About the Tea Chamber

Local leadership.
Shared momentum.

A member-driven organization helping business and community move forward together.

We connect people, increase local visibility, and create opportunities that strengthen both our members and the community we share.

Why we are here

Built for business.
Invested in Tea.

The Chamber gives local businesses and organizations a place to connect, be seen, share ideas, and take part in Tea's continued growth. Our work is practical, collaborative, and grounded in the community.

01

Champion local business

Help members build visibility, use practical resources, and make meaningful connections.

02

Connect the community

Bring businesses, schools, civic partners, nonprofits, and residents into the same conversation.

03

Support thoughtful growth

Create partnerships and opportunities that help Tea remain a strong place to live, work, and do business.

How the Chamber works

One mission. Three ways to lead.

Volunteer leadership and daily operations work together to turn member needs into useful programs, connections, and community action.

Board leadership

Sets direction

Provides strategic guidance, financial oversight, and leadership for Chamber programs and initiatives.

Chamber operations

Makes it happen

Turns strategy into member support, communications, events, partnerships, and day-to-day service.

Chamber ambassadors

Builds belonging

Welcomes members, creates introductions, and helps people feel connected at events and across the community.

Volunteer leadership

Business experience.
Community perspective.

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

Officers

Cole Tirrel

President

Cole Tirrel

Reliabank

Shelbi Backhaus

Vice President

Shelbi Backhaus

Backhaus Excavation & Underground

Casey Jorgensen

Treasurer

Casey Jorgensen

Edward Jones Investments

Amy Lake

Secretary

Amy Lake

Coldwell Banker Empire Realty

Board of Directors

Alex Baran

Alex Baran

Ace Hardware

Chad Meyer

Chad Meyer

Pride Neon Sign Solutions

Dr. Tonia Warzecha

Dr. Tonia Warzecha

Tea Area School District

Tricia Cook

Tricia Cook

Faith Realty Brokers, LLC

Tyler Jessen

Tyler Jessen

Pizza Ranch

The people behind the leadership

Read their stories.

President · Reliabank Cole Tirrel

Cole serves as President of the Tea Chamber for Development and as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at Reliabank's Tea location. He began his banking career in 2019 as a credit analyst and now oversees branch operations, provides lending guidance, and builds relationships with customers and local businesses.

As a Tea School District resident and local branch leader, Cole is invested in the community's success. His Chamber service centers on supporting businesses, strengthening partnerships, and creating opportunities for continued economic growth.

Vice President · Backhaus Excavation & Underground Shelbi Backhaus

Shelbi serves as Chamber Vice President and is Vice President and Owner of Backhaus Excavation and Underground LLC. After earning her nursing degree in 2015, she worked as a registered nurse while helping launch the family business in 2016, then transitioned fully into company operations in 2022.

Shelbi and her family have called Tea home since 2020. She brings the perspective of a growing local employer and is passionate about building relationships, supporting economic development, and helping guide thoughtful community growth.

Treasurer · Edward Jones Investments Casey Jorgensen

Casey serves as Chamber Treasurer and is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Tea. He has built his career around helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions and confidently work toward their long-term goals.

Casey shares his practice with his wife, Quinn, who is also a Financial Advisor. Through the Chamber, he contributes financial oversight and a strong commitment to local business growth, community service, and responsible stewardship.

Secretary · Coldwell Banker Empire Realty Amy Lake

Amy serves as Chamber Secretary and is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Empire Realty. Her career has consistently focused on helping people, including ten years in child protection and later leadership roles in salon management before she transitioned into real estate.

A lifelong member of the Tea community, Amy brings deep local roots and a people-first perspective to the Board. She values supporting local businesses, building meaningful connections, and giving back to the community she has always called home.

Director · Ace Hardware Alex Baran

Alex is a co-owner of a six-store Ace Hardware organization serving Tea and several surrounding communities. After earning a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, he began his Ace Hardware career in 2007 and has spent nearly two decades in retail operations, customer service, and leadership.

His organization was recognized as Business of the Year in 2024. Alex brings practical experience in business growth and multi-location management to the Chamber's work supporting local employers and strengthening the region.

Director · Pride Neon Sign Solutions Chad Meyer

Chad is a Sales Representative with Pride Neon Sign Solutions, where he has spent nearly a decade helping businesses improve their visibility and brand presence. His earlier work in marketing and graphic design adds a creative, customer-focused perspective to the Board.

Chad and his family have lived in and around Tea for the past decade. He also serves on the Tea Area School District Board of Education and is committed to opportunities that support local businesses, residents, and the community's future.

Director · Tea Area School District Dr. Tonia Warzecha

Dr. Warzecha is Superintendent of the Tea Area School District and brings more than 30 years of education experience to the Board. Her career has included service as a teacher, principal, central-office administrator, and superintendent, giving her a comprehensive view of organizational leadership.

A strong advocate for public education and community partnership, she has led strategic planning and continuous-improvement work and has contributed to statewide education leadership. She believes thriving schools, businesses, and communities are closely connected.

Director · Faith Realty Brokers, LLC Tricia Cook

Tricia is a Broker with Faith Realty Brokers, LLC and works with residential, commercial, and land transactions. Before entering real estate, she spent more than a decade in interior design, experience that helps her guide clients as they prepare, market, and envision properties.

Raised in South Dakota, Tricia brings strong Midwest values and a commitment to service. In addition to the Chamber, she contributes to community outreach efforts and enjoys helping strengthen connections throughout the Tea area.

Director · Pizza Ranch Tyler Jessen

Tyler is an owner of Pizza Ranch in Tea and has built his career around hospitality, customer service, and community connection. Before moving to the Sioux Falls area in 2013, he owned and operated a restaurant in Wichita, Kansas.

After joining the Tea Pizza Ranch as a manager, Tyler advanced to General Manager and became an owner in 2015. He values the support Tea has shown his business and serves on the Chamber Board to give back and help strengthen the community for the future.

Liz Carrell, Director of Chamber Operations

Chamber staff

Day-to-day Chamber operations

Liz Carrell

Director of Chamber Operations

A Tea resident since 2017 and a local entrepreneur, Liz works under the direction of the Board of Directors and alongside the City Administrator to promote business development, strengthen community connections, and support Tea's continued growth.

As the owner of Bella & Birch, she brings first-hand small-business perspective to Chamber operations and helps members connect with the right resources, programs, and relationships.

Community connectors

Meet our ambassadors.

These member volunteers help welcome people, build relationships, and strengthen participation across the Chamber.

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

First National Bank

Rachel Hangman

Tea American Legion

Steff Holtrop

'Hood & Med Magazine

Taya King

Pizza Ranch

Take the next step

Have a question or want to get involved?

Whether you are exploring membership, looking for a local connection, or ready to participate, we would be glad to hear from you.

© Copyright - Tea Chamber for Development