History of the Building

In 1898, the Chapin Mining Company built a residence at 106 North Carpenter Avenue for General Manager James MacNaughton. In 1901, Otto Conrad Davidson replaced MacNaughton as manager and the home served as his family’s residence until 1935. It stood empty until 1945 when Davidson’s widow sold the home to F. Albee Flodin and Martin D. Thomas.

Flodin and Thomas had a vision for the property. It was to turn the home into a clubhouse, primarily to host visiting businessmen. With assistance from Lake Shore Inc., they watch their vision become a reality.

Renovation materials were in short supply due to World War II so many of the renovations were done using original wood from various parts of the residence. In 1945-1946, the bar was built in what is now the ladies restroom using wood from sliding doors and woodwork from within the house. The kitchen was enlarged and improved to function as a commercial kitchen. The main floor was opened up to create a dining room. In 1947, the remodel was complete and the doors were open business.

The Beginning of the Club

In January 1945, F. Albee Flodin and Martin D. Thomas set out to establish a private club in Iron Mountain to host out-of-town businessmen. They purchased the private residence of Chapin Mining Company Manager Otto Conrad Davidson at 106 North Carpenter Avenue.

The inspiration for the Club was two-fold – replicating an experience Flodin and William Lewis had while on a business trip to Pascagoula, Mississippi and fulfilling a need within the community

In February 1945, a meeting of local leaders was held at the 6-7-8 Club on the top floor of the Commercial Bank to discuss the feasibility of establishing a private club.

On December 11, 1946, the Chippewa Club opened as a non-profit, unincorporated association. By law, this type of association cannot own property. Ownership was transferred to three club members for $10,000 and they were designated as trustees. The Club operated in this manner with various members serving as trustees until 1973 when it became a non-profit corporation

Meet The Team

Simon Poulin

Executive Chef

Cameron Kazianka

Front of House

Jaclyn Bal

Chef's Assistant

Founded 1945

Message the Board of Directors

2021 Board of Directors

Pete Merckx, President

Zorn Compressor & Equipment Co.

Began working at Zorn Compressor & Equipment Co. in 1979. Moved from Wausau, Wisconsin to Spread Eagle in 2011. Pete and his wife, Shelby, have two children and two grandchildren.

Scott Sanders, Vice President

Scott Sanders Agency

Born and raised in Iron Mountain. After graduating from Ferris State University with a BA in Business Management, he returned home to start his career in Insurance and investments. Opening the doors to Scott Sanders Agency in 1994. This office also holds 906 Wealth Management where he is a Voya Financial Adviser. Scott has an adult son, Bryan and he and his wife Shannon have a teenage daughter Bryonna.

Glen Johnson, Treasurer

Retired CFO of Chicago Board of Trade

Glen boasts 35 years in the financial services industry, retired as CFO of the Chicago Board of Trade

Past President of the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes Association. He has spent part of just about every summer of his life in Spread Eagle, WI. HE has served and continued to serve on several non-profit boards including:

Advocate Health Care Finance Committee
Luther College Investment Committee
Chicago Metropolitan History Education Center
Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Melissa Wentarmini, Secretary

Director of Finance & Marketing,
Dickinson Area Community Foundation

Raised an Air Force "brat", Melissa has lived in Iron Mountain since 1994. She serves on various committees and boards of local non-profits. Resides with husband, Dan, and their seven children.

Randy Erickson, Director

VP Erickson Jewelers, Master Goldsmith

Born and raised in Bark River, Michigan. Married to Sherri Erickson for 26 years. moved to Iron Mountain in 2008 to start Erickson Jewelers. Randy and Sherri have three children, Lexi, Brady, and Zac

Mark Klossner, Director

VP of Marketing, BOSS Snowplow

Native of southeastern Wisconsin; relocated to Iron Mountain in 2009. B.A. graduate of UW-Oshkosh. Serves on IM DDA Board of Directors, City of IM Planning Commission and Our Saviors Lutheran Executive Council. Married to Kellie and has two teenage sons, Harrison and Bennett.

Matthew Lutz, Director

Chief Financial Officer, First National Bank

Born and raised in Iron Mountain. BA in Economics & Management from Albion College, Master’s in Accounting from Marquette University. CPA in Chicago for six years prior to returning home. Married to Stacy with one son, Luka, one daughter, Lakelynn, and a golden retriever, Bodie. He is involved with several non-profit community organizations including the Habitat for Humanity Menominee River and Iron Mountain Road & Trail while serving on the boards for Bay College Advisory Board for Accounting, Mountain View Ice Arena, and is Treasurer of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the Dickinson Area Community Foundation and President of the Dickinson Chamber Ambassadors.

David Pasahow, Director

Blue Line Advisors, Founder

David Pasahow and his family have been Members of the Chippewa Club for 25 years, and family participants since the mid-1960’s. His parents were active members for over 30 years. David and his wife Clair celebrated their Wedding at the Club as well as many anniversaries and daughter Meredith’s birthdays. They reside seasonally in the Hill Country of Texas and return to Spread Eagle every Summer.

David is the founder of Blue Line Advisors, an executive search and leadership firm focused on the aerospace, transportation, and other selected sectors. He also has more than 30 years of experience in executive and leadership consulting services. David holds an A.B. degree from Kenyon College (Ohio) and an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management. He serves on the boards of The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) where he serves on the Executive Committee and Chairs the Governance Committee and privately held Conax Technologies.

Jane Santini, Director

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I was born and raised in Iron Mountain. I left long enough to get my BSN degree and get my husband, Dennis, through dental school. We then moved back to Iron Mountain where we raised our three children. Jane now uses her nursing degree to care for her seven grandchildren!

Nate Goudreau, Past President

(non-voting)

Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer

First National Bank & Trust

Born and raised in Niagara, WI. Began working for First National Bank & Trust in December 2012. Nate and his wife, Dolly, have two children Crystal (Brent) and Ashley (Dustin) and four grandchildren (Liam, Nixon, Alivia, and Logan).

Doug Rigoni

Doug was born and raised in Iron Mountain and has been married to his wife Berta for 37 years. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren that all live in the Iron Mountain area. Doug was an owner and worked at Bacco Construction for 38 years, he recently retired to enjoy family, camp, and Florida winters.

Doug served on the Dickinson Area Chamber/Partnership board for several years and as its chairman in 2002. Doug also served on the Iron Mountain City Council for 4 years and on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Road Builders Association.

Serving on the Chippewa Club board not new to Doug, he previously served on the board for 5 years and is a Past President of the Club back in 2006.

He looks forward to keeping the Club strong and viable.

Board Meetings

Board of Director meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm CST in the Club Board Room. All members are welcome to attend.

Interested in joining the Board? Click to find out why you should.

Click to submit a nomination