Sarah Arendt-Beyer to receive Rada Distinguished Alumni Award

Posted noon Wednesday , Dec. 10 , 2025

Sarah Arendt-Beyer to receive Rada Distinguished Alumni Award

Sarah Arendt-Beyer is all about giving back.

As the marketing communications manager for Nortek Air Solutions, LLC, Arendt-Beyer has collected a wealth of experience about how to run and market a business - knowledge she is quick to share in hopes of lifting others up.

She lends her business acumen to a long list of organizations in the La Crosse community and is highly involved with the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center, serving as both a mentor to UWL students and an advisor to local business owners.

For her career success and community impact, Arendt-Beyer, '07 (communication studies), is set to receive the 2026 Rada Distinguished Alumni Award from UWL, recognizing alumni of the past 20 years who have achieved professional distinction and contributed to humanitarian activities.

"She has established herself as a community and business leader, as an expert in her field, and as one who embraces the opportunity to share her expertise with the next generation of marketing professionals," says Kenneth Graham, associate professor of marketing at UWL. "She embodies the values of UWL and is all that we hope for from our graduates and more."

In the two years since joining Nortek Air Solutions, a leading HVAC manufacturer, Arendt-Beyer has several major accomplishments under her belt:

• Launching a redesigned website with stronger security, improved search engine optimization and a more engaging user experience

• Elevating company branding to increase visibility across digital platforms, trade publications and recruitment campaigns

• And coordinating the marketing strategy for several successful new product launches.

Previously, Arendt-Beyer held director-level marketing positions with DigiSage, Inc., a web and marketing firm, and AVS Group, a marketing agency.

At each step of her career, Arendt-Beyer has strengthened her track record as an innovative thinker and highly effective marketer.

But it's her commitment to helping the community that sets her apart.

Arendt-Beyer is a member and past president of Rotary Club of La Crosse Downtown, a member of the Riverside International Friendship Gardens Board of Directors, and a program instructor and ad hoc counselor for the UWL Small Business Development Center (SBDC), among other organizations.

Anne Hlavacka, director of the SBDC, has known Arendt-Beyer for 15 years and remembers being immediately struck by both her professional presence and her willingness to help others.

"From the first meeting, I saw the characteristics that make her so remarkable," Hlavacka says. "She brings intelligence, knowledge in a rapidly changing field, and a way to communicate with a wide variety of program participants that makes each of them feel valued and heard. I became aware of her commitment to the region and the role she plays in making the region a better place to live and work."

The insights Arendt-Beyer shares with local business owners allow them to more effectively navigate challenges and harness opportunities. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, she advised struggling businesses on using digital marketing to reach customers.

She also works with students in the SBDC's Digital Marketing Lab, coaching them to advise businesses seeking digital marketing support. This serves the dual purpose of aiding business growth and providing students with knowledge and experiences they can use in their own careers.

Bill Hoel, a retired financial advisor who has worked alongside Arendt-Beyer through the Rotary Club, says she "exemplifies the spirit of giving back" in all that she does.

"Sarah is a very giving leader," he says, "who deserves all the credit in the world for the life she has led since graduating from UWL."

About the awards

The UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation is honoring five highly accomplished graduates from 1983 to 2012 with its top alumni awards for 2026. These individuals are being recognized for their distinguished service and outstanding careers.

The award recipients will return to campus Saturday, April 11, 2026, for the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony. This event is open to the public, and all are welcome to join in celebrating these remarkable alumni and the pride of our UWL community.

See the full list of 2026 recipients.

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