1. Rusty Gibbs - Owner, Gibbs Graphics, Incumbent

2. Martin Szuster - Owner, Hotel Pension Anna, Incumbent

3. Kevin Rieke - Owner, The Wood Shop & The Hat Shop, Incumbent

4. Kayla Applebay - Owner, Bushell & Bee Taproom, Incumbent

5. Matt Cade - Board Member, Greater Leavenworth Museum, Incumbent

6. Rhia Foster - Director of Arts & Education, I.C.C.A., Incumbent

7. Nick Pankow - Owner, Leavenworth Coffee & Waffle House, Nominee

8. Kirstie Miethe - Owner, Jubilee and Leavenworth Art Haus, Nominee

9. Peter Fransk - Owner, House of Champagne, Nominee

Rusty Gibbs              Owner, Gibbs Graphics          Incumbent

Rusty Gibbs is co-owner of Gibbs Graphics, creating signs and murals in Leavenworth for over 20 years with his wife, Amanda. A Leavenworth native with a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Northwest College of Art, Rusty returned home to build a business, a family, and a life in the Valley he loves.

Passionate about community, the environment, and youth, he has served on the boards of Leavenworth Recycles, LIFE 2, and the Leavenworth Community Earth Day Fair. Rusty inspires the next generation through drumming workshops, youth soccer coaching, high school apprenticeships, and as an advisor to the Cascade High School Career & Technical Education program.

Proud to run a business rooted in local support, Rusty continues to give back to the community he calls home.

Martin Szuster          Owner, Hotel Pension Anna                              Incumbent

Martin has served on the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Board for the past four years and on the city’s Local Area Promotions (LAP) Committee for the last seven. Before moving to Leavenworth, he spent over 20 years at Microsoft and later Zillow, where, as one of the company’s early employees, he took on a variety of roles and ultimately led large cross-functional teams responsible for Zillow’s Rentals business.

Now firmly rooted in Leavenworth, Martin is dedicated to thoughtful community growth—advocating for policies and initiatives that strengthen the local economy while preserving the Bavarian heritage and traditions that define the town’s unique identity and lasting success. He believes that while Leavenworth has been incredibly successful, it cannot rest on its laurels; the community must continue to evolve thoughtfully, balancing growth with the quality of service and experiences that make it exceptional.

Together with his wife, Erika, Martin owns Hotel Pension Anna and Landhaus Erika and co-founded Huney Jun, a locally crafted kombucha company that reflects his passion for entrepreneurship and community vitality.

Kevin Rieke             Owner, The Wood Shop & The Hat Shop               Incumbent

Kevin is a second-generation retail business owner in downtown Leavenworth. He and his wife Teddy own and operate The Wood Shop and The Hat Shop. They raised their three now adult children in Leavenworth. Kevin enjoys Nordic skiing and playing the alphorn. Kevin was a public school teacher before taking over the family business in 2007. He currently serves on several local boards including the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce since 2008.

Kayla Applebay         Owner, Bushell & Bee Taproom                          Incumbent

Kayla Applebay has a very diverse resume to draw from in education, business, and life experiences. From raft guide to health inspector and so much in between, Kayla has gained a multitude of skills and achieved many personal accomplishments.

Kayla fell in love with the Leavenworth community because of its beauty, amazing people, and the many year-round outdoor activities.  In 2016, due a desire for something new to work on, her love of cider, and the decision to make Leavenworth her permanent home, Bushel & Bee Taproom was born.   With the support of an amazing community & family, she has expanded the business to include Bushel & Bee Bottleshop as well. 

While not working she can be found boating, biking, kiting, or playing outside with her canine sidekick Bruiser. 

Matt Cade               Greater Leavenworth Museum                             Incumbent

I have been the Board President of the Upper Valley Historical Society for almost six years. I was a charter committee member of Cascade Medical Center’s Part-time Resident Advisory Committee for six years and a member of the Wenatchee River Institute’s Finance Committee for five years. My wife, Carol, and I have been Leavenworth homeowners for fourteen years, and I have been a registered voter in Chelan County for twelve years. Carol and I have been full-time residents for six years.

I was a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (1981-2002) and the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (1980-2002). From 2001 to 2017, I was the Director of Administration for a successful, high-quality aerospace metal finishing company in Seattle.

Rhia Foster               Dir. of Arts & Education, I.C.C.A.                       Incumbent

Rhia was born and raised in Cashmere, WA and joined ICCA in the fall of 2023 as Director of Arts & Education. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with degrees in Music Business Entrepreneurship/ Artist Management and Vocal Performance.

Foster is also full-time faculty at Wenatchee Valley College and is dedicated to her work in music education and ethnomusicology as well as community enrichment and engagement.

Nick Pankow             Owner, Leavenworth Coffee & Waffle House             Nominee

Nick Pankow is the owner of Leavenworth Coffee Roasters and Leavenworth Coffee & Waffles, welcoming both residents and visitors with quality coffee, creative food, and genuine hospitality. Before putting down roots in Leavenworth, he spent 18+ years working in national parks and resort destinations, gaining first-hand experience in how tourism-based communities operate and how guest experience and local culture can thrive together. This background, combined with his hands-on role running local, community-centered businesses, gives him a well-rounded understanding of both small business needs and the broader visitor economy.

Nick and his family are proud to call Leavenworth home. He is passionate about preserving the town’s unique charm while planning thoughtfully for its future—supporting locally owned businesses, maintaining a welcoming and authentic downtown, and ensuring that families, entrepreneurs, and guests all feel at home here. Through service on the Chamber board, he hopes to strengthen collaboration, enhance the guest experience, and help keep Leavenworth vibrant for years to come.

Kirstie Miethe            Owner, Jubilee and Leavenworth Art Haus               Nominee

I am excited to submit my interest in serving on the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Board. As a long-time retail leader with over 25 years of experience in multi-unit management, people development, and community engagement, I am passionate about fostering collaboration and sustainable growth within our local business community.

I grew up in retail, beginning with JCPenney in California, then advancing with Kohl’s in Arizona, which ultimately led me to Washington, where I became a District Manager with The Children’s Place overseeing 11 stores across the state. In 2020, my family and I moved to Leavenworth and quickly knew this was where we wanted to be — not just where we had to be.

 Through my work with Jubilee Global Gifts and Leavenworth Art Haus, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with residents, visitors, and fellow business owners across many facets of our town. I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful partnerships and creative initiatives can strengthen Leavenworth’s year-round vitality while honoring the unique character that draws people here. As part of the Downtown Steering Committee, I truly enjoy sharing insights and information with the business community and helping shape a thriving, inclusive downtown.

 I would be honored to contribute my experience in leadership, marketing, and strategic planning to the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to support local businesses, promote tourism, and enhance our community. Leavenworth has given so much to me and my family, and I would love the opportunity to give back through service on the Board.

Peter Fransk             Owner, House of Champagne                             Nominee

Peter’s background is wide and deep across multiple disciplines including organic farming, residential construction, boutique hospitality, wholesale distribution, and software sales. This diverse background, coupled with professional experience on both sides of Washington State, puts him in a unique position to connect the somewhat incongruous sub-communities of the Chamber.

Currently, Peter owns House of Champagne where he interacts with both Leavenworth locals and Leavenworth patrons daily. In that intimate atmosphere, Peter regularly listens to and discusses the ideas, sentiments, and concerns of the town’s habitants and visitors.  Those discussions spur his interest in Chamber operations, so Peter aims to bring these first-hand customer perspectives to the forefront of Chamber discussion.