Our Story
Our corner of Lake Madison.
Hillside has been Lake Madison's gathering place for years — cabins and campers along the shoreline, a full marina off the deck, a steakhouse upstairs and a bar below, and the Sea Store across the street. It's family-owned, and it's cared for by a team that lives on this lake and treats the place like their own.
Ben Fortney leads lodging and rentals — the cabins, the docks, the boats. Yesenia Hunt is the General Manager, overseeing the resort, the restaurant, and the Sea Store day to day. Behind them is a crew, some of whom have been part of Hillside for years and know exactly what a good weekend on this lake takes.
Our job is simple to say and hard to do well: keep the docks tight, the kitchen humming, the cabins clean, and the music playing — and make sure the weekend you spend here is the one you'll talk about.
Meet the Team
The people you'll meet at Hillside.
Ben Fortney
Director of Resort Services & Facilities
As Director of Resort Services & Facilities, Ben Fortney is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for every guest who visits. With a passion for hospitality and exceptional guest service, he oversees our lodging accommodations, RV and marina rentals, ensuring that each reservation and stay is handled with care and attention to detail.
Known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and hands-on leadership, Ben takes pride in maintaining high standards across every aspect of the guest experience. Whether he's coordinating arrivals, managing rental operations, or helping guests find the perfect accommodations, his focus is always on providing outstanding service and making every visit as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
His commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and genuine care for guests make Ben an invaluable part of our team and someone guests can count on for a welcoming and memorable experience.
Yesenia Hunt
General Manager of Hospitality and Operations
As General Manager of Hospitality and Operations, Yesi Hunt oversees the resort's daily operations, including the restaurant, Sea Store, hospitality, guest services, events, and recreational operations. She works closely with each department to strengthen communication, develop efficient operational processes, support team growth, and ensure a consistent guest experience across the resort.
With a passion for leadership, team development, and exceptional hospitality, Yesi is committed to creating a welcoming environment for both guests and staff. Her hands-on leadership approach, dedication to operational excellence, and focus on building a strong, connected team help ensure every guest enjoys a memorable experience from arrival to departure.
Our Team
The heart of Hillside.
At Hillside Resort, our team is the heart of everything we do. Many of our team members have been part of the Hillside family for years, bringing experience, dedication, and a genuine passion for serving our guests.
We're a group of hardworking, down-to-earth people who love Lake Madison and take pride in creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who visits. Whether you're dining in the restaurant, staying in one of our lodges, renting a boat, or spending the day on the lake, our team is committed to making your experience enjoyable, relaxing, and memorable.
Beyond that experience, many on our team have completed hospitality, food-safety, bartending, and boating-related training — part of the care and confidence we want every guest to feel from arrival to departure.
We believe great hospitality starts with great people, and we're proud to call our team the Hillside Team.
Estella Wolf
25 Years of Dedication
For more than 25 years, Estella Wolf has been a valued part of the Hillside family. As one of our longest-tenured team members, she has welcomed generations of guests with her warm personality, strong work ethic, and commitment to exceptional hospitality.
Estella's experience, loyalty, and dedication have made her a true cornerstone of Hillside. Whether she's helping guests feel at home or supporting her fellow team members, she plays an important role in creating the friendly atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year. We are proud to have Estella as part of our team and grateful for the lasting impact she has made on Hillside.
In Memory
Honoring Emmy.
Our public-cruise boat, the Emmy 1, is named in memory of Emmy Gorman — a 13-year-old lost to a Lake Madison jet-ski hit-and-run. Every summer, The Hillside hosts boater-safety training on the water in her memory, so that everyone who comes to this lake goes home safely.