2027 BOARD CANDIDATES

Cameron Ballantyne

Carlin City Manager

I am the new city manager in Carlin. My professional roles have included leadership positions within non-profit organizations in executive, communications, marketing and government relations capacities.

I have served on a few boards of directors, including as a committee chair and overall chair.

Oyuka Bernabe

Communities in Schools

My name is Oyuka Bernabe, and I am a Full-Service Community Coordinator with Communities In Schools Nevada, serving students and families at Flag View Intermediate School. In my role, I connect students and families with resources, programs, activities, and community services based on their individual needs. My goal is to help create a supportive environment where every student and family has the opportunity to

succeed.

I have more than 12 years of experience working with and supporting communities through volunteering, education, and community service in Alaska, Canada, Mongolia, Peru, and now Elko, Nevada. Throughout my journey, I have always been passionate about helping people, building connections, and making a positive difference in the communities where I live.

I earned my master’s degree in communication in Fairbanks, Alaska, which strengthened my communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. I also earned my Certified Paralegal credential in Elko, Nevada, expanding my knowledge and skills in the legal field and strengthening my ability to advocate for and support individuals and families.

Before working in education and community services, I worked as an Environmental Engineer with Rio Tinto for five years in the copper mining industry. This experience strengthened my skills in problem-solving, teamwork, communication, safety, and working with people from diverse backgrounds. I also worked for three years as an Integration Advisor, supporting immigrants and high school students as they transitioned into new communities and prepared for college and future careers. I helped students connect with scholarships, employment opportunities, educational programs, community activities, and

other important resources. I also assisted families with navigating community services and understanding tax-related information.

In addition to my professional experience, I volunteered for two years with a senior center and disability council, supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities and helping connect them with resources and services they needed.

I am a patient, compassionate, and dependable person who enjoys working with people from all backgrounds. I believe strong communities are built through kindness, inclusion, service, and meaningful connections. I truly enjoy helping others, supporting families, and being an active part of my community. My greatest motivation is knowing that even a small act of support can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

Nicolette Holferty

Desert Jewel Sourdough

Since I was about 8 yrs old, I've always had a business; my brain is wired for entrepreneurship and networking.

I founded a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Utah and have run my own board for about 13 years. I genuinely love people and building relationships that mean something. I have a close relationship with a lot of small businesses & nonprofits here in the Elko area. Working so close with individuals going through their cancer journey, I have a different view on life. The little things no longer mean anything, and I enjoy seeing the bigger picture.

Friendly competition is a must, but what we can all provide for our community is the important part, I love helping small businesses thrive and giving whatever advice I can to help them succeed.

Katie Krenka

Everything Elko

Hi, my name is Katie Krenka, and I am the owner of Everything Elko. I have served on the Elko Area Chamber Board for 5 years and on Executive Board for 4 years and wish to continue in my service to our community in this role.

I believe the Elko Area Chamber serves a vital role in supporting the businesses of our community and I strive to support this important mission. I am running for the Elko Area Chamber board because I am

deeply invested in the economic vitality and long-term success of our local business community.

As a small business owner myself I have experienced the positive impact of networking, connection and community outreach that the Chamber provides. I bring a collaborative mindset focused on making sure every business feels heard, valued, and equipped to grow. I am committed to actively listening to the needs of our Chamber members and being a representative and advocate as I serve.

Leslie Maple

Great Basin College

Elko is my hometown and I care about seeing our community continue to grow and thrive. I believe supporting businesses of all sizes is essential to our area's long-term economic success, and I value Chamber's important role in connecting businesses and advocating for our community. I also believe in giving back and enjoying the opportunity to volunteer and build connections through Chamber events and activities.

I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Foundation at Great Basin College. In my role, I work closely with businesses and community partners to build relationships and support opportunities for our students, who will become the next generation of business and community leaders. The college plays an important role in our local economy through workforce development, education, and arts and cultural enrichment.

Collaboration with the local businesses is important to this work and helps ensure we are meeting the needs of our region. Serving on the Chamber Board has helped me stay connected to our local businesses and help identify ways for GBC to support them.

I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving on the Chamber board and contributing to its efforts to support local businesses and help our community thrive.

Kirsten Moyer

WFG National Title

As an Escrow Officer, I help facilitate real estate transactions by coordinating between buyers, sellers, lenders, agents, and other parties to ensure that transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all required procedures. My role requires strong communication, organization, attention to detail, problem-solving, and the ability to bring multiple parties together toward a common goal.

