Your Chamber

Robin Schallie works as the Director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. She holds over thirty years of experience teaching Business and Marketing at the college level. Most recently, Robin served as the Director for the Allen County Farmers’ Market and also works as an adjunct professor at Neosho County Community College. She brings with her a drive for excellence and a passion for connecting the community with valuable resources that will help its businesses and individuals succeed. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters Business Administration Degree from California Coast University.

Marie works as the Communications Coordinator in the Chamber office. She has 25 years experience as an executive administrator and has worked for over 10 years with various 501C(3) organizations around the state of Kansas. Marie also has experience as a retail manager, trainer and corporate supervisor. She earned her Associates of Business Administration at Allen Community College.

Miles works as a Commercial Loan Officer at Landmark National Bank in Iola, Kansas. He brings over fifteen years of experience in professional sales and agriculture business which he uses to serve the farmers and ranchers of Southeast Kansas. He also works with his family to run the Mentzer Family Farm and pumpkin patch. Miles is active in the Allen County Farmers’ Market. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Economics, at Kansas State University.

Corey works as Assistant City Administrator for the City of Iola. He holds over twenty-five years of experience in city administration and over fourteen years of experience in his current position. He is active in the Kansas Association of City/County Management and the Community Involvement Task Force/Pride Committee Iola. Corey also sits on the Trolley Board Advisory Team, the Allen County Economic Development Advisory Board, and the Bowlus Fine Arts Commission. He earned his Associates of Science from Allen County Community College.

John works as a Certified Public Accountant and Office Manager at Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA in Iola, Kansas. He holds licensure to practice in the state of Kansas. He brings thirty-five years of experience in accounting, financials, and tax preparation which he uses to serve businesses and individuals to make informed financial decisions. John is also active on the St. John’s Catholic Church Finance Committee. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Pittsburg State University.

Casey is a graphic commercial artist who has been a part of many organizations in print and social media marketing, providing full business collateral for new or established businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. Earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pittsburg State University, she then traveled extensively with her work, while spending 15 years based in Texas. Casey enjoys sightseeing the country with her husband while she photographs NASCAR races with the ETR Racing Team. "Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein

Misti works as the operator of The Protein Place in Iola, Kansas. Recently returned from living in Topeka for the past fifteen years, Misti holds twenty years of customer service and management experience. She brings experience in medical billing, cosmetology, convenience store management and being a casino table games dealer.

Andi Garrett works as a Business Manager for local company Newwave Broadband and as a farmer’s wife while also running her own custom designs, apparel and marketing materials business called Lou’s. She started the business in 2013 as a hobby and without formal training in marketing and design, but since then, the business has grown enough to turn full-time, if she chose. Andi has an Associate of Applied Science and additional experience in veterinary care, business management, IT and Federal TeleCommunications. She is active as a board member with the local Veterans’ Day Committee and the Allen County Fair Board and is also involved in Rotary. Her greatest achievement, however, is raising two kids to become college-educated while overcoming the obstacles of being a single teen mom and rising out of the welfare system to become first-generation educated.

Crystal works as a Universal Banker at Emprise Bank in Iola, Kansas, where she handles consumer and micro business lending, account openings, and overall customer service. Prior to joining her team at Emprise Bank, she was the store manager at the Iola Russell Stover Chocolates retail store. In addition to management roles, Crystal holds over 10 years of experience in customer service in a retail setting. She was born and raised in Iola and is an Army wife to Steven Taylor; together they have 3 daughters Brandi, Kylea and Gracelyne.