Board of Directors

Executive Director, La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce
chamber@lagrangetx.org • 979-968-5756

As Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Amanda is dedicated to strengthening the local business community and fostering economic growth through collaboration, advocacy, and strategic leadership. With a passion for building meaningful relationships, Amanda works closely with business owners and community leaders to create connections in the community.

Amanda grew up in La Grange graduating from La Grange High School. She returned to La Grange for several years after receiving her BFA in Studio Art from Southwest Texas State University. During that time in La Grange, she worked at The Fayette County Record.

Amanda then moved to Austin and worked for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and then AT&T Wifi Services. Then lived in Leander where she served as a Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair Pro-temp on the Leander Public Arts Commission.

Amanda moved back to La Grange because she recognized the strength of the La Grange community. “La Grange has a lot of heart and has been really good to me. I’m glad to have the opportunity to give back to the community by working for the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce.”

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from LeTourneau University and has extensive experience as a human resources professional in industries such as manufacturing, software, consulting, and the arts. She served six years as a council member for the City of Sugar Land, collaborating with local and state officials on various issues, and is a certified TBRI practitioner through Texas Christian University. Jennifer has also shared her expertise as a guest instructor for Lamar CISD.

Actively involved in her community, Jennifer serves as vice president of the Czech Heritage Society Fort Bend Chapter and is a founding member of the Fort Bend Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Community Task Force. With family roots in Fayette County dating back to the 1850s, she has returned to the family homestead, where she assists her father in managing the family ranch.

City Manager for the City of La Grange

Amanda studied business at Houston Community College and later acquired her real estate license from the Champion School of Real Estate. She left a thriving career in real estate to accomplish her dream of owning a restaurant with her husband.

As a resident of La Grange and the co-owner of Jay Dee’z Sports Grill, she is deeply committed to serving her community with passion and pride.

Tony brings over 35 years of experience in retail sales, marketing, and business development to support small businesses in Fayette County. His career spans roles at JCPenney, ACME Boot Company, Dan Post Boots, Cooper’s Western Warehouse, and Boot Town Western Warehouse, where he held leadership positions including chief merchandising officer. In 2008, Tony transitioned to wholesale, joining 3D Belt Company in Schulenburg, Texas, as vice president of sales and marketing.

In 2018, Tony fulfilled his dream of owning a business by opening The UPS Store in La Grange, Texas, to support small businesses and the growing shipping industry. Committed to exceptional customer service and quality, Tony continues to expand his entrepreneurial endeavors in the community.

Tracy has been with Fayette Electric Cooperative for over 20 years and currently serves as the director of marketing, communications, and training manager. In this role, she oversees all communications and marketing efforts for the cooperative’s members and employees.

A graduate of La Grange High School and Southwest Texas State University with a degree in commercial art, Tracy is deeply involved in her community. She serves as secretary of the Fayette County Deputy Santa Program, is an active member and council member of St. Peter Lutheran Church Prairie Valley, and contributes to the ACCSS Community Advisory Committee. Tracy looks forward to further supporting her community as a board member of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce.

Tara has dedicated more than 20 years to the healthcare industry, beginning her career as a Certified Nurse Aide in 2003. Through hard work and a passion for serving others, she advanced into leadership roles in Business Development, Marketing, and Admissions, developing extensive experience in population health, post-acute care, and building strong relationships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

In addition to her healthcare career, Tara has been a commissioned Texas Mobile Notary since 2015 and has served as an American Heart Association CPR Instructor since 2022, providing lifesaving education to healthcare professionals and members of the community.

Tara is passionate about service beyond the workplace. She previously served as a Grimes County Girl Scout Troop Leader and Cookie Coordinator, mentoring young girls while encouraging leadership, confidence, and community involvement.

As a member of the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Tara is committed to supporting local businesses, fostering meaningful partnerships, and contributing to the continued growth and success of the La Grange community. She believes that strong communities are built through collaboration, compassion, and a genuine heart for serving others.

Whether she’s connecting families with healthcare resources, supporting local businesses, or volunteering in the community, Tara believes that every relationship is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. She considers it a privilege to serve others and looks forward to helping the La Grange community continue to thrive.

Yeli is a Christian, born and raised in La Grange, and a 1998 La Grange High School graduate. She has been a local licensed hair stylist since 1998 and also started a shirt printing business, Preach Tee etc. She owned Plant One Floral & Party Florist in La Grange for 3 years. She was also employed by LGISD for 9 years, first as a substitute and later as an ESL Bilingual Paraprofessional and Correspondence. She manages her salon business, Amazon Hub business, and financial services business, Goddess LiFE & Financial Services. She also works for Texas A&M University Concierges.

She is active in Woven Women’s Ministry and is excited to use her Spanish fluency to encourage more Latino community involvement. Yeli founded two nonprofit local scholarships: the Francisco “Paco” Orona scholarship 14 years ago, and the Jose “Jefe” Cerda scholarship 5 years ago. She is sole chairman and handles fundraising for both.

She has always found great joy in helping others grow, get promoted, find employment, raise funds, raise awareness, and spread kindness. To this day, strangers message her looking for jobs or asking questions. She’s been told that if she doesn’t know the answer, she’ll find it. That’s why, 14 years ago, she created La Grange Scoop, where she shares community news as the page’s sole admin.

After a rewarding 22-year career in the industry, including time with Chevron and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Melissa Wennermark is grateful to begin a new chapter here in La Grange. Having visited the area for many years, she came to admire both the beauty of the town and the warmth of its people. Now proud to call La Grange home, Melissa holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Iowa State University and an MBA from San Diego State University. She balances family life with substitute teaching and volunteering for many local non-profits, and is eager to leverage her background to support the Chamber of Commerce, champion local businesses, and build meaningful community connections.