Elevate Magazine September 2023 | Rapid City South Dakota

TAKE FLIGHT WITH RAPID CITY AREA AIR INDUSTRY

Flying ahead with fiber.

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8 EXTREME NURSING

Two nurses thrive at 20,000 ft in the air.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

18 FOR THE LOVE OF BALLOONING

Mahony preps for the Stratosphere launch.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

26 SKY HIGH DEMAND

Rapid City Regional Airport plans to expand.

BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

28

MEDICAL AIR RESCUE CO.

ELEVATING INTO SKY

Cover photo by Shiloh Francis

Air ambulance provides life saving services across the nation. | BY JENNA CARDA

TAKING YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS

Muhammad Ali didn’t have just a fear of flying. He had an intense and unhinged of flying. Once, in 1961, he quipped to reporters, “I’m not afraid to fight. I’m afraid of flight.”

After experiencing some turbulence in the late 1950s on a flight from Louisville to Chicago—apparently, so intense the equipment in the airplane was sent flying—Ali became deathly afraid of setting foot on an airplane ever again.

Unfortunately, being the heavyweight boxing champion of the world required him to travel and travel often. Cars weren’t an option. Neither were trains or ships. According to an autobiography, his trainer, knowing how badly he wanted to be a champion, challenged him, “Son, you’ve got to overcome it or give up boxing.”

Ali did what any normal person would do, the most logical thing. He went to an army surplus store and bought a parachute. Ali would eventually lose his fear of flying, but for a chunk of his career, Ali would wear the parachute as he boarded.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where the fear of flying gets turned on its head, parachute or not. In fact, this issue is all about the elation, adrenaline, and joy of flying and what flying can do. Whether it be through saving lives or saving your vacation to the Black Hills, this is an issue sure to take you to new heights (yeah, I just did that).

So welcome aboard. Sit back, relax, take off your parachute, and enjoy the flight.

Stay safe and God-speed.

Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant.

PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744

elevaterapidcity.com

PRESIDENT & CEO

Tom Johnson

SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

Taylor Davis

SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Shiloh Francis

SENIOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Lori Frederick

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Liz Highland

EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Rachel Nelson

PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR

Garth Wadsworth

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Laura Jones

INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER

Dillon Matuska

WORKFORCE & SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR

Reese Niu

ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT & PROPERTY MANAGER

Loni Reichert

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER

Kallie Ruland

INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Jason Wittenberg

RESEARCH & DATA COORDINATOR

Karissa Ellis

DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR

Sydney Riendeau

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ashley Simonson

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Bailey Sadowsky

Shadow Sky Creative Co.

PUBLISHED BY THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL

Ben Rogers, President ben.rogers@lee.net

ADVERTISING

Kelly Kanaan 605.394.8472

Jaimie Mohler 605.8302326

Tom Eltgroth 320-583-284

Tom Johnson, President & CEO

S JUBILEE 2023

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 13, 2023

The Monument 5:00 pm Black Tie

BL ACK HILLS WORKS FOUNDATION PRESENTS

THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY GAL A CELEBRATING OUR JOURNEY, OUR STORY

Join us as we celebrate 65 years of making a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with disabilities.

Come meet our guests of honor, 65 individuals supported whose stories are being shared throughout this anniversar y year.

Come celebrate and join us in a toast to the next 65 years!

5:00 PM Social

6:00 PM Dinner Ser ved

7:00 PM Program

Enjoy our ver y special Suzie Cappa photo booth, silent auction, and more!

Proceeds raised at the Sapphire Jubilee will benefit the housing of the future.

Thank you to our Premier Sponsor - RBC Wealth Management; Red Carpet Sponsors - Black Hills Energ y, bluepeak , Scull Construction, Security First Bank , TruStage, West River Electric, and our Gala Sponsors and volunteers for making this event possible.

