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Hay River - Hay River now has another Miltenberger in a leadership role in the community

Leah Miltenberger – the wife of Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger – was elected volunteer president of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 13.

Leah Miltenberger is the new president of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"Both of us are committed to working for the betterment of the town as a whole," Leah Miltenberger said, adding the chamber and the town already have a very good working relationship.

As for what might happen if a controversial issue arises between the town and the chamber, she said that will be dealt with.

"I don't see any conflict," she said, adding she thought about that possibility before becoming president.

As a business partner with her husband of 20 years in Midnight Petroleum, Miltenberger said they don't always agree on everything, but work the issues out.

They co-own the fuel distribution company, where he is president and she is secretary-treasurer.

The Miltenbergers' company has been a member of the Hay River chamber since 1996, when Midnight Petroleum opened its head office in the town. The company started in 1989 in Fort Simpson.

Miltenberger had not previously served on the board of directors or the executive of the chamber.

"It's a fairly big step, but I have been on the executive for other things before," she said, citing her involvement in the golf club, the ski club and minor hockey. "I think I can make a difference."

She said Hay River needs an even more active and stronger chamber of commerce, although she noted it has come a long way in recent years and become more involved in the community.

"It seems to have become more prominent and more of a driving force, which encourages people to get involved," she said, adding that the previous executive did a fantastic job.

Miltenberger said the chamber of commerce is a vital part of Hay River.

"With the global downturn in the economy, our community needs to have a collective voice and work together," she said, adding the business community can help provide economic stability and attract investment to the town.

Even though the majority of eligible business owners – 124 out of 175 – are already members of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, Miltenberger is hoping to attract more members.

Plus, she said she would like to see more of the current members become more active.

"You can't have the same group of people doing all the work," she said.

Right now, she estimated that 40-50 members participate on a regular basis.

Even though she is running her own business, Miltenberger doesn't see a problem in finding the time for chamber of commerce activities, noting there is strong management and staff in place at Midnight Petroleum.

"To me, part of running a business in the community is participating in the community," she said.

Miltenberger, 46, said she also has more time now to dedicate to the chamber, since her daughter is in college and her son is finishing Grade 12. Born in British Columbia, Miltenberger moved to Fort Simpson when she was 21 after earning a diploma in business administration from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

She chose to move to Fort Simpson because her father had become senior administrative officer for the village, she recalled.