7 Rivers Alliance and River Valley Media Group Name Rising Stars Under 40

Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 -- 8:02 AM

They are the heroes who make our region a great place to live and work, the winners of the annual 7 Rivers Alliance and River Valley Media Group Rising Stars Under 40.

The 7 Rivers Alliance, a regional economic development group, sought nominations from throughout the region from young men and women who are making a difference. This year they selected 28 recipients from three states.

“The stories of these exceptional people are inspiring and show how fortunate we are to have them living and working in our communities,” said Chris Hardie, CEO of the 7 Rivers Alliance. “They are true leaders in their workplaces and communities.”

“Selecting winners from all of the outstanding nominations is not an easy task, everyone nominated clearly makes a difference in their community,” Hardie said. “These are men and women in our region whose endeavors enrich our lives and raise the bar for all of us.” The winners were recognized in a reception held Oct. 19 at the La Crescent Event Center.

Three local professionals were selected as 2022 Rising Stars Under 40. Dillon Bean - Hatfield Resort, Hatfield. Dillon is a local man who parlayed a successful athletic career into a successful business career.

Dillon played football for Westby High School and UW-La Crosse, where he graduated with a finance degree, was a member of the Young Professional group and also worked as a realtor. Dillon today is building a diversified business consisting of real estate investments and other small businesses.

He owns and maintains 70 rental units in the 7 Rivers Region including vacation rentals in Jackson County and apartments in La Crosse County. He and his wife Makayla operate a gas station, convenience store, gift shop & tiki bar next to Lake Arbutus in Hatfield, WI.

Dillon is also a member of the Lake Arbutus Lake Association and Jackson County ATV Club, which helps maintain over 100 miles of ATV/UTV trails and routes in Jackson County. Dillon knows, like successful teams, winning isn’t about one player.

“I am especially proud because I have surrounded myself with a great team of people,” he says. He also credits his football coaches at Westby and his parents for his success, pushing him to new beliefs. His advice to others? Keeping solutions simple. “I seem to find the “aha” moments when I am breaking down a process or strategy that isn’t working for me. Then, I apply a different (simpler) approach. “

Randall Blackdeer - Ho-Chunk Nation, Black River Falls. Randall is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation who has dedicated his life to perpetuating the Ho-Chunk way of life. Randall is a veteran of the United States Air Force and serves the Ho-Chunk People as Veterans Services Officer.

Randall is a member and former commander of the Andrew Blackhawk 129 American Legion post and is honored to pay tribute to veterans, who are revered in the tribe. He carries colors at events and provides military honors for fallen veterans. “They have done so much for our nation and community,” he says. “It’s great to do something for them.”

Randall has spent the past several years learning the Ho-Chunk language, participating in the traditional ways of the Ho-Chunk People by joining the lodge and has also worked to reintroduce traditional la crosse to the tribe and often makes and donates lacrosse sticks to youth so that they can learn to play the game.

Randall says he was inspired by his parents, who taught him to help others. “Throughout my life I’ve seen there are opportunities to help everywhere and there are opportunities to create programs and organizations to help everywhere. You don’t have to look far.’

Amanda Gunn - Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, Black River Falls. The pandemic was a challenging time for all businesses, but Amanda could see the impact it had on the Black River Falls area small businesses.

So she created a new event, the Small Business Saturday Drive-thru Chamber Bucks & Area Gift Certificates giveaway. The first year $2,500 worth of chamber bucks and gift certificates were handed out and last year that doubled to $5,000.

“People who drove through were so grateful and excited to shop local,” she says. The event will continue again this year.  The Chamber has record membership under Amanda’s leadership. As a Black River Falls native, Amanda credits her mother for setting the bar.

“She was always very active in the community and she taught me the importance of being involved and always trying to make a difference.” Amanda faced the professional challenge of leading the chamber, having two young boys and being the primary caregiver for her mother. She offers the following advice. “Never give up! There will always be challenges and obstacles, keep moving forward.”

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.