Cari Cimmiyotti knows if you believe in your product, it’s an easy sale. That’s why the North Iowa native says she’s so excited to begin her new job as director of tourism for the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
    “I feel like I know North Iowa and I love Clear Lake,” said Cimmiyotti, a native of St. Ansgar. “Clear Lake has small town charm with big town activity and excitement. I think those are very inviting qualities.
    For the next few weeks Cimmiyotti will be learning the various aspects of her new position while finishing up course work at Waldorf College in Forest City. She will graduate Magna Cum Laude this month with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business. She maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average while playing basketball for the school and enjoying membership in Alpha Chi National Honor Society.
    Cimmiyotti says her prior work experience has involved a great deal of customer service, time management, organizational and leadership skills-- all skills which she feels will serve her well in the tourism post.
    “I am learning on a daily basis the many aspects of this job and about the community in detail,” she said. “I am really excited about the opportunity to work closely with those in Clear Lake to tell their story to potential visitors.”
    “We are excited to have Cari as part of the Clear Lake Team,” said Executive Director Gary Bright. “She impressed the search committee with her excitement and desire to sell the Clear Lake Area and continue to make Clear Lake the destination of choice for travelers.”
    Cimmiyotti’s duties will include marketing, advertising and recruiting tourists to the Clear Lake Area. She replaces Laurie Lietz, who left the Chamber in March to become executive director of the Surf Ballroom/North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum in Clear Lake.