Board Leadership

Officers

Cole Tirrel

Cole Tirrel

Reliabank

President

Shelbi Backhaus

Shelbi Backhaus

Backhaus Excavation & Underground

Vice President

Casey Jorgensen

Casey Jorgensen

Edward Jones Investments

Treasurer

Amy Lake

Amy Lake

Coldwell Banker Empire Realty

Secretary

Board of Directors

Tyler Jessen

Tyler Jessen

Pizza Ranch

Tricia Cook

Tricia Cook

Faith Realty Brokers, LLC

Alex Baran

Alex Baran

Ace Hardware

Tonia Warzecha

Tonia Warzecha

Tea Area School District

Chad Meyer

Chad Meyer

Pride Neon Sign Solutions

Chamber Staff

Liz Carrell

Liz Carrell

Tea Chamber for Development

Director of Chamber Operations

Ambassadors

Andrea Kuipers

Squealer’s Smoke Shack

Clarissa Roemen

Digit-All Technologies

Cory Weeden

First Premier Bank

Derek Kreutzfeldt

American Bank & Trust

James Madsen

Midwest Benefit Solutions

Kevin Nissen

American Bank & Trust

Megan Brown

American Bank & Trust

Rachel Hangman

Tea American Legion

Steff Holtrop

’Hood & Med Magazine

Taya King

Pizza Ranch

Meet the Chamber Board of Directors

Dedicated community leaders working together to support local businesses, economic growth, and community engagement.

The Chamber Board of Directors provides strategic guidance, financial oversight, and leadership for Chamber programs and initiatives that strengthen our business community.

Cole Tirrel serves as President of the Tea Chamber for Development and is the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of Reliabank’s Tea location. Since beginning his banking career in 2019 as a Credit Analyst, Cole has steadily advanced within Reliabank, a South Dakota-based financial institution with locations throughout eastern South Dakota. In his current role, he oversees branch operations, provides lending guidance, and cultivates strong relationships with customers and local businesses.

As a resident of the Tea School District and manager of the Tea Reliabank branch for the past three years, Cole is deeply invested in the success and growth of the community. His passion for community involvement aligns closely with Reliabank’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.

Through his leadership with the Tea Chamber for Development, Cole works to support local businesses, strengthen community partnerships, and help create opportunities for continued economic growth. He is proud to be part of an organization that champions the businesses and people who contribute to Tea’s thriving and rapidly growing community within the Sioux Falls metro area.

Shelbi Backhaus serves as Vice President of the Tea Chamber for Development and is the Vice President and Owner of Backhaus Excavation and Underground LLC. As a business owner and community advocate, Shelbi is passionate about supporting local growth, fostering connections, and contributing to the continued success of the Tea community.

Shelbi attended South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2015. She began her professional career in healthcare, working as a registered nurse while helping launch Backhaus Excavation and Underground LLC alongside her family in 2016. For several years, she balanced full-time nursing with the demands of a growing business before transitioning in 2022 to focus exclusively on the company’s operations and continued expansion.

Since moving to Tea in 2020, Shelbi and her family have established strong roots in the community while continuing to grow both their family and business. Through her involvement with the Tea Chamber for Development, she enjoys building relationships with fellow business leaders, supporting economic development initiatives, and helping create opportunities that benefit local businesses and residents.

As Vice President of the Tea Chamber for Development, Shelbi is committed to strengthening the business community and helping guide the thoughtful growth that continues to make Tea an exceptional place to live, work, and do business.

Casey Jorgensen serves as Treasurer of the Tea Chamber for Development and is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Tea. Casey has built his career around helping individuals and families navigate important financial decisions and work toward their long-term goals with confidence.

A unique aspect of Casey’s practice is his partnership with his wife and best friend, Quinn, who is also a Financial Advisor. Together, they have fulfilled their dream of owning a business and serving their community side by side. Their shared mission is to help clients make informed financial decisions through every season of life.

Casey’s passion for serving others extends beyond his profession and into the Tea community. As Treasurer of the Tea Chamber for Development, he is committed to supporting local businesses and contributing to the continued growth and success of the community.

Outside of work, Casey’s greatest priorities are his family and maintaining an active lifestyle. He and Quinn are proud parents to three children—Tyler, Gabe, and Charlee—and enjoy spending time together while staying active with the people they love

Amy Lake serves as Secretary of the Tea Chamber for Development and is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Empire Realty. Throughout her career, Amy has been dedicated to people-focused roles centered on helping and supporting others. Before transitioning into real estate, she spent 10 years working in Child Protection and later held leadership positions in salon management at Studio 26 Salon and Spa and Signature Salon in Sioux Falls.

Tea has always been home to Amy. Having grown up in the community, she maintains deep roots in the area, with her parents, siblings, and their families all continuing to call Tea home. Her lifelong connection to the community has fostered a strong commitment to its continued success and growth.

As a member of the Tea Chamber for Development Board of Directors, Amy values the opportunity to give back to the community she loves. She is passionate about supporting local businesses, building meaningful connections, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen Tea’s economy and quality of life. Amy is proud to play a role in helping Tea continue to thrive as one of the fastest-growing communities in the Sioux Falls metro area.

Tyler Jessen serves on the Board of Directors for the Tea Chamber for Development and is an owner of Pizza Ranch in Tea. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for serving others, Tyler has built his career around creating great customer experiences and fostering strong community connections.

Tyler’s journey in the restaurant industry began in Wichita, Kansas, where he owned and operated a burger and barbecue restaurant. Driven by a love for great food and a commitment to customer satisfaction, he developed his skills through hands-on experience and a strong work ethic. In 2013, Tyler and his family relocated to the Sioux Falls area, where he joined the Tea Pizza Ranch as a manager. Through dedication and leadership, he advanced to General Manager and became an owner in 2015.

