Board of Directors

Carol Lynn Lapotka President

The talented Carol Lynn Lapotka wears many hats—founder of the MADE fair, handMADE Montana,  and REcreate designs. Her skills were fine-tuned while attending Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, and receiving a Fine Arts degree with a minor in environmental studies. She is focused on organizing and marketing with tendencies toward a creative flare. After moving to Montana in 2007, she vended her upcycled tee-skirts at the local market and saw a need for a holiday show. She is the powerhouse behind the MADE fair operation and a dreamer of how to expand and help artists and makers of Montana through handMADE Montana. REcreate designs makes adult & children’s clothing, accessories, and home goods handcrafted from upcycled materials.
Lapotka has seen things not as they are but for what they can become since 2005.

Andy Fors Vice President

Andy was born and raised in Polson.  He graduated from Polson High School and attended Montana State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Education, and the University of Montana where he earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.  Andy was a teacher and a coach in Kalispell at Glacier High School for 10 years.  He then served as an administrator in Kalispell for 3 years before returning home in 2020 to accept the position of Principal at Polson High School.  Andy and his wife Heather have two children, Carl and Meg.  They are happy to be raising their kids in this amazing community.  Andy is involved in numerous community organizations and is very excited about the opportunity to serve Polson as a Board Member of the Polson Chamber of Commerce.

Julie Thomas Treasurer

Julie was born and raised in the Mission Valley. She graduated from Ronan High School and attended Montana State University. After college she adventured out to different parts of Montana and Alaska, but in 2013 decided to return home. Julie worked in healthcare for 15 years before switching to banking and is currently a Commercial Loan Officer and Credit Analyst at Eagle Bank in Polson. She has enjoyed meeting business owners from Polson and the surrounding communities through her current position, and looks forward to working more closely with them as a Director.

Joslyn Shackelford Past President

Joslyn Shackelford grew up in Missoula and Polson.  She and her husband, Mark, graduated from Montana State University and started a landscaping company in Polson.  They have been involved community members here since 2008.  Joslyn served six years on the City-County Planning Board and seven years with the Polson Business Community (PBC) in various capacities.  She particularly enjoys helping organize the Christmas Parade of Lights and the Flathead Cherry Festival.  Their small business, Alpine Landscape and Design, has grown through the years to include a downtown storefront—Alpine Designs—offering fresh floral, home décor, and curated gifts.  Joslyn is business minded and works tirelessly to promote small businesses in Polson.  She loves to see the town and its people flourish.  Joslyn and Mark are active in many community and charitable events, including Mission Valley Christian Academy where their children attend school.  They are raising their two beautiful daughters here in Polson and teaching their girls to be hard-working, contributing community members as well.

Jesse Vargas Board Member

Originally from southern California, Jesse Vargas moved to Montana in the summer of 2005.   Jesse quickly adapted making friends throughout the community  and developed a strong love for the great outdoors of beautiful Montana wilderness.

Jesse’s enjoyment of helping and improving the community led him to his involvement in local nonprofit organizations where he works towards improving the lives of local youth by giving them positive outlets to recreate.

Jesse decided after his early career in sales to become a Realtor to further help his community by providing excellent customer service to his clients around the northwestern parts of Montana.

His joy of working with the public as an influencing member of the community is felt through his work and enjoyed by his family, friends, and clients.

Brady Phenicie Board Member

I’m Brady Phenicie, owner of Phenicie Business Management, a Network Consulting firm based in Polson, Montana. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, I moved frequently as a child before settling in Healdsburg, California, in 1996, where I launched my own Network Consulting firm.

With 30 years of experience in the industry, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, including award-winning wineries, event planners, private schools and educators, the Boys and Girls Club, and Little League. My career highlights include specialty projects like one of California’s first DSL installations and developing a patented wall-mounted kiosk.

Living in Polson has been a dream come true for my wife, Kimberly, our son, Keller, and me. Since moving here in January 2020, we’ve cherished the beautiful scenery, welcoming community, and the opportunity to call this incredible town our home.

As an active member of the Polson Chamber of Commerce and the Polson Police Commission, I am deeply committed to serving our community. I look forward to helping our local businesses grow and thrive while contributing to the safety and well-being of Polson through my work with the commission.

Andrew Johnson Board Member

Andrew is grateful to have called Polson home his entire life. Growing up here has made him appreciate the local feel and unique atmosphere that Polson offers. He hopes to learn the ropes of the chamber and contribute back to Polson as his family has for generations through their local businesses. His wife Shauna, and their boys Riley and Austin, love to spend as much time outdoors as possible in their free time. Andrew is excited to be a member of the chamber and looks forward to helping have a positive impact on the community.

