Speaker Bios
Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming's 33rd Governor on Nov. 6, 2018. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2019, and re-elected on November 8, 2023, with 79% of the vote, the largest win of any gubernatorial candidate in Wyoming history and the largest margin of any gubernatorial candidate in the nation in 2022.
Mark Gordon grew up on the family ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming, where he learned the values of hard work, integrity, and the importance of working together. As Governor, he brings those values to the table, maintaining his commitment to a Wyoming where her citizens can pursue their dreams while the state retains her unique character. He strongly believes that Wyoming must chart its own course and is a steadfast defender of its interests to do so.
As a conservative, Governor Gordon has worked tirelessly to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path. He is committed to making government more transparent, accessible, productive, and efficient. He believes government is best when it is closest to the people and is committed to giving local communities the tools they need to thrive. He is a staunch advocate of quality education in all modes, public and private, and for all children.
Governor Gordon served as Wyoming State Treasurer from October 2012 until January 2019, when he was sworn in as Governor. During his time in office, he was ranked in the top 100 "most significant and impactful public investor executives." In addition, under his guidance, Wyoming's sovereign funds earned a No.1 ranking for the United States and No.3 in the world for transparency by the Peterson Institute.
First elected Governor in 2018, he successfully led Wyoming through some historically difficult times. Consistently rated as one of the top ten governors in the country, he has spearheaded efforts to diversify Wyoming's economy from technology and finance to agriculture, energy, research, and tourism. He and his wife, Jennie, are dedicated to making Wyoming the best place to raise a family.
Shortly after becoming First Lady, Jennie called on her upbringing and management acumen as a rancher and mother to establish the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, which has meant so much for many in Wyoming suffering from food insecurity. Governor Gordon and Jennie have four grown children - Aaron; Anne; Bea with husband Austen and their son Crawford; and Spencer with wife Sarah, their son Everett, and twin daughters Violet and Eloise
Governor Mark Gordon
First Lady
Jennie Gordon
Jennie (Muir) Gordon currently serves as First Lady of Wyoming. Prior to that, she managed day-to-day operations at Merlin Ranch, the Gordon family’s cow-calf and heifer development operation located in Johnson County. Jennie grew up in Omaha, Nebraska until her family moved to Buffalo, Wyoming. Jennie’s father, Senior Master Sergeant Robert Muir, served in the Navy, Army and the Air Force. Jennie’s mother, Gertrude Muir, was from Austria and after surviving World War II in Vienna, she moved to the United States. She learned English and raised the family’s ten children, often with Sergeant Muir serving away from home. Four of
Jennie’s siblings have served, or continue to serve, in the armed services.
The First Lady received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Wyoming. She worked for 15 years as a laboratory medical technologist at Sheridan
Memorial Hospital. She later served as a field service representative for Abbott
Laboratories where she traveled throughout the western United States repairing and
servicing laboratory equipment at hospitals, clinics and private practices.
When Governor Matthew H. Mead appointed her husband to serve as Wyoming
Treasurer in 2012, Jennie took over management of the Merlin Ranch full time. The
ranch has garnered national recognition for its environmental stewardship and
conservation achievements, as well as efforts to promote the sale of Wyoming beef
worldwide. Jennie previously served on the board of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land
Trust and is a graduate of the Wyoming Leadership Education and Development
(L.E.A.D.) class.
Governor Gordon and his wife Jennie have four grown children, Anne, Aaron, Bea with husband Austen with their son Crawford, and Spencer with wife Sarah and their son Everett and twin daughters Violet and Eloise.
In October 2019 Jennie launched the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, whose mission is to
end hunger in Wyoming. The initiative works to prevent food insecurity by
increasing awareness and support for the work of local anti-hunger organizations
statewide.
Renny MacKay
Renny has a passion for Wyoming and knowledge that growing businesses is what makes the state and its communities more resilient. He is focused on serving the Alliance’s members and helping to build the strongest network of businesses possible. He’s honored to work for a board which represents Wyoming’s key employers and leading taxpayers.
Prior to joining the talented team at the Wyoming Business Alliance, Renny was Governor Mark Gordon’s Policy Director for nearly 5 years. He also worked for Governor Gordon’s 2008 Congressional campaign. The experience in the Governor’s Office allowed him to strengthen and cultivate relationships with legislators, cabinet members, stakeholders, industries, small businesses, and the Congressional Delegation and their staff.
Renny also has communications and journalism experience working for Governor Matt Mead as Communications Director, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Public Radio.
He is an alum of the University of Missouri Journalism School. He and his wife have two amazing children and enjoy skiing, camping and finding new Wyoming restaurants.
