Dec. 19, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Chad Quissell, Public Safety Campus and emergency management coordinator for the city of Sioux Falls.

Name: Chad Quissell

Age: 35

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Born and raised!

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

We can’t seem to find a reason to leave. Our family, with young children, loves this community. Sioux Falls has everything we need, while maintaining a small-town feel where neighbors care for each other, and our family is close.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I have the privilege to be the first person to serve in my newly created position with the city. It’s exciting to serve in a role that no one has before and help create the experience and culture at the city of Sioux Falls Public Safety Campus. I’ve also enjoyed learning more about emergency management and providing dedicated support in that area.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I’ve worked for the city of Sioux Falls for 10 years, recently moving from Parks and Recreation to my new role. I loved my time within recreation as we had daily opportunities to connect with and impact the public. Relationships that I’ve made throughout my tenure with the city led to the opportunity for me to serve in a brand-new position to the city.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Collaborative. Inclusive. Connected.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a big Jackrabbit supporter. I am a proud South Dakota State University alum and love cheering on the Jacks in all sports. The Summit League basketball tournament is some of my favorite days of the year. I plan to make my second trip to Frisco in January to see the football team try to repeat as national champions. Both my wife and current supervisor are proud USD Coyote alums, which brings frequent rivalry banter.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Being born and raised in Sioux Falls, I love giving back to the community that has made such an impact on me. When working with Parks and Recreation, I loved connecting with guests at our events and facilities. Now serving within public safety, I love giving tours of the new Public Safety Campus and highlighting this community’s significant investment and support in public safety. I am also part of the Mayor’s Youth Council leadership team and enjoy connecting with local youth and their impact on the community.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I’ll give Maddie, a Mayor’s Youth Council member, a shoutout with this one! She’s a Raising Cane’s fanatic and, like so many others, wants a location in Sioux Falls. At our recent MYC session that highlighted our City Council team, Maddie gave her “pitch” to Mayor TenHaken via a mock public input session on why adding a Raising Cane’s to Sioux Falls is important for the “well-being of our community.” Ha! While we have endless dining options in town, what’s one more going to hurt? Bring on Raising Cane’s!

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

As I’ve hinted at previously, I love creating experiences and memories for people. As a “kid at heart,” my kids and I are frequent guests at local trampoline parks, pools, gyms and other entertainment venues. Thanks to my friends at Parks and Recreation, I think we’re on it, but I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing a large-scale recreation facility offering a variety of health, wellness and entertainment activities. As Sioux Falls continues to grow and serves as a regional destination, this type of one-stop shop offering a variety of recreational opportunities would be a significant asset to this community.