TICKETS: w w w.blackhillsworks.org /gala

September 3

DAKOTA FIVE-O

As the premier mountain bike race of the Black Hills, the Dakota Five-O continues to entice riders from across the country. From the pristine, handbuilt single-track that graces much of the course, to the PBR and bacon station and the high spirited after party, riders are impressed with this 50-mile race that they continue to return year after year. dakotafiveo.com

September 5

JELLY ROLL WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

JENNINGS, CAITLYNNE

STRUGGLE

CURTIS HOSTED BY JOSH ADAM MEYERS

themonument.live

September 8-10

STRATOBOWL HOT AIR BALLOON LAUNCH

View a hot air balloon launch from the Stratobowl, located near Rapid City. Spectators can view the launch from the Stratobowl Rim Trail. It's a short trail walk, up to 1 mile, for the best viewing. This is an invitation to view a hot air balloon launch, not an organized event. fb.me/e/2MuwvzcGO

September 15-16

JUNKIN' MARKET DAYS

The Junkin’ Market Days event features unique products such as boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more! themonument.live

September 23

15TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, MAIN STREET

SQUARE

Downtown Rapid City will welcome giant pumpkins weighing hundreds of pounds. 60+ vendor booths will feature local produce and goods. Enjoy the Hayrides at the Monument Health and Billion Auto Kidz Zone. mainstreetsquare.org

STRATOBOWL LAUNCH

NICOLE HANSEN

MEGAN CATALANO

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS

treme URSING treme treme

TWO LOCAL NURSES TAKE THEIR EMERGENCY CARE TO NEW HEIGHTS.

theadrenaline-fueled, challenging, never-the-same, often unknown life of emergency medicine is not for everyone.

Some thrive in chaos; others do not. Add in flying up to 20,000 feet in the air or more, and it’s the ideal work environment for nurses Megan Catalano and Nicole Hansen.

Prior to becoming flight nurses nearly three years ago, Megan and Nicole spent several years working in the hospital’s intensive care unit and emergency room, a requirement for the role they have now.

However, joining the BHLF team added new challenges.

Along with flying to accident scenes, traumas and other emergencies, Megan and Nicole are on the frontlines making quick decisions on the best care for patients.

Megan and Nicole work with Black Hills Life Flight, an air ambulance service providing essential, fast, and lifesaving interventions. BHLF is owned and operated by Air Methods, the nation’s leading provider of air medical services with hundreds of bases throughout the country.

“I think there is definitely a personality type to where you thrive on that little bit of excitement and adrenaline,” said Nicole.

“It’s a different environment. We have a lot more autonomy out here,” Nicole said. “We have certain guidelines we follow, but it is not getting a patient and having the provider look at them and getting orders to start care. It is just the nurse and paramedic working together and making decisions. We can have some independence.”

Megan agreed, emphasizing the requirement of three years of emergency medicine experience. “You feel prepared.”

Air medical services significantly cut back on response time, often giving critical patients a better chance at survival.

“Driving from Deadwood to Rapid takes an hour or more, but it takes less than

"I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY A PERSONALITY TYPE TO WHERE YOU THRIVE ON THAT LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT AND ADRENALINE."

- NICOLE HANSEN

call

“For some people, building a technology company serving customers in more than 60 countries requires being located in Silicon Valley or some other traditional tech hub. B9Creations is located in Rapid City because we put values and quality of life first in building this business.”

Limited time offer not available in all areas and subject to change. Available only to qualified, first-time business customers in existing Bluepeak service areas. Contract required and minimum commitment period may apply Pricing excludes applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, which are payable by customer Installation and activation fees may apply Stated speeds are “up to” speeds based on a wired connection. W ireless speeds may vary All services are subject to the applicable Bluepeak service ter ms and conditions. Restrictions apply Visit www.mybluepeak.com/business/home or call 866-991-9722 for more infor mation.

“We rely on technology partners like Bluepeak to enable us to stay connected to customers in markets around the world.”

Shon Anderson B9Creations, CEO

"It is just the nurse and paramedic working together and making decisions."

- NICOLE HANSEN

15 minutes to fly from Deadwood to Monument Health,” Megan said. “It takes off a lot of time especially in the Hills where there is no direct route.”

This is especially crucial with hundreds of rural miles in South Dakota and surrounding states.

The BHLF team recently responded to an ATV accident in Wyoming where the man sustained significant injuries. After recovering, he reached out to thank those who provided care. “He understood that he was in a very rural part of Wyoming and that ground crews would have taken a significant time to respond,” Nicole said.

Each response, whether in the helicopter or plane, has a nurse, paramedic, and pilot. Three nurses, three paramedics, three pilots and four maintenance technicians are on duty daily. An additional crew is scheduled with the influx of people in the area for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. “We just want to make sure we can answer the most calls and help the most people during the Rally,” Nicole said.

