River Valley Associates

River Valley Associates isn’t an office full of people you meet just once or twice. We have multiple locations with one vision & purpose. You’ll get to know the whole team as you build and implement a plan, call with questions, schedule your appointments, attend our social events, lead a Thrivent Action Team and introduce us to your friends and family. We’re here to make sure the financial guidance process is based on your goals and values. We’ll help you make decisions around your insurance, investing and retirement planning needs by getting to know what really matters to you. We see money as a tool, not a goal, and through this lens can accomplish more in bringing you financial clarity. Just like the body of Christ, we are uniquely talented parts to a team God has brought together to best serve you.

Fully Invested in Western Wisconsin

  • Active faith - with members from Cedarbrook Church Menomonie to New Hope AG Cornell, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church Onalaska, serving, leading, & pastoring
  • Reaching local community - Action Teams, food pantries, coaching kids sports teams, Faith Rider Motorcycle Ministry, local fire dept., Trunk or Treat, youth groups, Revin' 4 Devyn, Hope 4 U suicide awareness, church festivals
  • Reaching the world - Missions trips (Thrivent Builds) to Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Paraguay, & Romania, Operation Christmas Child

Mondovi Office

Paul Dean

Paul Dean

FIC, RICP®

Paul is a driving force always pushing our team forward. Being able to adapt & be forward thinking to the future are giftings that are instilled in him. He has a natural ability to balance great knowledge with logical, practical terms that make sense, taking what is technical & breaking it down. He loves helping others, thus his passion for serving on the fire dept. & church. He is from the Menomonie area & is very active with his wife & 2 kids, loving all things sports related.

Title

Financial Consultant

State(s) Licensed
AZ , FL , GA , IL , IN , MN , MS , ND , PA , SC , TX , UT , WI
Location

Menomonie Branch, Mondovi Branch

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/paul-dean
Email
paul.dean@thrivent.com
Phone
715-318-0581
Fax

715-598-6050

Tanya Dean

Tanya Dean

Tanya's smiling face is sure to bring one to yours as well! Her zest for life is contagious. She is always active & on the move - while coaching her kids sports, running, & singing her heart out in worship. She is married to our rep Paul Dean & resides in the Menomonie area along with their 2 children. Together they are a force to be reckoned with! She is Paul's original office professional turned field representative. She is multi-talented & able to help with many deeper needs for clients.

Title

Associate

State(s) Licensed
MN , WI
Location

Menomonie Branch & Mondovi Branch

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/tanya-dean
Email
tanya.dean@thrivent.com
Phone
715-318-0581
Fax

715-598-6050

Sara Paradies

Sara Paradies

RICP®

Sara is proud to have been part of Thrivent for years. She desires to help people feel secure in their financial future & serve with care and compassion, using her financial expertise in practical and easy to understand ways. Sara married her husband Jay the summer of 2020, during the crazy pandemic. She & her new family enjoy anything outdoors, coffee with friends, serving in their church, and leading Dave Ramsey classes. Sara is blessed to serve individuals and families in the Chippewa Valley and St. Croix Valley regions.

Title

Associate

State(s) Licensed
AZ , GA , MN , MS , ND , TX , UT , WI
Location

Eau Claire, Menomonie, & Mondovi branches

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/sara-paradies
Email
sara.paradies@thrivent.com
Phone
715-318-0581
Fax

715-598-6050

John Budin

John Budin

FIC

John has over 25 years of experience as a Financial Advisor for Thrivent. Educating others is his favorite part & he considers it a privilege to come alongside clients in retirement planning, specializing in offering tax-wise strategies. John lives in Sparta with his wife Kristi & together they have 3 grown children. He is the quintessential family man: his greatest joy is answering the call to serve his family as husband, dad, son, and brother. John is also an active man at the Budin's church, St. Paul's Lutheran in Onalaska, WI. 

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
FL , MN , WI
Location

Sparta Branch

Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/john-budin
Email
john.budin@thrivent.com
Phone
608-269-6062
    Kristi Budin

    Kristi Budin

    Kristi is a shining star on this team. She always strives to encourage others & loves guiding them into both financial security & generosity into their local communities. Kristi works alongside of her husband in Sparta. Besides her family, she loves getting outdoors in many ways, often with John. Favorite activities include: gardening, kayaking, hiking, fishing, & camping. Kristi also loves to travel & has found the perfect combination to use this passion to serve others all around the world via Habitat for Humanity. She takes every opportunity to do this!

    Title

    Associate Financial Advisor

    State(s) Licensed
    MN , WI
    Location

    Sparta Branch

    Website
    https://connect.thrivent.com/kristi-budin
    Email
    kristi.budin@thrivent.com
    Phone
    608-269-6062
      Jessica Kilde

      Jessica Kilde

      Jessica keeps us all organized & running smoothly throughout our offices. She wears multiple hats, from brokerage, office staff lead, & marketing to also being a pastor & nurse. Her passion is to help people, whether it be on the phone with clients, at home with family, or out & about in the community. She loves spending time outdoors with her family & enjoys cruising on the motorcycle, especially with a purpose though the Faith Riders motorcycle ministry. She resides in Cornell.

      Title

      Office Professional

      Location

      All branches

      Phone
      715-318-0581
      Fax

      715-598-6050

      Edie Litzkow

      Edie Litzkow

      Edie is an asset to our team. She serves our clients & team while always at her best with her genuine welcoming smile to manage various needs. If you come into the office or pick-up the phone you will witness this first-hand. If she doesn't know the answer, you can rest assured she WILL find it. She not only does excellent work here at the office, but also enjoys spending as much time as she can with her well-loved family & serving her local church. Edie lives near Elk Mound.

      Title

      Office Professional

      Location

      Mondovi & Menomonie Branches

      Phone
      715-318-0581
      Fax

      715-598-6050

      Sara Ohman

      Sara Ohman

      Sara's bright, spitfire personality draws people in & is not easily forgotten. She is a go-getter & constantly learns new things to help get any job done. Sara is also a dedicated light to the team, always upbeat & ready to tackle any task that comes her way. Sara is a hands-on mom who enjoys being active with her family & faith. She resides in the Menomonie area.

      Title

      Office Professional

      Location

      Menomonie Branch

      Phone
      715-318-0581
      Fax

      715-598-6050

      Emma Dean

      Emma Dean

      Emma has the life & vibrance that our team needs to keep us relevant with the upcoming generations. She is the newest member of our team & expands our horizons as she currently attends UW-La Crosse for a bachelors degree in Business Management. Emma already holds this Associates degree from CVTC & actively puts those skills to use here. She enjoys outdoor activities & iced chai lattes to cool off afterward. Emma loves to bake, even having had her own cupcake business during her high school years. She also happens to be the daughter of Paul & Tanya, helping us “keep it in the family”.

      Title

      Office Professional

      Location

      All branches

      Phone
      715-318-0581
      Fax

      715-598-6050