Speaker Bios
Dr. Anne Alexander is Director of Outreach and Engagement for the UW Center for Business and Economic Analysis and Assistant Dean of the UW College of Business. She has served as Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Initiatives, and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at the University of Wyoming. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics at UW, and her Master’s and BBA in Economics from New Mexico State University. Dr. Alexander’s research and teaching focuses on the history of American capitalism, international economics, and health economics. She regularly speaks to statewide audiences and state and national media about the status of Wyoming, US, and global economies. She has authored several publications on the political and economic impacts of transboundary pandemics and the productivity effects of various diseases. Prior to her positions in Academic Affairs, she was the Director of International Programs and Associate Dean of Outreach at UW. She has also served as a Resources Economist in the U.S. Department of State and Director of the interdisciplinary Health Economics Policy Center at UW. She is an alumni of Leadership Wyoming, Class of 2013.
Dr. Anne
Alexander
Andrew Archuleta
Andrew Archuleta was named the BLM’s State Director for Wyoming in January 2022. Archuleta’s career in federal service began more than 28 years ago and includes almost 15 years with the BLM. He has held several leadership positions in the BLM, including Colorado’s Northwest District Manager, acting Division Chief for Fluid Minerals, and most recently, District Manager for the California Desert District. Prior to joining the BLM, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Archuleta is a Colorado native and earned both a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a master’s degree in wildlife toxicology from Colorado State University.
Dale Anglin
Dale R. Anglin serves as the inaugural director of Press Forward, the growing coalition of 60+ local and national funders committed to investing more than $500 million to strengthen communities, democracy, and local news. Most recently, Anglin served as Vice President for Grantmaking at the Cleveland Foundation, managing a $60 million budget. At the Foundation, Anglin helped create Documenters Cleveland and Signal, the statewide nonprofit newsroom, launch a new system of integrated physical health and mental wellness in Cleveland schools, and led the region’s COVID-19 Fund.
Anglin also served as associate director for programs at the Victoria Foundation in Newark, NJ, and executive director of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management in Washington, D.C. Originally from Chicago, Anglin has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Scott Beaulier
Scott Beaulier is the H.A. (Dave) True Family Dean of Business. Over his decades-long career in higher-education leadership as faculty member, chair, research director, and dean, Scott has built a track record of developing business programs that fuse the structure of the classroom with the realities of business in the 21st century. Scott earned an undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University and a Ph.D in economics from George Mason University. Outside of work, he is the father of four children, enjoys fishing, hunting, and hiking and is an avid distance runner.
Bob Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Media in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won numerous state, regional and national awards including 5 regional Edward R. Murrow and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also was the co-creator, host and producer of the news and public affairs program Open Spaces, which won 11 PMJA awards. Beck also was honored with the Wyoming School Bell Award for Education reporting. He reported nationally for NPR, ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN and American Public Media.
Prior to WPM Beck was the News Director of KOWB/KCGY in Laramie; Sports Director at KROE in Sheridan and worked at three radio stations in his home state of Illinois.
On the television side, Beck hosted several programs for Wyoming PBS and was a regular panelist for political debates. He was part of two regional Emmy Award winning productions.
Beck also taught broadcast news at the University of Wyoming for 20 years and currently works at Syracuse University teaching radio news and working part time at WAER Radio. He's a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Bob Beck
Lauren Benford
Lauren is a native of Wyoming. After graduating from Northern Arizona University’s Construction Management program in 2005, she began her construction career as a Project Manager in the commercial division at Reiman Corp. In 2014 Lauren ventured into public service and became the Design & Construction Administrator for the Wyoming School Facilities Department. Three years later she returned to Reiman Corp. where she remains as their Financial Controller. In 2017 Lauren earned an MBA from Chadron State College.
Lauren has a passion for the construction industry, workforce development and her community since she was a young child which stems from watching her father’s involvement and commitment to the family’s construction company. Lauren has been very active in the Associated General Contractors of America, both at the local level and national level. She is currently a past president of the local AGC of Wyoming Chapter, has served on every committee, and was influential in the creation of the Wyoming Young Contractors group to help promote and build a young community inside the Wyoming construction industry. On the national AGC level Lauren serves on several committees. She is also engaged in a variety organizations and boards such as the Wyoming Business Alliance, Jonah Bank Community Member Board, and AGC of Americas WASHTO liaison.
Eric Boley
no bio available
Chad Bolling
no bio available
no bio available
Senator Brian
Boner
Angi Bruce
no bio available
Bryan Clay
The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in the decathlon, Bryan joined an exclusive group of American decathletes who earned the title of “World’s Greatest Athlete,” including Jim Thorpe, Dan O’Brien and Bruce Jenner. Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bryan had the rare honor of being featured on the cover of Wheaties.