The helicopter crew responds to most accidents and other traumas often collaborating with Pennington County Search and Rescue. The airplane responders handle the interfacility transport taking patients from a smaller hospital to a larger one with additional resources and specialty services.

Each aircraft is equipped with everything found in an ICU including

"IT

- Megan Catalano

a supply of O negative blood, the universal blood type. “We do carry blood products and that can absolutely be lifesaving in some instances of trauma,” Megan said.

Air Methods has bases in more than 40 states, so Megan and Nicole can work in other locations as long as their South Dakota license transfers. They have also flown all over from Sacramento to Chicago to Oklahoma City; it just depends on the nature of the call.

Each call, just like each 24-hour-shift, is different than the previous. That is the draw for Megan and Nicole – a challenging, fast-paced, high-flying environment with freedom to care for their patients.

"We do carry blood products and that can absolutely be livesaving in some instances of trauma."

- NICOLE HANSEN

for the

ballooning of

Keely and Damien Mahony share their adventurous spirit and love of hot air balloons with Black Hills locals and visitors

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI // PHOTOS BY CLAIRE SCARBOROUGH

"IT IS LIKE THIS SENSE OF FREEDOM, AND THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT FOR A WHILE, YOU JUST NEED TO GO.”

- KEELY MAHONY

Keely Mahony was seven years old when her mother Kay first introduced her to the sport of hot air ballooning.

“She was a single mom and started dating a guy that was into balloons. She started getting into it and loved it,” Keely said. “She started crewing and going out on the balloons and then decided she wanted to learn how to fly.”

Keely tagged along with her mother, waking before sunrise, and attending balloon festivals and other events. “I was a kid growing up in the San Francisco Bay area and going to these events and

having the freedom to run around but yet have this small balloon community watching out for me.”

Kay created a buzz when she bought her own balloon and started flying at her family’s Northern California farm. “My uncles were like ‘what is going on,’” Keely said.

Her passion, however, was contagious.

Keely began taking flying lessons at 13 and, following in her mother’s footsteps, became one of the youngest female pilots in the United States. Keely’s family is one of the largest in the sport with 10 balloon pilots. “My uncle is a pilot, he married a pilot,

and they have a daughter who is a pilot. But it all started with my mom. She fell in love with it, and nobody could stay away.”

A photo of Keely’s first flight with her mom at age seven hangs next to one of Keely and her husband Damien, also a certified pilot, flying many years later. The photos sit among a collage of other colorful balloon portraits lining the walls of Keely and Damien’s business – Black Hills Balloons. The Custerbased operation provides hot air balloon tours over the beautiful southern hills, but more importantly Keely and Damien are helping to keep the sport of ballooning alive.

Owning their own balloon company, however, was not always the plan.

Keely received her pilot license a few days before starting college but rarely had the opportunity to fly. After earning a degree in marketing, she took a summer job teaching a camp at Sea World Orlando, a position that turned into a marketing internship. Keely remained in Orlando for the next 15 years working in marketing for Sea World and then for Hard Rock corporate – a job that took her all over the world.

Her time in Florida also reignited her love of flying. “It is like this sense of freedom, and there is just something about it. If you haven’t been out for a while, you just need to go,” Keely said. “I Googled who flew in Orlando and what they flew. I wanted to be around the type

- KEELY MAHONY

of balloon I was familiar with.”

Keely found Don Edwards – an experienced balloon pilot and longtime event director for the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He is also the man who introduced Keely to her future husband, and later piloted for Black Hills Balloons.

Damien, an immigrant from County Kildare, Ireland, came to the United States with a friend to work at an Irish pub, Keely said. He rented a room from Don who one day solicited Damien’s help with ballooning. “At that point he had nothing to do with balloons,” she said. “Before he knew it, he was flying for a living and loved it.”

Keely purchased her own small balloon and spent weekends flying around. “My little two-person balloon was like having

"BUT IT ALL STARTED WITH MY MOM. SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH IT AND COULDN'T STAY AWAY.”

my own sports car.” While Keely was flying her balloon, Damien was piloting a 22-passenger balloon, which at the time was the largest in the country. “I would come out, and I was this little bug in the middle of all these big balloons.”

