Hats Off!
Theel Brings ‘Can-Do’ Attitude to Volunteer Roles In Community

Rapid City, SD – “There’s that rare individual, the one who when there’s a job to do, a responsibility to sign up for, says, ‘I’ll do it’. That’s Doug Theel,” says Linda Rabe, Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President and staff liason to the chamber’s Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee.

When the annual Chamber Ag Appreciation event rolled around this past December, it made perfect sense to organizers to recognize a community member who serves on six committees in various areas, volunteers as a Boy Scout leader and youth sports coach, who is a past chairman of the chamber’s ag and natural resource committee, past vice president of the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation, and a member of Rushmore Rotary.

And who sings in the choir.

During Stock Show Week, it’s no small task to keep up with Theel who one minute is hauling supplies for the chamber’s Beef Bust, the next cheering on the winning Farm Credit Ranch Rodeo Team, all the while keeping an eye on the clock for his next stop; the Foundation’s Stockman’s Club where’s he’s hosting an afternoon program. “I do volunteer work for my church and my community (along with the agricultural industry) because these are the things that are responsible for what’s been given to me,” reflects Theel. “A beautiful and loving family, a good job and a great place to live and raise my kids.”

A career in ag finance with Farm Credit Services of America keeps him on the road and in touch with the rural community. “Working in the ag industry has given me both professional and personal experiences that are meaningful to me,” says Theel. “From the numerous friends and colleagues I have come to know, to a career that supports my family, it’s important to me.

“When I can, and where there is an opportunity, I want to give back something to the industry that I was born to.”

And he has. A decade of service to the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce (two years as Ag Committee Chairman) and nine years of service to the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation (seven as vice president) has put him in the forefront as a leader in ag issues and events within the Rapid City community and surrounding areas.

“We rely on his knowledge,” says Rabe. “Not only does he know the current issues, he also encourages the chamber leadership to identify issues out in front, ahead of the curve. Ag policy adopted by the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce seldom happens without his input."  

Input that is stretched thin from time to time and the reason for some hard decisions along the way. “”My family is the most important thing to me. When I realized I was missing time with my kids, not being able to make events and programs because of volunteer commitments I had made, I had to sit back and re-evaluate.”

His decision to step down as vice president of the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation comes while helping to establish the non-profit organization as a more visible entity within the community and a five-state service area.

“The Foundation, through a lot of hard work by a lot of people, has grown a great deal since I first served on the board beginning in 1997. With that comes a lot more responsibilities. I’m proud of the progress that’s been made. It’s a great opportunity for others to be a part of a grass roots organization that is really in tune with the history of stock show while at the same time is committed to working in the here and now; that recognizes the ongoing need for financial support for students and for community projects.”

Joe Norman, Foundation president has come to rely on Theel’s input and support for the Foundation, “both personally and professionally. His representation of the Foundation covers a lot of ground; wherever he goes he speaks to the need of supporting continuing ag education opportunities for kids and being responsive to community needs.

“He’ll be missed on the board but I know that Doug won’t stop wearing a Foundation hat. That’s how committed he is to the Foundation’s ongoing mission.”

Dedicated to family, community and industry is how Deb Black, chairperson of the Rapid City Ag/Natural Resource Committee characterizes Theel. “As a committee, we are involved in the community in a number of ways, all year long; from our middle school program that speaks to kids about the advantages of joining FFA, to developing ag related policy, to providing educational speakers and youth scholarships. When I think of dedicated volunteers who make it happen, the first person who comes to mind is Doug.”

She continues, “He’s someone who pitches in to haul tables or picks up a pen to help write policy suggestions – always with the thought in mind that we have a responsibility to assist in the ongoing communication process between city and rural interests. Role models like him are hard to find.”

Theel wears so many hats, it’s small wonder there would be a ‘Hats Off’ award created for him. “No matter the setting,” observes Rabe, “you can always count on Doug advocating for agriculture; in his work, for the Chamber, for the Foundation - he is a great ambassador.”