When Claire Vermedahl worked at the predecessor to Alamco Wood Products, Weyerhauser Corp., it was just understood that the company and its people were involved in the community, he said.

When Weyerhauser was purchased by a group of employees, that tradition continued. Finally, when the decision was made to sell Alamco to Bell Lumber & Pole earlier this year, choosing a like-minded company was high on Vermedahl’s list.

“We have every indication the new company is pretty supportive of the communities it’s in,” Vermedahl said. “I hope that will continue. We’ve got every indication that it will.”

For this reason, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce presented Vermedahl with a Lifetime Chamber Membership at its annual meeting in October.

Each year the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce staff have the opportunity to name a lifetime member.

“It’s a rare and unique privilege and one that the chamber takes very seriously,” said Executive Director Randy Kehr.

“Claire as a past member of the board has always participated in the chamber’s programs,” Kehr said. “As a chamber member, he left a great legacy, but he’s also done that in the community, too.

“Claire has left a legacy of common sense in business and volunteerism in the community,” Kehr added.

Vermedahl said he was very surprised by the award and very appreciative. “That’s exciting to be recognized as part of that very elite group,” he said. “I was flattered.”

Vermedahl said he’s been involved with the chamber for most of his working life and served two or maybe even three different times on the chamber board of directors.

“It’s good to keep up with what’s going on in the community,” he said. “The old chamber slogan used to be, ‘Doing things people just think happen.’ I’ve never forgotten that.”

He said he likes the fact that the chamber has a constantly changing board, which allows for new ideas.

He said through the years, he’s been involved with a lot of good groups and a lot of good people. “I’ve just always felt we should be involved in our community,” Vermedahl said.

He’s also involved in the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club, is on the Albert Lea Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and is active at Albert Lea United Methodist Church.