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Cascade Vacation Rentals, often referred to as CVR, has been an influential community leader in many different ways, including its deep reach into local, regional and statewide issues addressing community needs and economic development projects and ideas.
CVR is on the cutting edge again. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Cascade Vacation Rentals announced a change in ownership for the first time since the company formed. Steve Surbaugh (majority shareholder) will be joined by Clair Nalezny and Sarena Nelson as co-owners. Former co-owner Mike Larson will transition out of CVR, transfer his shares to Clair and Sarena, and will focus on brokering deals for the company. The changeover occurred on Monday, March 8, which happened to be International Women’s Day. The company is thrilled to have two women as co-owners alongside Steve and could not have imagined a better day to make this announcement.
What makes this so different? Several recent sales of area lodging businesses have been made to outside investors and private equity groups. CVR has been approached in the past by outside owner groups as well, but it was important for Steve and Mike to have a local owner group who is not only engaged in the business but also in the community. Sarena and Clair make perfect fit.
Sarena Nelson has been with CVR since 2014. Initially employed as CVR’s accountant, she transitioned into the role of Operations Manager in 2019. It was a natural progression for Sarena to take on an ownership role as she was instrumental in helping grow the company over the last seven years as part of CVR’s senior management team alongside Steve and Mike. Sarena is a true North Shore local: born and raised in Cook County and never left. Currently, she and her fiancé Sam are raising two children in Tofte, just a short distance from where Sarena grew up. Sarena serves on the Birch Grove school board and is a member of the Superior Timberwolf Sportsman club.
Clair Nalezny came to the North Shore in the summer of 1990 and never looked back! While she may be a new face at CVR, she’s definitely not new to the area. Over the last 15 years, Clair was employed at Lutsen Resort as part of their senior management team, serving as General Manager from 2016-2020. Clair raised her family in Cook County and her two daughters are now off chasing their own dreams. Clair is an active member® of the Cook County community and is thrilled to take on an owner position at CVR.
Cascade Vacation Rentals is looking forward to a very bright future with Sarena Nelson and Clair Nalezny at the helm alongside Steve Surbaugh.
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