Stacia Sytsma

Retiring MBA director honored
Thursday, April 25, was officially celebrated as Sheri Larson Day in Moorhead. Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson’s proclamation honored Sheri’s retirement after seven years as the executive director of the Moorhead Business Association.
The document called Larson “a key source of support and helpful guidance when our community weathered the pandemic, market inflation and economic hardships … promoting and supporting the growth and success of the Greater Moorhead community and region.” It termed her “a treasure to Moorhead in promoting our wonderful city.” Mayor Carlson (left) and Sheri Larson. (Photo/Nancy Hanson.)

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

There’s a friendly new face at the Moorhead Business Association.
Stacia Sytsma joined the 250-plus member organization at the beginning of April. She replaces executive director Sheri Larson, who shepherded the group for the past seven years. Larson’s last day in the position was April 24.
Stacia, a native of Fergus Falls, worked with the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce for about three years, where she served as engagement specialist. In that role, she says, she headed the Chamber’s Ambassador Program, working with volunteers who build relationships with businesses new to the community.
“I learned so much at ribbon cuttings and other Chamber events, and I realized how much I love this community,” she says. “I’ve a cheerleader! It’s so fun to learn about new businesses opening up here.
“This area is amazing in how people show up,” Stacia observes. “Businesses support other businesses. When there’s an individual in need, people are great about being there for them. While this is going to be a challenging role, I know the community will make it easier just in how they show up for each other.”
Since graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1999, Stacia’s career has taken several turns, from painting murals in Minneapolis to raising a family of four and working as a nurse. “I met my husband Matt while I was living in Minneapolis, and we moved to Barnesville, where we still live,” she says. “I’d been a CNA, but then went on to earn my LPN through Northland Community College.” She went on to work at Barnesville Nursing Home while raising her four children – Shayla, who lives in Bismarck; Kason, Moorhead; and Lane and Lucy, a junior and freshman at Barnesville High School.
In 2018, Stacia became a full-time youth minister at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, something she’d long been involved in as a volunteer. “Youth ministry is part of my DNA,” she reflects. The COVID pandemic eliminated the position, she joined Golden Manor, an assisted living facility, in Barnesville.
But she was intrigued by an opening on the front desk of the local Chamber of Commerce. Soon she moved up to becoming an engagement strategist, working with membership and building relationships with its members. That’s where she learned about the MBA through former director Sheri. “The fact that anybody thinks I can fill her shoes is exceptionally flattering,” she notes.
Stacia says president Brett Ortley and the rest of the MBA board have laid out goals moving forward. “They’d like to see our membership continue to grow.” It’s currently at about 250. “I’m excited to see how much we can support our business community and connect to each other. I want to build on all that Sheri has achieved and continue making it more robust.”