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Chamber welcomes new director

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Mandy Ludovissy has been hired as the new director of the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce. She started in her new role on Monday, Nov. 27. (Photo submitted)

By Molly Moser

The Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce welcomes a new director this month in Mandy Ludovissy, who took over after the resignation of former director Emily Sadewasser in September. “I really love Guttenberg – the natural beauty, the comfort of raising my family in a small town, and the people,” Ludovissy told The Press. “I want to do all I can to encourage people from every generation to connect, to work together and to grow together.”

The new director is a graduate of Guttenberg High School and Loras College. She resides in Guttenberg with her husband, Harve, and her five children: 18-year-old Derek, 16-year-old Chelsea, Jamie, age 12, eight-year-old Caleb and Tyler, six. While being a full-time parent, she gave countless hours as a volunteer for various projects – mostly for St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception, where she served as a board member for eight years on the finance, long-range planning and event planning from committees, and at Family’s Helping Hand, a nonprofit associated with the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital. “I’ve planned and executed lots of events, camps and fundraisers over the years,” she said.

As a mother of five, Ludovissy has perfected time management and organization, which are two key aspects of her new multifaceted position. “I love being challenged, work well with others, and am able to think both critically and creatively,” she said. Her husband is an independent timber buyer and logger, and she has also helped with his business since 2003.

In her first weeks as chamber director, Ludovissy has been preparing the 2018 calendar of events and membership drive, as well as planning for Eagle Watch and the annual banquet. She’s also been addressing a backlog of emails, voicemails and details not attended to in the two months the position was vacant. “The chamber board, particularly Kevin Hennessey and Sadie Hefel, have been very helpful in getting me settled in,” said Ludovissy. “Emily has been a huge help and invaluable resource for getting background information and understanding my role.”

“In this position, my goal is your goal. I am here to serve the business community, to help them be the best they can be. I am here to listen, and then act,” Ludovissy explained. “But if I am asked what I think Guttenberg needs, I would say more buy-in, more civic-mindedness, among our youth and young adults. Those who’ve been of service to this community for decades and those who’ve only been around for decades have so much to learn from each other. We have this town, our home, as a common interest.”

Guttenberg became Ludovissy’s home when she moved here with her parents, Joe and Betty Muntz, at 13. Now with her own family, she enjoys boating, fishing, camping, and spending time at the family farm outside of North Buena Vista. Her other hobbies include gardening, yoga, and reading, traveling, and home design. 

“I am inspired by the countless people who are dedicated to making our hometown even more livable, enjoyable, and beautiful. The talent, generosity and determination of some of the people I call neighbors is astounding,” remarked Ludovissy. “I hope to contribute what I can to this momentum.” 

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