Adam Reed Board Member

Adam Reed grew up in northern Idaho where he met his amazing wife, Alisa. They have 5 kids together, and even a few grandkids. In between all the sports and choir events, they enjoy going out on Flathead Lake and hiking all over. Adam is the IT / GIS Director for the City of Polson. Adam previously served as an Administrator for St. Joseph/Providence Hospital (Polson) for several years. Adam’s IT experience extends to several private sector positions, and twelve years of active duty with the US Coast Guard. In addition to his position at the City of Polson, he serves as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT with the Polson City Fire Department.

Brandi Clark Board Member

Brandi Clark became the Executive Director for SAFE Harbor on March 20, 2023.  Clark is a Polson High School graduate, a first-generation descendant of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, a mother, a wife, and the proud companion to a perky young golden.  Most recently she was the Human Resources Officer for Lake County and prior to that spent a decade as a Deputy Juvenile Probation Officer with the Youth Court Services.  Clark brings a strong professional background in working with diverse populations. She also understands the challenges facing victims of violence and how to provide them with the support they need.  Considering her new role, Clark sees it as an ideal position with many interesting possibilities. Looking to the future, she is excited about making new partnerships, working with other service providers, and being active with community events promoting a safe and healthy environment.

Richard Barrett Board Member

Richard is from Richmond, Virginia where he learned to love the outdoors – fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake bay, hiking and skiing the Blue Ridge Mountains and canoeing the rivers in between. He started his engineering career in Richmond and attended Virginia Commonwealth University earning degrees in Physics and Philosophy and serving as President of the VCU Student Government.

After ten years in the Washington DC area and earning a Masters of Engineering Management from The George Washington University, Richard relocated to the San Diego region where he met his wife Kelly and raised two children, Liam and Megan, to love skiing, boarding and boating.

Leaving a long career in the semiconductor industry, Richard and Kelly sought a quieter life surrounded by lakes and mountains and made Polson their forever home.

Out of a passion for beautiful homes, Richard and Kelly had remodeled many houses over the years.  So leaving the tech world behind, they decided to build their own business – Barrett Home Renovation and Repair LLC – serving Polson and the Flathead/Mission region.

Believers in community involvement, Richard (who is also a singer/songwriter) founded Polson Open Mic to help encourage the local music scene while Kelly volunteers for the Polson Chamber of Commerce and runs events at the Mission Valley Elks.

Aaron Wilson Board Member

Aaron Wilson grew up in the small town of Glenwood, Iowa, where he developed a strong appreciation for close-knit communities and service-oriented values. In 2017, he relocated to Polson with his three children, establishing deep roots in the area and becoming actively involved in the local community.

A former member of the Air National Guard, Aaron brings a disciplined, mission-focused mindset to his professional work. He currently serves as the Emergency Preparedness and Physical Environment Coordinator at the St. Joseph Medical Center, where he focuses on ensuring safe, resilient, and well-prepared healthcare environments.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending time outdoors camping, cultivating his garden, beekeeping, and hosting trivia nights at multiple locations throughout Polson—activities that reflect both his love of the outdoors and his ongoing commitment to bring people together.

Robin Wallace Board Member

I live and work in Western Montana because this place matters to me. The communities in the Mission Valley are more than markets I serve. They are where I spend my time, build relationships, and stay involved in the things that shape how this region grows and thrives.

My work in real estate extends beyond helping people buy and sell property. I have been actively involved in REALTOR® leadership at the local, state, and national levels, advocating for private property rights, responsible development, and policies that support strong, sustainable communities. Staying engaged in these conversations allows me to understand not just what the market is doing today, but what may influence it in the years ahead.

I bring that perspective into every transaction. Real estate is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will make, and I believe it deserves thoughtful guidance, honest conversations, and a focus on long-term value. My role is to help clients evaluate opportunities carefully, navigate challenges when they arise, and make decisions they will feel confident about well beyond closing.

I especially enjoy working with first-time buyers and those making important life transitions, helping them use homeownership as a foundation for building stability and generational wealth. Whether advising someone to move forward, make changes, or even pause when something doesn’t make sense, my goal is always the same: to protect my clients’ interests and help them make smart, lasting decisions.

My connection to the Mission Valley runs deep. I raised my family here, and that gives me a strong appreciation for the land, the community, and the responsibility that comes with helping others invest in it. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time on Flathead Lake, spending time with grandkids, being involved in local organizations, and staying connected to the people and places that make this area home.

Kristen Winger Board Member