The heart and soul of our community defines the true character of Prairie du Chien’s downtown Main Street Program. Since Marquette's and Joliet's 1673 discovery of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, this historic river town’s future is solidly based on preserving its rich architectural heritage, enhancing the diversity of its businesses, honoring its rich cultural history ~ including Native American, Spanish, French, British and American ~ recognizing its significance in history as the oldest Euro-American settlement on the Upper Mississippi River.

Amber Pulda serves as the Executive Director for the Main Street Program.  She has a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Missouri Southern State University and was the Executive Director of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce in her home town.  Amber moved to Wisconsin in April 2009 and fell in love with the very active, beautiful community of Prairie du Chien.  Amber’s passion for her Chamber position drew her to the new exciting opportunity as the Executive Director for the Main Street Program.  She is currently on Design and Preservation Commission for the City of Prairie du Chien, and wants the downtown to be full of vitality and a staple to the success of the community.  In her spare time, Amber enjoys golfing with her husband and snowmobiling in the winter.

Pam Ritchie - Vice President

Pam has held the position of Executive Director with the Opportunity Center since August of 2008. During her employment with the Opportunity Center, she has implemented several new programs including Opportunities Blooming, Prairie Street Farmers Market, a new Supported Employment Program and is currently working to raise funds for Sharing Spaces Kitchen, a business incubator serving entrepreneurs starting a food based business.  Pam currently serves on the Board of Directors for Rehabilitation for Wisconsin, is a member of the Prairie du Chien Rotary Club, Chairs the Hoffman Hall Capital Campaign Committee for the City of Prairie du Chien and joined the Board of Directors for PDRI in February of 2010.  Prior to her current position, she served as the Executive Director for Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization where her work was centered on community and economic development.  For the previous decade, she worked as a successful non-profit management consultant for Girl Scouts of the USA, New York, NY. She also wrote and had published several articles for Leader Magazine.  She has also worked as a consultant to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Main Street Program in the areas of branding; board development; fund development; program assessment and event planning.  Her educational background from Western Wisconsin Technical College, Indiana University, Center on Philanthropy and Case Western Reserve non-profit management program has served her well throughout her career.

Becky Hackett

Becky is a Realtor with Select Realty Associations and a business owner / partner with her husband Gordy, who recently sold Napa Auto Parts to CarQuest.  She has lived in Prairie du Chien since 1988 and currently represents the 1^st Ward on the city council serving in its finance and property committees and the Industrial Development Council (IDC).  Becky has previously served on the board of directors of the chamber of commerce, serving as its past present, and was actively involved in the formation of the current tourism council.  She currently chairs PDRI’s Organization Committee and serves on the Tastes, Toasts & Tomfoolery Subcommittee.  PDRI’s mission to establish the downtown as the social and economic heart of the city has been one of Becky’s goals and, as a volunteer, she will work hard to further that goal. 

Dave Hemmer - Ex-Officio, Mayor

Currently mayor of Prairie du Chien, Dave has served 10 years on the City Council.  He is a lifelong resident of Prairie du Chien and has done extensive volunteer work with the local Men's Club at St. John's and done fundraising for the school.