PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL

BY ANASTASIA PENCHI PHOTO BY KARLEE MIKKELSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Stacy Erickson, director of sales and marketing at The Charmant Hotel

Stacy Erickson never intended to stay in the Coulee Region.

She moved here in 2016 and planned to return home to central Minnesota as soon as her husband, Mark, finished his residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. But she became intrigued by an open director of sales position at The Charmant Hotel. She fell in love with the upscale boutique hotel and appreciated its familyfocused owners. She was hired and began to immerse herself in area businesses and community organizations.

“The (Charmant) sells itself, so that makes the job rather easy,” Erickson says. “I just wanted to be a part of it (all).”

INTO THE COMMUNITY

Soon Erickson was providing her expertise to Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. and its Jingle Bell Brunch. She got involved in other community events like the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra Valentine Ball, Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Steppin’ Out in Pink and the Gateway Golf Outing for Scouting.

Tia Sneath, special events program coordinator at Gundersen Medical Foundation, said when the foundation decided to create a committee to better promote Steppin’ Out in Pink—an event known for supporting breast cancer research and patient support programs— there was no question she wanted Erickson involved.

“Stacy has been influential in the way we fundraise, market and continue to grow this event,” Sneath says. “I’ve had the pleasure to be on different committees and projects with Stacy, and I am always in awe of her ability to show up for her community.” MAKING LA CROSSE HOME

Since coming to La Crosse, Erickson has been promoted to director of sales and marketing at The Charmant as well as at the owners’ other properties. Her husband, Mark, is now an oral surgeon at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, and they have an 18-monthold daughter, Zoey.

And Erickson continues to connect businesses to community events. In January, The Charmant hosted Head Shot Happy Hour, where a local photographer provided each attendant with two professional head shots while the rest of the group mingled with peers over cocktails.

“It’s my goal to create community-driven events,” Erickson says.

Next on tap is an experience where attendants will travel to sites to eat a bite of a special dish that a restaurant creates or drink a craft cocktail that is unique to that enterprise. Erickson said existing relationships with places like La Crosse Distilling Co. make collaboration even easier.

“It only benefits all of us to have working relationships with other establishments in the area,” she adds. “We should be extremely proud of what we have in this market.”

In addition to connecting and promoting these businesses and community events, Erickson is making friends along the way.

“I think that is one of the most special parts of Stacy—her ability to be an incredible servant leader,” Sneath says. “I am lucky to have Stacy as a friend, confidant and role model, and I look forward to seeing all of the good she does for the world.” CRW

Nikki Benzing

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