For more than a decade, Tyler has been proud to be part of the Tea community. As a local business owner, he has witnessed firsthand the growth, support, and strong sense of community that make Tea a special place to live and work.

As a member of the Tea Chamber for Development Board of Directors, Tyler is committed to giving back to the community that has supported his business over the years. He values the opportunity to become more involved, support local businesses, and help identify ways to strengthen and enhance the community for current and future generations.

Tricia Cook serves on the Board of Directors for the Tea Chamber for Development and is a Broker with Faith Realty Brokers, LLC. Born and raised in the Midwest, Tricia developed a strong appreciation for family, community, and hard work while growing up on an acreage in South Dakota. Those early experiences continue to shape both her personal values and professional approach today.

Before transitioning into real estate, Tricia spent more than a decade in the interior design industry, giving her a unique perspective when helping clients prepare, market, and envision properties. As a licensed real estate professional, she specializes in residential, commercial, and land transactions and is committed to guiding clients through every step of the buying and selling process with integrity, knowledge, and personalized service.

Beyond her professional career, Tricia is passionate about serving her community. In addition to her role with the Tea Chamber for Development, she serves on a Community Outreach board and enjoys helping strengthen connections throughout the Tea area.

When she’s not working with clients or volunteering in the community, Tricia enjoys hiking, playing piano, drinking tea, traveling, and pursuing her goal of visiting all 50 states.

Chad Meyer serves on the Board of Directors for the Tea Chamber for Development and is a Sales Representative with Pride Neon Signs. With a career rooted in sales, marketing, and creative communication, Chad brings a diverse professional background and a passion for helping businesses succeed.

For nearly a decade, Chad has worked in sales with Pride Neon Signs, building relationships with businesses and helping them enhance their visibility and brand presence. Prior to joining Pride Neon, he spent several years working in marketing and graphic design, both through his own business and with other local companies. His experience in business development, marketing, and customer service provides valuable insight to the Chamber’s mission of supporting local business growth.

Chad and his wife have lived in and around the Tea community for the past 10 years and are proud to call the area home. In addition to his service with the Tea Chamber for Development, Chad is currently serving his second term on the Tea Area School District Board of Education, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the community and its future.

As a Chamber board member, Chad is passionate about helping Tea continue to grow and thrive by supporting local businesses, encouraging economic development, and creating opportunities that benefit residents and the community as a whole.

Alex Baran serves on the Board of Directors for the Tea Chamber for Development and is a co-owner of a six-store Ace Hardware chain serving communities throughout the Sioux Falls region, including Tea, Brandon, Dell Rapids, Hartford, Lennox, and Harrisburg.

A 2005 graduate of Vermillion High School, Alex earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Southeast Technical College in 2007. Shortly after graduation, he began his career with Ace Hardware and has spent nearly two decades growing within the organization. He has managed retail stores for approximately 18 years and became a part owner of the company 10 years ago.

Under the leadership of Alex and his business partners, the organization has continued to expand its impact across the region and was recognized as Business of the Year in 2024. His extensive experience in retail operations, customer service, leadership, and community engagement provides valuable perspective to the Chamber’s mission of supporting local businesses and economic growth.

Alex has been married since 2011 and is the proud father of two children, a son and a daughter. As a member of the Tea Chamber for Development Board of Directors, he is committed to helping strengthen the local business community and contributing to the continued success and growth of Tea.

Dr. Tonia Warzecha serves on the Board of Directors for the Tea Chamber for Development and is the Superintendent of the Tea Area School District, one of South Dakota’s fastest-growing school districts. With more than 30 years of experience in education, she has dedicated her career to creating exceptional opportunities for students, staff, and families through collaborative leadership and a commitment to excellence.

Throughout her career, Dr. Warzecha has served as a teacher, principal, central office administrator, and superintendent, bringing a comprehensive understanding of educational leadership to every role she has held. Prior to returning to Tea Area as superintendent, she served as Superintendent of the Dakota Valley School District. Her leadership and expertise have been recognized statewide through appointments to educational leadership and policy organizations, including the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.

A strong advocate for public education and community partnerships, Dr. Warzecha believes that thriving schools and thriving communities are closely connected. She has led strategic planning initiatives, championed continuous improvement efforts, and worked alongside business and community leaders to support growth, innovation, and long-term success.

As a member of the Tea Chamber for Development Board of Directors, Dr. Warzecha is passionate about strengthening relationships between schools, businesses, and the broader community to help ensure Tea remains an outstanding place to live, work, learn, and grow.

Dr. Warzecha and her husband, Greg, are proud parents and grandparents who enjoy spending time with their growing family and supporting the Tea community they are proud to call home.

Liz Carrell has proudly called Tea home since 2017 and is passionate about supporting the businesses, organizations, and people that make the community such a special place to live and work. A Sioux Falls native and O’Gorman High School graduate, Liz pursued a bachelor’s degree in Psychology through South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota before building a career centered around entrepreneurship and community engagement.

As the owner of Bella & Birch, a boutique and piano studio, Liz has combined her love of creativity, education, and small business ownership to serve local families and customers. Her commitment to community involvement led her to join the Tea Chamber for Development Board of Directors in 2023. Today, she serves as the Chamber’s Executive Director, working alongside the Board of Directors and City Administrator to promote business development, strengthen community connections, and support the continued growth of Tea.

Liz is passionate about helping businesses succeed and creating opportunities that make Tea an even better place to live, work, and visit. Her greatest joy is her daughter, Bella, who inspires her every day.

Our mailing address:
PO BOX 132, Tea, SD 57064

info@teasdchamber.com

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