The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Chair & Co-Chair of the 42ndAnnual University of Okoboji Winter Games scheduled for January 27-30, 2022.
The Chair of the 42nd Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games is Michael Meyers. Michael is the City Administrator for the City of Okoboji. Michael, his wife Paige, and their two children moved to Spirit Lake in January 2018 from Omaha, Nebraska. Michael’s children, Landon, age 9, is in the 3rd grade and Saylor, age 5, is a kindergartener at Spirit Lake Elementary School. The Meyers family truly appreciates the people and places of the Iowa Great Lakes community and everything that the region offers.
Michael is a member of Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis, volunteers with the Lakes Area Hockey Association, a member of the Iowa League of Cities, a member of the Iowa City/County Management Association and a member of Engaging Local Government Leaders. The Meyers family is also supportive and active in other local organizations such as Keep Okoboji Blue, the Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing Center, the Bedell Family YMCA, and the annual Cattleman’s Regatta.
In 2020 Michael was elected to be a cheerleader for Winter Games 41, in 2022 was selected as co-chair, and very much looks forward to once again being a part of this great event. He believes that Winter Games is a phenomenal event that gives opportunity for our communities and businesses to show off what winter is all about in Okoboji! Michael appreciates to opportunity to represent the Iowa Great Lakes community, the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the University of Okoboji.
Co-Chair this year is Rachel Fandel. Rachel works at Fillenwarth Beach Resort in Arnolds Park. She is a 2008 graduate from Estherville Lincoln Central and a graduate from the University of Iowa. Rachel, her husband Craig and their daughter reside in Spirit Lake. When it came time to choose an area to settle in, the lakes area was a simple choice. Her love of the lake, for the community and her roots in the area help drive her to give back whenever possible.
Fandel is a current IGLACC Board member and a member of the Okoboji Tourism Committee. She enjoys helping area businesses thrive and helping visitors from all over the world learn about what this area has to offer. She is also the Vice President of the Spirit Lake Elementary PIE and truly enjoys volunteering her time to benefit the kids in the area.
When Rachel isn’t busy working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, while taking full advantage of all that being an Iowa Great Lakes resident has to offer.
Over the years, Rachel has been involved in Winter Games as a spectator, participant and volunteer. She is thrilled to represent our community, the IGLACC and the University of Okoboji as this year’s Winter Games Co-Chair!
Michael and Rachel are looking forward to the preparation ahead for our awesome winter tradition, and they are ready to make this year the best yet!
To get involved in the University of Okoboji Winter Games, please contact the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber at 712-332-2107.
