Chamber Staff
Chris McGowan
President
712.255.7903 ext. 215
Chris McGowan serves as the President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative (TSI). A licensed attorney in the State of Iowa, McGowan has been involved in economic development efforts in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota for fifteen years.
A native of Sioux City, Iowa, McGowan received his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota earning a double major in Government and Management. He served in the Iowa Air National Guard and as a Fortune 500 Account Executive prior to attending graduate school. Chris earned his Juris Doctor from the Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan and worked in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the Department of Justice at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit while attending law school.
McGowan joined TSI in August of 2003 and was promoted to President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and TSI in 2011.
Barbara Sloniker
Executive Vice President
712.255.7903 ext. 216
Barbara Sloniker serves as the Executive Vice President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative (TSI). Sloniker has been employed by the Chamber for the past 21 years.
Raised in Sioux City, Sloniker received a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Iowa State University. Sloniker joined TSI in October 1997 and was promoted to Executive Vice President of the Siouxland Chamber and TSI in 2011.
Sloniker’s responsibilities include developing/lobbying legislative agendas in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota and on the federal level; monitoring/advocating for transportation improvements: highway, rail, river, airport; overseeing Chamber’s fundraising events; economic development; and serving as Air Service Development Director for the Sioux Gateway Airport.
Lori Allen
Director of Finance
712.255.7903 ext. 224
Lori Allen joined our organization in August of 2011 and serves as the Director of Finance for the Siouxland Chamber, The Siouxland Initiative and the Siouxland Chamber Foundation. Lori’s primary functions include membership invoicing, payments, payables, payroll, financial reporting and budgeting. Lori also acts as the Human Resource Coordinator managing all aspects of employee benefits and serves as liaison to IT personnel for maintenance of office equipment/network system.
Lori is a native of Mapleton, Iowa and continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa. Lori then joined the United States Air Force and served 4 ½ years with tours in Biloxi, Mississippi, Prum, Germany, and Las Vegas, Nevada. After this enlistment Lori and her husband Eric spent 12 years in California before returning to Iowa to raise their 2 daughters.
Kerry Gill
Executive Assistant
712.255.7903 ext. 210
Kerry Gill serves as the Executive Assistant for the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative (TSI). A retired Colonel with the Iowa Air National Guard, Kerry served 32 years with the 185th Air Refueling Wing. dfdafdfsafafasfasfasfasfasasfasfassafasfasfasasassafasfasfsafdfdfasdfasfasfasdff
Katy Karrer
Director of Events
712.255.7903 ext. 223
Katy Karrer serves as Director of Events for the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. A lover of all things fun and creative, Katy manages the Siouxland Chamber’s four signature events; Key Leadership Welcome Dinner, Small Business EXPO, Siouxland Chamber Golf Classic and the Chamber Annual Dinner. As well, you can look to Katy if you are interested in hosting one of our monthly Rush Hour Connects or to schedule ribbon cuttings and ground breakings to celebrate your new membership, milestones, growth and improvements. Katy also proudly heads up the Siouxland Chamber Ambassadors (aka, The Green Coats), a dynamic group of volunteers from Siouxland’s business community who are dedicated to promoting our Siouxland Chamber membership and advancing the Chamber mission.
McKenzie Matasovsky
Manager of Member Engagement
712.255.7903 ext. 218
McKenzie Matasovsky has been a part of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce staff since July of 2018. Before becoming a member of the team, McKenzie was a green coat Ambassador. In her role, McKenzie works very closely with members to develop new programs and enhance current programs to best suit the needs of our business community.
McKenzie attended Morningside College where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing/Advertising. When she’s not in the office, you can find McKenzie drinking coffee, volunteering with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, running half-marathons, and spending time with her husband and sweet baby boy.
Click here to contact McKenzie
Brad Newton
Director of Economic Development & Workforce Solutions
712.255.7903 ext. 211
Brad Newton joined The Siouxland Initiative in 2019 as the Director of Economic Development and Workforce Solutions after many years as a sales and insurance industry professional in the Siouxland area.
Brad is a native of South Sioux City, Nebraska. He earned a degree in Business Administration from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. During his college years, Brad played on Briar Cliff’s basketball team and had the privilege of being led by legendary coach Ray Nacke.
Newton’s responsibilities are twofold. As Director of Economic Development, his role is to foster economic growth throughout Siouxland by retaining and attracting new projects and businesses to Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. In addition, Brad also provides support to aspiring entrepreneurs in bringing their projects to fruition. As Director of Workforce Solutions, his focus is on connecting regional businesses with the services and resources to help keep their workforce strong and productive. Brad will also continuously work on initiatives aimed at attracting new individuals and families to Siouxland, in an effort to further bolster the Siouxland community.
Heidi Reinking
Director of Investor Relations
712.255.7903 ext. 220
Heidi Reinking joined the team in April, 2016. Prior to her officially joining the staff, Heidi served as one of the Chamber’s green coat Ambassadors giving her a unique perspective on membership. With over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, Heidi helps our members learn, network, and promote their businesses utilizing their Chamber benefits.
Heidi received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Marketing Management from Western Iowa Tech Community College and her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Bellevue University. When Heidi isn’t promoting our members, she spends time riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, teaching the Basic Rider Motorcycle Course at Western Iowa Tech, attending as many concerts as possible, and traveling with her husband.
Teresa Rosenboom
Director of Communications
712.255.7903 ext. 214
Teresa Rosenboom serves as the Director of Communications for the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative (TSI). In her role, she manages the Chamber’s social media presence, website and member correspondence including the “Week at a Glance” e-newsletter. Teresa also supports the Executive Vice President in event coordination of the Dakota Valley Business Council’s Pierre lobbying trip, Siouxland Washington Conference and the Tri-State Governors’ Conference.
Teresa attended Northwestern College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. When not in the office, you might find Teresa out running or walking, biking, or out on the golf course.