Kum & Go exec tops dinner roster

Amy Bruno named FD Chamber head

By JESSE HELLING, Messenger staff writer
The Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.

Amy Bruno was announced as the new director during Thursday’s Economic Growth Partnership Dinner, a joint program between the Chamber and the Development Corporation of Fort Dodge and Webster County.

Bruno currently serves as assistant to Mayor Terry Lutz, who is president of McClure Engineering Co. of Fort Dodge.

During the program, Lutz the mayor, lamented the loss to Lutz the McClure president.

‘‘My loss is the community’s gain,’’ said Lutz. ‘‘She will be a great asset to the community. You couldn’t have found a better person.’’

A native of Fort Dodge, Bruno returned to the area in 2006.

‘‘I really see the Chamber as being a marketer for Fort Dodge,’’ Bruno said. ‘‘We’re at the cusp of so many good things.’’

Bruno is slated to begin her duties at the Chamber on May 5. She will succeed interim director Bob Singer, who returned to the Chamber in December 2007 after having retired that summer.

Thursday’s event marked a new development for the Chamber and the development corporation.

In the past, both entities hosted their own annual dinners.

This year’s decision to hold a joint dinner is indicative of the ‘‘spirit of cooperation’’ prevalent in Fort Dodge and Webster County, Singer said.

‘‘We’re seeing government bodies and civic groups working together,’’ he said.

William Krause, chief executive officer of the Krause Gentle Corp., which operates Kum & Go convenience stores, congratulated Fort Dodge and Webster County on their economic efforts.

Krause, who served as keynote speaker for the dinner, drew parallels between civic development and the development of his business, which began in 1959 with one filling station in Hampton and has grown to include more than 440 stores in 12 states.

‘‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you always get what you’ve always got,’’ he said.

Success versus failure, according to Krause, can boil down to three reasons.

‘‘First, successful people know more about their business than their competitors,’’ he said. ‘‘Second, successful people can admit when they’ve made a mistake, and third, they have the courage and tenacity to develop the ability to change.’’

Krause advised members of the audience to groom the next generation of local leaders.

‘‘Youth retention directly impacts the vitality of the community,’’ he said.

Closing the program, John Kramer, president of the Development Corp., called on area leaders to make the ‘‘tough decisions’’ needed to promote continued economic growth.

‘‘There will be a lot of argument,’’ Kramer said, referring to potential investments in streets and other area amenities his organization has identified as crucial to economic development. ‘‘The only thing free is death.’’

The dinner, which drew 190 people, served as a means to recognize personalities within both the Chamber and the Development Corporation.

Departing members of the Chamber’s board of directors, including Kraig Barber, Ted Hugghins and Lyn Hepperle, along with retiring chamber ambassadors Larry Jessen and Bruce Kentfield, were lauded for their contributions.

Tom Tibbits, president and chief executive officer of Trinity Regional Medical Center, received the 2008 Catalyst Award, given to local citizens recognized for their contributions to area development.



Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net'>jhelling@messengernews.net