SIOUX METRO GROWTH ALLIANCE ENTERS 2024 WITH A NEW AND EXPERIENCED TEAM
SIOUX FALLS, SD – Nearly four years into Sioux Metro Growth Alliance’s growing membership offerings and enhanced membership services, the economic development organization is starting off the new year with a renewed and experienced team of industry and area professionals.
Under the new leadership of President & CEO Tyler Tordsen, SMGA is focused on its commitment to serve its 16-member municipalities and four-county region through member services, annual stakeholder events, and enhanced membership offerings.
“At the regional level, SMGA continues to serve as the ultimate resource partner. We work with everyone,” said Tordsen. “And although the Sioux Metro packs a power punch when looking at what we can offer when working together, we recognize each of our communities have their own legacy, identity, and strengths. This requires us to deploy an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy when we talk about growth and meeting our members where they are.”
Ryan Solberg has been with SMGA since April 2021 and serves as the lead Economic Development Manager for the communities of Lennox, Worthing, and Salem. Solberg provides technical expertise on economic development needs for SMGA’s enhanced membership communities and for the organization’s regional membership overall.
SMGA is starting 2024 with their newest Economic Development and Member Relations Specialist, Bryce Healy. Healy joins SMGA with over a decade of leadership as the Executive Director of the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota. There he gained invaluable economic development experience as he worked with AGC-SD’s membership, developers, and industry experts. Healy is looking forward to bringing his talents and expertise to SGMA and is eager to help empower regional growth.
“I’m looking forward to working together with the community leaders from across the SMGA footprint,” Healy said. “SMGA has the vision, passion, and strategy to foster responsible, positive growth for its member communities.”
SMGA is also bringing in Karen Ruhland, Director of Research, Membership & Communications with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, to the team on a limited, part-time basis. Ruhland will be assisting with regional research and administrative support in addition to her continued role at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
“Having Karen’s 30+ years of experience in helping the Sioux Falls MSA is invaluable to me during my continued transition. It also highlights the history of SMGA’s origins and the strength of our continued collaboration with our partners at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation,” said Tordsen.
To round out the team, Chris Fields of Tea will be joining the organization as an Economic Development and Member Relations Specialist later this month. Fields brings over 20+ years of customer service, sales, and leadership experience alongside his MPA degree from Bellevue University.
“I’m really excited for what 2024 has in store for the Sioux Metro especially with our new team in place,” Tordsen said. “Our communities have a strong growth trajectory and SMGA will be there every step of the way for our partners. We’re just getting started!”
About Sioux Metro Growth Alliance
The SMGA is a non-profit economic development organization that improves the economy and advocates for business development and greater quality of life across the Sioux Falls Metro. Formed in 2021 as a merger between the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations, the SMGA is the largest regional economic development organization in South Dakota and serves sixteen member municipalities, four counties, and a variety of partners from across the Sioux Metro to help create vibrant communities which provide rewarding places to live and work.
