3 new directors join board

George Althoff
Executive Director

Three new faces will be joining the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors in January. The new directors are:

• Mike Weyh, a Realtor with Weichert Great Day Realtors. He was the winner of a three-person race for an At-Large seat on the board. Mike received 46 percent of the vote, while Mitchell Spierings of Community First Bank garnered 30 percent and Alexi Needham of Wegner CPAs got 24 percent.
• Jim Gingras, owner of Fireside Cabins. Jim was running unopposed for the position of Village of West Baraboo Hotelier.
• Jason Bristow, area sales manager for Frank Beverage Group. Jason also was running unopposed for the Retail position on the board.
  Mike, Jim and Jason began three-year terms on the board effective Jan. 1.
  Four directors will be leaving the board:
• Teddie Szydlowski of Community First Bank, who served on the board for four years, including 2025 as Past President.
• Tony Jaynes of Wegner CPAs, who served two three-year terms.
• Jason Grossenbacher, formerly of Festival Foods, who served a partial term but had to resign due to a change in his employment status.
• Tom Patel of Best Western Baraboo Inn, who served two three-year terms.
  A big thank you to the four departing directors for their many years of service. And a hearty “welcome aboard” to the three new members for their willingness to help guide the chamber.

Wagner takes over as board president
Stefanie Wagner, a partner with Cross, Jenks, Mercer & Maffei law firm, assumed the role of President of the Board of Directors as of Jan. 1. She served the past year as Vice President and, per the Chamber’s bylaws, automatically ascends to the presidency. At its January meeting, the board will fill the positions of Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Annual dinner is chance to walk the red carpet
We’ll be rolling out the red carpet – literally and figuratively – at our annual dinner and meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22.
The theme for the event will be “Showtime,” and the program will showcase our Discover Wisconsin episode that aired statewide in October. In addition to the literal red carpet, the event will feature a virtual red carpet, compliments of Rick Markley, owner of Aspect Multimedia. Rick will set up his Photo Portal and give attendees the opportunity to “walk the red carpet” surrounded by dozens of AI-generated paparazzi.
The event will be held at the Baraboo Arts Banquet and Convention Center. Sponsorship tables of eight are available for $400. Individual tickets are $40. You can register here.