We are excited to announce the addition of Carmélle Bielenberg to our team! Please help us welcome her, as our new Chamber President/CEO
Carméllebringsover30yearsofleadership experienceacrossindustriesincludingretail, manufacturing,healthcare,insurance,andsmall businessownership Herlastdecadehasbeen dedicatedtoChamberleadership,mostrecently servingnineyearsasPresident/CEOofthe StaytonSublimityChamberofCommerce.
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December Membership Forum
Wednesday, December 3rd, 11:30am
Linn County Fair & Expo Center
Eric Olsen is the Director of Customer Success at Agility Robotics, where over the last 4 years he has been leading in customer partnerships, and account management supporting deployment programs with some of the world’s largest companies. He brings firsthand insight into how humanoid robotics are moving from research to real-world operations.
Eric is also a retired US Navy Command Master Chief. His primary career was in the Intelligence Community, Special Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare. However, he is a very, very peacefully minded though and I don't want my service to distract from the intent and focus here. It is just where he discovered his interest in robotics
Owner of Be You Personal Color Analysis
Nomination Deadline: January 16th, 2026
The Albany Area Chamber encourages you to nominate a business, organization or individual that has shown dedication, exemplary service, and leadership to our community. When turning in your nomination form, please make sure that it is filled out completely, and provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation in addition to the nomination form Once the nomination form is summited, Nominees will be contacted to collect additional information
Outstanding career of community service. Candidates must be over 55 years of age.
Outstanding service during the last three years. Candidates must be between 40 and 55 years of age.
Outstanding service during the last three years. Candidates must be under 40 years of age.
Finalists and recipients will be honored based on the following criteria: Individuals participate actively on service projects and programs leading to civic improvement, human welfare, and/or environmental enhancement The nominee must also have a positive impact on the social or economic climate of the community, and influence the community through their leadership.
Albany Area Chamber Member Businesses, Organizations, and Non-Profits are included in this category and may nominate themselves
Finalists and recipients will be honored based on the following criteria: Businesses have made a substantial contribution to the community for the last five years or longer Business ExcellenceAchieved successful business practices, e g marketing, promotional activities, strong ethics Promotes employee selfgrowth and development Has demonstrated a high level of customer satisfaction, confidence, and service Community Service - Has proven their interest in the welfare of the community through financial contributions, personal service or civic leadership.
Professional Background: Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care is a community-based, independent nonprofit serving the Mid-Willamette Valley since 1980 It is our mission to provide compassionate care and support for individuals, families, and caregivers facing serious illness or end of life. We accomplish this mission through three primary activities which are medical services, community education and nonmedical programs. Over the years, Lumina has earned a reputation for our commitment to promoting dignity, respecting choices, easing suffering, and honoring the grieving process I joined the Lumina Team as their Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator in February 2025 I worked 25 years in non-profit healthcare and hospice in Michigan prior to moving to Oregon in 2021.
You and your company’s community involvement: We take pride at Lumina in not only providing care for your loved one at the end of life, but we also support family, friends and our community with support groups, information and community events such as our May Memorial and Service of Remembrance. All support groups and events are offered free of charge. Support groups are offered in both Linn and Benton counties currently.
Biggest Issue Facing Albany: Two of the biggest issues facing Albany right now are the overcrowded middle schools and the significant increase in South Albany traffic on Ellingson Rd. with the new housing development going up.
Business Marketing Niche: Since 1980, for 45 years, we have remained one of the mid-Willamette Valley’s only independent non-profit hospice providers, that is important as we are governed by a Board, not shareholders, which allows us to focus our attention on the unique needs of each patient, even if the time spent together is significant. Patient care is our primary focus, and we have not strayed from this. We have stayed true to our mission, “your care, your choice” and that has been our success and will continue to guide us for the next 45 years and beyond.
Maybe you can’t afford a celebrity endorsement like Taylor Swift, but there are still plenty of lucrative opportunities to do something on a local scale. Influence marketing is changing. While businesses once chased celebrity endorsements and mega-influencers with millions of followers, smart companies are discovering that their most powerful brand ambassadors might already be customers or people sitting in the next booth at the local coffee shop.
