Beaman hired as Monticello chamber director

     The Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) Board of Directors recently announced the hiring of Megan Beaman as the new executive director.

   Beaman started her new role on June 18.

   “I’m looking forward to strengthening our connection with the businesses owners and the community,” offered Beaman.

   She’s already hit the ground running, having attended the chamber’s Uptown Summer Nights on June 14. She also attended her first Monticello Main Street meeting, as well as an Ambassadors’ meeting.

   “Brian (Wolken, Main Street director) gave me the full rundown,” she said of learning about the organization’s role compared to MACC.

   With the Fourth of July fast approaching, Beaman has also been thrown into the mix planning the parade.

   Beaman grew up in Hopkinton, having graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School in 2018. Following high school, she earned her EMT (emergency medical technician) license from NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College) in Peosta. She volunteered and worked for Hopkinton Fire and EMS.

   “I volunteered for Hopkinton for five years while going to school,” said Beaman.

   She then took her experience to Emergency Services at Regional Medical Center in Manchester, working four years as an EMT.

   She said it was a job shadow experience that opened her eyes to the medical world.

   “I enjoyed the fast-paced environment,” she said. “I found I was able to remain calm in stressful situations.”

   Beaman continued her education at NICC, receiving her associate of arts degree in 2019.

   “Then I took a gap year from 2020-21,” she said.

   In 2020, she was offered a full-time job in the ER in Manchester.

   “I was able to use my skills, but was this the career I wanted?” she asked herself.

   In 2021, Beaman enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and in May 2023, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, tourism, and non-profit leadership.

   She is now able to put that degree to good use working for MACC.

   Beaman has real-world experience volunteering for non-profits throughout her educational experience.

   While at NICC, she spent 10 days in Nashville with fellow students to assist a number of non-profits.

   “This gave my hands-on experience,” she said.

   The group worked at a camp and helped pack baby diapers for distribution, prepared and distributed food for a mobile food bank, and volunteered at a medical center.

   “That’s where my EMT experience came in handy. I helped pack medical supplies.”

   Beaman said those 10 days provided her with an “eye-opening experience” and also allowed her to expand her networking skills.

   Due to her volunteerism, she was recognized as an Emerging Leader in her program at NICC.

   While at UNI, Beaman served as the executive director of the Non-profit Leadership Alliance on campus, earning her Certified Non-profit Professional (CNP) Credential.

   “It’s national recognition that demonstrates my skills,” she explained. “It’s a stamp of approval, and gives me something to add to my name like “CPA.

   “It means I have a deeper understanding on the non-profit sector.”

   Her involvement with the Leadership Alliance provided Beaman with experience networking, organizing events, working on service projects, hosting a podcast, social media marketing, and fundraising, all aspects of working for MACC.

   Living in Hopkinton, Beaman is no stranger to Monticello. At the age of 6, she attended Pictured Rock Methodist Camp, and worked as a counselor until the age of 16 when they closed down. She also worked as a counselor at Camp Courageous.

   Wanting to find a job utilizing her skills and education, Beaman came across the chamber’s help-wanted and chose to apply.

   “When I applied,” she said, “it was passed the deadline.”

   It clearly worked in her favor, though.

   “I’m looking forward to applying my degree and gaining work experience in a different aspect than before,” she said.

   MACC’s First Vice President, Allie Aschtgen, offered, “Megan stood out as a candidate for us due to her passion for building a community, eagerness to make a difference, and how she set goals and made a plan to achieve them in her schooling and previous positions. She has a positive attitude and showed a willingness to learn the processes of the MACC to continue to grow and improve our community. We are so excited to see how she will make a difference for the MACC!”

   The MACC office is located at 204 E. First St., inside City Hall. The hours, subject to change, are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.