Meet Ben Dixon
A graduate of Middlebury College, Ben Dixon moved to St. Lawrence County and the North Country region of New York State in July of 2006. For the next 15 years, he worked as Coordinator of Regional Development for St. Lawrence University and as Executive Director of the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley. In those roles, he coordinated a community sustainable development forum known as the North Country Symposium and served on dozens of boards, committees, and organizations dedicated to the economic and community development of the North Country Region. Among those board appointments was the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.
STLC Executive Director
Ben started as Executive Director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce on February 1st 2021. In this role, he provides primary oversight and strategic planning for the operations and programming for the organization, forging partnerships and bringing together the Chamber’s work in membership promotion, tourism, events, and workforce, economic, community, and business development. He recently led efforts in a merger of the St. Lawrence County, Canton, Massena, and Ogdensburg Chambers of Commerce. He also is President of the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute.
Meet Tif Amo
Tif is an Ogdensburg native who returned to her roots in 2019 after spending more than a decade living and traveling throughout the USA and abroad. With strong family ties in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tif spent most of her formative years in the sunshine state and is a University of Florida graduate with a bachelor’s in Journalism and Communications.
With a deep appreciation for travel and exploration, Tif spent many years traveling and living abroad in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia where she began her journey into entrepreneurship as the owner of her own web design business. For several years she also made her home in Eagle, Colorado where she perfected her snowboarding skills and deepened her love for the great outdoors.
Director of Tourism
After relocating in 2019 to be closer to family, Tif began working with the County Chamber on a contract for web development. She accepted a full time role as the Interim Director of Tourism in August 2023 with the amicable departure of former Director of Tourism Brooke Rouse. In January of 2024, Tif became permanent in her role.
As the Director of Tourism, Tif creates the marketing plans and tourism development strategies for the Chamber and the County, with a special expertise in web development, content creation, and digital content optimization. Tif manages the VisitSTLC.com website, oversees the creation, production, and distribution of the Chamber’s printed and digital promotional materials, and handles the Chamber’s advertising efforts for the general promotion of the County as it relates to tourism. Through the Chamber’s designation as the county’s tourism promotion agent, Tif works with contacts at I Love New York and NYSTIA, along with engaging in partnerships with local organizations in St. Lawrence County. She also works with the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council and the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council on regional marketing projects.
Kathryn Puleo, Tourism & Events Manager
Kathryn has been employed with the County Chamber as of January 2023. She manages tourism destination events, the County Visitor's Center, the STLC public events calendar, travel inquires, and supports local attractions with marketing through the Chamber's role as Tourism Promotion Agent for St. Lawrence County in partnership with the I Love NY program.
Meet Laura Pearson
Laura is an Ogdensburg native and loves her city immensely. She works hard to promote and assist many organizations in the city. She believes that Ogdensburg is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Laura began her career in the US Army where she met her husband, John. They have (3) wonderful children and (9) awesome grandchildren.
Laura has had a wonderful career which spans many different organizations – US Army, SLC Auto Club, Mater Dei College, St. Marguerite D’Youville Academy, SUNY Potsdam/SUNY Albany, Inverness Technologies, the Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the SLC Chamber of Commerce. These positions gave her the opportunity to develop skills in leadership, management, development/fundraising, membership management, board development, accounting and budget preparation, organizational development, event planning, public relations and marketing, workforce development and classroom instruction. Laura has an Associate’s Degree in Small Business Management with a minor in Accounting from Mater Dei College.
Community Coordinator & Business Specialist
As a Community Coordinator, Laura coordinates signature events in Ogdensburg like Car-B-Que and Fort Fest. She manages the Ogdensburg office, assists visitor’s to Ogdensburg and promotes the city. She also serves on many Ogdensburg community committees - the Ogdensburg Landbank; Ogdensburg Growth Fund; Ogdensburg History Museum and Friends of the Ogdensburg Library.
As the Business Development Specialist, Laura is responsible for coordinating and managing the Lunch and Learn webinar program; the Business After Hours networking events; the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute Program; Liaison for the Center for Businesses in Transition Program (CBIT); coordinates the Non-Profit Conference; coordinates the Chamber Annual Dinner; involved with committees at Fort Drum and serves on workforce development committees.
Meet Katie Berry
Katie is a North Country native, who grew up in Jefferson County (neighbor to STLC!) and fell in love with St. Lawrence County during her time as a student at Clarkson University. At Clarkson University, Katie worked in the University Marketing & External Relations Department while she completed her bachelor's degrees in Biology and Communication, Media & Design. Katie also worked at the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce doing marketing and event assistance. Upon college graduation, Katie was seeking an opportunity to stay in St. Lawrence County while doing what she loves; community-focused communications work!
Outside of work, Katie has a passion for community service, as well as hobbies such as painting, reading, and cooking. In addition to continuing to explore St. Lawrence County, Katie hopes to begin to travel all over the United States and abroad! Katie is a big foodie and is always looking for new places to get a bite to eat!
Community Coordinator & Communications Specialist
Katie started working part time with the County Chamber in November of 2023 while she was finishing her undergraduate degrees at Clarkson University. After Katie's graduation in December of 2023, she moved into her full-time position in the New Year (2024).
As a Community Coordinator, Katie coordinates signature events in Canton such as Winterfest and Dairy Festival Days. Katie is responsible for collaborating with Canton business members, assisting with various promotion efforts, and welcoming any new businesses to Canton!
As a Communications Specialist, Katie manages all of the major communications for the County Chamber such as e-newsletters, press releases, quarterly print newsletters, posters, and her favorite, social media! If you didn't know, the chamber manages several Facebook pages to make sure each community gets all the information they need, specific to them!
Meet Amanda Gordon
Amanda was born and raised in St. Lawrence County, living in both Canton and Potsdam throughout various times of her life. Amanda has spent much of her professional career working in the healthcare industry, but recently decided she wanted a change of field. While studying at SUNY Potsdam, Amanda was a dedicated member of Circle K, a collegiate service organization which opened her eyes to just how important service and involvement in the community is to her. It is with this sense of community in mind that informed her decision to join the chamber world! Outside of work, Amanda is an avid softball player and is a member of several leagues throughout the county. She also loves spending time with her son, cooking, attending concerts and playing music herself (ask about her flute and piano skills!).
Finance & Office Manager
Amanda started with the County Chamber in January 2024. As the Finance & Office Manager, she is responsible for bookkeeping, accounting, membership payments, event registrations, grant reporting an office management.