John MacPherson of Saratoga and Jeff Marsh of Torrington were introduced today (Thursday) as the newest members of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees. The UW board consists of 12 members appointed to six-year staggered terms.
Gov. Matt Mead made the appointments last week when he announced his statewide board, committee and commission appointments. The Senate recently confirmed those appointments. The UW Board of Trustees has the responsibility to approve and adopt the general policies governing the university and provide broad oversight for the fiduciary management, academic policies and general welfare of UW students.
MacPherson replaces Dr. Taylor Haynes of Cheyenne and Marsh replaces Chuck Brown of Wheatland on the board. The governor reappointed current trustees Warren Lauer of Laramie and Dave Palmerlee of Buffalo. All four trustees' terms will run through 2017.
MacPherson, a semi-retired attorney, was born in Rawlins and received his B.S. (1964) history degree from Regis College and his jurist doctorate (1967 with honors) from UW. He was admitted to the Wyoming bar in 1967; and admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of Wyoming and Wyoming Supreme court, 1967; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1970; the U.S. Supreme Court, 1973; and Federal District Court of Colorado this year.
MacPherson has been a member of the Carbon County Bar Association (president 1983-1995); Wyoming State Bar; United States Magistrate, 1971-1975 and 1979-1985; Wyoming State Bar commissioner, 1970-1971; Wyoming Pattern Civil Jury Instruction Committee, 1991-1992; Wyoming State Bar Foundation Board, vice president and president, 1993-1998; and Wyoming State Board of Law Examiners, 1994-2000, serving terms as vice chairman and chairman.
He also has served on the board of trustees for Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, 1975-1993; American Board of Trial Advocates, since 1990; and selected for inclusion in the 2004 edition of the Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business.
MacPherson has two children and is married to Catherine MacPherson.
Marsh, a New York Life Insurance Company agent, was born and raised in Lingle and received both his degrees -- B.A. (1982) in elementary education and M.A. (1983) in counseling from UW. He also graduated from Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) with an A.A. degree (1980).
Since joining New York Life in 1987, Marsh has established himself as one of the top agents for the company in Wyoming and western Nebraska. He ranks among the top 5 percent of the New York Life field force of nearly 10,000 agents. Previously Marsh was an elementary school counselor, track coach and owner of a residential construction company. He is a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table.
His community involvement includes past presidency of the Torrington Rotary Club, EWC Foundation and Community Healthcare Foundation. Marsh also served as a member of Wyoming State Board of Education; past chairman and member of the Wyoming School Facilities Commission; Delta Dental of Wyoming board of directors; board of trustees of Community Hospital; EWC distinguished alumni; and board of directors, Platte Valley Bank of Torrington.
Marsh and his wife, Cathy, have three children.