In his home state of Hawaii, Bryan is a household name and one of the most recognizable athlete celebrities. After the 2008 Olympics, Bryan was deemed “Hawaii’s Hero” by the media.
Founded in 2005, The Bryan Clay Foundation focuses on “Building Champions and Changing Lives.” The BCF’s mission is “to make a positive impact on today’s youth by helping motivate them and empower those around them with the opportunities and tools necessary to maximize their full potential.”
Bryan also recently authored Redemption, which tells the story of his unlikely path to Olympic Gold. By the grace of God, Bryan went from being a fist-fighting, drug-using, pre-suicidal kid in Hawaii to world champion in the toughest Olympic sport. His secret? A dramatically rediscovered faith and his mother′s relentless prayers.
Josh Dorrell
As CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, Josh Dorrell provides leadership and strategic direction in all aspects of the state’s economic development agency.
Dorrell’s extensive private industry experience in technical sales, business innovation processes, identifying customer needs and leveraging partnerships, along with entrepreneur/startup mentoring, are well-suited for the Business Council’s leading role in diversifying and growing Wyoming’s economy through business and community development technical assistance.
Prior to joining the Business Council in February 2020, Dorrell served as Senior Vice President of Technology Services and Solutions with Laramie-based Trihydro Corporation since 2015. The engineering and environmental consulting firm started in Laramie in 1984 and today has 22 offices nationwide, and staff resources in 28 states.
Dorrell also teaches at the University of Wyoming as an assistant lecturer in the College of Business. Dorrell was named Professor of the Year in 2013.
He graduated from UW with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1998.
After graduating from UW, Dorrell worked in data management, sales, and product development for IDES, a small software company in Laramie. IDES was later purchased by UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
Dorrell and his wife, Amanda, grew up in Rawlins and now reside in Laramie. The couple enjoys spending time with their four children and supporting their sports and extracurricular activities. Dorrell has coached multiple sports. He also enjoys woodworking and shooting sports.
Dennis recently founded the Wolfe Tone Group, a public affairs consulting and commercial real estate development company. He previously worked for Microsoft Corporation, both in the Office of the President and the legal department providing external affairs. Prior to Microsoft, Dennis worked for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation as their external affairs representative in Wyoming. Dennis previously founded Ellis Public Affairs, where he consulted for clients such as Wal-Mart, Cameco Resources, Denver Children’s Hospital, Anadarko and Johnson & Johnson.
Prior to his return to Wyoming, Dennis served as Deputy Attorney General for the Colorado Attorney General Suthers and in Governor Bill Owens’ Cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Ellis also served as Legislative Director and Counsel for United States Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY).
Dennis is a Wyoming native, where his family has ranched for over 100 years. He holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wyoming. He has also successfully completed leadership training at both the Kellogg Institute and the Kennedy School of Government and is a Leadership Wyoming graduate. Ellis serves on the Steering Committee of the WYBA, as Past President for Wyoming Ag in the Classroom, and Past Vice President for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. Dennis has three amazing children and is married to Wyoming State Senator Affie Ellis (SD-8).
Dennis Ellis
Brad Enzi
Brad Enzi is a business leader, strategic thinker coach and advocate for Wyoming. Throughout his career he has focused on projects and initiatives that make sense to help Wyoming grow. Using his passion for coaching and working to solve problems that seem insurmountable he thrives on pushing organizations and teams beyond what they thought was possible.
Brad currently serves as the CEO and President of the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, The Economic Development and business support organization in Laramie, WY. His work has included recruiting new companies to the community, but also working with companies to grow in Laramie. His excitement for what Laramie can become has driven the organization to begin recruiting a diverse cadre of jobs to the area including jobs aerospace, defense, indoor farming, and medical by leveraging the educational opportunities and workforce generators in the community.
Prior to his time with the LCBA Brad spent 15 years as a development executive and public relations expert. These experiences put Brad on the front line with issues that impact Wyoming jobs and families. Whether working to expand electrical generation and transmission or working to bring entry level housing to communities; his thirst for a challenge and what could be were at the forefront.
His belief that all problems can be solved, and that we should all be students of human nature is evident in his love of strategic planning, implementation, and coaching people in all things. He enjoys working with athletes in all phases of their career. In his spare time, you can find him fly fishing in one of his favorite spots; or working with a business, organization, or individual to meet their goals and move beyond what feels impossible.
Josh Fuller
Josh is a Wyoming native and currently serves as the CEO for Jorgensen Associates, a full-service civil engineering firm headquartered in Jackson with offices in Pinedale and Kemmerer. At close to 85 employees working on a broad spectrum of civil engineering works, Jorgensen serves clients in the private, commercial, municipal, state, and federal sectors. Jorgensen maintains a commitment to high-quality technical output and creating an internal culture that enables careful shaping of our built environment throughout the Rocky Mountain Region; and has fun doing so.
