New Executive Director of Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce: Bradley Kautenburg

ALGOMA – On Friday, June 20, Executive Director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce Rosemary Paladini officially retired, stating, “I get to be that tourist or that visitor who’s sitting on the beach reading.”

Bradley Kautenburg, a former banquets and events manager at the Landmark Resort in Door County, is stepping into the role. He said his experience coordinating events has prepared him to manage the COC’s many offerings.

“Quite a bit of planning and coordinating goes into weddings and corporate events, especially when you have multiple events that take place at the same time around the 40 acre property,” Kautenburg said. “There’s a lot of moving parts, a lot of having to be in multiple places at once and a lot of learning to improvise, adapt and overcome.”

Kautenburg’s introduction to Kewaunee and Door counties came in 2019, when he joined a nonprofit organization.

“My first position that brought me up to this area was with the Door County Historical Society,” he said. “I fell in love with that type of nonprofit work.”

After some time as an event coordinator, the opportunity to become the executive director of the COC was exactly what Kautenburg was looking for.

“I was really looking to get back to nonprofit work, and this position worked really well with my background of events and nonprofit work,” Kautenburg said.

With a packed schedule of events for this summer, former Executive Director Rosemary Paladini wanted to make sure the transition was smooth.

“I didn’t want to put anybody out in the lurch in the starting season. I said we can take all the time we need to make sure I’m being very comprehensive and everything,” Paladini said.

That time together has helped prepare Kautenburg for a busy summer, with the first Concert in the Park kicking off the season Thursday, June 26, featuring Big Mouth and the Power Tooth Horns, at Heritage Park.

“Rosemary has been really helpful. When I first started, she was in a lot more, and then as I’ve transitioned in, she’s transitioned out. She now maybe comes in once a week or as needed, especially as we get closer to Concerts in the Park starting and Shanty Days, she’s wanted to touch base in those things to make sure that I’m on the same page and that we’re on track, which we certainly are,” Kautenburg said.

Concerts in the Park provides food and beverage tents run by nonprofits and the chamber splits the income, allowing other nonprofits to fundraise while keeping the event itself free. Thursday’s concession stand will be run by the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County.

Although Kautenburg has lived in the larger area for six years, the Algoma community has surprised him. The active community engagement is a cornerstone of Algoma’s charm, distinguishing it as a truly special place to live and work.

“It’s a credit to the community that we’ve got so much engagement that allows us to do all the wonderful things that we do,” Kautenburg said.

That exceptional level of community participation and volunteerism is the driving force behind the Chamber’s successful initiatives and events, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for local businesses and residents — along with tourists and newcomers.

“Not being from the area, I was very, very concerned that I wouldn’t be able to very easily settle into this role, and that I would have a hard time, you know, getting to know people. And that’s really not been the case at all,” Kautenburg said.

Kewaunee County Tourism recently met with all three local chambers of commerce for their Visit Kewaunee County Facebook page, and Kautenburg was inspired while speaking with the other directors.

“We had the thought that it would be great if the chambers in Kewaunee County could do a monthly sit down, just so we can see what the others are doing, and network and get to know each other. Because sometimes you don’t know what resources are available to you till you speak to other people.”

While Kautenburg hopes to take the Chamber to new heights, he said everything the Chamber has today is a testament to the hard work of previous directors and members.

“Algoma does a phenomenal job of events, and that’s something that previous directors have laid a really good foundation for, is our events that engage the community,” he said.

To learn more about the Chamber and upcoming events, visit www.visitalgomawi.com/chamber/.