’s great because it has everything to do with the Chamber.

Waukee Patch: The president's position is volunteer, what do you do full-time?

Sara Larson: I am the first vice-president of American Trust (in West Des Moines.) I have been a member of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce since 2007.

Waukee Patch: What are some of your immediate goals for the Waukee Chamber of Commerce?

Sara Larson: The first thing is getting us moved into our new office space (at 236 W. Hickman Road next to Waukee City Hall.) Melinda (Behn) is having a baby in March so there are some definitive timelines for getting situated, getting furniture in and making sure things are taken care of. 

We started out in the city offices but pairing with WEDCO just makes sense. It allows us our own office front, and we will still be able to work well with city because of proximity, but now the Chamber will have it's own presence. I’m really excited about it. 

We will be going to Washington D.C. in May to continue to lobby for Alice’s Road. Just being able to stay in front of those legislators is so important because when Alice’s Road opens, it's going to open up so many more doors for Waukee and the western side of town. It's exciting to get in front of those people to continue to talk about Waukee and how it's growing. It's nice to have that focus and get in front of someone who doesn’t just think of us as a small town in Iowa.

I also want to continue to pair up with the Greater Des Moines Partnership so we can network and get ideas and see what's going on in other communities and I want to help get the word out to them about Waukee, as well. 

Waukee Patch: What are some of your long term goals for the Chamber?

Sara Larson: I want to continue to grow the Chamber and show businesses the value of being a Chamber member and what they can get from that. Melinda is only one year into her position as executive director and she has just killed it. She's really taken things to the next level. I fully expect to see that grow with more opportunities for our businesses to get their names out there. As president, I just really want to continue to make sure things are running smoothly.

Waukee Patch: Anything different you'd like to try out this year?

Sara Larson: Melinda is the ideas person. If she is willing to try new things, I will run with it. I would imagine she has some tricks up her sleeve.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for Sara Larson, president of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce, e-mail her at slarson@americantrust.com.