Our fearless leader here at the Chamber is James Miller. A proud native of the Willmar Lakes Area, James grew up in the region and now resides in the community of Raymond. He brings a deep passion for positivity, small business growth, and community engagement to his work.
James pursued his education at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Moorhead State, and Southwest State University in Marshall. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience working for a variety of small and large businesses, often serving as a versatile and dedicated team player. Notably, James excelled as the Director of Marketing and later as the Executive Director of the United Way of West Central Minnesota. In these roles, he proved to be a successful fundraiser and, perhaps even more importantly, an inspiring storyteller—connecting donors to impactful organizations and projects that support our family, friends, and neighbors.
In 2023, James embraced an exciting new opportunity to channel his expertise and passion into serving his neighbors and friends here in the Willmar Lakes Area as the President & CEO of the Chamber. Outside the office, James is an avid reader, a devoted Pearl Jam fan (arguably to a fault), and an enthusiast of golf, curling, and radio.
He is responsible for the internal operations of the organization and managing staff. He is the primary contact for business and community concerns and issues, and is viewed by the membership and community as a strong, effective voice for business.