The two became close friends and soon started dating, together fueling their love of flying. Each summer, the two would travel to South Dakota, where Keely’s mother and stepfather Mark West lived. Mark is also an avid balloonist and former president and senior engineer for Aerostar International, the onetime manufacturing of the balloons. Mark and Kay organize the historic Stratobowl Hot Air Balloon launch each September. “They said bring your friends out here, and we will give you a balloon to fly,” Keely said. “Damien fell in love with the place. “

The couple came to the Black Hills

regularly until a unique opportunity arose.

Steve Bauer, founder of Black Hills Balloons, reached out to Kay and Mark looking to sell some of his used equipment. “We called him up and asked if we could buy the business,” Keely said. “We didn’t want to live the big city life forever. We felt like we were running too fast. I loved my job but was traveling a lot and was working crazy hours and was under so much pressure.”

Damien, the general manager and chief pilot for Orlando Balloon Rides, knew his next step would be to own a balloon business.

“I don’t think he was thinking of selling; he didn’t think anyone was into it,” Keely said of Steve who started Black Hills Balloons in 1984.

The sport of ballooning had its heyday in the ‘70s and ‘80s back when many businesses used hot air balloons as an

W e are excited to see the Canyon L ake Activity Center begin their fundrai sing for a New Indoor P ickleball F acility!

advertising tool. However, the popularity had waned. “Now, people don’t know how to get into it. Ballooning doesn’t come to mind unless you are around it,” Keely said.

repairmen and maintain their own equipment along with 30 other hot air balloons from the region.

“We feel so fortunate to be doing this and in such a cool place.”

Each balloon flight is different because you use the wind to navigate, Keely said. “You are at the mercy of Mother Nature.”

Steve agreed to sell, excited that a new generation would carry on his decadeslong business. Keely and Damien purchased Black Hills Balloons in 2015 and have been flying high ever since. They have three balloons lovingly named High Plains Drifter, Ozzy Airborne, and Puff Daddy and fly every day, weather permitting, from May to mid-October. Keely also still has her twoperson balloon, High Fidelity or HiFi, used by crew members to build up flying hours. They both are FAA certified

But that is also the charm of ballooning. Every day is different. You don’t always know exactly where you will launch or land. Keely and Damien just hope each passenger enjoys the freedom and beauty of being high above the Black Hills.

Kay, one of 14 designated pilot examiners in the United States, and Mark continue to mentor Keely and Damien, and you never know when Don and Steve may make an appearance.

Like Kay, Keely and Damien’s passion is contagious.

Through Black Hills Balloons, they continue to create an interest in ballooning. Crew members helping on the ground get inspired and want to fly. “We lose some of our best crew, but it is all part of keeping the sport alive.”

"You are at the mercy of Mother Nature."

- Keely Mahony

lives fly fly for lives

Dale Aviation has been one of Rapid City's premier aviation service providers since 1982. Five years later, owner Jerry Dale purchased Medical Air Rescue Company (MARC) and has since turned it into the region’s premier medical air transport service. For over 40 years, this family-owned and run company has grown and flourished into the most multifaceted aviation company in Rapid City. Growing from eight employees and under 20 flights a month to current operations running with 90 employees, four bases

and over 150 flights per month—MARC has made a huge impact in our rural area.

Dustin Hunsaker is a local Rapid City resident–born and raised south of town. In high school he worked as a farmhand at the Triple 7 Ranch where they ran almost 2,000-head of buffalo. The operation assists in locating buffalo grazing and miscellaneous tasks – and it’s something that Dustin raised his hand for.

“I was a junior in high school and I figured I’d give it a shot,” said Dustin.

“From there, I took the lessons, got a private license, and realized it was much easier than building fences.”

Laughing at the thought, Dustin continued to explain that the idea of being a pilot as a career was planted. After high school, he was accepted to Spartan College of Aeronautics and packed up for Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It wasn’t until he was home in Rapid City, after graduating with his degree in aviation science awaiting a job offer from a recent interview, that

STORY BY JENNA CARDA // PHOTOS SUBMITTED

he met Jerry and Steve Dale–the father-son duo operating Dale Aviation.

“They ended up seeing potential in me and gave me a shot right out of college–which is very rare in the 135 world and especially in the air ambulance world,” said Dustin.

In 2007, Dustin started working for Dale Aviation doing

making sure they are on the upward path.

