Four Wyoming communities -- Dubois, Meeteetse, Pine Bluffs and Recluse -- will be represented for the first time with the 13th Leadership Wyoming class.
An orientation session for new class members is Aug. 2-3, at the University of Wyoming. Since 2001, 487 people from throughout the state have graduated from the program, including Gov. Matt Mead, former first lady and federal judge Nancy Freudenthal, United States Sen. John Barrasso, Adjutant General Luke Reiner and more than 15 legislators.
A Wyoming Heritage Foundation and UW program, Leadership Wyoming provides opportunities for a diverse group of 40 Wyoming citizens to participate in a challenging and thought-provoking nine-month educational experience. Beginning in early August and ending in May 2013, the group will participate in eight sessions.
The orientation session at UW will feature speakers Carol Frost, UW vice president for special projects; Phil Roberts, UW history associate professor; and a presentation, “Wyoming Budget Dynamics: 1998-2013,” from state Rep. Kermit Brown of Laramie and Bill Mai, Division of Economic Analysis director.
Other programs are a retreat in Jackson in September; a “Natural Resources and the Environment” program in Gillette and Wright in October; the November “Education, Technology and Change” session is in Evanston; Worland will host the “Entrepreneurship and the Economy” program in January; “Government and Politics” is the theme for February’s session in Cheyenne; Sheridan is the site for March’s session focusing on “Healthcare, Community Service and Quality of Life”; and graduation weekend is April 26-26 in Casper.
Training sessions provide a practical, nonpartisan, hands-on understanding of a broad spectrum of public policy issues, and develop an appreciation for trusteeship, with lasting commitments to civic involvement at the state and local level.
Leadership Wyoming gives participants an opportunity to better understand general public policy issues, economic and social diversity, and the challenges facing the state. The experience prepares them, through shared mutual interests and the leadership skills developed, to be active in building a better Wyoming, says Bill Schilling, Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation president and Leadership Wyoming executive director.
For more information about the program, call (307) 577-8000 or visit the Web site http://www.leadershipwyoming.org/.
Members of this year’s Leadership Wyoming class, listed by hometown and the company they represent, are:
Bedford -- Darrel Skinner, Lincoln Self Reliance Inc.
Casper -- Samantha Benton, First Interstate Bank; Don Claunch, Wyoming Medical Center; Amity Holland, Wells Fargo Bank; Bob McGee, Energy Transportation; Joe McGinley, Casper Medical Imaging; Scott Nolan, Casper College; Rebekah Simon-Peter, BridgeWorks; and Shea Ward, Wyoming Behavioral Institute.
Cheyenne -- Mike Dowling, U.S. Bank; Fred Emerich, Wyoming State Senate; Tiffany Healey, (no company listed); Steve Mount, Wyoming National Guard; Paul Panico, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center; Ann Redman, (no company listed); Marian Schulz, lobbyist; Janie White, Wyoming Policy Institute; and Katharine Wilkinson, KKW Consulting LLC.
Chugwater -- Anja Bendel, Cheyenne LEADS.
Denver, Colo. -- John Dill, Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
Dubois -- Sara Domek, Wyoming Wilderness Association.
Encampment -- Janice Peterson, Wyoming Congressional Award Council.
Gillette -- Eric Barlow, (no company listed) and Molly Nichelson, Cloud Peak Energy.
Green River -- Brett Johnson, Sweetwater County; Aaron Reichl, FMC Corporation; and Craig Rood, OCI of Wyoming.
Jackson -- Susan Combs, Holland & Hart LLP.
Lander -- Steven Brutger, Trout Unlimited; Ron Hansen, Sweetwater Food and Beverage; Paula Hunker, The Nature Conservancy.
Laramie -- Anne Alexander, International Programs; Mary Burman, School of Nursing; Bret Hess, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension; Christine Langley, Wyoming Technology Business Center; and Kent Noble, College of Business, all with the University of Wyoming; Jake Anfinson, First Interstate Bank; Shirley Pratt, Ark Regional Services; and Nancy Stutzman, American National B Bank.
Meeteetse -- Angie Johnson, Town of Meeteetse.
Pine Bluffs -- Brian Heithoff, High West Energy.
Pinedale -- Neal Stelting, Sublette County.
Recluse -- Mary Silvernell, Campbell County Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board.
Rock Springs -- Dee Findlay, oil and gas industry.
Thermopolis -- Marcia Shanor, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association.
Worland -- Ron Harvey, Ron’s Sanitation Inc.
