Even Brande

Originally from Oslo, Norway, Even Brande moved to the United States in 1988 to pursue higher education. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wyoming in 1991 and continued on to complete his MBA there in 1993.

 

Even chose the University of Wyoming because he had always dreamed of studying in the U.S., and UW had a welcoming community of Norwegian students—including a family friend who spoke highly of the school. The cold winters and nearby skiing opportunities didn't hurt either.

 

Although he initially planned to return to Norway after graduation, fate had other plans. During his senior year, he met his future wife, Anne, outside the College of Business. His return ticket to Norway was canceled, and the two married soon after—marking the beginning of a lifelong Wyoming adventure.

 

After completing his undergraduate degree, Even joined Tandy Corporation's Management Trainee Program and helped run a RadioShack store in Fort Collins, Colorado. When his work permit expired, he returned to UW to complete his MBA. Following graduation in 1993, he was hired by his former entrepreneurship professor, Dr. Brooks Mitchell, to serve as a Corporate Services Executive at Aspen Tree Software, one of Laramie's early technology companies. He later became Marketing Director before the company was sold in 1997.

 

Believing Laramie to be an ideal place to grow a technology business, Even founded Handel Information Technologies later that same year. He served as Handel's CEO until 2018 and now continues to guide the company as its Chairman, allowing him to dedicate more time to his other passions.

 

Even is a graduate of the Leadership Wyoming Class of 2006 and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Governor's Internet Privacy Task Force, State of Wyoming Information Technology Policy Council, Wyoming Technology Business Center, Laramie Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), State of Wyoming Innovative Education Council, United Way (as Co-Chair), and advisory boards for both the University of Wyoming College of Business and the Department of Computer Science. He is currently President of the Scandinavian Collector's Club, the largest society worldwide of philatelists who collects Nordic countries.

 

A respected voice in the technology community, Even is a frequent speaker at conferences on the intersection of government and technology. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the University of Wyoming College of Business, where he has taught entrepreneurship, information management and currently teaches Business Analytics.

 

In his free time, Even enjoys life on his family's ranch along the Wyoming–Colorado border with his wife, Anne, and their three children. He is passionate about music, running, cross-country skiing, and spending time outdoors.