Board of Directors

Louis was born and raised in Western Montana where he graduated from Polson High School before attending Montana State University and ultimately moving to North Dakota for a short time. Louis always wanted to raise his family in the Mission Valley and moved back to Polson in 2003. He is the Hotel Manager at the Kwataqnuk Resort where he was first introduced to the Polson Chamber of Commerce and discovered his enjoyment of working with the community and other Polson businesses. He was a Chamber Ambassador before becoming a member of the board and eventually Chamber Board President in 2015. After his term he went on to be a member of the Polson Economic Development Committee and is now serving a second term as a Polson Chamber Board member. Louis is married to Julie Cross and has 3 kids Alex, Cole, and Sara. They enjoy spending their time on the lake, and hiking and camping throughout Western Montana when they are not following the kids in their athletic events.

Laura was born and raised in Sterling, Colorado and moved to Polson in 1990 where she met her love of her life, Shawn Burland, and they raised two amazing children, Shawntaya and Blaise Burland. Laura has been in the banking business for 23 years and is currently a universal banker at Valley Bank of Polson. Being involved in the community is an important aspect in Laura’s Life. She has helped serve as a chamber ambassador, board member of the Festival of Trees, and helped participate and organize the Valley Banks Scholarship Program for local high school seniors.  As well as helping out her community members,  she is always willing to help a neighbor or an elder in need. If she’s not in the community, Laura loves to spend time on the beautiful waters of Flathead Lake or hit the slopes of Big Mountain.  Laura is blessed that she has been able to call Polson home and it has been a great place to raise a family and she looks forward to continuing to serve her community with the Polson Chamber of Commerce.

Mandy is a new 2020 Polson Chamber of Commerce board member, and excited to serve her hometown in this capacity. Born and raised in Polson, she has chosen to raise her own 3 boys here as well. Mandy attended the University of Montana, then moved back to Polson where she worked for Community Bank to later become Glacier Bank. She has been in banking for 25 years, and has worked in many areas of the bank, from operations to lending to management. Currently Mandy is a Consumer Lender and Assistant Vice President for Glacier Bank. She has 1 grown son, 2 sons at home, and the cutest little grandson in the world.

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.

Launa and her husband Tom have raised 2 beautiful daughters in the Mission Valley.  Launa and Tom own and operate Xtreme Weed & Pest Solutions in Western Montana and Billings.  In her spare time she loves spending time with their 4 grandbabies and riding horses.  She is passionate about her family and helping others succeed.

Jesse Yarbrough is a Polson Pirate through and through.  He grew up in western Montana and graduated from Polson High School. He attended the University of Montana for his undergraduate and graduate degrees.  After spending a few years in the Oregon wine country, he was fortunate enough to return to Polson to work in the schools.  He has worked in the district for 16 years between Polson High School and Polson Middle School.  He and his wife, Raina, who is also a Polson High School graduate have two children.  Esme, is attending the University of Montana and Jackson, is a student in the Polson School District. He is looking forward to seeing how the school district and local businesses can support each other in taking Polson to the next level.

Originally from the West Coast, Kate moved to Missoula in 2010 to pursue a Masters degree in Environmental Studies. After graduation, Kate worked in a variety of fields and positions, including barista, assistant farm manager, and conservation campaign organizer, before taking on the Executive Director role at the Flathead Lakers in 2019. Kate was drawn to Flathead Lake through the world of open water swimming and racing. When not in the water, or working for the protection of our local watershed, Kate enjoys hiking in the Missions.