Josh is an alum of the Leadership Wyoming Class of 2019 and currently serves as the Chair of the Leadership Wyoming Board. After graduating from Sheridan High School, he attended the University of Wyoming College of Engineering (B.S. 2010, M.S. 2012 – Civil Engineering). As a competitive ultramarathon runner, the mountainous playground of the Tetons provide the ideal location to practice his craft – when not pursuing the other endless opportunities to hunt, ski, climb, and fish.
Liz Gagen
Liz has been the Director of the Department of Workforce Services since March 2024, after serving as the Deputy Director since February 2020. Previously, Liz worked at the State of Wyoming Attorney General’s Office for over two decades. At the Attorney General’s Office, she represented state agencies in employment law matters. She also served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General and represented the State’s interest in nationwide litigation with the big four tobacco companies.
Liz received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wyoming.
Josh Grubaugh
no bio available
Steve Harshman
Born and raised in the Natrona County lifelong resident of Wyoming. Married 37 years wife Becky, we have four children. B.S Black Hills State, M.Ed. Oregon State University . 39 year teacher and coach will be starting my 23rd session in the Wyoming House of Representatives serving on various committees including Transportation, Travel Rec & Wildlife, Corporations, Education,, Revenue, School facilities, Capital finance, Hathaway Select Committee, Wyomings Tomorrow Task Force, University Housing Task Force, Nuclear Energy Production Task Force and served as Speaker of the House from 2017 to 2021.
Brenda Henson was appointed Director of the Wyoming Department of Revenue by Governor Mark Gordon in 2021. The Department is the primary tax collection agency for the State through its Sales, Mineral, and Property Tax Divisions. The Department, through its Liquor Division, is also the exclusive wholesaler of alcoholic beverages in the State and monitors alcohol control laws and licenses malt beverage wholesalers. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. Henson was appointed to serve as Administrator of the Property Tax Division for the Department of Revenue in 2013. Previously she served as Assessor for Laramie County Wyoming. She began her career in the Assessor’s Office in 1988 and was elected Assessor in 1995, subsequently being re-elected for 4 additional terms of office. In her capacity as Assessor, she was President of the Wyoming County Assessors Association as well as the Legislative Chair. In addition, she served as President of the Wyoming Association of County Officers. Ms. Henson was also chosen to represent Wyoming on the Board of Directors of the National Association of County Officers. Her community involvement includes serving as a founding board member of Grace for 2 Brothers, a Suicide Awareness and Prevention Organization; Board of Directors, Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union; and a member of Cheyenne Rotary.
Brenda Henson
Katie Hogarty
Katie Hogarty, J.D. is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Climb Wyoming. Her lifelong passion for community development and advocacy, paired with her expertise in public policy and organizational leadership, informs and inspires her work in poverty alleviation at the state, regional, and national levels. As she leads one of the most innovative, outcomes-based nonprofits in the nation serving low-income families, Katie takes a relationship-based approach to building meaningful partnerships and affecting lasting change as Climb breaks the generational cycle of poverty by investing in and supporting community, workforce, and social development in families and rural communities in Wyoming and beyond. She previously worked for the Wyoming Governor’s Office as a Health and Human Services Policy Analyst. Katie holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law and a B.A. in psychology from Lewis & Clark College.
Sue Jones
Sue Jones is a fifth-generation Carbon County native who has served on the Carbon County Commission for three terms and is currently serving as the first female Chair of the Carbon County Commission. She recently was re-elected to a fourth term.
Commissioner Jones has served on several boards and is currently the Chair of the WCCA (Wyoming County Commissioner Association) Revenue Committee.
Sue lives in rural Carbon County in the upper North Platte Valley near Riverside, Wyoming. She owns and operates with her nephew a garbage collection business, Sunrise Sanitation Service, Inc., in Saratoga.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kite
Marilyn S. Kite, retired, was appointed to the Wyoming Supreme Court in 2000 and retired in 2015. She served as Chief Justice from 2010 to 2015. She received her B.A. from the University of Wyoming in 1970 with Honors and her J.D. from the University of Wyoming Law School with Honors in 1974. Prior to her appointment to the Wyoming Supreme Court, Justice Kite served as Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wyoming and practiced law with the firm of of Holland & Hart in the Jackson and Cheyenne offices. She served on the Judicial Nominating Commission both as an elected member of the bar and as Chief Justice. After retirement from the bench, Justice Kite is consulting on appellate matters and volunteering on a variety of community and university projects.
Justice Kite was born and raised in Laramie. She and her husband have raised a son and multiple four legged dependents. Her non-legal activities focus on Wyoming’s wonderful outdoors and include camping, hunting, riding horses, hiking, skiing, and cheering on the UW Cowboys.