“Anyone you talk to in this industry will say that aviation is a disease, and they’re right,” said Dustin. “There is nothing like it in the world—the freedom you feel when you can go in every direction (forward, backward, left, right, up, and down).” But the biggest

team, it is typically the worst day of their life. In South Dakota, the rural population and vast mileage between home and hospital is what makes air ambulance services a necessity. Dale Aviation / MARC is the only company that has been in Rapid City since the beginning in the late 1980s. Others come and go and set up bases in and around the area.

routine office duties, helping launch planes, and helping wherever a hand was needed. Eventually, he grew into a line pilot, the chief pilot and now the Director of Operations for Medical Air Rescue Company and Dale Aviation—a COO in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) terms–where he oversees the ins and outs of the company

highlight of flying is who he flies for.

“To know that your job has a purpose and there is a need is what drew me into air ambulance rather than corporate airlines. It’s a hard job, but it is incredibly fulfilling knowing that you are able to use a talent and skill that you have to help others. When an individual meets an air ambulance

But even through the growth, MARC has always considered Rapid City home.

“[This team is] a family,” said Dustin. “Working alongside our employee base and the crews is something I look forward to day in and day out. We have put together such an awesome team.”

"THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD—THE FREEDOM YOU FEEL WHEN YOU CAN GO IN EVERY DIRECTION."

- DUSTIN HUNSAKER

When a call comes into the office, the workplace shifts into rescue mode. Everyone pitches in from helping pull airplanes and mechanics dropping what they’re working on to double check safety of the outgoing aircraft.

“It’s really neat to watch when you’ve put a team together like we have. They are there to get the job done. They know how important their job is.”

Air rescue is hard work, but Dustin is able

to rest assured that when he makes it home from a stint to another base helping transport patients in need, that his family is back in Rapid City, ready to greet him home.

“My parents have always been so supportive. When I have to go out of town, they take care of the chores and watch my four kids,” said Dustin. “They have always pushed us to be the best we could be at whatever we wanted to do, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Medical Air Rescue Company is committed to providing extraordinary medical services and unparalleled safety in air medical transport. They assist with critically ill and injured patients throughout the continental United States. To learn more, visit medicalairrescue.com.

"It's a hard job, but it is incredibly fullfilling knowing that you are able to use a talent and skill to help others."

- Jerry Dale

Sky high demand

local and visitor traffic grows at the RApid City REgional Airport

BY MEGAN JOHNSON // PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Over six hundred and fifty thousand passengers utilized Rapid City Regional Airport last year. The advancement to a small-hub status coupled with consistent years of increasing passenger demand is contributing to significant changes at the airport.

For the first time in over a decade, a new commercial airline, Sun Country, has entered the market. The Minneapolisbased airline began local operations in June with lowcost direct flights to Minneapolis, Minnesota. For residents of South

Dakota, this route provided a fast, inexpensive option to the area's largest destination market.

In addition to Sun Country, RAP was served by Allegiant Air, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, with United Airlines maintaining the majority of the market share. Popular flight destinations included Phoenix, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Charlotte, and Denver.

The airport continues negotiations with airlines to secure new air service to the Black Hills. While ultimately, the decision of where and when to fly is decided by each

airline, the airport works to provide community incentives and adequate terminal facilities to entice them to operate. To be sure, the aging infrastructure of the terminal, constructed in 1989, has been an obstacle to convincing airlines of growth and revenue potential. Since 2014, enplanements have increased by a staggering 30%.

Due to limited gate space, passenger hold room capacity issues, outdated baggage make-up, and a lack of additional airline ticket counters, the airport is already facing space constraints. RAP is in the design phase

of a terminal expansion that will address these issues and provide additional business opportunities. The expansion will include significant updates, including the addition of four parking spaces for aircraft at a total estimated project cost of $220 million.

With the growth of the airport, there will be a significant boost to the economy of the region. Visitors contribute to substantial economic benefits for households and businesses, and play a crucial role in driving the state's economy. In 2022, visitors to Pennington County

spent more than $170 million on transportation.

This growth will be felt in several ways, including an increase in travel and greater connectivity with other parts of the world. Importantly, the support of the community will be essential in ensuring that these benefits are realized. Together, the airport and the community can work to create a thriving hub of activity that will benefit all who live and work in the area.

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