Board of Directors
Amy Leopold
President
Amy is a Financial Advisor for Ameriprise Financial in Windom. She is a graduate of Red Rock Central High School. She has a BS in Accounting with a certificate of taxation from the University of MN, Crookston. She also serves as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee for Windom Area Health, member on the Windom Convention & Visitors Bureau, and as President of the Windom Area Development Committee. Her husband, Jeff, works for Toro in the Fabrication department as an Engineer. They have three children, Alex, Jayce and Rylee. In her free time, she enjoys running, gardening, camping with the family and just about any outdoor activity.
Lisa Hoffman
Treasurer
Lisa is the Executive Assistant at Staples Oil Co., Inc. after recently returning to her hometown of Windom. She graduated from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management with a BSB in Marketing. After college, she worked at Padilla (public relations agency) in Minneapolis, and Navitor (a Taylor Corporation) in Mankato. Lisa enjoys and has been involved in the marketing, planning, and execution of programs and events for many large and small corporations. In her free time she enjoys golf, coaching with the Windom Figure Skating Club, time at the lake, and spending time with family.
Jeff Reeves
Board Director
Holding 29 years of transportation industry experience, Jeff is General Manager and Certified Director of Safety with Fortune Transportation where he has been working since May 2017. Jeff currently serves as a member of the Minnesota Trucking Association’s (MTA) Safety Council Leadership Board, MTA’s Experience Trucking Committee, Southwest Region of the Minnesota Safety Council, member of American Trucking Association’s (ATA) Safety Management Council (SMC), SMC Awards and Recognition Committee, SMC Regulations Committee, and a mentor for the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI). Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management. His proudest career moment was leading Soldiers in the Army Reserves for 13 years and two deployments as a Convoy Commander, Platoon Sergeant, and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer while obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jeff has been married to his wife, Rachel, for nearly 18 years and they have three children (Kevin, Melanie, and Wyatt). Jeff is also a current member of the Woodworker’s Guild of America.
Tim Herron
Board Director
Tim is the Insurance Agent with United Prairie for the Windom and Mountain Lake locations. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in Aerospace Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Tim enjoys fishing, kayaking, hiking, running and has lived in the rural Windom Area for over ten years. Tim is excited to serve on the Windom Area Chamber!
Steve White
Board Director
Steve works in Sales and Advertising for KDOM radio, of which he and his wife recently became the owners. Steve enjoys being a part of the Windom community and looks forward to working with the Chamber on making Windom a better place.
Brittany Higley
Board Director
Brittany is a Retail Associate at Bank Midwest in Windom where she has been working since 2015. She currently serves as a member for the Windom Convention & Visitors Bureau and Riverfest Board. Her husband Jordan works for his family business, Higley Ford, as General Manager. They have 3 children: Olivia, Grayson, and Eliana. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, time at the lake, and spending time with family. She looks forward to being more involved in this great community!
Maria Stumpf-Ahmed
Board Director
Maria is an Advocate with the Southwest Crisis Center. She had previously been a District Manager with Party City as well as owned her own retail store that sold high end leather goods. Maria also currently owns Sky Dog Adventures where she is a Pet Lifestyle Coach. She attended St. Cloud University where she obtained a master's degree in Criminal Justice and Human Relations & Multicultural Education and also attended University of Washington and obtained another master's degree in Social Responsibility and Justice. She has been a youth and campus minister at multiple universities and churches, and an active member in the social justice ministry program in the Diocese of Winona/Rochester, has enrolled in the Animal Chaplain Training Program to be an Ordained Animal Chaplain license, a member of the Community Integration Committee and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a Faith Formation Instructor in Theology of the Body for 8 and 9th graders. Maria is married to Shakil and together they have 9 dogs, 5 cats, 1 green wing McCaw, a bearded dragon, and multiple salt water fish tanks. Maria enjoys being outside and immersed in nature. She also loves to travel and has visited 48 out of 50 states.
Renae Steffen
Board Director
Renae Steffen resides in Windom with her husband Matt and their five children. With each of her kids now attending school full time, Renae enjoys working as the People Experience Lead for the Clerc Family McDonald's. In addition to her day job, she loves to volunteer in each of her children's classrooms at the Windom Schools and for the MN Hands and Voices program as a parent mentor, specifically for those that are in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. When found with spare time, her whole family loves to enjoy the variety of parks Windom offers, especially the Be Well Path in the Fall. When the weather turns cold, Renae loves to keep active at the local gym, River Valley Fitness.
Len Bakken
Board Director
Len is the Director of Human Resources with HyLife Foods in Windom where he has been working since May 2020. Len has approximately 18 years of HR experience in the region, beginning with Avery Weigh-Tronix in Fairmont and more recently with JBS in Worthington. He is a graduate of Concordia University in St. Paul with a BA degree in Organizational Management and Communication. Len has served on many boards in the region over the years and is currently Chairman at the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board. In the past he served as a board member for Nobles County United Way, Worthington Chamber of Commerce & CVB, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Len and his wife Lori have lived in the Windom area for the past 10 years. They enjoy camping, lake activities, and spending time with grandchildren.
Ben Petersen
Board Director
Ben Peterson was born and raised in Windom and is an Outside Sales Specialist for GDF Enterprises. He's been involved with the Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board and active in the Windom Lions Club, in which he's planned and put on many events for over 10 years. In his free time, he loves to do anything outdoors. He looks forward to being more involved with the Chamber and making Windom a must-see place.
Lindsey Englar
Board Director
Lindsey is the Wellness Center Supervisor at Windom Area Health and has been there since October 2018. In addition to overseeing Wellness Center operations, she is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, and holds an ACSM Exercise is Medicine credential. Apart from training, Lindsey has led several community holiday events around the Be Well Path, and was a part of the Wolf Lake Trail Committee. In her free time, she enjoys being active outdoors, reading, and photography. She looks forward to becoming more connected with the Windom community as a member of the Chamber Board.
Derek Jones
Board Director
Derek has a family of four including his wife Darci, Dawson(4), Reese (2), and their newborn. He works at Toro as the Paint/Weld Manager and has been with the company for 14 years. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, archery, Christmas lighting, anything outdoors, and watching his kids grow and learn. He run a series of Bass tournaments focusing on area lakes that are open to the public. He enjoys living in the Windom area and looks forward to being more involved with community events and bringing some fun!