Team Members

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...

Cole was born in Bozeman Montana and moved with his wife Lyndi to Polson in 2016.  Together Lyndi and Cole have two amazing children- Cooper & Anna, and feel lucky for the opportunity to call Polson their home.  Cole is a graduate of Montana State University College of Business with bachelor degrees in both Accounting and Business Management.  Currently, Cole is a licensed real estate broker with Century 21 Big Sky in Polson, and...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Erin is a born and raised Montanan hailing originally from Libby, MT. After living in Missoula for several years, Erin and her family relocated to Polson in 2014. She currently serves in the role as the Director of Nursing at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, and has been in the healthcare arena for the last 24 years. Erin spends most of her time chasing kids around and responding to the health care needs of the community, and she...

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...

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...

Jesse Vargas moved to Montana in the summer of 2005. Originally from southern California.  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 had led him to his involvement in local nonprofit organizations where he works towards improving the lives of local youth by giving them...