Paul Klingenstein
Board Chair and Founder and Managing Partner at Aberdare Ventures
Klingenstein serves on the board of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Paul Klingenstein founded Aberdare Ventures in 1999 with an emphasis on technologies that drive transformational efficiencies in health care. Earlier he managed healthcare investing at Accel Partners and worked at Warburg Pincus. He has been active in and served on boards of numerous healthcare technology companies. Prior to forming Aberdare, Klingenstein advised the Rockefeller Foundation, where he assisted launching a public-private partnership to discover and test HIV vaccines. He serves on the board of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and on the board of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is a former Board Chair of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and of Juma Ventures, and a former Trustee of the Taft School and of the Marin Country Day School. He is a rancher, fisherman and backcountry pilot. He received his AB from Harvard and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Dr. Holly Krutka
Dr. Holly Krutka is the Executive Director of the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources – overseeing an interdisciplinary academic, outreach and research program focused on serving the Wyoming energy and extractive sector. She came to the university after serving as the Vice President for coal generation and emissions technologies at Peabody and has significant national and international experience related to energy innovation.
Josh Law
Josh is the driven founder of Only Co., a business building company that specializes in solving workforce challenges for industrial businesses. A proud alumni of the University of Wyoming, Josh carries a lifelong commitment to excellence and curiosity. With a life motto and company value of Cool People, Cool Projects. He is also the co-founder of Go Fast Don't Die, a mental health brand with an emphasis on motorcycles and how they move us. Josh lives in Sheridan, Wyoming with his wife Danielle and their three boys: Hank, Brady, and Sheridan. An active member in his community, Josh serves on various boards and initiatives, constantly seeking ways to invest in the people and place he loves. He is particularly proud of being a founding board member responsible for the revitalization of a local ski area, Antelope Butte. Awarded Business Person of the Year in 2018, Josh continues to lead and inspire, balancing his professional life with his love for skiing and quality time with family.
Michael Martin joined UW in early 2023 and is excited to continue to build partnerships across his home state of Wyoming and serve his Alma Mater.
Michael launched a management consulting firm, 2M Strategies, Inc., in 2021. He works collaboratively, along with his wife Kelley, to improve the strategic and operational elements of small businesses across the United States. Prior to the launch of 2M Strategies, Inc., he served over 8 years as Chief Lending Officer at Blue Federal Credit Union.
Prior to joining Blue, he was Manager of Business Finance at the Wyoming Business Council where he administered the Challenge Loan Program, underwrote bond issues purchased by the State Treasurer’s office, launched the Wyoming Small Business Investment Credit Program and assisted companies in finding seed and venture capital. Mike has owned several real estate developments.
He received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Wyoming and an M.B.A. with Honors from Regis University.
Mike is active in many community organizations currently serving as Chairman of the board for the Wyoming Community Development Authority and is a board member for Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD). Mike served as CFD’s Public Relations Committee Chairman from 2017-2019.
Michael Martin
Dustin McKen
Dustin McKen is the General Manager of Wyoming Operations at Black Hills Energy. He began his career with Black Hills Energy in 2010 and has held many different positions throughout his time with the company. In his current role he is responsible for the teams that provide electric and natural gas service to 175,000 customers across 56 communities in Wyoming. He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business administration. He also has a a master of engineering in transmission and distribution degree from Gonzaga University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Wyoming. When not supporting utility teams, Dustin can be found chasing his two kids to dance recitals and baseball games. A proud father and dog parent, he believes there’s no such thing as a dull moment.
Tyler Miller
Tyler Miller is the owner and CEO of Earth Work Solutions (EWS), a heavy equipment construction company headquartered in Gillette. Tyler grew up in Gillette and went to college at the University of Wyoming in Laramie earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. Tyler is married and has two children Macradee (25) who is a nurse in Tacoma Washington and Mason (21) who is studying civil engineering at the University of Wyoming. Tyler is very involved in his community and has been the President of the Gillette Rotary Club on two occasions, served the Youth Emergency Services Foundation since 2016 and is currently the Treasurer, President of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration for 15 years and is the current serving his third year as the President of the Energy Capital Economic Development Board. Tyler earned the SBA Small Businessperson of the year for Wyoming in 2018 and enjoys working hard and serving his community. In 2024, Earth Work Solutions was awarded and has been actively constructing on the first two phases of the sitework for the TerraPower Natrium project in Kemmerer, WY.
Ansley Mouw
Ansley Mouw is the owner of Elske Architecture in Cheyenne. Her work is focused on creating meaningful connections within the built environment. She is committed to advocating for responsible development that fosters adaptable and connected communities. Her expertise includes residential projects, adaptive reuse, and neighborhood-driven initiatives, all aimed at enhancing community connection.
