BRENT TOMMAN
President / CEO, Brent ' s Speedylube
Age: 38 City of Residence: Albany, IL Highest Level of Education: High School
Family: Wife( CFO) Ashley Tomman. Oldest daughter Kenzie Tomman( 15). Youngest daughter Ainslee( meeps) Tomman( 12).
Favorite activity in Clinton: Dinner dates with my wife at Stouts and then grabbing a movie at Clinton 8 Theatre.
Best career advice you have to give: Take risks, venture out of your comfort zone, meet new people. Always be open to adapting to change.
Who is a local mentor of yours and why: My Father, he seems to always have the answers to even the most impossible and important questions I ' ve ever had. He ' s always been a leader amongst men, the highest quality work ethic, and the nicest fun-loving and respectable person you ' ll ever meet! He ' s also my hero!
How would you define leadership: Having the skills and knowledge to enable others to believe in themselves to complete tasks they couldn ' t do on their own.
LARISSA VAN ZUIDEN
Marketing Manager, Wild Rose Casino & Hotel
Age: 46 City of Residence: Clinton, IA Highest Level of Education: Master of Arts in Organizational Management & Human Resources
Favorite memory of Clinton: I grew up in Clinton and have always called this area home. I ' ve created so many amazing memories here, but the best ones are definitely the friendships I ' ve built over the years. There ' s nothing quite like walking into a local shop or attending an event and running into familiar faces— it always brings a smile! Clinton truly embodies that smalltown friendliness and offers a wide range of activities for everyone. Personally, I love catching live music, whether it ' s at Music on the Avenue, Finally Friday on the River, Tailgate N ' Tallboys, a local bar, or a concert at Wild Rose.
Who is a local mentor of yours and why: I ' ve been working at Wild Rose Casino & Hotel for 6.5 years, and I have a lot of respect for the women in leadership roles within the gaming industry. I ' m fortunate to work alongside some incredible women( Leah, Gail, Sandy, Shanna, Amber, Kelly) who inspire and motivate me to give my best every day. I owe a lot to Jennifer Weaver( and Steve Nauman) for taking a chance on me. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in our field, and she generously shared her knowledge, helping me grow my skills for my current role. During our time together, she was an outstanding mentor, providing encouragement, essential tools for success, and honest feedback. Plus, she dedicates her time to various local agency boards while still making family a priority.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you: Many people might not realize that most of our management team started out in entry-level roles and, through their hard work and commitment, climbed the corporate ladder. I ' m also really proud that Wild Rose has contributed over $ 30 million to various local organizations via our nonprofit partner, the Clinton County Development Association( CCDA), which supports grant and scholarship initiatives. Together, the CCDA and Wild Rose have made a meaningful difference in schools, fire departments, museums, parks, and a range of social and cultural groups in Clinton and the surrounding areas.
Best career advice you have to give: The best piece of career advice I can offer is to stay open to new opportunities and learn from your missteps. It ' s crucial to maintain an open mind in the business world and be adaptable if you need to change direction. If you had asked me two decades ago if I would end up working in a casino, I would have said no way. But life has a unique way of unfolding, and I took a chance when I began my journey here. Throughout my time in the casino gaming industry, I ' ve made my share of mistakes. However, I believe that as long as you recognize and learn from them, you can keep moving forward successfully.
2025 | RISING STARS 15