Board of Directors >>
Mallari Ackerman | President
Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau | Director of Sales
Why are you a member of TAFM? Connections and Collaboration. These are two foundations of what it means to me to be an active member in the Tourism Alliance of Fargo-Moorhead. As an ally and board member, I have access to a strong network within my industry, to build relationships with people who do business with the common goal of bringing visitors to our area. That common goal makes us stronger as one force working together to better our business, bringing awareness to one other and collaborating our efforts to reach new visitors.
Career History: My love of serving others started in high school as a sandwich artist at Subway. I've worked in every department in hotels, from housekeeping to front desk and sales to banquet captain. My jobs have taken me to London and Uganda, but I've always returned home to the FM area, to a community I love.
Hobby: In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, kayaking, knitting and scrapbooking our adventures.
Something silly most don't know about you: I can list all fifty states in alphabetical order from memory.
Tristan Ross | Vice President
Marcus Theaters | manager
Why are you a member of TAFM? I'm a member of TAFM because I see the benefit of networking and working together with others within the tourism industries
Career History: I have been with Marcus Theaters since November 2010 but have been in and out of the industry since 2001. Over the years I have worked for Wells Fargo as both a teller and Banker Connection, I have supported Office for Mac at Microsoft, was the operations manager for a photographer, and have worked in a liquor store.
Hobby: I enjoy traveling and checking out new places in my free time. I spend a lot of time with friends as well as volunteering.
Something silly most don't know about you: I spent over three months on an Ocean-liner as a study abroad student my last year in college. 200 students were onboard from 50 different nations.
Jenny Olson | Secretary/ Treasurer
Boiler Room | general manager
Why are you a member of TAFM? I'm a member to build a stronger unity between the tourism industries in the area! We have so much to do here, so I want to help connect and strengthen these businesses. Getting the word out about what this area has to offer to keep tourists, and also local residents, in the know will only help strengthen our community and economy.
Career History: I have a degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, but while I was in college I started bartending at The Boiler Room. At that time I decided that the service industry was where I needed to be!
Hobby: Anything that involves a lake and a koozie!
Something silly most don't know about you: I enjoy rollerblading, but after all these years I still haven't figured out how to stop; typically stopping requires a tumble and a roll.
Tanner Tweten | Past President
Element Fargo | general manager
Why are you a member of TAFM? I joined TAFM because of the opportunity to interact with other stakeholders in the industry, and to create a well-rounded experience for visitors coming to the FM area.
Career History: I got my start in the tourism industry working at Hotel Donaldson as the Hotel Manager. I found a passion for the art and the magic of hospitality, and have invested growing my career within this wonderful, crazy industry!
Hobby: My favorite thing to do in my free time is spend time with my family, all local to Fargo Moorhead, while I also enjoy traveling when I can.
Something silly most don't know about you: I've never broken a bone! I've had plenty of adventures, but have always been lucky enough to come out unscathed!
Dan Hurder | Board Member
Great Plains hospitality | managing partner
Why are you a member of TAFM? As an independent restaurant owner in the community, I recognize the important role that restaurants play to tourism. TAFM is a great way to strengthen the relationship between tourism partners in our community and develop opportunities for all of us to work together.
Career History: After 8 years with Hilton Garden Inn hotels, I left the hotel business to purchase my first restaurant in 2011. 4 restaurants and a catering company later, I love the industry I have chosen to be a part of and look forward to many more years.
Hobby: Some might say I am a bit of a wine geek. I have a pretty sizable collection of wines from all over the world that I love to study and learn about. Also, I like to drink them.
Something silly most don't know about you: I had a moth fly into my ear in college and now it is physically impossible for me to not get weird if I see a moth.
Kayla Cash | Board Member
Sanctuary events center | director of sales
Why are you a member of TAFM? I love connecting with people and building relationships! I'm looking forward to growing my circle of influence with the other great members of TAFM. This is a wonderful opportunity and I'm grateful to be part of this group! Surrounding myself with big thinkers and sharing ideas leads to success!
Career History: I've spent the last 6 years in the event industry as Director of Sales for two venues. I've personally completed over 1500 corporate & private events with over 600 weddings in the FM area. Prior to this, I was an Account Executive at KVRR TV for 5 years and am still a media buyer presently. I enjoy learning from business owners and sharing ideas of how to grow their businesses through traditional and digital media platforms. The past 14 years I've been a small business owner in a direct sales company, where I lead a team of over 75 people.
Hobby: Traveling, music, spending time with family, friends and fur babies, bonfires and red wine!
Something silly most don't know about you: I've gone viral! There's over 7 pages on Google about me and a local news story from 2015 when I called a local TV station to report a jackrabbit problem in our neighborhood. We had over 50 GIANT jackrabbits that had invaded my yard, which led to a phone call from ABC News in New York City and dozens of phone calls the days following. If you Google 'Kayla Straabe Jackrabbits' you'll find all 7 pages of rabbit stories! I was a Top 10 headline on CNN that day, along with many top news sites! The best part? My fiancé (now husband) told me I couldn't call the news, and I didn't tell him I did - so he saw it on CNN before he heard about it from me! This was followed by clients I would meet saying, ' you look familiar. Are you the rabbit lady?' I'm glad now that my married name has freed me of the rabbit saga. Haha!
