Meet the Staff Working on Your Behalf

​Education:
University of Mary, Business management

Group Associations & Affiliations:
> Council of State Chambers
> National Association of State Manufacturing Associations
> ND Transportation Coalition - Chair
> ND WSI Coordinating Committee
> Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Advisory Board

Previous Positions:
> North Dakota Motor Carriers Association: Executive Vice President
> State of North Dakota: Parks & Recreation Dept. 

Favorite Food at the Capitol Cafeteria:
Chicken salad sandwich

First Job:
Paper Delivery Boy

​
arik@ndchamber.com
701.222.0929

Contact me for:

> Business climate concerns 
> GNDC vision and mission direction
> GNDC Board of Director inquiries
> ND Chamber PAC information
> ND Transportation Coalition inquiries

​Arik Spencer is the President & CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota’s premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Spencer has more than two decades of experience in government relations and public policy advocacy, as well as non-profit management. Other areas of expertise include operational planning, coalition building, organizational strategy, and membership services.

Before joining GNDC in 2018, Spencer was the Executive Vice President of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association and had previously worked for the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. He serves on the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Advisory Board, the North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance Coordinating Committee, and is the Chair of the North Dakota Transportation Coalition.

Spencer has a Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Mary. He and his wife, Wendy, are the parents of three children and live in Bismarck.

​Education: 
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Communications

Previous Positions:
> North Dakota Industrial Commission: Deputy Executive Director
> State of North Dakota: ND Dept. of Commerce, ND Highway Patrol

Favorite Food at the Capitol Cafeteria:
Cheeseburger, gluten-free bun, and fries

First Job:
Waitress at a donut and bakery café

​
andrea@ndchamber.com
701.354.7505
 

Contact me for:

> Legislative advocacy
> National and state policy
> Chamber Champion status and information
> ND Chamber PAC 
> ND Manufacturing Council

​Andrea Pfennig is the Director of Government Affairs at the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota's premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Analytical by nature, she has a talent for creating order through structured, collaborative approaches to work with a goal in mind. Pfennig’s passion for the success of North Dakota is evident in her professional work and experiences.

Prior to joining GNDC, Pfennig worked for the State of North Dakota managing programs related to energy, childcare, revitalization, and conservation. Her most recent past position with the Industrial Commission allowed her to further deepen her interest and knowledge in energy, finance, and policy as it applies to business and government regulation.

Pfennig has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She lives in Bismarck with her husband, Allen, and two daughters - who have convinced her to also house one dog, 2 cats, 2 chickens, and a fish. 

​Education:
University of North Dakota: BA, Communications
University of Mary: MBA

Group Associations & Affiliations:
Mid-American Chamber Executives

Previous Positions:
> State of ND: Department of Commerce, Job Service North Dakota, Dept. of Public Instruction
> Advertising Account Executive 
> Director of Public Relations and Physician Recruitment

Favorite Food at the Capitol Cafeteria:
Popcorn Balls

First Job:
Lee's Dairy Bar: cook & counter help

​
chris@ndchamber.com
701.354.7513
 

Contact me for:

> Becoming a member
> Member services
> Sponsorship information
> Advertising marketing 
> Member communications
> Event registration

​Christopher Kalash is the Director of Membership Services at the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota’s premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Given the gift of gab, Kalash has a natural ability to build relationships and see connections. His strengths go beyond serving GNDC but work toward understanding members’/business’s needs and potential opportunities.

Before joining GNDC, Kalash worked in state government for seventeen years administering state and federal programs that supported economic development, workforce, and education. Additionally, Kalash worked in account management for local media companies in the Bismarck-Mandan area building the foundation for understanding business branding and needs.

Kalash can sing the UND school song upon command as he proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of North Dakota. Kalash also holds an MBA from the University of Mary. He resides in Bismarck with his wife, Nicole. Together, they have three children. He is originally from Thompson, ND. 

​
Education:
Minot State University: BA, English, BA, Psychology

Previous Positions:
> State of North Dakota: ND Dept. of Commerce, Job Service North Dakota, Dickinson State University
> Advertising Account Executive

Favorite Food at the Capitol Cafeteria:
Breakfast Burritos

First Job:
Hay Baler

​
amanda@ndchamber.com
701.354.7512

Contact me for:

> Publications and/or communications
> Media inquiries
> Event information
> Websites and social media 
> GNDC speaking requests

​Amanda Remynse is the Director of Communications of the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota’s premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Remynse’s background is a blend of creativity, content creation, and public policy. Additionally, she benefits GNDC through her previous event management experience and organizational skills. Unafraid to ask questions, she is willing to try various solutions to work toward a goal.  

Before joining GNDC in 2019, Remynse was employed by the State of North Dakota focusing specifically to address the state’s workforce challenges. Her background also includes a stint at an advertising firm where she worked to promote various businesses and tourism events in North Dakota.

Remynse has two Bachelor’s from Minot State University, English and Psychology. A mom of three and wife of one, she has a boring blog, loves to travel, calls herself a foodie, and hates wet socks. 

Group Associations & Affiliations:
> Morton County Housing Authority Board

Previous Positions:
> North Dakota Insurance Department

Favorite Food at the Capitol Cafeteria:
Rancher's Breakfast

First Job:
Strawberry Farm

​
laura@ndchamber.com
701.354.7511

Contact me for:

> General Chamber information
> Member services
> Billing or additional payment specifics
> Invoicing or documentation requests
> Event registration or details
> Sponsorship
 

​Laura Helbling is the Administrative and Membership Outreach Coordinator at the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota’s premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Helbling is a dedicated relationship builder and team player. She is unafraid to take on challenges and works to showcase the talents of her team members. 

Helbling has a long history with GNDC. She was hired in 2003 when the organization was the Greater North Dakota Association. The GNDC team appreciates her institutional memory and love of chamber life.   

Helbling lives in Mandan with her husband, Mark, and 2 hunting dogs. She is devoted to spoiling her grandchildren and can be found traveling, camping, or if you are lucky, golfing.