Erin Loder new chamber director

Erin Loder is the new Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce (HCACC) executive director. Loder is taking over for former director Janet Wetovick-Bily who retired after 11 years with the chamber.

Raised in North Carolina, Loder is the daughter of a United States Army Green Beret. She moved to Guam in January 2020 just before Covid-19 hit. Shortly after, Loder started working for the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC).

“There was a grant-funded program that I had started as a project coordinator with them, and it was funds that were given to us in order to launch a program called Elevate and Level Up. It was a program that we used to teach people on the island how to start a business from start to finish,” said Loder. 

Out of the 35 participants, 25 went on to open a business. After starting that program, Loder stepped in as the GWCC executive director. 

In that role Loder worked heavily with tourism, advocated for members to pass new laws and promoted and equipped members. The GWCC also put on a leadership summit every year called Fanachu Famalåo’an or Women Rising, which averaged 400 attendees per year. 

“In Guam, there’s not as much access to marketing. There’s not as much access to funds and learning as there is here in the states to have people educated in order to start a business but to also maintain a successful business,” said Loder.

Additionally, because they did not have access to tourism dollars, everything was fundraising based. The GWCC put on five signature events every year to raise funds to support members and help them learn and grow. 

“I loved what I was doing in Guam, just being able to work with the local community, work with the members and see the impact we were making on the community. It was super rewarding. That’s what drove me every single day to continue to push, and have new ideas and figure out different ways to work with our members,” Loder said. 

In April 2024 Loder decided to move back to the United States to be near her parents, who retired in Spearfish. While transitioning, Loder continued to work remotely for the GWCC until a replacement could be hired and trained. 

“That’s actually how I found this job. I was up at 3 a.m., just finished my shift for the executive director for Guam, and randomly Googled chamber jobs in the area, and this popped up,” said Loder. 

Loder said the timing was perfect, and she applied right away. 

“When I applied, I was very, very hopeful. Leaving my job in Guam, I had a lot of heartache just because I knew I had such a strong passion for what I was doing, and I felt I was very successful at it. I was scared I wouldn’t find that in the States,” said Loder, but somehow she just knew it was meant to be. 

The next morning, July 11, HCACC board member Matt Stelmach messaged Loder to schedule a preliminary interview. The following week she met with additional board members and an offer was extended shortly after. 

Loder started Sept. 3, which gave her time to move to Rapid City and recover from an ACL surgery. 

“It allowed me to fall into place quickly and calmly instead of coming in during the rush of everything,” said Loder. 

She described the transition process as “seamless” because of how prepared Wetovick-Bily was. 

“She (Wetovick-Bily) is incredibly thorough and incredibly intelligent about everything and how everything functions. She, being as amazing as she is, typed up intense notes alphabetically and we reviewed everything,” said Loder. “It’s a lot to process and a lot to filter through, but I feel really confident and capable of keeping the functionality of things going. I really look forward to getting out and getting to know our members and working really closely with the community.” 

On Sept. 13 Wetovick-Bily dropped off her keys, making the transition complete. 

As the new HCACC executive director, Loder said she brings a positive attitude, drive and passion to the position. 

“I’m somebody that is really open-minded and really capable of bringing innovative and new ideas,” said Loder. 

She views her primary responsibilities as membership promotion and figuring out the best ways to bring tourism to Hill City. 

“Between me and the board, we have a really, really great capability to just continue to push that drive,” said Loder. “We want Hill City to be even more successful than it has been in the past. I’m excited to give that to the community.”

Loder said she also has a great team at the Visitor Information Center and is excited to work with the different industry partners and chamber members. The warm welcome and family atmosphere she has experienced already has been her favorite part. 

“Probably my most immediate goal is continuing to learn and absorb as much as I can and getting to know our members and our businesses here,” said Loder. 

Moving forward, Loder wants to connect with every chamber member to experience what they have to offer and get feedback. 

“Please be open with me about what it is that you hope to see and what you need. I’d like to know what members are maybe missing or what they want to stay the same. I know Janet was incredible for this community, so if they don’t want anything to change, I’m an open ear. I’d love to hear how everybody feels about anything and everything,” Loder said. 

Loder will also be meeting with the chamber board for a strategic planning meeting to discuss an overarching goal of what they would like to see and do for the city in the next five years.

In the meantime, Loder can be reached at direc

tor@hillcitysd.com, 605-574-2368 or at the chamber offices.