Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce executive director announced this week she is relocating with her husband to Branson, Missouri, to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Shari Sprague, who started in the position in June 2020, said she and her husband, Loren, went on vacation to Branson about a year ago and fell in love with it, ultimately deciding to make the move there.

Sprague grew up in the Albert Lea community and returned here after some time away when she felt called home with a renewed passion to make a difference.

“When I accepted the chamber position, my heart was set on helping create positive change and leaving things better than I found them,” she said. “Serving as the executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has been an absolute honor, and I am beyond thankful for the relationships, experiences and opportunities this role has given me.”

When looking back over her time in the position, she said she has been appreciative of her board, which has supported her direction and the different initiatives she has led.

As awful as 2020 was for most people, she said her first year back in Albert Lea was one of the best years she had in a long time. It was the year she met her husband, but it also gave her the opportunity to reach out to the chamber members and find out more of what they needed and wanted.

“It’s been an incredible journey—one filled with growth, challenges and the joy of working alongside so many dedicated and inspiring people,” Sprague said.

She has also enjoyed her time on various boards in the community, including with the Freeborn County Humane Society and with The Hatch, a new maker’s space in Albert Lea. The last few years, she also chaired the local Relay for Life, which this last year included Mower and Waseca counties, and helped bring about the Age-Friendly Freeborn County initiative.

The chamber board will work with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on recruitment for a new executive director and is slated to prepare a position description at its next meeting.

Sprague said her last tentative last day will be June 17, and she said she is committed to supporting the organization through the transition to a new leader and with major upcoming events.

“As bittersweet as it is to leave, I think the chamber will continue to move forward to bigger and better things,” Sprague said.

She and her husband last year sold Eastside Laundry and they recently sold their other business, LS Storage, on Ninth Street to the owners of Chuck & Andy’s Big Units, who own other storage units off of Seventh Street.

The Spragues also plan to finish renovating the tiny house they purchased on South Newton near Hardee’s before they relocate and open it as an AirBNB. In addition, they are looking for a person to take over their downtown business, All the Things — Studio & Boutique.