Carter Fong

Executive Director

FUN FACTS

What do you enjoy most about working at the Chamber?

→ I love that we work with business leaders and volunteers from every sector of the economy. Each day is unique, and so we wear everything from business suits to blue jeans at the Chamber, depending on the day.

What do you enjoy most about living in southwestern North Dakota?

→ Our region is large enough to offer all of the amenities of modern living, yet small enough to retain that neighborly feeling. We care a great deal about getting to know our members by name.

What is one of the greatest strengths of our region?

→ North Dakota residents rank #1 in labor force participation rate as of June 2023, displaying a work ethic that is second to none.

What is one of the greatest economic challenges facing our region?

→ Because of our high labor force participation rate, we’ll need to embrace out-of-state talent attraction more than ever, in my opinion. With our 30+ community events, the Chamber is ready to do its part in welcoming individuals who are new to our region.

What do you appreciate the most about our Chamber members and volunteers?

→ The work of the Chamber would not be possible without those who support us simply for the greater good of the community, including volunteers who offer to help wherever they are needed, no strings attached!

Avery Belland

Administrative Assistant

What do you like to do in your free time?

→ In my free time I like to go fishing. I usually go fishing at Patterson or on the Heart River during the week. On the weekends, my family goes to Lake Sakakawea and we fish on the boat.

What is your favorite genre of music to work to?

→ My favorite genre of music is either country music or pop music. My favorite singers are Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen, and I can’t pick a favorite.

Tell us about your favorite vacation or road trip.

→ Over spring break in my freshman year of college, my mom and I went to Nevada to visit my aunt. I got to see Las Vegas for the first time and walk the Las Vegas strip. We also took a few road trips while we were there. We went to Zion National Park in Utah and hiked a lot of the trails. We then went to Los Angeles and I got to see the ocean for the first time. It was rainy and foggy the whole time we were in Los Angeles, so I didn’t get to see much but it was still fun. We also went to Joshua Tree National Park, The Red Rocks, and The Valley of Fire. I got to experience so many new things and it was one of the best trips I have ever been on.

Name something on your bucket list.

→ I really want to go to Greece. I have always wanted to go there because it looks so beautiful, and I feel like it would be a fun place to visit.

What is something simple that brightens your day?

→ Something that brightens my day is getting to see my pets before I leave my house for the day. I have one dog and three cats and getting to see them every morning before I leave and getting to see them when I come home is the best part of my day.

Iuliia (Julia) Kravchuk

Community Connector

What brought you to the United States and to southwestern North Dakota?

→ My husband was here already on a work visa.

Tell us more about your family.

→ I have a big family. My husband and I have three kids: 2 boys and 1 girl. Also, my mom is living with us, and my brother's family arrived six months ago.

What do you like to do in your free time?

→ I like to go the park with my kids. I like camping, water sports, and skiing.

What's something about yourself that would surprise people?

→ I love to learn new thnigs, and I enjoy helping people.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be? Why?

→ I would become a character who can help people with magic powers, and first, I would stop the war in the Ukraine.

What is your favorite genre of music?

→ I like all kinds of music.

Name something on your bucket list.

→ I would like to travel more.

What is something simple that brightens your day?

→ I like to see that my kids are happy.

What do you hope to bring to the Chamber to make it an even greater hub of our community?

→ I would lijke to help bring more activities for kids and more fun events. I would like to help people who are already here and those who will arrive, to introduce them to the community.