I believe these skills would allow me to be a valuable contributor to the Chamber. I enjoy building relationships within the community and would be excited to assist with organizing networking events, mixers, educational workshops, and other community activities. I am comfortable coordinating details, communicating with different groups, managing timelines, and helping create an organized and welcoming experience for attendees.

I am also eager to volunteer my time and professional skills wherever they can be useful. I would enjoy helping the Chamber strengthen connections among local businesses, encourage member participation, and support events and initiatives that benefit the local business community.

Matthew Obieta

Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS)

I believe my professional experience and commitment to the Elko community qualify me to serve on the Elko Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

I have had the opportunity to work with businesses and organizations across Northern Nevada, including the mining, utility, and private business sectors. Through my roles with NV Energy, the State of Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), and the mining industry, I have developed strong relationships, gained an understanding of the challenges businesses face, and learned the importance of

collaboration, communication, and practical solutions.

My professional background has provided me with experience in leadership, regulatory compliance problem-solving, and helping organizations improve their operations while protecting their most asset—their employees. I understand the importance of balancing regulatory requirements with business needs and believe that successful communities depend on strong, sustainable businesses.

Beyond my professional qualifications, I have a genuine appreciation for Elko and the hardworking people who make this community what it is. I recognize the importance of supporting local businesses, encouraging economic development, and maintaining the values and traditions that make Northeastern Nevada unique.

I would welcome the opportunity to bring a practical, collaborative, and solutions-oriented perspective to the Chamber Board. My goal would be to represent the interests of local businesses, strengthen partnerships throughout our community, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the Elko area.

Jay Holiday St. James

St. James Tonics

I’m a newer business owner in Elko, but I spent three years working to open my business here, through personal and professional setbacks. That experience taught me a lot about the determination it takes to build a business locally, especially when the traditional paths to business ownership aren’t accessible. I’ve introduced a new niche in hospitality to the Elko area and have seen rapid growth. I’d love to use what I’ve learned to help both newer and established entrepreneurs navigate growth in their own businesses.

I’ve been a self-employed entrepreneur since my twenties, working across hospitality, media, healthcare, and political arenas. Those experiences have given me deep connections across each of those fields. I also bring 15 years of board experience in Texas and Oregon, and I’ve collaborated with local business owners on projects across several industries.

Over the past three years, I’ve built personal and professional relationships with people ranging from multiple downtown restaurant owners to Myk Mendez of Marvelous Beads and Gary Pinkston of Meridian Pacific. I’ve even used my personal social media pages to create successful promotion videos for other businesses such as The Commercial Hotel and Miner’s Java. I believe those relationships reflect my ability to work with people across sectors and stages of business.

I also understand how much persistence it can take for entrepreneurs on less traditional paths—including single parents, people balancing serious illness with work, and people with fewer financial resources—to get a business up and running. As I understand it, I may be the only Black-owned farm in Elko County but have seamlessly fit in at Farmer’s Markets, USDA events, and the community at large. I’m proud to bring that nuanced perspective, along with my work as a local leader in the non-alcoholic beverage and functional wellness industries.

My grandmother, Bertha Mae helped found the United Negro Voting League and being raised in a family that was often ahead of its time and unafraid to speak up shaped my own commitment to community and civic life. I’ve thrown myself in headfirst to support local nonprofits and my business has given out over $1k to other local orgs and businesses in the last two weeks which is a lot from a single parent but speaks to the amount I will always pour back into my environment.

My letter of recommendation from the B.B. King estate speaks to my love and ability to network on a small or large scale and successfully bring together diverse groups for shared common goals. Through my work and connections, I hope to bring positive visibility to Elko and help shine a light on the people and businesses that make our community special.

I’ve seen how much the Elko Area Chamber has grown in the six years I’ve lived here—not only in membership, but in its programs and support for community traditions, from the Wine Walk to the Cocktail Walk and Sippin’ Saturdays. It’s exciting to see that growth, and I’d be honored to contribute more personally to the Chamber’s work and to the community it serves. And, on a personal note, I’d love a couple of extra reasons each month to dress up and show my support for everything the Chamber does.

Bill Witt

Red Wing Shoes

I’m a local business owner who understands the challenges of running a business, but I also understand that businesses don’t succeed in isolation. They need a strong workforce, strong community, good relationships between businesses, and a community people want

to live and work in.

Having recently established my business in Elko, I have a fresh perspective on what it feels like to enter the local business community, build relationships, navigate the market, and become part of the community.