Businesses that master the art of turning neighbors into brand ambassadors will build deeper community roots and more sustainable customer relationships.
Janet Steele’s Final Message
As I prepare to wrap up my time as President and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, I want to extend my deepest thanks to our members, volunteers, partners, and friends for the support you’ve given me over these past 30 years.
I’ve had the joy of working with some of the most dedicated, creative, and community-minded people through the Chamber. What I will treasure most is the wonderful relationships, the conversations, the shared work and the commitment to building a strong and vibrant community
I am also thrilled to welcome Carmelle Bielenberg as your new Chamber President/CEO. She brings outstanding energy, experience, and a passion for local business. I know she will do great things and you’ll enjoy working with her as much as I have enjoyed working with you. With my deepest appreciation,
Thank You to Our
Albany Regional Museum
Beloved Cheesecakes
BIM Connection
CPP - Titanium
Dairy Queen of Albany
Day Heating & Cooling
Eastman, Pat (Eastman Co )
Fidelity National Title Company of Oregon
Freeburn, Scott
Good Grounds Coffee
Hasty Freez, Inc
Iconic Floor Coatings
OnPoint Community Credit Union
Oregon Valley Futbol Alliance (OVF Alliance)
Peoples Bank of Commerce
Phoenix Inn Suites
Rockholt Real Estate
Selectemp Employment Service
Stephens Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc
Summers, William
Volunteer Caregivers
WaFD
Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains
Willamette Valley Jaguars
Board Officers
Chair: Grant Cyrus (Target Distribution)
Immediate Past Chair: Brent Stutzman (Stutzman Services)
Chair-Elect: Jason Yutzie (Coastal)
Senior Vice Chair: David Van Der Haeghen (NW Natural)
Vice Chairs: Jennifer Stanaway (Samaritan Health Services), Jon Kloor (Consumers Power)
Treasurer: Selina Marshall (Citizens Bank)
Abel Condrea (Edward Jones), Alex Patterson (Rhodes Warden Insurance), Brian Graffenberger (EA Chambers Farms, Inc.), Brian Oare (Oare & Associates Realty), Chris Hanson (ATI), Crystal Tyndall (Willamette Valley Bank), John Andersen (Boys & Girls Club of Albany), John Pascone (LEDG), Keith Kessler (Direct Flooring Center), Roger Nyquist (Lake Shore Lanes), Ryan McAlister (Gerding Builders), Sarah Knowles (SingerLewak), Sarah Steen (Republic Services)
Ambassadors: Janet Steele (President)
Golf Tournament: Dick Perdue (Retired)
Emerging Leaders: Jadyn Baskin (Program and Event Manager) Governmental Affairs: Jon Kloor (Consumers Power)
Greeters Facilitators: Greg Bolton (Landmark Professional), Peggy
Burris (Albany Public Schools Foundation), Abel Condrea (Edward Jones), Dan Farrington (BBSI), Mr. G Nassar (Habitat for Humanity), Crystal Tyndall (Willamette Valley Bank), Tiffany Fallows (YMCA)
Women In Business: Janet Steele (President)
Chamber Staff
Janet Steele - Out Going President
Carmélle Bielenberg - Incoming President
Jadyn Baskin - Program and Event Manager
Erica Hogan - Office Manager
Membership Forum
Wednesday, December 3rd, 11:30am - 1pm
Linn County Fair & Expo $25.00/member $30.00/non-member
Wine, Women & Chocolate Anne Bierwirth, Color Analysis
Wednesday, December 10 , 4:30pm - 6pm th Comfort Suites, 100 Opal Ct NE, Albany $25/member $36/non-member
Membership Forum Wednesday, January 28 , 2026, 11:30am - 1pm th Linn County Fair & Expo $25.00/member $30.00/non-member
Distinguished Service Awards Save the Date! More Info to Come March 14 , 2026 th
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