May Brown Bag
Leadership Lessons from Mathematics


 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
11:30 am – 1:00 pm 
$25/Member & $35/Non Member
(Includes Lunch)


Leadership Lessons from Mathematics

Rising healthcare costs, unpredictable renewals, and growing compliance demands continue to challenge employers. This Brown Bag session will provide a clear, practical overview of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) and how they compare to traditional group health plans.

Attendees will learn how ICHRAs work, why some organizations are exploring them, and what factors to consider when evaluating this approach. The session will also touch on contribution strategies, compliance basics, and real-world examples to help bring the concept to life.

This is a non-sales, educational presentation designed to help you better understand your options and determine next steps. This will be an interactive session, and questions are welcome throughout.




Featured speaker:
Dr. Andy Armacost, President, University of North Dakota

Andy Armacost is the thirteenth president of the University of North Dakota, a role he assumed on June 1, 2020. He has spent nearly three decades in higher education as an educator, scholar, and leader.

In his current role, Armacost has led the UND campus to national acclaim, setting a trajectory for the university’s recent classification as a “Carnegie R1” institution. He has forged key partnerships with the US Department of Defense, becoming the first-ever university designated as a member of the U.S. Space Force’s University Partners Program. He has garnered significant support from the state legislature to launch two new major facilities: one for satellite design and fabrication and another for the development of nanomaterials. He led critical efforts following the COVID pandemic to unify and empower the campus community via the creation and launch of the UND LEADS strategic plan, which articulates our guiding vision and our core values of Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service. Notably, under Armacost’s leadership, the UND campus received the Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town & Gown Association and the ACE/Fidelity Investments Transformation Award as two examples of our sense of unity and purpose. The campus and President Armacost have been nationally recognized for their work in the adoption of artificial intelligence, the interaction of humans and machines, and the preservation of what it means to be human.

Prior to UND, Armacost served as the Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He retired in the rank of Brigadier General after thirty years of service, including twenty years as a professor, department chair, and Dean of the Faculty. He currently serves on the board of the Academy’s Falcon Foundation; represents UND on three NCAA Division I athletic conference boards; serves on the advisory board for VOICE, the voice of collegiate esports; and is an active board member for four UND-affiliated non-profit organizations that guide our work in energy, aerospace sciences, innovation, and philanthropy.

His academic career began as an undergraduate at Northwestern University, where he studied Industrial Engineering, and as a graduate student at MIT, where he earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Operations Research. He is an award-winning educator and researcher, with international recognition from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).



   

 

The Chamber, Bank Forward & Insure Forward invite you to get your business out on the course and enjoy the day networking with fellow chamber members!
 

Thursday, May 28th - Valley Golf Course, East Grand Forks
4 person Golf Scramble
Save time at check-in and purchase your game advantage packs now!
 

 

We look forward to seeing you out on the course!
 

 

Grow Your Business with Minnesota Programs


 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
11:30 am – 1:00 pm 
$20 per person
(Includes Lunch)


Grow Your Business with Minnesota Programs

Join the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the East Grand Forks Economic Development Authority for an informative seminar focused on helping Minnesota businesses grow, expand, and compete.

This session will highlight a range of state-supported programs and resources designed to support business success at every stage.  Attendees will gain insights into financing and incentive programs, strategies for business expansion, and workforce development tools available specifically to Minnesota employers.  Whether you are looking to scale your operations, navigate regulatory processes, or strengthen your workforce, this seminar will connect you with the people and programs that can help move your business forward.

Presenters from DEED and the East Grand Forks EDA will walk through available resources, explain how to access them, and answer questions to help you identify the best opportunities for your business.  This is a valuable opportunity to better understand how to leverage state and local partnerships to support your growth goals.

Lunch is included with registration.
This seminar will be held at the GF/EGF Chamber.

Featured speakers:

Chet Bodine | Business Development Manager, Northwest MN

Chet has worked at DEED since 2014, starting as a regional labor market analyst. In 2021 he was promoted to Business Development Manager in Northwest Minnesota, where he works with individual businesses, industry sector partners and consultants to promote and support the regional economy. In this role, Chet also coordinates Minnesota Business First Stop, and interagency group that assists developers and businesses to understand and navigate the regulatory environment in Minnesota.

Prior to DEED, Chet attended the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, graduating in 2013; worked for the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of State; and served in the Minnesota National Guard as a Civil Affairs NCO.


Sam Jenson | Workforce Development Representative, DEED

Sam Jenson is a new but familiar face to the Greater Grand Forks economic development ecosystem. After graduating from UND with a degree in Political Science in 2021, he accepted a role with the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals (GGFYP) as their Executive Director. As Executive Director, Sam supported organizational development and helped organize over 60 events per year. After his tenure with GGFYP, Sam gained experience in sales with Leighton Media. While maintaining and growing a book of business with Leighton Media, he was able to develop relationships with area entrepreneurs on a more professional level. Finally, in January of 2026, Sam accepted a role with DEED to become a Workforce Development Representative. In his current role, Sam supports job seekers, works with local business, and collaborates with regional stakeholders.


Maggie Brockling | Economic Development Director, East Grand Forks EDA

Maggie Brockling is an economic development leader and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder with more than two decades of experience advancing business growth across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She specializes in designing and implementing programs that support entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, and translate strategy into measurable outcomes. Her work includes launching microloan and incentive programs, leading business retention and expansion initiatives, securing and managing grant funding, and building high-impact public-private partnerships. Recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree and Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, Maggie holds a Master of Public Administration from UND and is known for her ability to move complex initiatives from concept to execution.