Jason Moyes
Jason Moyes is the founder and president of Moyes Family Homes, bringing over 20 years of experience to the home building industry. With a proven track record of building over 1,300 homes, Jason has become a prominent figure in the construction community. He has served as Chapter President of the Building Industry Association and is a charter member of the Wyoming Building Industry Association, advocating for quality, affordability, and innovation in housing.
Throughout his career, Jason's projects have infused over one billion dollars into local communities, demonstrating his commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainability. Born in the Midwest, Jason has lived across the country, but he finds his true home in the great outdoors of Wyoming.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jason is a devoted husband to his amazing wife and a proud dad to his two wonderful teenagers. He believes that family and community are the cornerstones of a fulfilling life. When he’s not busy building homes, Jason enjoys exploring the natural beauty around him, instilling a love for adventure in his family. With a passion for creating lasting legacies, Jason Moyes continues to shape the landscape of home building in his region.
Jimmy Orr
Jimmy Orr is co-founder and executive editor of Cowboy State Daily.
Orr is a longtime journalist who was on the masthead at the Los Angeles Times and the Christian Science Monitor as the Managing Editor, Digital.
In the political arena, Orr served as a spokesman for the White House and directed digital strategy for President George W. Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Prior to these positions, Orr worked for Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer and U.S. Senators Malcolm Wallop and Al Simpson.
He was also a co-founder of The Sports Show with ESPN's Woody Paige and was the executive producer of Clay Travis' Outkick the Show.
Glenn Pauley
Glenn Pauley currently serves as the Wyoming State Director for USDA Rural Development, overseeing programs that improve rural prosperity through affordable housing, small business support, renewable energy, community facilities and infrastructure, high-speed internet, and more. Previously, he worked at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, where his work included collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to develop and implement Wyoming’s State Wildlife Action Plan. He previously served as an executive director for two ranchland conservation organizations: the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society and the Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust. Pauley also served as the founding Board Chairman for the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts (PORT), an organization established to leverage national resources for ranchland conservation. He has a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management from the University of Wyoming and master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary.
Greg commenced his career with ExxonMobil in 2000 at the ExxonMobil Development Company as Public Affairs Advisor for Europe, Africa and Russia. He then became Public and Government Affairs Manager for ExxonMobil’s $4 billion Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project, which involved multilateral government and NGO relations in addition to coordination with The World Bank. He then spent three years as ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Manager in Alaska, focused on the then $25 Billion Alaska Gas Pipeline Project. He then spent three years at ExxonMobil’s corporate headquarters in Irving, TX, where he served as the Corporation’s Climate Change Issue Coordinator and then Corporate Integrated Public Affairs Manager. Following this assignment, Greg was named Africa/Asia-Pacific Public and Government Affairs Manager for the ExxonMobil Production Company. In this role he was responsible for public affairs activities and personnel in Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Cameroon, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
In 2013 Mr. Pulliam left ExxonMobil to become Vice President of Government Affairs at Cloud Peak Energy, a Powder River Basin Coal Company in Broomfield, CO.
In 2015 He returned to ExxonMobil to assume his current role with ExxonMobil and XTO Energy, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation following a $40 billion acquisition.
He recently served on the Board of Visitors at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts and the
Advisory Council for the Planning, Public Policy and Management Dept. at the University of Oregon. Greg currently sits on the LBJ School of Public Affairs at University of Texas at Austin Dean’s Advisory Board. Current industry board assignments include Petroleum Association of WY, MT Petroleum Association and Western Energy Alliance serves on boards of the Western Energy Alliance.
Greg received a BS in Planning, Public Policy and Management from University of Oregon in 1994. In 2000 He received his Master degree from The LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. He has also completed ExxonMobil Executive/leadership education at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Keenan-Flagler School of Business at University of North Carolina and University of Texas.
Greg lives in Colorado with this wife, Jennifer and two children, Madison and Eli.
Greg Pulliam
Bobby Rolston
Bobby Rolston is a Government Relations Consultant for Occidental Petroleum Corporation based in Cheyenne. He has over 35 years of experience in oil and gas concentrating on State and Local Taxation and Government Relations. Bobby grew up in Texas and was finally able to relocate to Wyoming in 2015. He received his Bachlor of Science from Texas A&M University and an MBA from The University of Texas at the Permian Basin. He serves on several Boards in the area including the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, CFD Western Art Show, Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation and the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. Bobby and Wife Suzanne have been married for 42 years. Bobby enjoys international travel, golf, bird hunting and in a former life, bred, raised and raced thoroughbred horses.
Tyler Sasse
Tyler Sasse is the owner and founder of Western Welding Academy, renowned for his expertise and commitment to welding education. With multiple certifications, including American Welding Society (AWS) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Tyler’s reputation for quality and knowledge extends nationwide. He contributed to developing the Dynamic DIG™ software for Miller Electric's Big Blue® 400 PipePro®, which is now on all Miller Stick Welding Machines.
Guided by the core values of being real, figuring it out, staying humbly confident, and never being satisfied, Tyler’s leadership at Western Welding Academy emphasizes commitment and excellence. He ensures that students learn from real-world welders in a job-site atmosphere, preparing them to tackle any challenge. His philosophy, “We Ain’t Cheap Because Cheap Ain’t Good,” reflects his dedication to high standards and building a better generation of skilled welders.
Tyler’s vision goes beyond technical skills; he aims to instill a strong work ethic, integrity, and pride in the trades, shaping a future where welders are equipped to succeed and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the industry.
Lauren Schoenfeld
In September 2022, Lauren Schoenfeld was appointed by Governor Mark Gordon as the first Wyoming Innovation Partnership Executive Director and most recently, Lauren added Senior Policy Advisor in economic development, workforce development, broadband and business support to her portfolio. Originally from Sweetwater County, Lauren served as a County Commissioner for four years and her previous experience includes nonprofit executive leadership as the Executive Director for the YWCA of Sweetwater County and Organizational Change Management Lead for J.R. Simplot Company.
Schoenfeld is no stranger to working on complicated situations to achieve public private benefits. In 2017 she was appointed by Governor Matthew H. Mead to serve on the Wyoming Broadband Council where she was the chair. In 2020 she was appointed by Governor Mark Gordon to the Wyoming Broadband Legislative Task Force and in 2021 served on the National Association of Counties Broadband Task Force. Schoenfeld was a board member for the Sweetwater County Economic Development Association, the Wyoming Community Foundation Rock Springs Board of Directors and the Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Executive Leadership Team. In 2018 she was honored to be a delegate and speaker at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Schoenfeld has a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Wyoming.
Ed Seidel
Ed Seidel is the 28th President of the University of Wyoming, a role he began on July 1, 2020. He is a distinguished physicist and computer scientist, known internationally for scientific excellence, bold vision and dynamic and collegial leadership. He has a track record of advancing scientific research, technology development and economic progress at the university, state, and national levels. Ed has leveraged that experience to develop a vision for UW’s continued success that includes programs designed to enhance student success, broaden UW’s service to the state, and ensure the long-term financial stability of the university.
Seidel received his Ph.D. in relativistic astrophysics from Yale University. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Ed and his partner, Dr. Gabrielle Allen, are avid skiers and enjoy hiking and camping in Wyoming’s great outdoors.
John Temte
John D. Temte is a technology entrepreneur and investor. His primary roles are as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Jackson Hole Technology Partnership 501c3 and as General Partner of WYO VC LLC.
John co-founded, along with former Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, the Jackson Hole Technology Partnership (JHTP), a non-profit focused on tech job creation in non-urban areas both nationally and globally. At JHTP, John chairs the annual Wyoming Global Technology Summit in partnership. JHTP is now in its 11th year and the annual tech summit has built a network of over 3,000 c level executives, entrepreneurs and venture capital investors from which the WYO VC funds draw its deal flow.
Prior to WYO VC, John was Managing General Partner of Temte Capital, John is an active technology investor and advisor. John oversees all investments made by his family office, Temte Capital and serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee. John works closely with the venture capital managers in whom Temte Capital invests and sits on several boards. From 2020-2024 John has invested in many Seed and Series A round companies some of which have gone public. (see Appendix A).
As an entrepreneur John co-founded numerous technology-enabled businesses, exiting one before the age of 26 and has been credited, in part, for pioneering the online group-buying model now used across the web. Prior to his entrepreneurial and finance experience, John worked in professional sports in the NFL and NBA.
John received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California State University at Chico. John’s philanthropic activities have included serving two terms on the Wyoming Governor’s Economic Diversification Council, chairing both the Energy and Infrastructure Committees which secured $35mm from the WY state legislature to fund last mile broadband. Lastly, as a technology advisor, John served two terms on the Wyoming Business Alliance Steering Committee and is a Trustee at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. John is a resident of Cody, WY and Laramie, WY.
Tim Thornell
Tim Thornell is the President and CEO of Cheyenne Regional Health System in Wyoming. The system is comprised of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC), 201 licensed acute care beds across two campuses, the
free-standing Davis Hospice Center, Wyoming Institute of Population Health, and Cheyenne Regional Medical Group, the state’s largest medical group. CRMC is a Joint Commission (TJC) accredited hospital with special TJC accreditations as a Primary Heart Attack Center and a Primary Stroke Center. CRMC is an ANCC Magnet hospital, the only one in Wyoming to hold this designation.
Prior to his role at Cheyenne Regional, he served as CEO of Lea Regional Medical Center in Hobbs, New Mexico for nearly eight years. He has held COO positions at MountainView Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Yakima Regional Medical Center in Yakima, Washington. In addition, Mr. Thornell has ten years of experience in physician practice management with Ventura County Medical Center and Health Management Associates.
Mr. Thornell is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Diplomat of the American College of Medical Practice Executives. He serves as the on the Boards of the Wyoming Hospital Association (Chairman), Vizient Mid-America (Chairman), Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, and Adventure West Council of Boys Scouts of America. He holds undergraduate degrees in Physiology and French from University of California, Davis and a master’s in health administration from University of Southern California. He is currently pursuing his doctorate degree in Health Policy & Management at Johns Hopkins University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children who are active in tennis, church, and theatre.
Dr. Brad Tyndall has worked for community colleges for more than 25 years serving as adjunct faculty, full-time faculty, department chair, academic dean, vice president and now president. Tyndall has a Ph.D. in Economics with specializations in Environmental Economics and International Finance. His master’s degree is in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; both from Colorado State University.
Dr. Brad Tyndall has been the president of Central Wyoming College since July 2016. He has worked in the field of community economic development all of his adult career. Overseas, he worked 5 years in eastern Africa and the Middle East for the US Agency for International Development, Peace Corps, and CARE International. He was a Fulbright Fellow in economic development for a World Bank affiliate in Kenya. In 2016, he was asked by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to present at its World Environment Day conference in Jubail. After 9/11/2001, to promote peace and understanding, he began doing presentations on Islam and he has published a book recounting his personal perspective.
In the US, Brad has worked in economic development in the community college sector for over 25 years in Colorado (Front Range Community College and Colorado Mountain College), New Mexico (San Juan College), Missouri (Crowder College) and now Wyoming (CWC).
Brad has a B.S. in Science Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has studied Arabic at the University of Strasbourg in France and at the Sudan Arabic Institute in Khartoum. He speaks English, French, Arabic and some Amharic.
Brad’s Master’s Degree is in Ag & Natural Resource Economics from Colorado State University where his thesis was on the Colorado Corn Market. His Ph.D. in Economics, also from CSU, focused on the innovative solutions to economic development in Africa.
Brad enjoys dabbling in agriculture by way of growing grapes and making wine. He loves hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Brad is originally from Littleton, CO, and has spent much time hiking and boating in Wyoming with his family. He is married to Audrey and they have three children, Sophia, Tedla, and Jalon.
Dr. Brad Tyndall
Rob Wallace
A native of Evanston, WY, Rob Wallace has over 45 years of experience working in the energy, natural resource, and public land disciplines. In 2019 he was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate to be the assistant secretary of Interior for fish and wildlife and parks overseeing personnel and policies of the National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Rob began his career as a seasonal park ranger in Grand Teton National Park and since then held positions in a number of private and public sector organizations. Those include assistant director of the National Park Service for congressional affairs, chief of staff to US Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-WY), Republican staff director the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, chief of staff to Wyoming governor Jim Geringer, manager of government relations for GE’s energy division, and Co-founder and President of the Upper Green River Conservancy, a sage grouse habitat mitigation bank in southwestern Wyoming. He earned a BS in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas @ Austin and currently lives in Teton County.
Pete Williams
Pete Williams covered the US Supreme Court and the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security for NBC News for 29 years as a correspondent based in Washington, DC.
The Atlantic called him the “media hero of the Boston bombing coverage” for his “clear, careful, accurate reporting in a sea of media confusion.” Regarding his live account of the Supreme Court’s decision ending the 2000 presidential election dispute, George W. Bush wrote, “I probably became the first person to learn he had won the presidency while lying in bed with his wife watching TV.”
Williams is the recipient of four national news Emmy awards, two Edward R. Murrow awards, and the John F. Hogan award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. He is now a member of the WyoFile board of directors.
Prior to joining NBC News, Williams was an aide in the US Senate and House of Representatives. In 1986 he joined the staff of then-Congressman Dick Cheney as press secretary and legislative assistant. In 1989, when Cheney became Secretary of Defense, Williams was confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.
A native of Casper, Wyoming and a 1974 graduate of Stanford University, Williams was a reporter and news director at KTWO-TV and Radio in Casper from 1974 to 1985. He successfully lobbied the Wyoming Supreme Court to permit broadcast coverage of its proceedings and twice sued Wyoming judges over pre-trial exclusion of reporters from the courtroom. For these efforts, he received a First Amendment Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Forum Attendees
