Andrew Kelleher named a Rising Star Under 40
The 7 Rivers Alliance and the River Valley Media Group announced the winners of their annual Rising Stars Under 40 honor during a Wednesday, October 28 virtual ceremony. Among the 28 individuals awarded the honor is 2014 Kee High School graduate Andrew Kelleher, who grew up in Allamakee County and now serves as Executive Director of Main Street Lansing.
The 7 Rivers Alliance - a regional economic development group - sought nominations for the award from throughout the tri-state region of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin for young men and women who are making a difference. This year 28 recipients were selected from the 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.”
“All of us at the La Crosse Tribune and River Valley Media Group are thrilled to partner with Chris and the 7 River’s Alliance to bring this important program to you,” said Sean Burke, publisher of the La Crosse Tribune and President of River Valley Media Group. “We’re so proud of these young people, their perseverance, and the leadership promise they hold for our region. The future is them and it certainly is bright.”
“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.”
Kelleher was named Executive Director of Main Street Lansing in September 2018. A summary of the nomination submitted for the award on his behalf is listed below:
“The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt across the 7 Rivers Region, particularly among our smaller main street businesses. When the pandemic hit, Andy took action. As Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, Andy invested hours into researching grants, lobbying for aid, and rallying community support of local businesses. So far, Lansing has not lost a business because of the pandemic.
“He also volunteers at his church, the New Albin Public Library board, coordinates a holiday food drive and serves on the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association and the Allamakee County Housing Study Task Force. For Andy, it’s as simple as giving back to the community where he was raised. ‘I stepped up because I believe economic development and an improved quality of life are the keys to a healthy and long-lasting community. I have the skills and experience to help, and I want to do everything I can to make sure my home thrives’.”
To view Kelleher’s complete nomination, as well as a video of his acceptance of the award, visit www.lacrossetribune.com and enter “Kelleher” in the search mechanism at the top of that webpage.
