Directors
Gus Colburn
Marketing Coordinator at Silver Mountain Resort
GusC@silvermt.com
I have lived in the Silver Valley since I was 8 years old, minus 4 years of college at Idaho State University and Grand Canyon University. After graduating with a degree in sports business, I returned to the outdoor mecca that is the Silver Valley to coordinate the marketing at Silver Mountain Resort. I spend my summers hiking, biking, and going to concerts, and my winters skiing, winning snowball fights, and coaching girls varsity basketball at Kellogg High School. I'm very excited to be on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors to collaborate with the businesses and people of the silver valley and help our community prosper.
Sarah Murphy
SOL & SERRE & Local Real Estate
sarah@local-property.com
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I have been living, playing, and volunteering in our delightful Silver Valley community for more than 13 years. I believe the Silver Valley is a special place which deserves our devotion to not only preserve its history, but also to enhance its future and grow its economy! I am a local Realtor and florist and I enjoy sharing our area and delivering smiles. When I'm not busy at work you'll find me skiing, mountain biking, paddle-boarding, gardening, and hiking endless trails with my pups.
Tara Lodi
Rehab Program Director at Mountain Valley of Cascadia
tlodi@hotmail.com
I was raised in the Silver Valley and a proud graduate of Kellogg High School, Class of 2001. I have a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Idaho State University. I made my return to the Silver Valley in 2013, and have no desire to live anywhere else....the Silver Valley will forever be HOME! I am grateful that I have opportunities to do what I love helping others and have found my niche working as the Rehab Director at Mountain Valley of Cascadia. I work alongside a team of individuals that share my passion and provide quality care to the residents of the Silver Valley. I am motivated to serve my community and enjoy giving back, most notably as the president of the SAVE Coalition and as a past president of the Historic Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce. It takes a team to keep our community thriving!
Brandon Church
Brandon Church was born and raised in the Silver Valley. After completing high school, he started his career as a 911 dispatcher in Mineral County, Montana. Driven by a passion for helping others, Brandon worked his way up to the position of Supervisor of the 911 center. He later continued his public service as a 911 dispatcher for the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office.
Transitioning to entrepreneurship, Brandon left his dispatcher role to build his own business empire. He is now the proud owner of Jim's Towing & Auto Repair, Jim's Towing - Lewiston, and recently, the Pioneer Lodge in Pinehurst, Idaho. Through his ventures, Brandon continues to serve and support his community and both a business owner and a volunteer on the local fire department.
Gina Doerschel
VP, Branch Manager at Mountain West Bank
Gdoerschel@mountainwestbank.com
I grew up in the Silver Valley, and then spent 18 years in the Cd'A/Post Falls area. My husband (also a valley native) and I then decided to return "home" with our family. We loved the idea of raising our kids in the same community in which we grew up. We have two daughters, one son, and two grandchildren, all of which live near to us with their families here in the Silver Valley. We enjoy spending time together, along with golfing, camping, kayaking, and just finding new and fun things to do. I have been in banking for 12 years and joined Mountain West Bank as the branch manager of the new Wallace branch in March of 2022. I love to volunteer whenever I can, and I am currently serving as the treasurer of the Silver Valley Economic Development Corp, president of the Shoshone County Crisis and Resource Center, chair of the Shoshone County Food Bank, and just recently elected to the Silver Valley Chamber Board of Directors. I am looking forward to the year ahead.
Jessica Krulitz
Accounting/Administrative - Zanetti Bros., Inc.
I am a fourth generation Silver Valley native. I graduated from Wallace High School in 2000 and then dabbled in college for a year. At 20 years old I packed my bags and moved with my sister to San Diego, CA. After spending close to a decade down south, North Idaho called me home. I moved back in 2012 and settled in Pinehurst with my significant other, Lavoryn. In 2019 we welcomed our daughter Betty into the world and nothing has been the same since. She is a firecracker and keeps us on our toes! Over the years I have really enjoyed all of the events that the Silver Valley Chamber has organized. With my daughter being a little older now and my significant other finishing paramedic school, I finally felt like I had the time to get more involved in the community. I want to see the Silver Valley continue to thrive and I am excited to be a part of an organization that promotes its success and growth. In my free time I enjoy adventuring with my little family and taking advantage of everything that the beautiful PNW has to offer!
Tristen Straw
Branch Manager at Umpqua Bank
I have lived in the alluring Silver Valley for most of my life. I spent my childhood here and moved to CDA after graduating from Kellogg High School. I lived in CDA for almost eight years and moved back to the Silver Valley in 2017 with my fiancé. We have two fur babies that are a bit spoiled and love spending their time in our beautiful rivers during the warm summer months. Currently, I’m the Branch Manager at Umpqua Bank in Kellogg Idaho. Since joining Umpqua Bank many wonderful opportunities have opened and given me the chance to volunteer in our community. I’m presently the Vice President of Kiwanis, a Member of The Kellogg Rotary Club, and have recently been voted in as a Director for the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce. I’m looking forward to helping our community and small businesses flourish.
Melinda Parks
Melinda Parks
Owner and Operator of Smelterville Grocery Outlet
Smelterville@groceryoutlet.com
I was born and raised in the Silver Valley and chose to raise my family here as well. I graduated from Kellogg High School in 2002, and settled down in the quiet Silverton neighborhood. I enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer, throughout all the changing seasons. After growing my retail career for 20 years, I was given the opportunity to become a business owner and bring a brand new location right back here to share with the Silver Valley! I am commited to serving the community and helping it grow!
Haiely Frank-Bennett
Hailey Frank-Bennett is a proud new member of the Silver Valley Chamber Committee, voted in January 2025. By day, she serves as a Private Forestry Specialist for the Idaho Department of Lands, leveraging her expertise to support sustainable forestry. Hailey also owns Country Chic by Hailey, with her unique creations available at 4 Seasons Sun Mountain Farms in Kellogg. Though not born in the Valley, her roots run deep—both her parents and grandparents hail from the area, and she’s thrilled to call it home. Married to her best friend Cameron since June 2024, Hailey and their two lively labs embrace the outdoors, from hiking and hunting to exploring the Silver Valley’s beauty.