Britni Wyum | Board Member
Courtyard by Marriott Fargo | Director of sales
Why are you a member of TAFM? I am looking to get more involved in my community.
Career History: I have gone down a few different avenues such as healthcare and fitness but ended my search in hospitality.
Hobby: My hobbies are painting, reading, and hanging out with my family.
Something silly most don't know about you: All of our pets are named after Disney characters.
Alysia Simunek | Board Member
Rough cut social | general manager / director of sales
Why are you a member of TAFM? Relationships and knowledge! There is so much to do in the area and I am excited to learn about it all while supporting and encouraging all the businesses that work together so well bringing people to the community.
Career History: I previously worked for a local government organizing city, chamber and economic development events and resident activities when I received the call that there was an opportunity to spearhead some up-and-coming entertainment venues and play games with people. I obviously jumped at the chance. I have found working in events and entertainment is very rewarding and thoroughly enjoy celebrating every little milestone with people.
Hobby: Travel. I am constantly on the go - visiting new cities, states and countries. I love learning about and exploring new places and I spend countless hours doing research after I book something. My year consists of numerous getaways including R&R beach vacays, constant on the go tourist destinations. I am always researching for the next trip!
Something silly most don't know about you: I watch Die Hard every year on Christmas morning and refuse to go anywhere until I’ve watched the whole thing, uninterrupted. I’ve shown up late for holiday gatherings because of it.
Jae Dewald | Board Member
Brandt hospitality | area director of sales
Why are you a member of TAFM? This organization offers a unique opportunity for comradery, education and professional development within the FMWF market’s hospitality, tourism and event industry.
Career History: Jae’s passion for hospitality starting at the prime age of 16 by taking on an after-school job of front desk clerk at a nearby AmericInn Lodge & Suites. While obtaining a Bachelor of Accountancy at University of North Dakota, the hospitality industry called out again via an internship at the Alerus Center in Sales & Marketing which set the path for career positions moving forward. While serving as Director of Sales at Hilton Garden Inn- Maple Grove, MN, she was winner of the brand’s Director of Sales of the Year Award and was nominated again for Director of Sales of the Year for a different brand during her time at Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown. Most recently, Jae took home the award for 2021 Sales Leader of the Year for Brandt Hospitality group.
Hobby: When Jae is not in the office, you can find her spending time with her two children, Max & Eloise, keeping her husband, Adam, always guessing what the packed weekend agenda looks like, walking her very fat dog, Gracie and asking her friends to try a new workout with her for an hour before grabbing cocktails to celebrate that the workout is over.Something silly most don't know about you: When the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis first opened, Jae was working in downtown Minneapolis. She was in the building for an event that was supposed to be on the stadium floor only, but security was minimal so when Jae saw the chance, gave herself an exclusive (self-guided) tour of all the club spaces from top to bottom and other behind the scenes areas like the Vikings press room. Her inner-event-geek had the greatest day ever!
Beth Jansen | Board Member
Bonanzaville USA | Executive Director
Why are you a member of TAFM? Relationships pure and simple. I joined TAFM to create mutually beneficial relationships with other’s who work in and support Fargo Moorhead Area’s growing tourism industry. To work with the best in the industry to grow the Fargo-Moorhead area and help it reach its full potential.
Career History: I have spent my entire life helping others through different stages of life. From working with seniors as a teenager, to managing group homes as young adult, staying home to raise two amazing young women, and leading non-profit organizations to their next level of service here in the Fargo –Moorhead community. Finally landing here as the Executive Director of Bonanzaville, a caretaker to the rich history of Cass County ND.
Hobby: I love to travel, read, hike, bike, camp, explore history where ever I go and just spend time hanging with family and friends. I guess I am up for just about anything fun or relaxing!!
Something silly most don't know about you: I am a Karaoke junkie, I just can’t help it I love to sing and love to listen to every variety of music.
Mindy Heitkamp | Board Member
Fargo-moorhead symphony orchestra | Development director
Why are you a member of TAFM? As a newcomer to the industry, I joined TAFM to gain a better understanding of all the things that make Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo such a hub for fun, business, and leisure. In the process, I'm learning that there are so many great people to get to meet and connect with along the way
Career History: After teaching high school science classes for 17 years, I switched hats completely and am so excited to be the Development Director with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra.
Hobby: My hobbies include family time, friend time, concerts and most anything social!
Something silly most don't know about you: I am a Biology and Chemistry college graduate but can faint at the sight of a needle in record time.
Upcoming Board of Directors Meetings
Open to all TAFM Members
For details, contact info@tourismalliancefm.org
