2020-21 CHAMBER AMBASSADORS

IVONET TORRES

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2019
Siouxland Expo Center

Sales & Events Manager

515-520-5085 [email protected] 315 E 23 St. South Sioux
City, NE 68776

PROFESSIONALLY:

PERSONALLY:

FUN FACT:
BUCKET LIST:
MEMORIES:

TONYA VAKULSKAS

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2017
Keller Williams

Broker Associate

712-899-6328 [email protected] 4412 Crown Point Ct
Sioux City, IA 51106

PROFESSIONALLY: I have worked in the real
estate industry since 2004 and have experi-
ence in sales management, career development
and sales. I absolutely love the business and
helping make others dreams come true!

PERSONALLY: I have lived in Siouxland my en-
tire life! I am married to Jeff Vakulskas, who
owns a local business and is a Chamber Mem-
ber (of course) and have three grown sons who
still live in the area. I love to boat and spend
as much of my free time as I can on the water.

FUN FACT: Being both left handed and born on Leap Year, it is no surprise that I am a bit eccentric. :)
BUCKET LIST: I would love to travel extensively some day. I also have a dream to someday live some-
where on the water.
MEMORIES: I love the relationships that I build with other Chamber Ambassadors. They are simply the
best!!

EMILY VONDRAK

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2020
The Gospel Mission

Director of Development and Public Relations

712-560-2891 [email protected] 31509 K18 South
Sioux City, IA, 51109

PROFESSIONALLY: As the PR and Develop-
ment Director for the Gospel Mission, I get the
honor of sharing our story with the community
and educating Siouxland about how they can
help us help the homeless and food-insecure
individuals we provide for every day. Previously,
I've worked for the Tyson Events Center/
Orpheum and Pulse Marketing. I graduated
from BCU.

PERSONALLY: In addition to my role at the
Gospel Mission, I coach cheer for Akron-
Westfield. I'm also the Marketing Board Chair
for Sioux City Growth Organization. In my free
time, I love being outside (especially at my par-
ents' farm), watching sports, baking (and eat-
ing) desserts, and spending time with my boy-
friend and our rescue puppy, Cooper.

FUN FACT: When I was getting my masters degree I had the opportunity to live in Boston, San Francisco,
and London! I can't wait for COVID to be over to travel more.
BUCKET LIST: To travel to Italy & Greece, to go skydiving, and to swim with sharks underwater!
MEMORIES: My only memory so far has been my interview, but everyone was very welcoming and it made
me excited to get started!

SHANNON VORNHAGEN

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2017
Thompson

Project Manager

712-389-5257 [email protected] 54916 887 road
Crofton, NE, 68730

PROFESSIONALLY: I have been with Thompson
Electric for over 20 years. Started out in the
field worked my way up to foreman and run-
ning work for. Was offered an opportunity to
come in the office and be a project manager 4
years ago.

PERSONALLY: I enjoy being outdoors. I love
sports & hunting & spending time with my fami-
ly.

FUN FACT: Played in the South Dakota Amateur baseball league for 10 years after high school.
BUCKET LIST: Go on an Elk hunt with my kids
MEMORIES: Sitting on the green and watching for a hole in one and seeing that there are people out
there that golf as bad as me.
I enjoy being involved in a new businesses starting up and seeing how excited/passionate they are.

JENNIFER WHIPPLE

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2018
Primebank

Residential Mortgage Lender

712-204-2832 [email protected] 2611 S Paxton
Sioux City IA 51106

PROFESSIONALLY: Banking has been my back-
ground for 15 years now. In a sense it was col-
lege-I started as teller with First Federal, Herit-
age Bank gave me the opportunity to build my
commercial lending knowledge, & now Prime-
bank gives me the privilege of helping folks get
into their first home, update their existing, or
better yet financing their forever home!!

PERSONALLY: I have two girls that keep me on
my toes. My oldest started High School this
year...cue the mom tears :( My youngest is still
in elementary school and likes to hang with
me...I'll take it:) They keep me busy but my girl-
friends help balance out the fun with shopping
and wine giggles!

FUN FACT: Knock on wood but I have not broken a bone....
BUCKET LIST: This is a tough one but I'd say visiting the East Coast. Santa took us to CA for Christmas
and that was always a bucket list item #checkcheck
MEMORIES: The ribbon cuttings are the best! You get to see the owners/managers passion for their busi-
ness.

JILL WILLMOTT

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2015
Farm Bureau

Sales Associate

712-898-9412 [email protected] Salix, IA 51052

PROFESSIONALLY: I joined the insurance
world in 2016, prior to that I was in the bank-
ing\mortgage world since 2006.

PERSONALLY: I love being outside, boating,
fishing, and yardwork.

FUN FACT:
BUCKET LIST: Go to Iceland, had it booked for June 2020 and got cancelled due to Covid.
MEMORIES: There are so many, I have met and made so many new friendships. I stay up to date on what
is going on in our community and finding ways to help Siouxland grow

KIM WILSON

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2018
Community Action Agency of Siouxland

Chief Development Officer

712-540-6374 [email protected] 3637 Dupont Street
Sioux City, IA 51104

PROFESSIONALLY: I absolutely love non-profit
work. I am a very mission driven person, so I
love being able to help organizations fulfill
their vision and mission. I also love to network
and make new connections at every event I at-
tend. It's through these connections that I can
help others.

PERSONALLY: My drive to help others in my
professional world spills into my personal life
as well. I love to be active in the community. I
love spending time with my family and friends.
I have a beautiful daughter that is my world.

FUN FACT: I lived in New York City for a summer after 9/11. While I was there I attended New York Uni-
versity! Go Bobcats! I also love twist ice cream in my blizzards.
BUCKET LIST: To go to Italy. I love the language, food and wine. :)
MEMORIES: I love being an Ambassador because it allows me to learn more about the community I love.
It also give me opportunities to network with so many great people. Most importantly, I love it because
we are one big Ambassador family. I have made so many great friends.

CHRISTOPHER WURTH

AMBASSADOR SINCE 2020
Octapharma Plasma Inc
Center Director

210-722-9864 [email protected] 3447 Concordia Dr
Sioux City, IA, 51104

PROFESSIONALLY: I served 20 years in the
United States Air Force and Air Force Reserves.
I retired in 2011. I have been a manager and
director for 2 auto claims insurance companies.
I am currently the center director for Octa-
pharma Plasma Inc in Sioux City.

PERSONALLY: I have lived in Japan for 2 year
during my time in the service. I have a young
daughter that had joined me in Sioux City a
couple years ago to finish attending college. I
spend most of my time either with her and her
friends or at work.

FUN FACT: I’m Don Claeys’ favorite nephew
BUCKET LIST: To travel to every state on the US. Only have 16 mores states to go.
MEMORIES: