Farkas New Johnson Career Center Director at UW

November 12, 2008

Steven W. Farkas is the first director of the newly established Peter M. and Paula Green Johnson Business Career Center at the University of Wyoming.

Farkas, of Cheyenne, has been chief operating officer of western apparel retailer BTWW since 2007 and before that served as senior vice president of operations.

Last year, Peter and Paula Johnson donated $1 million to endow a center in the UW College of Business to help students prepare for careers. Their gift was matched by state funds. Peter Johnson is president of Sinclair Oil Corporation.

The center provides career management services for UW's business students, including career counseling, job search strategies and marketing and networking tools to assist students in launching their careers, says Brent Hathaway, UW College of Business dean.

"Steve will bring vision, energy and strategic direction for our new model of service and cooperation between students and employers," Hathaway says. "His operational leadership and diverse perspective with Corral West will bring great insight and focus in helping prepare our current and future students for their careers."

During construction for the new College of Business building, Farkas has a temporary office in Crane Hall.

"This is an exciting time for the College of Business and a tremendous opportunity to be a part of its vision for establishing itself as a premier destination for business students, faculty and employers," Farkas says. "I am looking forward to partnering with the administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni to create a model of excellence for the new center."

BTWW Retail, LP is the largest western apparel retailer in the country with 140 stores in 25 states operating stores under the names of Corral West Ranchwear, The Wrangler, Western Warehouse, Boot Town, Sergeants, Job Site and Work Wear Depot.

Farkas, who received a B.A. (1990) from the University of Florida, began his business career in Cheyenne in 1991 with Corral West Ranchwear, Inc. He helped spearhead merger, acquisition and start-up efforts to create the industry's largest retailer.

He has served as an adviser for state employment issues for the Wyoming Business Council and is a member of the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. Farkas also has served in leadership roles for national, statewide and local organizations.

For more information, contact Farkas at (307) 766-6271 or e-mail sfarkas@uwyo.edu.

Peter and Paula Green Johnson now reside in Salt Lake City, Utah. Peter Johnson, a Lovell native, graduated with honors with a B.S. (1972) degree in finance from UW and continued his education at the University of Denver, earning a J.D. (1978) degree. Paula Green Johnson, a Laramie native, received a B.S. (1972) degree in speech pathology and audiology from UW.

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